Greek Baby Girl Names: Traditional, Modern & Meaningful Choices 2026

Greek baby girl names reflect a rich naming tradition shaped by centuries of language, literature, mythology, and religious history. Some names come directly from ancient Greek words, such as Sophia, meaning “wisdom,” Zoe, meaning “life,” and Xenia, meaning “hospitality.”

Others are modern Greek forms of older names, while many have connections to Greek mythology, Byzantine history, or Greek Orthodox Christian tradition.

Understanding these differences can make choosing a name much easier. A name may have Greek linguistic origins or be widely used in Greece without having a mythological connection.

Likewise, a Greek origin name may later develop an important Christian association through saints and Orthodox tradition.

In this guide, the names are grouped according to their historical and cultural connections, making it easier to explore their meanings, origins, Greek usage, mythological background, and religious associations.

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Greek Baby Girl Names at a Glance

Here are 24 names that represent different parts of the Greek naming tradition:

Name	Meaning	Origin / Language	Cultural or Religious Context
Sophia / Sofia	Wisdom	Ancient Greek	Greek word name; also established in Christian tradition.
Zoe / Zoi	Life	Ancient Greek	Ancient Greek word; borne by early Christian saints.
Eirini / Irene	Peace	Ancient Greek	Greek personification of peace; also used by Christian saints.
Agapi / Agape	Love	Ancient Greek	Greek virtue word; also borne by early Christian saints.
Areti	Virtue	Greek	Modern Greek form of Arete, the ancient Greek virtue.
Xenia	Hospitality	Ancient Greek	Greek word name; associated with an Eastern Christian saint.
Thalia / Thaleia	To blossom	Ancient Greek	Muse and one of the Charites in Greek mythology.
Theodora	Gift of God	Greek	Byzantine and Christian historical tradition.
Eleni	Modern Greek form of Helen	Greek	Ancient Greek literary/mythological heritage and Greek Christian usage.
Aikaterini / Ekaterini	Etymology uncertain	Greek	Strong Greek usage; associated with Saint Catherine.
Anastasia	Resurrection	Greek	Strong Eastern Christian association through saints.
Thekla	Glory of God	Late Greek	Early Christian saint in the Acts of Paul and Thecla.
Evangelia	Feminine form of Evangelos	Greek	Christian vocabulary associated with “good news.”
Vasiliki	Royal, kingly	Greek	Modern Greek feminine form related to Basil/Basileios.
Dimitra / Demetra	Modern Greek form of Demeter	Greek	Greek mythology and ancient religious tradition.
Athina / Athena	Meaning uncertain	Ancient Greek	Greek goddess associated with wisdom and warfare.
Artemis	Meaning uncertain	Ancient Greek / pre Greek	Major Greek goddess.
Ariadni / Ariadne	Possibly “most holy”	Ancient Greek / possibly pre Greek	Greek mythology; etymology disputed.
Dafni / Daphne	Laurel	Ancient Greek	Greek mythology and nature symbolism.
Penelope	Probably a type of duck; etymology disputed	Ancient Greek	Homeric tradition; wife of Odysseus in the Odyssey.
Kalliope / Calliope	Beautiful voice	Ancient Greek	One of the nine Muses.
Erato	Lovely	Ancient Greek	One of the nine Muses.
Despina	Mistress, lady	Greek	Modern Greek form of Despoina; ancient religious/mythological association.
Dimitra	Modern Greek form of Demeter	Greek	Greek mythology and traditional Greek usage.

Several entries have deliberately qualified meanings because the historical etymology is uncertain. For example, Athena has no securely established meaning, while Ariadne has competing etymological explanations. That is more accurate than assigning a popular but unsupported meaning to every name.

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Greek Names Built From Words and Virtues

Some of the clearest Greek names are also ordinary Greek words or names derived directly from Greek vocabulary. These names can work especially well for parents who want the linguistic meaning of a name to be central rather than its connection to a particular mythological character.

Sophia  Wisdom

Sophia / Sofia comes from the Ancient Greek word σοφία, meaning “wisdom.” Sophia is used in Greek as well as many other European languages. It also developed a Christian history, although the story of Saint Sophia is complicated by later tradition surrounding the expression Hagia Sophia, or “Holy Wisdom.”

Origin: Ancient Greek
Meaning: Wisdom
Usage: Greek and international
Religious connection: Christian tradition, but the saintly tradition should not be confused with the original Greek word meaning.

