Greek Girl Names: a comprehensive guide
Greek names have origins in mythology, history, or the Orthodox Church. Many have been in use since the time of the ancient Greeks and have remained popular throughout the ages.
Greek female given names, particularly those which are famous worldwide, are often drawn from ancient legends and mythology. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most famous Greek girl names.
Most Popular Greek Girl Names
Sophia (Σοφία)The name Sophia is a name of Greek origin that is a popular choice worldwide, from Europe to Latin America and beyond.
Σοφία (Sophia) means “wisdom” both in ancient and modern Greek.
The name is associated with prominent figures like Sophia the Martyr, also known as Saint Sophia of Rome, who had three daughters named Πίστη (Pistis), Ελπίδα (Elpis), and Αγάπη (Agape), meaning faith, hope, and love, respectively.
Helen (Ελένη)Helen is an elegant Greek name, ranking as the 4th most popular choice in Greece, and is widely used worldwide as well.
The meaning of the name Helen is uncertain, and various interpretations have been offered throughout the centuries.
One of those interpretations suggests that the name derives from the ancient Greek word σελήνη (selene), which means “moon”, indicating a person who is “bright,” “shining,” or “a torchbearer”. A more common modern Greek word for “moon” is φεγγάρι (fengari).
In Greek mythology, Helen was considered the most beautiful woman in the world, and her abduction by the Trojan prince Paris sparked the Trojan War. The name Helen is also associated with Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine.
Hermione (Ερμιόνη)Hermione is a Greek-derived female given name, the Greek form of the masculine name Hermes. The name was not particularly well-known but recently gained popularity due to the character of Hermione Granger in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.
Hermione is derived from an ancient Greek word meaning "messenger" or "interpreter."
According to Greek mythology, Hermione was the daughter of King Menelaus and Queen Helen of Sparta, the central figures in the Trojan War.
Katherine (Αικατερίνη or Κατερίνα)Katherine is the anglicized form of the Greek formal name Αικατερίνη (Aikaterine), and the informal version of this name is Κατερίνα (Katerina).
The name is derived from the Greek adjective καθαρός (katharos), meaning “pure” or “clear”, both in ancient and modern Greek.
In addition to being frequently used in Greece and other Orthodox countries, such as Russia, Ukraine, and Romania, its prevalence is also noteworthy in Italy and Spain (with the spelling Catarina) and English-speaking countries (Katherine).
Chloe (Χλόη)The name Chloe is of Greek origin and is particularly famous in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Chloe derives from the Greek word χλόη (chloe), which means “grass”, “lawn”, or in a free translation, it could describe someone who is “blooming.”
In Greek mythology, Chloe was a goddess of agriculture and fertility, responsible for the harvest and growth of plants. The name Chloe was used in ancient Greece as a given name for young girls because it symbolized the beauty and freshness of youth.
Angela (Αγγελική)Angela, or Angelina in the diminutive form, is an elegant name of Greek origin. The corresponding Greek form is Αγγελική (Aggeliki). Angela has been a popular name in many parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Angela is derived from the noun άγγελος (angelos), meaning “angel,” both in ancient and modern Greek.
The name is associated with trains of purity, divinity, and beauty. In ancient Greek mythology, angels acted as divine messengers who carried messages between the gods and mortals.
Zoe (Ζωή)The name Zoe is vastly popular across the globe, and it is derived from the Greek word ζωή (zoe), meaning “life”, symbolizing vitality and strength.
In Greek mythology, Zoe was the goddess of life and the wife of Zeus, the king of the gods.
Penelope (Πηνελόπη)Penelope is a name of Greek origin, spelled in the Greek language as Πηνελόπη (Penelope).
It was made famous by Homer’s iconic work of literature, the Odyssey, in which Penelope was the beloved and supporting wife of Odysseus, who spent years fighting in the Trojan War and wandering the seas before finally returning home.
The name is often translated as “weaver” because Penelope was known for weaving a shroud during the day and undoing it at night to delay her suitors while waiting for her husband to return from war.
Ariadne or Arianna (Αριάδνη)The name Ariadne, alternatively known as Arianna, is a beautiful and unique name with Greek origins derived from the name Αριάδνη. It is composed of the words άρια (aria) and αγνή (agni), which combined mean the one who is “the holiest” or “the purest”.
Ariadne is a name that has been used for centuries in different parts of the world and has a rich history in Greek mythology.
Athena (Αθηνά)Athena is a beautiful female given name with Greek origins that has been used for centuries. It is derived from the Greek goddess Athena, known for her wisdom, courage, and military skill.
Athena linguistically has no specific meaning; however, it signifies someone “wise” or “clever.”
Today, the name is popular in many English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as in several European countries, including Spain, Italy, and France. It has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Alexandra (Αλεξάνδρα)The name Alexandra has origins in ancient Greece, where its masculine form, Αλέξανδρος (Alexandros), was commonly used as a boy’s name. The name means “defender of the people” and is famous due to the prominent historical figure Alexander the Great.
The feminine version of the name, Alexandra, has been popular since the late 19th century, inside and outside Greece due to its potent symbolization of leadership and strength.
Christine (Χριστίνα)Christina gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages and has remained a popular name choice for girls ever since. Today, it is specially chosen in English-speaking countries and Europe.
