The Top 100 Ancient Greek Names, Meanings & More

Overview

Many ancient Greek names remain a popular choice in modern times, despite some being old-fashioned.

What Are Some Common Ancient Greek Names?

For example, Athena, Penelope, Paris, Sophia, Alexandra, Adonis, Darius, Zoe, and Jason are among the most popular baby names in the US and other countries. But did you know that these are ancient Greek names?

Also, plenty of parents admire Greek gods, goddesses, and heroes for their stories. Many of these names remain popular today, thanks to famous literature created by Homer, Shakespeare, and other famous authors.

You can even put a French or English twist to these ancient names’ Old Latin and Greek forms to create an updated, modern version.

Are you interested in ancient Greek baby names? You can find our top 100 choices for boys and girls below.

Popular Ancient Greek Baby Names for Boys

Apollo, Zeus, and Poseidon are among the most popular gods in Greek mythology. But you can also name your child after Greek heroes with interesting stories, such as Odysseus and Jason.

The following are some of our top ancient Greek baby names you can choose for your little boy:

What Is The Coolest Greek Name? Achilles

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Pain

• Variations/Synonyms: Achilleus

• Description: He’s a demigod and the central character of Homer’s Iliad, known for being one of the greatest Greek warriors. He’s a popular hero of the Trojan war.

Adonis

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Handsome young man

• Variations/Synonyms: Adohnis, Addonis, Adonys, Adonnis, Donnie, or Don

• Description: He’s the god of beauty and desire, famous for his handsome features.

• He’s the favorite of the goddess Aphrodite. After a wild boar killed him, he’s resurrected every six months from Hades (Underworld). According to legend, the wild boar was actually the god Ares, one of Aphrodite’s other lovers.

Agamemnon

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Very steadfast or to endure

• Description: According to Plato, his name comes from the word “menein” (to endure).

• It was the chief god Zeus who gave him the king’s scepter to rule the Greeks. He would lead the Greeks in their war against the Trojans.

Agapitus

• Origin: Greek, Spanish, and Late Latin

• Meaning: Beloved

• Variations/Synonyms: Agapetos, Agapito, or Agapetus

• Description: In history, several notable people were named Agapitus (or its variations). These include two popes and a deacon of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (the capital of the ancient Roman empire).

Alexandros

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Defender of man

• Variations/Synonyms: Alexander, Alesander, Alexandre, Alex, Alisander, Alec, Alecsander, Aleksander, Xander, Alexzander, or Alexis

• Description: Alexander the Great ruled as the King of Macedonia, one of the largest empires in Ancient Greece.

• One of the name’s variations, Alex, can also be used as a girl’s name.

Andreas

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Manly and brave

• Variations/Synonyms: Andrew, Andru, Andruw, Andrue, Andros, Andy, Andie, Andrews, Andre, or Drew

• Description: It’s an ancient Greek boy name that has many versions in other languages, including “Andrew” (English) and “Andre” (French).

Apollo

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Destroyer

• Variations/Synonyms: Helios (the sun)

• Description: He’s the Greek god of sunlight, poetry, truth, archery, music, dance, prophecy, and healing from diseases.

Ares

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Ruin or bane

• Variations/Synonyms: Enyalius, Mars (Roman), or Arice

• Description: He’s the god of war and courage.

• He’s the son of Zeus and Hera, known for being a brave god with a bad reputation. He loves war and was one of the lovers of Aphrodite.

Athanasius

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Immortal

• Variations/Synonyms: Athnasious, Athanasios, Athanase, Atanacio, Athos, Athan, or Atanasio

• Description: Many parents favor this name because it means “immortal.”

What Is A Strong Greek Name? Atlas

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Bearer of the heavens

• Description: He’s the strongest of the Titans, supreme beings who existed before the Olympian gods. He carried the Earth upon his shoulders after the Titans’ defeat in the war against Zeus.

Atticus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: A person from Attica (a region in Greece that also included Athens)

• Variations/Synonyms: Attikus, Attickus, Aticus, Addicus, or Atti

• Description: Atticus means a “citizen of Attica,” but this name has become popular as a first name because some parents find it nice.

Basilo

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: A brave nobleman (just like a king)

• Variations/Synonyms: Basel, Bazil, Basile, Bacil, Basil, or Vasilis

• Description: It’s derived from the “basilisk,” a half-dragon and half-lizard with a fatal piercing stare.

