Greek Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

Too close to violent.

Your zany neighbor, the one who's a potter and has five cats.

Soft and gentle, but feels like a less meaningful contraction of Theodora.

Phyllida, a "Masterpiece Theatre"-style appellation, seems far fresher and more unusual than Phyllis. It's green-related meaning makes it one of the prime names that mean new beginnings.

Actress Flockhart popularized the C version, but this works, too.

Mythological name with a fabulous meaning. Sure it's weighty, but so is Aphrodite; Andy is an easy nickname choice to make this name more wearable in the classroom.

The name of a famous valley in ancient Greece, with ties to the historic Nemean Games.

The Greek form of Latin Maximus, with plenty of gravitas.

Son of Zeus known for musical abilities, an edgy choice for music-minded families.

Intriguing and unusual.

Philomela, the name of a mythological Athenian princess who was transformed into a nightingale, is rarely heard outside the Greek community. The mellifluous Philomela might make a more distinctive and prettier update for Pamela or Phyllis. Philomela may also be a good choice for a music-lover's daughter. Try Pippa or Millie for short.

Ioanna may be an original spin on the Joanna family, but American tongues may have trouble wrapping themselves around all its vowels. Ioanna is pronounced ee-oh-ah-nah.

Streamlined version of outdated Nicki.

If you can't have an Alpha male, how about a Beta girl.

This spelling of Electra makes this vibrant name less electric and more kinetic.