Popular Greek girl names with meanings


by Maria Martin |
Updated on

When thinking about naming your baby girl, Greek girls names prove very popular. Baby names like Anastasia, Maria, Aphrodite are some of the most beautiful name options of the Greek culture and offer strong meanings, such as 'goddess of love and beauty', 'resurrection', 'beloved'.

As well as amazing links to mythology and Greek gods, philosophy and things like the Olympics, there are ample traditions across that part of the Mediterranean which can inspire you to name your daughter.

The Greek culture is a vibrant one, encouraging a good life through food, family and love. Alongside this, music, flowers, creatures, landscapes are also associated with inspiring Greek boy names and Greek girl names. Katerina, Anthea, Daphne, Demi, Ella to name a few.

So why not have an evening with your partner, scope down your local Greek spot, get a couple of souvlakia in and browse our selection of the most popular Greek girl names with meanings to inspire you!

  1. Aliki - Also known as Alix and Alicia, Aliki is widely known more in the Greek pop culture because of famous Greek actress, Aliki Vougiouklaki. In English, Aliki tends to be Alice, however 'noble' is behind the Greek meaning.

  2. Alexandra - Alexandra This name is one of the most popular Greek baby names for a girl and is the feminine form of the name “Alexander” from the famous Alexander the Great meaning “defender of man.”

  3. Athena - Athena is the name of the daughter of Zeus derived from the city name Athens.

  4. Lexia - A beautiful Greek baby girl name short for Alexia. We love the nickname potential of Lexi, and this names significant meaning of 'defender of men'.

  5. Anastasia - A beautiful Greek baby girl name that means resurrection. It's perfect for any parents who want a traditional yet modern name, while the two might oppose each other in theory, in reality, Anastasia has managed to maintain its popularity despite its old fashioned regal links. Perhaps thanks to its nickname possibilities ranging from Tasia, Sia, Stacie, Nasya.

  6. Maya - With strong ties to Greek mythology, Maya, also known as Maia, not only sounds beautiful but was the name of the legendary Greek mother of Hermes. Maya's direct meaning is 'water' in Greek - a beautiful name linked to cleansing.

  7. Arianna - A beautiful choice, Arianna can be spelt with either one or two 'r's or one or two 'n's. Linked to the mythological princess Ariadne, Arianna is also known in Italian culture, with a Greek origin meaning 'most holy'.

  8. Cassia - Also related to Casandra and Casey, your little one's name will mean 'shines and excels over man'. Not only does this name protrude a positive light and aura, but it is also exotic with a feminine flare.

  9. Petra - The feminine version of Peter, Petra is an exotic Greek name which means stone. It is also the name of an incredible ancient city in Jordan, making it a strong contender if you're looking for a unique name.

  10. Demi - Short for Demetria, Demi has kept its popularity thanks to Demi Moore and Demi Lovato. We can't help but still love this name, it's both adorable on a baby and strong on a woman.

  11. Maria - Probably one of the most well-known names in Greece (and across Spain and Italy!) Maria means 'beloved' and 'rebellious' - the makings of an independent little girl. It is also linked to the Virgin Mary, holding a particular biblical reference within the Greek Orthodox religion.

  12. Effy - This cool, unique choice is often a nickname for Elizabeth. For traditional parents, you could choose Effy as a short version of the more common form, or if you're looking for something more distinctive you could keep it simply to Effy. We love it either way.

  13. Melia - Short for Amelia, Melia is a more unusual choice. We love how pretty it sounds, and its strong meaning: work.

  14. Lydia - An early place name, Lydia has been a popular choice for parents for decades. It has a huge number of famous bearers, plus religious significance as the name of the first European convert of Saint Paul.

  15. Hermione - Any Harry Potter fans will be jumping at the bit for this one, as it's Greek origin also gives it a beautiful secondary meaning of messenger. The feminine version of Hermes, Hermione is a great choice.

  16. Tessa - Short for Theresa, Tessa has a modern feel to it and is increasingly rising up the baby name ranks. It means to reap, which we can be sure will lead to reaping rewards if this is your baby girl's name.

  17. Hebe - We are obsessed with this unique, beautiful name. Meaning youth, it's pronounced 'hee-bee' and was the name of the Greek goddess of youth - perfect for your baby girl!

  18. Acacia - While it may mean thorny, this name is anything but nasty. It's rarely used, making it a lovely unique choice with links to nature. It also has religious meaning, as Acacia wood was used to make the Ark of the Covenant in the bible.

  19. Indigo - This beautiful name is less used than you may think, despite its evocative nature. Meaning Indian dye, it has the adorable nickname potential of Indi!

  20. Lois - A name growing in popularity in recent years, Lois is becoming more desirable all the time, perhaps because of its suitable meaning of most desirable! A plus for any superhero fans, it's also the name of Superman's eternal love, Lois Lane.

  21. Isadora - An unusual choice, Isadora is heavily linked to the Greek goddess of fertility and birth. It can be shortened to Izzy if you want a more popular choice, but we love the long-form too.

  22. Junia - A beautiful name perfect for babies born in June. The feminine variation of Junius, Junia is a great, unique choice for parents who want a distinctive name.

  23. Katerina - The Greek form of Katherine, Katerina is a gorgeous name. Popular thanks to the actress Katerina 'Kat' Graham, this name is so pleasant to the ear.

  24. Lenore - A more unusual choice, Lenore is the modern version of Lenora. We absolutely love unconventional names, and this one certainly ticks that box!

  25. Alexa - Popular thanks to the amazing Alexa Chung, this name is a beautiful short version of Alexandra. It means defending men and has maintained its popularity as a baby name for decades.

More Greek girl names

Amara

Agnes

Angeliki

Athina

Calliope

Chloe

Daphne

Eleni

Evanthia

Georgia

Ioanna

Maya

Lysandra

Melina

Nefeli

Penelope

Sophia

Thalia

Xenia

Zephyra

Althea

Clio

Despina

Elektra

Zoe

Don’t worry if your due date is fast approaching and you still haven’t found a name that feels like the one. Head to our baby name generator where you’ll find thousands of names to fall in love with, from more traditional sounding names, to unique baby names from all around the world.

Maria Martin is Digital Group Editor for Yours.co.uk and Motherandbaby.com. She is a mum-of-two with a passion for helping women from all walks of life – from supporting breastfeeding mothers with expert advice to encouraging conversations about mental health. In her professional role, she has over 10 years' experience in the digital world, including editing articles, focussing on SEO, social media engagement, picture researching and video editing.

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