470+ Mythological Names
- Aeron
Origin:
WelshDescription:
Tolkien may have been inspired by this unisex name of a Celtic goddess of war. Welsh poet Dylan Thomas named his daughter the variation Aeronwy. With goddess names so hot for baby girls, this ethereal choice is one to consider.
- Carna
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"flesh"Description:
Carna was a Roman goddess of the heart and flesh. She was eventually conflated with Cardea, goddess of hinges.
- Oba
Origin:
NigerianDescription:
Intriguing name of the ancient goddess of rivers.
- Mordred
Origin:
Arthurian legend, WelshMeaning:
"moderated, controlled"Description:
A somewhat dark and gloomy feeling name, perhaps because of its connotations or its similarity to the words morbid and murdered. Mordred is adapted from the Welsh Medraut, itself derived from the Latin moderatus. An unusual choice for a baby, but a potentially cool name for a fictional character.
- Dioneta
Origin:
Arthurian legend, meaning unknownDescription:
A minor but intriguing name from Arthurian legend: in the Welsh 14th century work The Birth of Arthur, Dioneta is the name used for the character better known as Morgan le Fay. It's an attractive addition to the -etta family of names, especially for anyone looking for a name that is connected to myth and legend in a more subtle way.
- Ganesha
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"fortunate"Description:
The name of the Hindu elephant-headed god of success and wisdom, son of Shiva and Parvati.
- Medeina
Origin:
Baltic mythology, LithuanianMeaning:
"trees, forest"Description:
A name from Baltic mythology, Medeina is the goddess of the forest and animals, making it an appealing possibility to those interested in mythology and nature. First mentioned in the13th century Russian chronicles, known as the Hypatian Codex, Medeina was associated with protecting the woods from hunters.
- Cleocharia
Origin:
Greek, meaning unknownDescription:
An elaborate way to get to Cleo, rooted in Greek mythology. Cleocharia was a water nymph married to King Lelex of Laconia.
- Māra
Origin:
LatvianDescription:
A goddess of childbirth in Latvian mythology. She is known to be the patroness of all feminine duties as well as economic activity, like money and markets.
- Devana
Origin:
Polish, Czech, Serbian, CroatianMeaning:
"divine"Description:
A deity worshipped across Eastern European countries, goddess of the moon, hunting, and wilderness. Folklore describes Devana as a virgin goddess whose virginity is renewed every spring, and she is often depicted riding on a mare.
- Maui
Origin:
Hawaiian, Polynesian mythologyDescription:
The name of the second-biggest (and third-most populous) island in Hawaii was one of the fastest-rising boys' names of 2017. A major factor was surely Dwayne Johnson's character in Moana, the Polynesian demigod named Maui, a mythological trickster who slowed the sun to create the days. (It fell back to normal levels in the following years.)
- Kyi
Origin:
Ukrainian deityDescription:
The name of the legendary founder of the capital city of Ukraine — Kyiv. In one source, Kyi is associated with smithery.
- Nyavka
Origin:
UkrainianDescription:
Ukrainian goddess known to be a temptress spirit. The Mavka is a long-haired figure said to lure men to their deaths
- Gbenga
Origin:
YorubaMeaning:
"lift up, elevate"Description:
Occasionally found in the Anglicized Benga spelling, this strong Yoruba name is a popular choice in Nigeria. American actor Gbenga Akinnagbe was born Olugbenga, which is a longer form of the name, meaning "God lifted me".
- Shango
Origin:
African, Yoruba, mythology nameDescription:
More substantial than it sounds: Shango was the god of thunder and legendary ancestor of the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
- Galanthus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"milk-flower"Description:
Another name for snowdrops, the small white flowers, Galanthus appeared in Greek mythology under the spelling Galanthis as a servant who deceived the gods and was turned into a weasel. A pretty and unique flower name with a defiant streak, Galanthus is an intriguing choice for a baby girl.
- Polyhymnia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"one of many praises"Description:
Polyhymnia was one of the nine Muses of Greek mythology, associated with hymns, poetry, and dance. It's a whole lotta name for one girl, but now that Persephone and Calliope are on the table, Polyhymnia feels like much more of a possibility.
- Ciza
Origin:
PolishDescription:
Ciza is a goddess in Polish mythology whose areas include nourishment and breastfeeding. It is recorded that the German city Ausburg was once known as Cisaris after this goddess.
- Easter
Origin:
English, from GermanDescription:
Easter has been used as a name for several hundred years, as part of the day-naming tradition; now, this rarely heard holiday celebration name would make a novel choice for a springtime baby. Background:The early Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar Bede took the name of a goddess--Eostre-- whose feast was celebrated at the vernal equinox and gave it to the Christian festival of the resurrection of Christ.
- Alauna
Origin:
Feminine form of Alaunus, Celtic mythologyMeaning:
"to wander; the nourishing one"Description:
A feminine form of Alaunus, the Gaulish God of healing and prophecy, Alauna is sometimes speculated to be a river goddess in her own right. As a name, it has been used for a number of rivers in the UK and across Europe, and while the exact meaning is unknown, it is suggested the name could mean "the nourishing one" or "to wander".