Greek Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

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".

The unusual Parmenia is very occasionally chosen by Latino parents.

Too close to Nada.

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

This is the clumsiest and least popular version of the classic Greek name Zoe. Little wonder this variation has fallen nearly 200 places in the US popularity rankings in just 2 years. We recommend you stick with the beautiful and elegant Zoe (which, for those of you looking to avoid overly-used names, is less popular than the American spelling 'Zoey').

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

See SELENA.