Mythological Names for Girls

Madhavi

Feminization of Madhava, Sanskrit

"of the springtime"

An epithet of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi — the personification of fertility, prosperity, and wealth.

Cerelia

Latin

"relating to springtime"

Cerelia is a melodic and unusual choice, perfect for a child born in April or May. Another version is Cerella.

Hero

Greek

"demi-god"

Despite the possibility of gender confusion, the Hero in Greek myth was a woman. Myleene Klass got that when she chose Hero for her daughter, and Sam Taylor-Wood and Aaron Johnson used it as their…

Brunhild

Norse

"armed for battle"

One of the Valkyries, still clad in heavy armor.

Carda

Latin

"hinge"

Another name for Cardea, the Roman goddess of hinges who was typically associated with doorways.

Awilix

Mayan

"swallow"

The Mayan goddess of the moon and the night, associated with swallows, eagles, and jaguars.

Chandra

Hindi

"goddess of the moon"

Chandra is the name of the Hindu moon goddess last groovy when incense and meditation were hot new concepts but a new possibility with the resurgence of astrology and other non-Western spiritual…

Aušrinė

Lithuanian

"dawning"

Aušrinė is the Lithuanian goddess of the morning star. Each day she prepares the way for Saulė (the sun). Her counterpart is Vakarinė of the evening star.

Atalanta

Greek mythology name

"equal in weight"

Atalanta was a beautiful mythological maiden who refused to marry any man who couldn't beat her in a footrace -- quite a role model. This myth is found in Ovid's Metamorphoses and later in…

Etain

Irish

"jealousy"

The Etain (or more properly Étaín) of Irish mythology was a beautiful fairy turned into a fly (or in some versions, a butterfly), by a jealous queen. The insect Étaín fell into a glass of milk and…

Cardea

Latin

"hinge"

The Roman goddess of hinges. She is one of three deities that ruled over doorways, along with Forculus, god of the door, and Limentinus, god of the threshold.

Galanthus

Greek

"milk-flower"

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…

Grainne

Irish

"grain or love"

Grainne is the Irish form of the name often Anglicized as Grania. It was the name of the ancient grain goddess and also of the fiancee of mythological hero Finn McCool and lover of Dermot, who was a…

Halcyon

Greek

"kingfisher bird"

This highly unusual name -- the Halycyone was a mythic bird who could calm the seas -- conjures up images of utter peace and tranquility because of the phrase "Halycon days"...and the sleeping pill.

Hippolyte

Greek

"releaser of horses"

The queen of the Amazons in Greek legend, daughter of Ares. Hippolyte was killed by Herakles in order to obtain her magic girdle. In a confusing twist, Hippolyte is also the name of her son.

Hebe

Greek

"youth"

The name of the Greek goddess of youth, daughter of Zeus and Hera, is rarely used today but may be ripe for revival considering the popularity of rhyming Phoebe. Sweet as Bebe but with the…

Tellervo

Finnish mythological name

Tellervo is the Finnish goddess of the forest, who is often depicted milking and taking care of cows.

Acantha

Greek

"thorn, prickle"

Acantha is one of the unique baby names in the stylish mythological category that also might count as a flower name. In Greek mythology, Acantha was a nymph beloved by Apollo. An unusual and…

Hesperia

Greek

"evening, evening star"

Hesperia is the name of one of the Hesperides, known as the daughters of Hesperus or evening. Hesperus is the personification of the evening star in Greek mythology, better known as Venus in Roman…

Ianthe

Greek

"purple flower"

Like Violet, Lavender and Lilac, Ianthe is a purple flower name. Chosen by the poet Shelley for his daughter, Ianthe has a poetic, romantic, almost ethereal quality. In the ancient myth, she was the…