• It was also the name of two famous Emperors: Basil I and Basil II.

Cadmus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: He who excels

• Variations/Synonyms: Kadmos

• Description: He’s known as the first Greek hero before Herakles was born. He defeated a water dragon sacred to the god of war, Ares.

• He’s also identified as the grandson of Poseidon and husband of the goddess Harmonia.

Callisto

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Very handsome

• Variations/Synonyms: Calix, Calyx, Chalice, or Calistro

• Description: It used to be a girl’s name, associated with one of Artemis’ hunting companions. But it’s now considered a boy name because some parents think it sounds manly.

Cletus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Illustrious or distinguished

• Variations/Synonyms: Cleitus or Clitus

• Description: He’s the young man abducted by Eos, the goddess of dawn, because of his beauty. He was turned into an immortal after his death.

Damon

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: One who conquers and tames

• Variations/Synonyms: Damien, Damianos, Daymion, Daymon, Damiano, Damian, Damion, or Daymian

• Description: He’s the young man who sacrificed for his best friend, Pythias. When the latter was about to be executed, Damon offered to be held hostage so his friend could go home and bid goodbye to his family. When Pythias returned, the king was so impressed by their friendship that he released them both.

Darius

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Wealthy

• Variations/Synonyms: Darion, Dario, Darian, Darrin, Darren, Dareios, or Darien

• Description: Darius the Great was the Persian king known for building great projects. He was also benevolent towards the diverse people he ruled over.

Demetrius

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: The goddess Demeter’s follower or one who loves the earth

• Variations/Synonyms: Dimitri, Dmitry, Demetrios, Dimitrios, Demetri, Dmitri, Demetrio, or Demmy

• Description: This name directly means “tribute to the goddess of the grain.”

• The famous author William Shakespeare used this name in several plays, including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Antony and Cleopatra,” and “Titus Andronicus.”

Dion

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Follower of Dionysus and Zeus

• Variations/Synonyms: Dionne, Deon, Dieone, Dio, Deo, Deion, or Deone

• Description: It’s a tribute to Dionysus, the god of wine, festivity, and fertility.

Who Is Eros The God Of? Eros

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Love and affection

• Variations/Synonyms: Ero, Erose, Eurus, Eroce, Earos, Arros, Aeros, Airose, Airos, or Aerose

• Description: He’s the Greek god of love and desire.

• His Roman counterpart, Cupid, is more famous in modern times.

Esteban

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Wears a victory crown

• Variations/Synonyms: Estevan, Estebann, Estebahn, Estebon, Esteven, Estephan, Estephen, Estefan, Estafen, Estabon, Steven, Stephen, or Stefan

• Description: This strong, classic name is often spelled as “Stephen” or “Steven” in English-speaking countries.

Eugenio

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Born in nobility

• Variations/Synonyms: Eugene, Eugenie, Eugenes, Eugenius, Genio, Ugene, Gene, or Eugenios

• Description: One variation, “Eugene,” gained popularity in recent years, thanks to the animated movie “Tangled.” The male protagonist’s real name was “Eugene,” not “Flynn.”

Eustacius

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Fruitful and stable

• Variations/Synonyms: Eustace, Ustace, Eustis, Eustiss, Eustyss, Eustathius, Eustachius, or Ustyss

• Description: He’s the patron saint of hunters, firemen, torture victims and trappers, huntsmen, or anyone in deep trouble involving fire.

Evander

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Benevolent

• Variations/Synonyms: Evandyr, Evandur, Evandir, Evandar, Eveander, Evannder, Evandor, or Ivander

• Description: He’s the founder of Pallantium, the ancient city that would later become Rome.

• He’s honored in history as the Greek hero who traveled to Italy. He brought back new knowledge to the Greeks, including laws, the alphabet, and writing.

Georgios

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: One who loves to work with the land

• Variations/Synonyms: Georg, George, Georges, Georgio, Gheorge, Georgios, Jorge, Georgie, or Giorgio

• Description: It’s from the Greek word “georgos” (farmer).

• Despite the simple meaning, it’s a royal and saintly name that remains popular in modern times. For example, the eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is named Prince George.

