Iphis
Below 5 births
Below 5 births
About Iphis
Iphis is a unisex ancient Greek name that appears a number of times throughout Greek mythology, as a King of Argos, one of the Argonauts, and a Thespian princess. Most notably, however, it features in Ovid's Metamorphoses, in the tale of Iphis and Ianthe.
Iphis for boys
According to Ovid, Iphis is born a girl, however, to save them from being put to death by the father (who can't afford a woman's dowry), Iphis's mother conceals their sex and raises them as a boy. Iphis goes on to fall in love with Ianthe, but realizes they cannot wed as they are. While Iphis laments to Juno about the problem, their mother goes to a temple of Isis to ask for guidance, and, Just before the wedding is set to take place, Iphis is transformed into a man.
Possibly derived from the Greek iphios meaning "strong, stout" or "force", Iphis can be said as EYE-fis, IF-fiss or EE-fees. A rare choice, it may appeal to those who like Iris, Idris, Ira, or Paris, or for those looking for a unisex name with mythological ties and and LGBTQ+ connections.
Iphis for girls
A unisex ancient Greek name, perhaps most notably appearing in the Ovid's Metamorphoses, Iphis has a bright sound that may appeal to those who like Iris or Isis. It can be said as EYE-fis, IF-fiss or EE-fees the latter being closer to the ancient Greek pronunciation.
According to Ovid, before Iphis is born, their father Ligdus tells his wife Telethusa that if the baby is a girl, she will need to be put to death as he won't be able to afford a dowry for her in the future. Telethusa is then visited by the Egyptian goddess Isis (among others) who encourage her to keep the baby regardless. As such, when Iphis is born a girl, Telethusa decides to conceal the baby's sex and raises Iphis as a boy. Iphis goes on to fall in love with a girl called Ianthe and while the two are set to marry, Iphis laments that they can't really wed as they are or as they wish. Telethusa then visits a temple of Isis to offer gifts and ask for guidance, and just before the wedding, Iphis is transformed into a man.
Possibly meaning "strong, stout" or perhaps "force", Iphis also appears in mythology as a the slave of Patroclus, a King of Argos and a Thespian princess.
A rare choice, the name may appeal to those looking for a unisex name with mythological connections and more specifically, one tied to a myth with LGBTQ+ themes.
Pronounced IF-is.