Greek Girl Names

Too tightly tied to the acronym for the activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Agathe is a hugely popular name in contemporary France, even if it's English-speaking counterparts have not yet warmed to the usual English version, Agatha. The French pronunciation is sure to trip up non-French speakers.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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

May be the most modern, stylish Catherine nickname: more unusual than Kate or Cate, with an animal and word name edge. Cat Power is a trendy folksinger.

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.

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

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

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.

Themis was the Titan -- one of the Elder Gods (or in this case Goddesses) -- of Justice and Order, usually depicted blindfolded and holding the scales of justice. Themis was the mother of the Fates and the seasons. While her name has fallen from mortal use, Themis might rise again along with such rediscovered goddess names as Aurora and Juno.

The Vale of Tempe is an important place in Greek mythology as well as a real place in Greece. The ancient poets wrote of it as the halcyon dwelling of Apollo and the Muses. The modern cities in Arizona and Australia are named for the Greek Tempe, which is pronounced tem-pee.

A coffee filter.