Gregorio

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Vigilant and watchful

• Variations/Synonyms: Greggory, Gregorey, Greg, Gregory, Gregorius, Graig, Gregor, Greger, Gregorie, or Gregorios

• Description: It’s derived from the Greek word “grēgorein” (to watch).

Hector

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: To restrain or hold onto

• Variations/Synonyms: Hektor, Hectare, Hecktor, Heckter, or Hecktor

• Description: It’s a name associated with noble heroes.

• He’s the brave Trojan prince in Homer’s Iliad.

Hermes

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Pile of stones for marking land boundaries

• Variations/Synonyms: Hermees, Hermez, Hermies, Hermese, Hermeez, or Hermeze

• Description: He’s the son of Zeus and Maia.

• He’s the god of good fortune and also the messenger of the gods.

Homer

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: A solemn promise or pledge

• Variations/Synonyms: Homher, Homhar, or Homar

• Description: He wrote the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey,” both considered among the most famous ancient Greek works of literature.

Ilya

• Origin: Greek and Russian

• Meaning: The Lord is my God

• Variations/Synonyms: Elijah, Iya, Illa, Ilija, Iliad, Iliya, Ilja, Ilia, Ilyich, Ilyinichna, Ilyusha, or Ilyushenk

• Description: It’s the ancient Greek form of “Elijah.”

Ion

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: To go

• Variations/Synonyms: Ionos or Iov

• Description: In Greek mythology, Ion is the son of Apollo and Creusa, the daughter of Erechtheus. Apollo asked Hermes to take the child to the Oracle of Delphi, who raised him as her baby.

Is The Name Jason Greek?

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Healer

• Variations/Synonyms: Jaceson, Jayson, Jaison, Jayce, Jaysen, Jasson, Jace, Jasyn, Jaisen, or Jayceson

• Description: It’s often mistaken for a modern name, but “Jason” originated from ancient Greece.

• He’s the brilliant leader of the Argonauts, a team of heroes tasked to find the Golden Fleece.

Kairos

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: The perfect moment

• Variations/Synonyms: Kyrus, Cyrus, Caerus, Kyros, and Kairus

• Description: He’s Zeus’ youngest son and is known as the god of luck, opportunity, and good moments.

Konstantinos

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Reliable and consistent

• Variations/Synonyms: Constantine, Konstantine, or Constantin

• Description: He’s the founder of the ancient city of Constantinople.

Leandros

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Just like a lion

• Variations/Synonyms: Leander, Liander, Leandre, Leannder, Leande, Lionder, or Leandro

• Description: In Greek mythology, he’s the young man who fell in love with Hero, Aphrodite’s virgin priestess. Their love was forbidden, but he swims across the sea to visit her every night in her tower.

• When the young man drowned at sea, Hero threw herself down her tower to accompany him to the afterlife.

Loukas

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Bright light

• Variations/Synonyms: Lukas, Luka, Lucus, Lucas, Lukah, Loucas, Luca, Luke, Luc, or Luk

• Description: It originally meant “one living in Lucania (an ancient city).”

• It’s also a name variation for “Luke.”

Myron

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Fragrant aroma (similar to myrrh)

• Variations/Synonyms: Miron, Myren, Miren, or Myreon

• Description: He’s one of the greatest Greek sculptors from Athens, famous for creating life-like sculptures of powerful athletes and animals.

Nikolas

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: A victor for the people

• Variations/Synonyms: Nicholas, Nikolai, Nicky, Niko, Nicolas, Nichols, Nicholus, Nickolas, Nicholaus, Nicholai, Nick, Nico, or Nikolaos

• Description: This name honors Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.

Odysseus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: To hate

• Variations/Synonyms: Ulixes or Ulysses

• Description: He’s the hero of Homer’s “Odyssey.”

• He’s credited for the genius plan of using a giant horse filled with Greek soldiers to invade Troy in secret and win the Trojan War.

Okeanos

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: The great sea surrounding the Earth

• Variations/Synonyms: Okeanus or Oceanus

• Description: He’s the Titan god of the seas, ruling the oceans before Poseidon.

Pavlos

• Origin: Greek and Roman

• Meaning: Humble and small

• Variations/Synonyms: Paav, Paora, Pol, Paulu, Pavle, Pavel, Paul, Pawlu, Pablo, or Paviel

• Description: It’s the Roman or ancient Greek form of “Paul.”

