Modern Takes on Ancient Greek Names
Whether you’d like to honor Yiayia and Papou but are worried about pronunciation issues, or you’re looking for a fresh take on classic names with long histories, the nicknames and variations of traditional Greek names below will give you numerous options when finding a suitable moniker for your little one.
Girls
Panayiota —> Penny
While Panayiota is certainly a beautiful name, it can be a mouthful for non-Greeks to pronounce. Penny is the traditional nickname for Penelope but is a lovely nickname fit for a little Panayiota or even as a stand alone. Pandora might work too.
Stavroula —> Roula, Vroula, Stephanie
If this traditional name appeals to you, but you’d like a shorter and easier-to-prounounce version, then Roula and Vroula fit the bill – both of these names leave you with the same timeless feel and make it easy to honor a Stavroula in your life. If, however, you’re more concerned with finding an English equivalent, Stephanie may be your closest choice. While Stavroula and Stephanie are not the same names – in fact, the Greek form of Stephanie is Stephana — they do share a similar meaning (crown).
While the name Dimitra does offer a connection to the Greek goddess of fertility, Demeter, there’s another reason this name is so popular in Greek communities today. Demetrius of Thessaloniki, a fourth century martyr, is highly regarded in the Orthodox Christian Church and lends his name to males and females alike. While Dimitra isn’t difficult to pronounce, Demi offers a modern twist.
Despina —> Desi
Another name steeped in mythology, Despiona was the daughter of Demeter and Poseidon. The more common variation, Despina, means “lady” and has been commonly bestowed upon Greek girls for centuries. While some parents like traditional, names, you may be looking for a more trendy or modern feel, which Desi definitely offers
If you’re looking for a unique name with traditional nickname options, Vasiliki might just be the one. This name, meaning “regal,” is the feminine form of Basil, a noted fourth century bishop and theologian of the Orthodox Church. As the two most common nickname choices of Vasiliki, Bessie and Betty offer classic and universally known nickname choices that age well and are starting to come back into favor.
Boys
This Greek variation of the Latin Constantine is a popular name option for Greek boys, but it may seem a bit clunky to those looking for names with a short, crisp sound. Kostas, however, offers a breezy, equally authentic name option that will grow well with your child.
Iakovos —> Jacob and James (Latin)
If you’d like to choose a traditional Greek name that also has numerous international variations, Iakovos is an excellent choice, lending itself to two Top 10 boys’ names, Jacob and James. Jacob (Hebrew) and James (Latin) are strong, biblically-based names that translate well to a number of other languages, such as Iago in Spanish for Jacob and Séamus in Irish for James. This is a great choice for children who have more than one culture to be proud of.
Giannis/Yiannis is another name that offers a traditional and well-respected English name. John is a name with strong namesakes (St. John the Apostle and St. John the Baptist) and is commonly used in place of Giannis/Yiannis in English-speaking communities.
Vlasios —> Blaise
If the surname theme is more your thing, the English variant of Vlasios is a good consideration. Blaise broke into the Top 1000 list in 1996 after a 32-year hiatus and has been bopping between the 900s and 800s ever since. A great name that’s easy to spell and pronounce but that won’t leave your child as one of many in the classroom and on the playground.
Mihalis —> Michael and its diminutives
A variant of the Hebrew name Mikha’el, meaning “who is like God?,” Mihalis is a commonly bestowed Greek name with a number of nickname options. From the traditional Michael to the exotic Micah to the sweet Mikey, it’s easy to honor a Mihalis in your family.
What’s your favorite international name with an awesome nickname option?
Stephanie Bruce, better known on Nameberry as elizabeths, is a content writer by trade and a Junior studying for her Bachelor‘s in History. As a self-proclaimed name nerd, Stephanie has been collecting names since the age of 10 and loves names with strong ties to history. She can be found at her website www.stephaniebrucewriting.com.