Greek Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

There once was a moralizing fabulist who tried to make it as a baby name...and failed.

Vasilia is likely an alternative transcription of the Greek name Vasileia, or the Serbian and Macedonian Vasilija, which if you follow their etymological roots, eventually originate from Basil, meaning "royal" or "king".

Atalanta was a beautiful mythological maiden who refused to marry any man who couldn't beat her in a footrace -- quite a role model. This myth is found in Ovid's Metamorphoses and later in Swinburne's Atalantis in Calydon.

Nikolas is a sleek and international spelling of this longtime favorite, chosen by parents who might like the Nik or Niko short form.

Any boy with this name, a synonym for power via the Greek mythology figure, better be strong of body, and of psyche.

A name that conjures up billionaire shipping magnates like, for instance, Stavros Niarcos.

This name of a daughter of Zeus has an intriguing air of antiquity.

Name of the 7th century BC Greek lyric poet born on the island of Lesbos, whose name has been synonymous with lesbian love. Though this name is rarely used today, it certainly could be and, some might say, SHOULD be revived.

Five girls were given the name Perrine last year. More modern-sounding are Perrin, Perry, or even Petra.

The feminine form of Orpheus, the charming musician of Greek myth who descended to the underworld.

This is the spelling that old-time film star Katharine Hepburn used, and it's still favored by fans wanting to reference her classic strength and beauty. But in general, it's losing ground to Katherine and even Ms. Hepburn's own favorite short form, Kate.

Though we've gotten used to Hermione via Harry Potter, and even Hermes with its godlike and fashion associations, most people would still have a problem with Hermia (too close to hernia?) and Herman.

This version of the sea god's name may be more ready for prime time than the Roman version, Neptune -- slightly.

This male relative of the Emily family was borne by two Greek saints, one a fourth century martyr who destroyed pagan images and the other a ninth century bishop. Variations include Emilios and Aemilios. The Latin Aemilius, from the ancient family name, may be unrelated.

Ilene might be a phonetic way to spell Aileen or Eileen, though in the end people may have more luck pronouncing the original.

What's the difference between Alexander, the usual English spelling of this deeply classical name, and Alexandre, the French version? English speakers might find the proper French pronunciation challenging: a-lehk-SAHN-dreh, but that last syllable is barely pronounced. Americans might an an a or an ee on the end of the name, or simply pronounce it as Alexander, for better or worse.

Cytherea, a place-name that is the home of Aphrodite, seems stuck in ancient Greece.

Medora is a Greek name much less common here than, say, Melanie or Melissa. It has some literary references, including as the beautiful and passionate heroine of Lord Byron's poem The Corsair, and in Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, there is a character named Marchioness Melora Manson.

A Greek goddess of music and poetry, Danaë has a novel yet familiar sound.

Hilary (also spelled with two 'l's) is a hot potato of a name, so closely identified with Sen. Clinton that it's hard for most parents to see it as a baby name. A pity, really, as it's got so much going for it: the popular, rhythmic three-syllable structure, the fact that it's strong but light, proper but jaunty, with an irresistible meaning -- having the same root as hilarious.