Plato

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Man with strong, broad shoulders

• Description: He’s the ancient Greek philosopher notable for many philosophical theories and concepts.

• He’s identified as the father of idealism in philosophy.

Poseidon

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Lord of the earth

• Variations/Synonyms: Posseidon

• Description: He’s the brother of Zeus (chief god) and Hades (god of the underworld). He won the lot to be the sea’s ruler after they (the Olympian gods) deposed their Titan father, Cronus.

Thanatos

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Noble and immortal

• Variations/Synonyms: Athanasios, Thanas, Thanasis, Thanus, or Thanos

• Description: He’s the god and personification of death.

• “Thanos,” its modern variation, is famous in popular culture as one of the most powerful supervillains in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe).

Theseus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: To place

• Variations/Synonyms: Thesseus

• Description: In Greek mythology, he’s the legendary hero who defeated many villains and monsters, including the Minotaur imprisoned in the Labyrinth by King Minos of Crete.

Timotheus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: One who honors God

• Variations/Synonyms: Timotheos, Timothey, Timothee, Timothy, Timmothy, Timathy, Tim, Timmy, or Timoteo

• Description: It’s the ancient Greek version of “Timothy.”

• He’s the skilled musician who angered the Athenians and Spartans when he added one more string to the lyre.

Triton

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Demigod of the sea

• Description: He’s the demigod son of Poseidon and Amphitrite.

• He’s also considered as the messenger of the gods in the seas.

Uranus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Sky

• Variations/Synonyms: Ouranos

• Description: He’s the original god of the skies and the father of the Titans.

• He’s also the personification of heaven and the husband of Gaia (Earth).

Zephyrus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: West wind

• Variations/Synonyms: Zéphyros or Zephyr

• Description: He’s the personification of the west wind and is one of the Anemoi (wind gods).

Zeus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God

• Variations/Synonyms: Zuese, Zues, Seus, Jupiter (Roman), or Zeuce

• Description: He defeated the Titans and became the chief god on Mount Olympus.

• He’s the most powerful of all the Olympian gods and is the god of the sky, heavens, and thunder.

Popular Ancient Greek Baby Names For Girls

The names of the goddesses in Greek mythology continue to be popular today, especially those with wonderful stories or ruled in popular realms.

For example, Athena is a popular name because she’s the Greek goddess of wisdom. Many parents also favor Penelope because she’s known as the faithful wife of the hero Odysseus.

The following are our top ancient Greek names you can choose for your little girl:

Agatha

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Good or honorable
• Variations/Synonyms: Agata, Agathe, or Aggie
• Description: It comes from the Greek word “agathe” (good).

Alexandra

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Defender of humankind
• Variations/Synonyms: Alex, Alexsandra, Alexis, Alexandria, Alessandra, Aly, Allie, Lexi, Alexa, or Alexandera
• Description: It’s the feminine form of “Alexander.”
• It’s also an epithet (byname) given to the goddess Hera as the defender or protector of humankind. She’s famous for saving noble warriors.

Amalthea

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: To soothe
• Variations/Synonyms: Amaltheia
• Description: In Greek mythology, she’s the nymph who took care of Zeus as a baby.

Amaryllia

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: To sparkle
• Variations/Synonyms: Amaryllis
• Description: She’s the maiden who fell in love with Alteo, a shepherd who likes flowers. With the advice of the Oracle of Delphi, she stood outside Alteo’s house for 30 nights, piercing her heart with a golden arrow. On the 30th night, a beautiful flower grew from her blood and helped her win Alteo’s heart.

Anastasia

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Will rise again
• Variations/Synonyms: Anastasha, Anastasya, Anastascia, Anastaysha, or Annastasia
• Description: It’s the feminine form of “Anastasius.”
• It comes from the Greek word “anastasis” (resurrection).

Andromeda

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Ruler of men
• Variations/Synonyms: Andromyda or Andromedah
• Description: In Greek mythology, she’s the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia. Her mother boasted that she’s more beautiful than the Nereids (sea nymphs), angering them. Andromeda was tied to the rocks as an offering to a fearsome sea monster to appease the Nereids’ anger. But she was saved by Perseus, who took her home as his wife.
• After she died, the goddess Athena put her among the stars to become the Andromeda Constellation.

