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Cool Roman/Greek Mythology Names

steerthestars
By steerthestars
Updated Mon May 22 2023
  1. Antheia

    • Description:

      Antheia derives from ancient Greek origins, where it was the name of the goddess of flowers, gardens, and flowery wreaths. She was one of the Charites (Graces) associated with vegetation, blossoms, and human fertility. The name comes from the Greek word 'anthos,' meaning 'flower' or 'bloom.' Antheia remains relatively uncommon in modern usage, appealing to parents drawn to names with classical roots and meaningful nature associations. Its melodic quality with the soft 'th' sound gives it an ethereal, feminine feel. The name offers the charming nickname option of 'Thea,' which has gained popularity independently. For those seeking a name with ancient heritage, botanical connections, and a distinctive yet accessible sound, Antheia represents a beautiful choice.

  2. Aphrodite

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "foam or born from the sea"

    • Description:

      The name of the Greek goddess of love has rarely descended to mortal use, though the Roman equivalent Venus, thanks to tennis star Williams, now seems completely possible. But with the new fashion for goddess names, we may see more little Aphrodites in the playground with Jupiter and Juno. Nineteen baby girls received the name in the US last year.
  3. Apollo

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "destroyer; strength; father's light"

    • Description:

      With mythological names rising, the handsome son of Zeus and god of medicine, music, and poetry among many other things might offer an interesting, and melodic option. Similar in style to Atlas and Atticus and similar in sound to Arlo, Paolo, Paul, and Ollie, Apollo entered the US Top 1000 back in 2012, and was propelled upwards after it was chosen by Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale in 2014.
  4. Artemis

    • Origin:

      Greek, diminutive of Artemios

    • Meaning:

      "safe; butcher"

    • Description:

      Best known as the the Greek Goddess of the hunt and the moon, Artemis could now be considered one of the few traditionally feminine names that are currently being used for boys. Alternatively though, when pronounced ahr-TEH-mis, it is a valid Greek masculine name – a diminutive of Artemios.
  5. Astraea

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "of the stars"

    • Description:

      Astraea —also found as Astraia — is the Greek goddess of justice and innocence who left earth to become the constellation Virgo after she grew unhappy with the state of humanity. She was prophesised to return and begin a new Golden Age, meaning she is associated with renewal — and with Queen Elizabeth I of England thanks to Renaissance writers associating her with the goddess.
  6. Athena

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "from Athens"

    • Description:

      Magical and distinctive but grounded and familiar too, it's no surprise that Athena has become one of the most widely used ancient goddess names in the contemporary Western world. Derived from the city name Athens, it is current a Top 100 choice in the US.
  7. Arachne
    • Calypso

      • Origin:

        Greek

      • Meaning:

        "she who hides"

      • Description:

        Rhythmic route to the nickname Cal. This musical moniker is another great example of a traditionally feminine name that could easily go masculine.
    • Castor

      • Origin:

        Greek; Latin

      • Meaning:

        "beaver; pious one"

      • Description:

        Forget the oil. It's one of the twins that make up the constellation Gemini, and a mythological name on the cutting-edge of fashion; used by Metallica's James Hetfield.
    • Cressida

      • Origin:

        Greek

      • Meaning:

        "gold"

      • Description:

        Cressida is a pretty mythological and Shakespearean heroine name much better known in Britain than it is here — an imbalance the adventurous baby namer might want to correct.
    • Danae

      • Origin:

        Greek

      • Description:

        An intriguing mythological name whose one challenge might be pronunciation questions.
    • Demeter

      • Origin:

        Greek

      • Meaning:

        "earth mother"

      • Description:

        Demeter, the Greek goddess of grain, agriculture, and the harvest, growth and nourishment, was Zeus's sister and Persephone's mother. Variation Demetria is the full name of actress Demi Moore. Though familiar, Demeter is not one of the Greek goddess namesthat's finding widespread modern favor.
    • Dia

      • Origin:

        Mbama, Sanskrit, Latin, and Spanish

      • Meaning:

        "love; lamp; heavenly; day"

      • Description:

        A sweet and simple multicultural choice which has several different meanings and origins.
    • Electra

      • Origin:

        Greek

      • Meaning:

        "amber, shining, bright"

      • Description:

        Though the plays by Sophocles and Eugene O'Neill and via the "Electra Complex" proposed by psychoanalyst Carl Jung, this name has, unfortunately, become associated with incest and murder.
    • Gaia

      • Origin:

        Greek and Latin

      • Meaning:

        "earth mother; rejoicing"

      • Description:

        Floral, bright, and subtly powerful, Gaia is a name with two separate origins. In Greek mythology, it is the name of the earth goddess and the universal mother, who takes her epithet from the Ancient Greek word for land or ground. It was this ecological element that led actress Emma Thompson to choose it for her daughter back in 1999, and it could hold similar appeal to green minded parents today.
    • Hera

      • Origin:

        Greek

      • Meaning:

        "protectress"

      • Description:

        She was queen of the Greek gods, both sister and wife to Zeus, but the name of her Roman counterpart Juno has become much more fashionable these days. That said, we think Hera has possibilities today too, as so many ancient goddess names rise to prominence.
    • Hermione

      • Origin:

        Greek, feminine version of Hermes, "messenger, earthly"

      • Meaning:

        "messenger, earthly"

      • Description:

        Hermione's costarring role in Harry Potter has made this previously ignored, once stodgy name suddenly viable. Hermione could really take off once today's children start having kids of their own.
    • Iris

      • Origin:

        Flower name; Greek

      • Meaning:

        "rainbow"

      • Description:

        Iris has so much going for it. It's a fashionable flower name. It's a mythological name, from the Greek goddess of the rainbow. And it's a classic name, always ranking in the girls' Top 1000 but now at its highest point ever.
    • Ismene

      • Origin:

        Greek

      • Meaning:

        "knowledgeable"

      • Description:

        Sister of Antigone and daughter of Oedipus in Greek mythology, Ismene's name is unlikely to make it in modern times because of its teasability factor. Ismay or Esme would be better bets.
    • Minerva

      • Origin:

        Latin

      • Meaning:

        "of the mind, intellect"

      • Description:

        Minerva is the long-neglected name of the Roman goddess of wisdom and invention, the arts and martial strength, one of the mythology names for girls that might appeal to adventurous feminist parents. With Juno and Jupiter, she made the Capitoline triad, whose worship was at the very center of Roman religion.