The name Χριστίνα (Christina) and its masculine form Χρήστος (Christos) originate from the Greek name Xριστός (Christ), which means “anointed” or “chosen one.”
Irene (Ειρήνη)In Greek mythology, Irene was the goddess of peace, and her name was often invoked as a prayer for peace during times of war or conflict. In ancient and modern Greek, the noun ειρήνη (irini) literally means “peace”.
Throughout history, Irene was the name of several queens and princesses, including Irene of Athens, who was the first woman to rule the Byzantine Empire in her own right.
Barbara (Βαρβάρα)The assertive name Barbara originated in ancient Greece and was brought to the Western world by early Christian saints. In Christian tradition, Saint Barbara was a martyr, tortured by her father for her beliefs.
It is derived from the Greek word βάρβαρος (barbaros), which means "foreign" or "strange," in ancient Greek and was often used to refer to people who did not speak Greek. Modern Greeks refer to strangers or foreign people by using the adjective ξένος (xenos).
Melissa (Μελίσσα)Melissa is a female name of Greek origin, not particularly popular in Greece but preferred in other countries, such as the US. It comes from the Greek word μέλισσα (melissa), meaning “honey bee”, and subsequently the word μέλι (meli), meaning “honey” in both ancient and modern Greek.
Aphrodite (Αφροδίτη)Aphrodite is a Greek female given name derived from the goddess Aphrodite, who was the icon of beauty and love according to Greek mythology.
The name Aphrodite comes from the Greek word αφρός (aphros), which means "foam", both in ancient and modern Greek, as it was believed that she was born from the foam of the sea.
The name Aphrodite has been popular in Greece since ancient times, and it continues to be a popular name in Greece today. It is also a popular choice in other parts of the world, particularly in countries that have been influenced by Greek culture and mythology, such as Italy, Spain, and the United States.
Anastasia (Αναστασία)Anastasia is a Greek name prevalent in Russia, Eastern Europe, Greece, and the United States.
The name Anastasia comes from the Greek word ανάσταση (Anastasi), which means "resurrection" or "rising". The name was often given to girls born around Easter or during the Christian holiday of Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Daphne (Δάφνη)Daphne is an elegant name of Greek origin, too, popularized by an ancient Greek mythology nymph named Daphne, who was pursued by the god apollo. In her efforts to escape his advances, she begged the gods to help her, and they transformed her into a laurel tree.
As a result, the name Daphne comes from the Greek word δάφνη which means "laurel" or "bay tree." The laurel was a symbol of victory and achievement in ancient Greece and was often used to make coronets for winners of athletic or artistic contests. That detail gives the name Daphne qualities of triumph and grace.
Melania (Μελάνια)Another example of a Greek female name that is popular mainly outside of Greece is Melania. Melania is preferred in European countries, and it was first associated with the Greek mythological figure Melania or Melinoe, the goddess of ghosts and spirits.
It comes from the ancient Greek word μέλαν (melan) and the diminutive suffix -ιον (-ion), which translated to “black” or “dark” in ancient Greek. In modern Greek, the word transformed to μελάνι (Melani), and it means “ink”.
Veronica (Βερενίκη)The name Veronica has its origins in Latin and Greek. The name is comprised of the words φέρω (fero), which means “to bring” or “to bear”, and νίκη (Nike), which means “victory”. Veronica is associated with the Greek name Φερενίκη (Ferenike) or Βερενίκη (Berenike), which means "bearer of victory."
Veronica is a popular name in many countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Italy. In Christian tradition, Veronica was the name of a woman who wiped the face of Jesus as he carried the cross to his crucifixion. His image was said to have been miraculously imprinted on her cloth.
Phoebe (Φοίβη)The name Phoebe is prevalent in many English-speaking countries and originates in Greek mythology.
Phoebe was one of the Titans, who were the children of Uranus (the sky) and Gaia (the earth). She was a figure associated with the moon, and her name in ancient Greek means "bright" or "radiant." In modern Greek, “the sky” and “the earth” are called ουρανός and γη respectively.
Iris (ίρις)Iris is a female name that has its origins in Greek mythology. According to it, Iris was the messenger of the gods and the personification of the rainbow. Iris is also associated with the iris flower, which is named after the goddess Iris.
The name Iris comes from the ancient Greek word ίρις, which means "rainbow." In modern Greek, the word associated with the rainbow is ουράνιο τόξο (uranio toxo), and it literally means “bow in the sky”.
Iris is a popular name in many countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany. In contrast, it is less prevalent in the land of its origin.
Circe (Κίρκη)Derived from the Greek word κύκλος (kiklos), meaning "circle," the name Circe is believed to symbolize the magical circle that Circe used to enchant her victims.
In terms of popularity, the name Circe is not as common as the others on this list, but it has gained some attention in recent years due to its use in literature and popular culture.
ConclusionThe above guide gives a quick insight into the Greek girl names that are popular worldwide to this day, primarily outside of the country of their origin, Greece. All of them are well-known in Greece as well, but except for Helen and Angela, the rest are not in the top 10 of the most popular given names in the country.
Greek feminine names sound magical and mythical and carry a deep meaning and history inside them, making them an ideal choice for those seeking a memorable option that has withstood the test of time.