Angelina

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Messenger of the gods
• Variations/Synonyms: Angelos, Angela, Angel, Anjelina, Angeline, Angelena, Angelica, Angelyna, or Angie
• Description: According to legend, Angelos is the daughter of Zeus and Hera.
• She’s considered to be the personification of divine messages and proclamations.

Aphrodite

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Risen from the foam
• Variations/Synonyms: Aphrodyte, Aphroditie, Aphroditee, Afrodite, or Venus (Roman)
• Description: She’s the goddess of beauty and love.
• She’s one of the most famous goddesses, especially because of her unique birth story. After Cronus castrated Uranus, his severed genitals were thrown to the sea and turned into foam. A full-grown woman emerged from this foam, and she was named “Aphrodite.”

Arethusa

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: The waterer
• Variations/Synonyms: Aretha, Arytha, Arethra, Areta, Arriety, Areetha, or Aretta
• Description: She’s a water nymph pursued by Alpheus, a passionate river god who fell in love with her beauty. She escaped by asking the goddess Artemis to turn her into a well, but Alpheus turned into a river to unite with her.

Ariadne

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Very sacred or holy
• Variations/Synonyms: Ariaddne or Arriadne
• Description: She’s the daughter of King Minos. She made her father furious because she helped the hero Theseus escape the Labyrinth. The king had imprisoned the monster Minotaur in the complicated maze, but Theseus killed it and escaped using a silk thread Ariadne gave him.

Artemis

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: A butcher or one who crosses the wind
• Variations/Synonyms: Artemiz, Arthemis, or Arrtemis
• Description: She’s known as the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and archery.
• She’s also the twin sister of Apollo but usually stays in the forest because she loves the wilderness.

Athena

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Wise woman
• Variations/Synonyms: Athene, Atena, Afina (Russian), or Athina
• Description: She’s the goddess of wisdom and of war.
• She’s known to be Zeus’ favorite daughter and is the patron goddess of Athens, Greece.

Calista

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: The most beautiful woman
• Variations/Synonyms: Callista, Kallista, Kalista, Calissa, Callie, Calysta, Callisto, or Kallisto
• Description: She’s a nymph who became the companion of the goddess Artemis.
• After getting pursued by Zeus, she bore him a son (Arkas) in secret. Furious, Artemis turned her into a bear, and hunters pursued her. Zeus intervened and sent her to the stars to become Ursa Major (Great Bear Constellation).

Cassandra

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: One who shines among mankind
• Variations/Synonyms: Cassie, Cassey, Sandra, or Kassandra
• Description: She’s a Trojan priestess of Apollo who can see the future, but no one believes her words. She made many prophecies that came true, but the Greeks defeated the Trojans because no one listened.

Cybele

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Mother of all gods
• Variations/Synonyms: Agdistis, Magna Mater, Meter, or Meter Oreie
• Description: She’s the goddess of nature, wild animals, mountains, and caverns.
• She’s also called the “Great Mother.”

Danae

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: A bright person
• Variations/Synonyms: Dana, Danna, Dannae, Danee, Danai, Denae, Dinay, Danay, Denay, Danea, or Dinae
• Description: She’s the only child of King Acrisius.
• She’s one of Zeus’ mortal consorts, with whom she had Perseus.

Daphne

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: From the laurel tree
• Variations/Synonyms: Daphni, Dafnee, Daphney, Dafny, Dafney, Daphyne, Daphnie, or Daffney
• Description: After Apollo angered Eros (god of love), the latter shot him with a golden arrow and made him fall in love with the river nymph Daphne. Eros then shot Daphne with a lead arrow, making her hate Apollo.
• In love, Apollo kept pursuing the river nymph. So, she asked for help from her father (river god Peneus) so she can escape. Peneus turned her into a laurel tree. The sorrowful Apollo took some leaves from the tree to create a laurel wreath that he wore on his head to signify his love for Daphne.

Delia

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Southern charmer
• Variations/Synonyms: Bedelia, Bidelia, Bridget, or Della
• Description: It’s an epithet (byname) of the goddess Artemis.

Demeter

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Earth-lover
• Variations/Synonyms: Demmi, Demitra, Demi, Demie, Demy, Demie, Demye, Demetria, or Demetra
• Description: She’s the goddess of the harvest, earth’s fertility, sacred law, and the cycle of life and death.

