Greek Names for Girls

An elaborate alternative to stylish Evangeline, Evangelisa is a rare choice with familiar and popular sounds. Ultimately deriving from the Greek euangelos meaning "bringer of good news", this form may be interpreted in several different ways.
 
On one hand, it may just be viewed as an elaboration of Evangeline, however, it could also be a blend of Elisa and Evangeline. In the latter case, it could be interpreted as meaning "bearer of good news, pledged to God". 
 Alternatively, it may be a spin on the name Evangelista, usually said to mean "preacher, Evangelist", and therefore closely connected to the main writers of of the New Testament, John, Mark, Matthew, and Luke, though it could also be a spin on the wordevangelize (meaning "to preach the gospel").
 
Used occasionally in the Philippines, the US, Zambia. and England, it is a very rare option, but with nicknames Eva, Evie, Angie, and Isa, it could make an interesting one to consider.

Evangelisa

A variation of the classic Irene, predominantly used in Peru, Venezuela, and Mexico, Yrene also appears in Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series. Typically pronounced as ee-REH-neh, the book character's name is said as EYE-reen by some readers, following the English pronunciation.

Yrene

Predominantly used in its native Greece — though it may be seen occasionally in Cyprus and Albania too — Persefoni is the modern Greek transcription of the mythological goddess's name. Borne by Queen of the Underworld and the Goddess of spring, Persefoni makes an elegant choice. 




Persefoni

Kallithea is a place name which appears multiple times on a map of Greece, notably in Athens, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, and Zakynthos. Meaning "beautiful view", it has an appealing, "name-y" sound, reminiscent of Kalliope and Alethea. The name is sometimes associated with Callithiya or Callithea — the name of several figures from Greek mythology, including the first priestess of Hera and a daughter of Aeolus, the keeper of winds. As such, it could also be interpreted as meaning "beautiful sacrifice", "beautiful celebration", "beautiful goddess", or "beautiful cypress". 




Kallithea

A variation of Alethea, the name given to the personification of truth in some versions of Greek myth. This particular form might help you to avoid the uh-LEE-thee-uh pronunciation, though it could cause confusion over whether it is said THAY-uh, TEH-uh or THEE-uh at the end. If it's the latter you're after, Alathea might be easier (and used slightly more often).



Alatheia

If you love Cleo, Dorothea, and Ophelia, this rare name might intrigue you. Derived from Cleophas or Clopas, names that appear in the New Testament, it's meaning is speculated to be "glory to the father" or "famous father" (from Greek), although other sources suggest it's an Aramaic name of unknown meaning.
 
While Cléophée is the French feminine form, Cleophea has been predominantly used in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, with notable bearers including the 18th-century businesswoman Cleophea Pestalozzi, the mother of artist Angelica Kauffman (Cleophea Lutz), and the 16th-century subject of a painting by Swiss painter, Hans Asper (Cleophea Holzhalb). 
 
It may be pronounced as KLEE-o-fee-uh, KLEE-uh-fee-uh, KLEE-o-feh-uh, or KLEH-o-feh-uh, depending on region and language.

Cleophea

A floral and saintly choice, Anthusa derives from the Greek word athos meaning "flower", in turn connecting it to more familiar choices such Anthea and Xanthe. Also written as Anthousa, this Latinized form is associated with a number of saints, including Saint Anthusa of Constantinople (the patroness of convents and abbeys), and the earlier Saint Anthusa of Mantinea, for whom the former was named.

Anthusa

A rare gemstone name with the sounds of Isla, Iona, and Iris, the name Iolite stems from the Greek word for "violet", reflecting its violet-blue colors. Also known as a "water sapphire" and a "two-colored rock" (dichroite), it has been additionally been nicknamed "Viking's compass", as it was traditionally used to tell the direction of the sun. As yet, it's an undiscovered choice, but could make a distinctive middle name or character name possibility.

Iolite

An alternative form of Serapia, itself derived from Serapis, the name of a Greco-Egyptian god, formed through fusing the sacred bull Apis with the god of fertility and the dead, Osiris. It was notably borne by Saint Seraphia of Syria, a 2nd-century martyr, punished and then beheaded for refusing to worship the Roman gods.
 
From its Greek and Egyptian roots, Seraphia likely comes from the Egyptian asar meaning "eye" or "mighty", however, it may occasionally be used as a twist on Seraphina. In this case, it comes from the Biblical and Hebrew seraphim, referring to six-winged angels whose name means "fiery ones"
 
It could make an interesting alternative to Seraphina or Sophia.

Seraphia

Also spelled as Serafiia, this name is a variation of Serapia, itself derived from Serapis, a Greco-Egyptian god, formed by fusing the sacred bull Apis with the god of the dead, Osiris. It is notably born by a 2nd-century saint, who was beheaded after she refused to worship the Roman Gods. 
 
This form is used in Swedish and Finnish, while elsewhere, Seraphia and Seraphie may be used. Thought to come from the Egyptian asar meaning "eye" or "mighty", some may additionally consider it as a creative twist on Serafina, a name inspired by a group of Biblical angels.

Serafia

A melodic French choice, Séraphie is a variation of Seraphia or Serapia, both derived from Serapis, the name of a Greco-Egyptian god, formed through fusing the sacred bull Apis with the god of the dead, Osiris. Séraphie may also be viewed as a saintly choice, associated with the 2nd-century martyr, Saint Serapia, who was killed after she refused to worship the Roman gods.
 
