Greek Mythology Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

  1. Hermes
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "cairn, pile of stones, boundary marker"
    • Description:

      These days, some may think of Hermes as an upscale brand name like Chanel and Porsche (spelled as Hermès), or a strange choice thanks to the parcel delivery company. However, with names from Greek mythology very much in style, it is possible there will be plenty who link it to the Greek messenger god.
  2. Nephele
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "cloudy"
    • Description:

      An enchanting ancient Greek name belonging to the Greek goddess who was created from a cloud by Zeus and so became goddess of the clouds and mother of the centaurs. The name Nephele is not widely known but as among modern parents become used to Phoebe, Penelope, and Persephone, it may become one of the ancient Greek goddess names that's back in the mix.
  3. Lethe
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "oblivion"
    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Lethe was the name of one of the five rivers in Hades, the underworld. Lethe was also the name of the Greek spirit of forgetfulness and oblivion, with whom the river was often identified.
  4. Achilles
    • Origin:

      Greek, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      The name of the great Homeric hero with the vulnerable heel, Achilles is more popular in its international form, Achille, which is popular in France, Italy, and Belgium. This variation did however appear briefly on the US Top 1000 list in 2015, perhaps owing to its similarity to the likes of Atticus, Adonis, and Apollo. It has declined in use since then, but is nevertheless chosen for around 160 babies each year.
  5. Hestia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "hearth, fireside"
    • Description:

      Hestia is the name of the Greek goddess of the hearth, home and chastity. Though Hestia has been long dormant as a name, it's a possibility for the parent in search of a classic name with deep roots that's also unusual. It's one of the Greek goddess namesthat's both familiar and distinctive.
  6. Charis
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "grace"
    • Description:

      Reference to the mythological Three Graces of womanly charm, this one representing charity. Pronounced in Greek as starting with a back-of-the-throat H sound, most English-speakers would translate that to something closer to KAR-is. It's also the name of a girl who lived in Atlantis in the novel Taliesin, and appears in the Margaret Atwood novel The Robber Bride.
  7. Hyacinth
    • Origin:

      English, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "blue larkspur; precious stone"
    • Description:

      Though it may not be as sweet and gentle as, say, Violet, the purple-hued Hyacinth still might hold some appeal for the parent seeking a truly unconventional flower name.
  8. Alcyone
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "kingfisher"
    • Description:

      Alcyone was the wife of Ceyx, but the happy pair angered the gods by calling each other Zeus and Hera. Ceyx's ship was sunk, Alcyone hurled herself into the sea, but then in sympathy for their grief the gods made the lovers halcyon birds or kingfishers.
  9. Eurydice
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "wide justice"
    • Description:

      Despite (or because of) her tragic story in Greek myth--Eurydice was poisoned by a snake and condemned to the underworld, where her husband, musician Orpheus, tried and failed to bring her back--she has provided creative inspiration in the arts, namely as the subject of operas by Monteverdi, Haydn and Gluck, in an eponymous play by Jean Anouilh, and the myth was the inspiration for Tennessee William's drama Orpheus Descending. Paintings by Titian, Rubens and Poussin also focus on Eurydice.
  10. Cyrene
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "supreme power"
    • Description:

      Cyrene was a mythical nymph and huntress who was beloved by Apollo. An ancient city in Libya was named after her.
  11. Hecate
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "willpower or far-reaching"
    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Hecate is associated with witchcraft and magic. The name may mean "willpower" or "far-reaching".
  12. Lyssa
    • Origin:

      Short form of Alyssa or Greek mythological name
    • Meaning:

      "anger, fury, rage"
    • Description:

      Most contemporary English speakers will hear the name Lyssa as short for the long-popular Alyssa or Melissa. But Lyssa is a bona fide Greek mythology name, though not a very appealing one.
  13. Titan
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "defender"
    • Description:

      This name comes from Greek mythology, where the Titans were a band of immortal, powerful giants.
  14. Laertes
    • Origin:

      Ancient Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gatherer of the people"
    • Description:

      An Ancient Greek name with a huge dose of literary credibility. Laertes was the father of Odysseus in Greek mythology, who therefore pops up in Homer's The Odyssey.
  15. Eris
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "strife"
    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Eris was the goddess of strife and discord. It's also a planetary name — that of the second-largest dwarf planet in the Solar System.
  16. Zephyr
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "west wind"
    • Description:

      Zephyrus was the Greek god of the west wind, and all names associated with him have a pleasantly gentle, breezy feel. With its cool Z initial and similarity in sound to Stephie and Serafina, Zephyr has been rising up the US charts in recent years as a unisex name.
  17. Leto
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "wife or hidden"
    • Description:

      Leto is the titaness of motherhood (there's a title!) and, with Zeus, mother of the twin Olympians Artemis and Apollo. Simple, sleek, and unique, Leto is one mythological name for girls we might expect to hear a lot more of.
  18. Eurus
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "east wind"
    • Description:

      The Greek god of the east wind was associated with the season of autumn and dwelt near the palace of the sun-god Helios in the far east.
  19. Deucalion
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "sweet sailor"
    • Description:

      Various characters name Deucalion exist in Greek Mythology, including Deucalion, the son of Prometheus; Deucalion of Crete; Deucalion, son of Zeus; and Deucalion the solider, who is killed by Achilles.
  20. Pallas
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"
    • Description:

      This rarified Greek name -- in classical mythology Pallas Athena was the goddess of wisdom and the arts -- might appeal to literary-minded parents. Among the raft of stylish girl names that start with P, Pallas is one rare choice that is often overlooked....but shouldn't be.

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