Dorothea

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Gift of God
• Variations/Synonyms: Daurathy, Dorathy, Dora, Dorothea, Dorothia, Dorthie, Dottie, Dory, Dorothee, or Dori
• Description: It comes from the Greek words “doron” (gift) and “theos” (god).

Eirene

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Peace
• Variations/Synonyms: Irene
• Description: She’s the goddess and personification of peace.
• She’s also one of the Horae, goddesses of the seasons and natural portions of time; they were the daughters of Zeus and Themis.

Elliana

• Origin: Hebrew and Greek
• Meaning: My God has answered
• Variations/Synonyms: Aeliana, Aelliana, or Eliana
• Description: It has roots in ancient Greek and Hebrew.
• It’s considered as the feminine form of both “Aelianus” or “Eli.”

Gaia

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Earth
• Variations/Synonyms: Gaea
• Description: She’s the primordial mother goddess and personification of the Earth.
• She gave birth to Uranus (Sky), who became her consort and with whom she bore the Titans.

Galatea

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Lady with skin as white as milk
• Variations/Synonyms: Gallathea, Galathée, Galathea, Galatia, or Galateia
• Description: She’s the beautiful sculpture created and loved by the mythical sculptor Pygmalion. The goddess Aphrodite turned the sculpture into a real woman and united the two in marriage.

Georgia

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: A woman who loves the land
• Variations/Synonyms: Georgette, Georgina, Georgette, Giorgia, Georgie, Georgene, or Georganna
• Description: In Greek mythology, Georgia is the land of the Golden Fleece visited by the Argonauts. Though it was originally a place, it became a popular name for baby girls.

Harmonia

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Harmony
• Variations/Synonyms: Harmony (English) or Harmonie
• Description: She’s the goddess of harmony and concord. She presides over marital harmony and can soothe strife or discord.

Helena

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Shining bright light
• Variations/Synonyms: Helen, Helene, Hellena, Eleni, Helana, Helayna, or Helenore
• Description: The name is associated with beauty.
• The ancient Greek woman, Helen of Troy, was described as a lady so beautiful that “her face could launch a thousand ships.” Her beauty literally caused a war, the famous Trojan War that lasted for 10 years.

Hera

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Protectress
• Variations/Synonyms: Herra, Herah, Herrah, or Juno (Roman)
• Description: She’s the wife of Zeus and queen of the gods.
• She’s also known as the goddess of women, marriage, and birth.

Hermione

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Messenger of the gods
• Variations/Synonyms: Hermine, Hermina, Hermia, or Herma
• Description: In Greek mythology, she’s the daughter of the King of Sparta and Helen of Troy.
• She was betrothed to her cousin Orestes by her grandfather Tyndareus, without her parents’ knowledge. So, during the Trojan War, her father promised her hand in marriage to Achilles’ son, Neoptolemus.

Ida

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Wooded mountain
• Variations/Synonyms: Ieda, Idaa, Idaea, Idetta, Idella, Iida, Idette, or Idalie
• Description: It’s the name of two sacred mountains in Greek mythology. Both were called Mount Ida, meaning “Mountain of the Goddess.”

Katherine

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Pure
• Variations/Synonyms: Katharine, Kathrine, Katelyn, Catriona, Caitlyn, Kathryn, Katerina, Katrina, Catherine, Kaitlyn, Cathy, Cathie, Kathy, Katie, Kate, Kat, Cat, Cate, or Kathie
• Description: It’s from the Greek word “katharos” (pure).

Khloe

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Flourishing like a blooming plant
• Variations/Synonyms: Chloey, Kloe, Chloe, Khloey, or Kloey
• Description: It’s an epithet (byname) of the goddess Demeter used during the spring months because it’s related to sprouts and new growth.

Konstantina

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Consistent and reliable
• Variations/Synonyms: Constantina (Romanian)
• Description: It’s the feminine form of “Constantine.”

Lotus

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: The flower
• Variations/Synonyms: Lotti, Lottie, or Lottus
• Description: It’s a magical flower in Greek mythology that causes sleepiness and forgetfulness.
• In Homer’s “ Odyssey,” the hero Odysseus sent scouts to find food after their ship landed on a mystical island. The peaceful people gave the scouts lotus. It made them forget everything and just want to live on the island. Odysseus and his other men had to drag them off the island and chain them to the boat so they could leave.