From its Greek and Egyptian roots, it likely comes from asar meaning "eye" or "mighty", however, it may occasionally be linked or used as a twist on Seraphine, associated with six-winged Biblical angels whose name means "fiery ones".
 
Both Séraphie and Séraphine were familiar in France in the early 20th-century.

Séraphie

A rare and spiky name with a gentler meaning, Kyriakia is very occasionally heard in Greece. It may be considered a feminine form of the Greek name Kyriakos or as an elaboration of the related Kyriaki, which is also the Greek word for Sunday.

Kyriakia

A variation of the arty and elegant Shakespearian name, Ofeliya is sometimes used in Russia, the Ukraine, and Bulgaria, and in Azerbaijan, where it is likely transcribed as Ofeliya, with the dotted I. Notable bearers include TV host Ofeliya Sənani and actress Ofeliya Aslan, the stripped back Ofelya is also sometimes used. 

Ofeliya

Lyrania is a contemporary choice that may be viewed in several ways. On one hand, it's a pretty, elaborated form of the Greek Lyra, giving it a hint of Liliana, while on the other, it may be viewed as a smooth name, blending Lyra with the Arabic Rania, giving it the poetic meaning of "heavenly Lyra".
 
Other sources suggest it's a spin on Lyria ("lyre") or Liliana ("lily; pledged to God"), or perhaps a a blend of Lyla and Rania ("night + heaven"), Lyra and Ania ("graceful lyre"), Lyra and Rania (from its Norse roots, "to look on the lyre"). 
 
Similar sounding Liriana is another option.

Lyrania

Likely derived from the same root as Eros, Erato is a rare choice from Greek mythology, borne by one of the Nine Muses. Known as the Muse of lyric poetry — and erotic poetry — she is often depicted as holding a wreath made of myrtle and roses, and with either a lyre or a kithara, and more occasionally with turtle doves at her feet.
 
While the names of some of her sisters and fellow Muses are now familiar choices — see Clio, Thalia, and Calliope — Erato has remained rare. While it was borne by an ancient queen of Armenia, it suffers perhaps, because it reminds English speakers at least of the words erotic, error and erratum, 
 
It is however still used quietly in Greece and Cyprus, and, with the contemporary interest in myhtological — and rarer myth-inspired choices — perhaps Erato is one to watch alongside Ares, Atreus, Lyra, and Persephone.

Erato

Also used as a surname, Santra is both a Finnish and Greek form of Sandra, and a Hindi and Marathi name, meaning "orange", making it a multicultural choice that travels well. 
 
In the first instance, it derives from the classic Alexandra and would be pronounced SAN-tra in Finnish and san-DHRA in Greek (DH like the sound at the beginning of them>).
 
In the second — and more popular — case, Santra is an Indian name, ultimately derived from the Sanskrit santram, the Hindi and Marathi santre and the Urdu santari, all referring to oranges, as in the citrus fruit. In this case, it would be said as SUN-truh or SUN-tru

Santra

An elaborate and pretty diminutive of Esther, Estirola may appeal to fans of Estella and Estrella who also want a name with Old Testament connections. In Judeo-Spanish, it would be pronounced as es-ti-ROH-la, while in Judeo-Greek, it would be es-TI-ro-la. 
 
Estirola is rarely used as a given name.

Estirola

Christiani is one of many forms, male and female, of the name related to Christ. Christiani is a rare variation made famous by Broadway star Christiani Pitts.

Christiani

A long name with plenty of grandeur and plenty of grounding nicknames, Apollodora could make an interesting alternative to Apolline and Apollinia, and to Isadora, Theodora, and Dorothea. Meaning "gift of Apollo", Apollo being the Ancient Greek god of the sun, music, prophecy, and art, it is a feminine form of the masculine Apollodorus.
 
While it would make a rare and daring choice, with Apollo, Aurora, and Athena becoming familiar, it doesn't seem as out there as it might once have done. Add into that the nicknames Polly, Alora, Dollie, Dora, Rory, Lolo, Lola, Allie, Ollie, and Lora, it could be one to consider.

Apollodora

Also appearing as Percília, this distinctive choice appeared in the Brazilian charts in the 1930s and 1940s. While it may look like a relative of Percival or Priscilla, it does ultimately come from an Ancient Greek word meaning "perch" or "dark-spotted". Used as the name of a genus of ray-finned fish that are native to Chile, it could feel a bit too fishy for some, but for others, it could be a name with a cool nature connection and a rarer alternative to Cecilia, Philippa, and Perla. 

Percilia

Greek girl names include several classic names that have ranked highly in the US for its entire history, most notably Catherine, Helen, and Margaret.

 in recent times, not only in the US but around the world, is Sophia, the name of the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Sofia, the name’s alternate spelling, also ranks in the Top 25, along with the Greek name Penelope.

include Alexandra, Arianna, Chloe, Cora, Evangeline, Iris, Lydia, Maya, Ophelia, Thea, and Zoe. 

 popular in Greece include Konstantina, Katerina, Dimitra, and Eleni.

 currently in style include Anastasia, Anthea, Calypso, Cassia, Dorothea, Eulalia, Ione, Lyra, and Phoebe. But there are so many other Greek girl names worth consideration, from Acacia to Zephyrine, that the entire list bears a closer look.

 were a big favorite of Shakespeare's, with such Greek names as Desdemona and Cressida playing a major part in some of his greatest tragedies. If Greek girl names are good enough for the Bard, surely our list of Greek names for girls is worth exploring!

Greek girl names with meanings and popularity, including top Greek names for girls and unique girls names from Greece and of Greek origin. (Page 35)

Greek Girl Names