Greek Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

A twentieth-century Greek saint's name redolent of the beverage of the gods that imparted immortality.

Nickelle is an unusual feminine form of Nicholas, a name with many variations both male and female around the world. Nickelle is a twist on the more common Nicole with the feminine -elle ending, as in Michelle. The addition of the k helps clarify pronunciation. Unlike the 5 cent coin, the emphasis is on the second syllable.

Margalo could make an intriguing spin on Margaret, with Margo as a nickname. The name appears in E. B. White's Stuart Little — as a bird. Margalo Gilmore (born Margaret) was a well-known British-born Broadway actress.

A Greek form of Anthony, derived from Latin.

Fedora is occasionally heard among the British Mayfair and Belgravia set, but we're afraid that in this country there would be too strong an association with the man's felt hat.

A bit pharmaceutical, not to mention hatlike.

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 "FEE-la", meaning friend or lover and present in several contemporary names and words used throughout the Western World. The name Philip, for instance, means lover of horses, while the city name Philadelphia means "brotherly love" and philosophy means "love of wisdom".

Too close to Nada.

This name of an ancient Greek historian sounds too long-ago and faraway to consider for a modern child.

The unusual Parmenia is very occasionally chosen by Latino parents.

Xanthipe, also spelled Xanthippe, is the name of the wife of Socrates. Challenging for English speakers, it's also dramatic and alluring.

One way to reference mythology without naming your son after a god.