Zoe  Life

Zoe / Zoi comes directly from the Ancient Greek word ζωή, meaning “life.” The name was also used by early Christians and became established in the Byzantine world.

Origin: Ancient Greek
Meaning: Life
Christian connection: Borne by early Christian saints and used in Byzantine Christianity.

Eirini / Irene  Peace

The Greek Eirini corresponds to the international form Irene. It comes from Greek eirēnē, meaning “peace.” In Greek mythology, Eirene was the personification of peace, while the name was also borne by several early Christian saints and Byzantine figures.

Origin: Ancient Greek
Meaning: Peace
Greek form: Eirini
International form: Irene

Agapi / Agape  Love

Agapi is the modern Greek form of Agape, from the Greek word agapē, meaning “love.” The name also appears in early Christian saint traditions.

Origin: Ancient Greek
Meaning: Love
Greek form: Agapi
Religious connection: Early Christian saint tradition

Areti  Virtue

Areti is the modern Greek form of Arete, an Ancient Greek word meaning “virtue.” In Greek philosophical and cultural history, aretē also carried the sense of excellence or virtue.

Origin: Ancient Greek
Meaning: Virtue
Modern Greek form: Areti

Xenia  Hospitality

Xenia comes from Ancient Greek xenia, meaning “hospitality,” from a root associated with a stranger or guest. The name also belongs to Eastern Christian saint tradition through Saint Xenia.

Origin: Ancient Greek
Meaning: Hospitality
Christian connection: Eastern Christian saint tradition

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Greek Names With Christian and Byzantine Connections

Greek naming history did not stop in classical antiquity. Byzantine and Orthodox Christian traditions added another important layer to Greek names.

The distinction is useful: a name such as Anastasia has Greek linguistic roots and a strong Christian association, while a name such as Athina is primarily connected with ancient Greek mythology. Both can be described as Greek names, but their cultural histories are different.

Eleni

Eleni is the modern Greek form of Helen. It is a firmly established Greek feminine name and remains prominent in Greek naming records.

The name connects modern Greek usage with the much older Helen tradition of Greek literature and mythology. It should therefore be described as a Greek form of Helen rather than assigned an uncertain literal meaning as though its etymology were settled.

Aikaterini / Ekaterini

Aikaterini is a Greek form of the name represented internationally by Catherine/Katherine. Its ancient etymology is debated; proposed explanations include connections with earlier Greek forms, the goddess Hecate, and other linguistic sources. The later association with Greek katharos (“pure”) is influential but does not establish that “pure” was the original etymology.

In Greece, Aikaterini is an established feminine name and was third among female names in the 2021 Greek population census.

Anastasia

Anastasia is the feminine form of Anastasius and comes from Greek roots connected with resurrection. It became especially established in Eastern Orthodox Christianity through saints bearing the name.

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Resurrection
Religious connection: Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition
Greek form: Anastasia

Thekla

Thekla comes from the Ancient Greek name Theokleia, interpreted as “glory of God,” from Greek elements meaning “god” and “glory.” The name became associated with the early Christian Saint Thecla through the Acts of Paul and Thecla.

This makes Thekla a particularly clear example of a Greek origin name that developed a strong Christian religious association.

Evangelia

Evangelia is the feminine form of the Greek Evangelos, a name meaning “bringing good news.” Euangelos combines Greek elements meaning “good” and “messenger.”

The vocabulary is closely connected with Christian language about the Gospel, but the name itself should be classified as a Greek name with Christian cultural association rather than described as a personal name directly taken from a biblical character.

Vasiliki

Vasiliki is the modern Greek feminine form related to Basil/Basileios. The underlying Greek name means “royal” or “kingly,” from basileus, “king.”

The masculine form became strongly associated with Saint Basil the Great and Eastern Christianity, giving Vasiliki a place within the broader Greek Orthodox naming tradition.

Theodora

Theodora is the feminine form of Theodore. The underlying Greek elements mean “god” + “gift,” giving the established meaning “gift of God.” The name was used in the Byzantine Empire and was borne by several empresses, including the wife of Justinian I.

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Greek Mythology Names for Girls

Greek mythology provides another major source of names, but mythology should not be confused with Greek religious practice today. These names come from ancient mythological traditions and characters; they are not automatically Christian or Orthodox names.

Athina / Athena

Athina is the modern Greek form of Athena. Athena was a major Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and the city of Athens. Her name’s original meaning is uncertain, and scholars have not established a secure Greek etymology.