Lyris

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Lyre (musical instrument)
• Variations/Synonyms: Lyre, Lyric, or Lyra
• Description: The name pertains to the musical instrument but has become a popular name for baby girls.

Nerina

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Sea nymph
• Variations/Synonyms: Nerine, Nerrina, Nerinna (Italian), or Nereida
• Description: It comes from the Greek word “nereids” (female spirits of sea waters).
• The Nereids were the daughters of Nereus and Doris. They were described as kind and beautiful nymphs living in the sea.

Nike

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Victory
• Variations/Synonyms: Nikn, Naik, or Nikke
• Description: She’s the goddess of victory in Greek mythology.
• She’s a winged goddess and is one of the four sentinels standing guard beside Zeus’ throne.

Nyx

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Night
• Variations/Synonyms: Nox (Roman)
• Description: She’s the primordial goddess and personification of the night.
• She’s so beautiful and powerful that she’s actually the only being feared by the mighty Zeus.

Olympia

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: A goddess from Mount Olympus
• Variations/Synonyms: Olympiah, Olimpia, or Olympie
• Description: It’s a name associated with the mythical Mount Olympus, the mountain of the gods.

Ophelia

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Wise and helpful
• Variations/Synonyms: Opheliah, Ophela, Ofeliah, Ofelia, or Ophelya
• Description: She’s the goddess and personification of the waters and the sacred river.

Pandora

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: All-endowed and all-gifted
• Description: She’s the first mortal woman.
• After Prometheus stole fire from heaven to equip man, Zeus asked Hephaestus to create the first mortal woman to bring evil into the world. The other gods provided this woman with gifts and talents; that’s why she’s called “Pandora” (all-gifted). They also gave her a box filled with evils as a dowry before sending her to Earth to become the bride of Prometheus’ brother, Epimetheus. Curious, she opened the box and unwittingly released the evils to the world.

Penelope

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Weaver of thread
• Variations/Synonyms: Penelopie, Pennelope, Peneloppe, Penelopy, Penny, Pennie, Penney, or Penni
• Description: She’s the faithful wife of Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s “Odyssey.” Despite her husband’s extended absence due to the war and his long journey home, she remained loyal. She turned her suitors away by pretending to weave a garment that she secretly unravels every night while waiting for her husband’s homecoming.

Phoebe

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Shining bright and pure
• Variations/Synonyms: Pheobe, Phoebee, Pheebe, Phebby, Phoeby, or Phoebie
• Description: She’s the daughter of Gaia (Earth) and Uranus (Sky).
• She’s known as the goddess of bright intellect.

Rhea

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Flowing like a river
• Variations/Synonyms: Ria, Rea, Riah, Rhya, Rhia, Rheanna, Rhiah, Rheia, Rhiya, or Reeah
• Description: She’s the wife of Cronus (leader of the Titans) and the mother of Greek gods and goddesses Hera, Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Demeter, and Hestia.

Selena

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Beautiful moon
• Variations/Synonyms: Selene, Celine, Salina, Salene, Selina, Saleen, Saleena, Celena, or Celina
• Description: She’s the goddess and the personification of the moon.

Theodora

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: A gift of God
• Variations/Synonyms: Theadora, Teadora, Teodora, Theodorah, Theora, Tia, Dora, Thea, Teddi, or Teddie
• Description: It’s the female form of “Theodore.”

Ursula

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Little bear
• Variations/Synonyms: Ursela, Ursella, Ursa, Ursi, Ursulla, Ursilla, or Urzula
• Description: She’s the daughter of Poseidon and Amphitrite.
• She’s known as the younger sister of Triton. As a sea witch, she has the power to give legs to mermaids once a year.

Yolanda

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Purple flower
• Variations/Synonyms: Yolana, Yolande, Yolada, Yalanda, Yolonda, Yolanta, Yolandah, Yolannda, Violet, Yolie, Yolanthe, Yoli, Iolanthe, Ianthe, or Yolee
• Description: It comes from the Greek word “Iolanthe” (purple flower).

Zephyra

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Strong wind
• Variations/Synonyms: Zeppyra, Zepphyra, or Zepyra
• Description: It’s the female form of “Zephyrus” (god of the strong west wind).

Zoe

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Life
• Variations/Synonyms: Zoey, Zoie, or Zooey
• Description: It’s the Greek form of “Eve” (life).