Mythological names from Greece and Beyond

Eustacia

Greek

"fruitful"

Eustacia, the ancestor of mid-century fave Stacy, is just the kind of fusty old relic that might be polished up for modern use. Eustacia Vye is the central character of Thomas Hardy's The Return of…

Eroica

Latin

"heroic"

The name of Beethoven's third symphony, and too close to the word erotica.

Arista

Greek or Latin

"the best; ear of corn"

From the root for aristocrat, an upwardly mobile choice -- or if you go by its other meaning, an earthy delicious choice. Arista is a rare name for girls that has the popular A beginning-and-ending…

Crisanta

Spanish from Greek

"golden flower, chrysanthemum"

Crisanta, while not related to Christine, would make a pretty and highly unusual alternative to that tried-and-true name. Because of its relationship to the chrysanthemum, the flower of the month of…

Ione

Greek

"violet flower"

This unusual Greek flower and color name has gained considerable recent attention via actress Ione Skye, who is the daughter of sixties folksinger Donovan. Ione was one of the fifty sea nymphs —…

Agrippina

Latin

"born feetfirst"

A name with a rich history in Ancient Greece and Rome, Agrippina was the sister of Caligula and mother of Nero, who had her murdered. The original male version, Agrippa, can also used for girls. The…

Anona

Latin

"corn, grain"

Name of the Roman goddess of harvest and grain, appropriate for a fall baby. And a palindrome too!

Thora

Norse

"thunder goddess"

Thora, related to Thor, is the ancient Norse thunder goddess name that's much softer and gentler than its meaning suggests. A noted bearer is actress Thora Birch.

Phila

Greek, Zulu, Xhosa

"lover, friend; to live of life"

In the Zulu and Xhosa languages of Southern Africa, Phila is a unisex name pronounced "PEE-la" and means "to live of life" It's also the feminine version of the ancient Greek name Philo, pronounced…

Eirini

Eirini is the traditional Greek form of Irene, deriving from the Greek word 'eirēnē' meaning 'peace.' This beautiful feminine name has profound historical roots in ancient Greek culture, where Eirene…

Helia

Greek

"sun"

The feminine form of Helios or Helio is occasionally heard in Spain and Portugal. In Greek mythology, Helia is one of the Heliades, daughters of the sun god Helios by Clymene the Oceanid.

Lillia

Latin

"lilies"

More than Lily yet less than Lillian, Lillia is a fresh and undeniably pretty member of the stylish genus of double (or in this case triple) l names. You can also spell it Lilia.

Augusta

Feminine variation of Augustus, Latin

"great, magnificent"

Augusta is a dignified name reminiscent of wealthy great-aunts and stately homes, but with the fashion for both August and Gus for boys, and the renewed interest in clunky classics like Gwendolyn and…

Penna

Latin

"feather"

Occasionally heard in England, rarely here.

Ligeia

Greek

"clear-voiced, whistling"

One of the Sirens in Greek mythology, Ligeia was also the title character in an Edgar Allan Poe story. The mythological Ligeia was half-bird, half-woman. Spelling may also be Lygeia or Ligia.

Damia

Greek

"spirit"

Greek nature goddess name that has a pleasing femininity. Damia is one of the more unusual goddess names newly fashionable for contemporary baby girls.