Greek form: Athina
International form: Athena
Meaning: Unknown / disputed
Context: Ancient Greek mythology

Artemis

Artemis is both an ancient Greek mythological name and a modern Greek feminine name. The historical meaning of the name is uncertain and may involve a pre Greek origin.

Artemis was one of the major goddesses of ancient Greek religion and mythology, associated with hunting, wilderness, and childbirth.

Ariadni / Ariadne

Ariadni is the modern Greek form of Ariadne. One proposed interpretation is “most holy,” combining Greek elements, but the etymology is disputed and some scholars have proposed a pre Greek origin instead.

In mythology, Ariadne is associated with the story of Theseus, the Labyrinth, and the Minotaur.

Dafni / Daphne

Dafni is the modern Greek form of Daphne, meaning “laurel” in Greek. In mythology, Daphne was transformed into a laurel tree while escaping Apollo.

Meaning: Laurel
Greek form: Dafni
Context: Ancient Greek mythology and nature imagery

Penelope

Penelope is an Ancient Greek mythological name best known from Homer’s Odyssey, where Penelope is the wife of Odysseus. Its etymology is not completely settled. It is probably connected with a Greek word for a type of duck, although an alternative explanation connects the name with words relating to threads and weaving.

The association with “weaver” is therefore better treated as a traditional interpretation connected with Penelope’s story rather than a securely established literal etymology.

Kalliope / Calliope

Kalliope means “beautiful voice,” from Greek elements meaning beauty and voice. In mythology, Kalliope was one of the nine Muses and was associated with epic poetry and eloquence. Kalliopi is the modern Greek transcription.

Erato

Erato means “lovely” in Greek and was the name of one of the nine Muses, specifically the Muse associated with lyric poetry.

Thalia / Thaleia

Thalia comes from Greek thallō, meaning “to blossom.” In mythology, Thalia was one of the Muses and also one of the three Graces.

Despina

Despina is the modern Greek form of Despoina, a Greek word meaning “mistress” or “lady.” In ancient Greek mythology, Despoina was the daughter of Demeter and Poseidon and was associated with the Eleusinian Mysteries.

Dimitra / Demetra

Dimitra is the modern Greek form of Demeter. The ancient name may mean “earth mother,” although that etymology is explicitly treated as uncertain by linguistic references. Demeter was the Greek goddess of agriculture and an important figure in the Eleusinian Mysteries.

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What Are the Most Established Girl Names in Greece?

If by “Greek baby girl names” you mean names actually established in Greece, rather than only names of Greek origin, official Greek census data gives a useful additional perspective.

The Hellenic Statistical Authority’s 2021 Population and Housing Census identified these as the ten most common female first names in Greece:

1. Maria
2. Eleni
3. Aikaterini
4. Vasiliki
5. Anastasia
6. Sofia
7. Georgia
8. Evangelia
9. Ioanna
10. Dimitra

This list should not be interpreted as a list of ten names that are all etymologically Greek. It measures names used among women living in Greece. For example, Eleni, Aikaterini, Vasiliki, Anastasia, Sofia, Evangelia, and Dimitra have clear Greek forms or Greek linguistic histories, while other names in the census list have different historical origins but are established in Greek naming culture.

The same official census publication also shows how naming patterns vary by generation. Among women born from 2010–2021, Maria, Eleni, Aikaterini, Ioanna, Vasiliki, Anastasia, Konstantina, Sofia, Dimitra, and Anna were the ten most prevalent female names in that birth cohort.

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Greek Orthodox Names and Name Day Tradition

For families interested in Greek Orthodox baby girl names, the religious connection is often more important than  if a name originated in classical Greek mythology.

Greek Orthodox tradition places significant importance on saints’ names and name days. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America explains that Christians traditionally choose saints’ names to express a connection with the Church, while a person’s name day commemorates the saint associated with their name.

That means a parent considering a Greek Orthodox name may look at:

• Anastasia:  Associated with Christian saints and resurrection.
• Thekla:  Associated with the early Christian Saint Thecla.
• Xenia:  Associated with an Eastern Christian saint.
• Agapi:  A Greek virtue word that was also borne by early saints.
• Zoe:  A Greek word meaning “life” with early Christian saint associations.
• Eirini:  Greek for “peace,” also borne by Christian saints.
• Theodora:  A Greek name with a long Byzantine Christian history.

The tradition does not mean that every Greek name must be the name of a saint. Orthodox sources note that naming practices vary, and personal or family preference can also play a role.

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Greek Names: Origin, Usage, and Religion Are Not the Same

A useful way to compare Greek baby girl names is to separate four questions:

Question	Example
Does the name come from Greek?	Sophia comes from Greek sophia, meaning “wisdom.”
Is it used in modern Greece?	Eleni is a modern Greek form of Helen.
Is it connected with ancient Greek mythology?	Athina and Artemis have major mythological associations.
Does it have Christian or Orthodox significance?	Anastasia and Thekla have strong Christian saint associations.

This distinction prevents a common naming mistake: treating Greek, mythological, and Christian as interchangeable labels.

For example, Daphne is Greek in origin and mythological in association, but it is not therefore a Christian saint name. Anastasia has Greek linguistic roots and a strong Eastern Christian history, but it is not a mythological goddess name. Sophia is a Greek word meaning “wisdom,” while its Christian associations developed through later religious and historical traditions.

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How to Choose a Greek Baby Girl Name

Start by deciding which part of Greek naming heritage matters most to your family.

For a Greek language meaning: consider names such as Sophia, Zoe, Eirini, Agapi, Areti, Xenia, or Thalia.

For a Greek Orthodox connection: look more closely at Anastasia, Thekla, Xenia, Agapi, Zoe, Eirini, or Theodora, then verify the relevant saint and name day tradition with your parish or Orthodox calendar.

For ancient mythology: names such as Athina, Artemis, Ariadni, Dafni, Penelope, Kalliope, Erato, and Dimitra provide direct connections to Greek mythological traditions.

For established Greek usage: the official Greek census provides a useful starting point, with Maria, Eleni, Aikaterini, Vasiliki, Anastasia, Sofia, Georgia, Evangelia, Ioanna, and Dimitra among the ten most common female names in the 2021 census.

If the family lives outside Greece, also check how the Greek spelling will be transliterated. Aikaterini/Ekaterini/Katerina, Dafni/Daphne, Ariadni/Ariadne, Kalliope/Calliope, and Sophia/Sofia can appear differently across languages without representing completely different names.

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FAQs

What is a genuinely Greek girl name?

Names such as Sophia, Zoe, Eirini, Agapi, Areti, Xenia, Thalia, Vasiliki, and Dimitra have well established Greek linguistic or modern Greek forms. Some other names commonly used in Greece have non Greek historical origins, so “used in Greece” and “Greek in origin” should not be treated as identical.

What Greek girl names are connected to mythology?

Examples include, Athina/Athena, Artemis, Ariadni/Ariadne, Dafni/Daphne, Penelope, Kalliope, Erato, Thalia, Despina, and Dimitra. Their mythological connections differ: some are names of major deities, while others belong to Muses, mythological women, or figures associated with ancient religious traditions.

What Greek girl names have Christian connections?

Anastasia, Thekla, Xenia, Agapi, Zoe, Eirini, and Theodora have documented Christian or Orthodox historical connections. The exact type of connection varies from saint association to broader Byzantine or Christian usage.

Is Sophia a Greek name?

Yes. Sophia comes from the Ancient Greek word σοφία, meaning “wisdom,” and it is also used as a modern Greek feminine name.

Is Athena a Greek name?

Yes, Athena is an Ancient Greek mythological name and the modern Greek form is Athina. However, its original etymological meaning is uncertain, so claims that it definitively means a particular quality should be treated cautiously.

What is the Greek name for life?

Zoe / Zoi comes from the Ancient Greek word ζωή, meaning “life.” It later became an established Christian name as well.

Are Greek mythology names and Greek Orthodox names the same?

No. They overlap historically in the broad history of Greek culture, but they represent different traditions. Mythological names such as Athena and Artemis belong to ancient Greek mythology, while names such as Anastasia and Thekla have Christian saint associations. Some names, such as Irene, can have both ancient Greek and Christian histories.

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Final Thoughts 

Greek baby girl names offer several distinct naming traditions rather than one single category. Parents can choose a name because of its Greek linguistic meaning, its place in modern Greek culture, its connection to ancient mythology, or its history within Byzantine and Orthodox Christianity.

The most useful approach is to decide which connection matters first and then check the name’s original language, modern Greek form, meaning, pronunciation, and religious or mythological history.

Sophia, Zoe, Eirini, Agapi, Areti, and Xenia work well when the Greek word itself is important, while Anastasia, Thekla, and Theodora connect more directly with Christian and Byzantine history. For mythology, Athina, Artemis, Ariadni, Dafni, Penelope, Kalliope, and Dimitra offer a different route into Greece’s ancient cultural heritage.