Female names of Greek origin. Greek female names

During the period of Ottoman rule (until the beginning of the twentieth century), Greek names for women, following the Muslim model, consisted of a proper name with the addition of a patronymic. A modern female Greek name consists of a personal name and a surname; the middle name is usually used only on identity cards and other official documents.

In most families, naming norms for Greek girls are quite strict - the first is named after the father's mother, the second after the maternal grandmother. The following girls are called more freely, but also by the names of relatives. This often leads to the appearance of numerous full namesakes in the family. The abundance of Greek borrowings in world cultures, as a rule, allows Greek women in diasporas to use beautiful Greek female names that are not exotic for the dominant ethnic group in the region.

Greek names

Very ancient Greek female names include, for example, such as Ἑλένη (Eleni - there is not even a generally accepted opinion what it means) or βασίλισσα (Basilissa - queen). The names of Greek goddesses were also widely used - Δήμητρα (Dimitra - in honor of the goddess of fertility) or Ἀθηνᾶ (Athena - the goddess of military strategy).

At the beginning of our era, the popularity of most Greek names from the pagan period fell due to the advent of Christianity. They were replaced by such names of Greek women as Χριστίνα (Christina - dedicated to Christ) or Θεοδώρα (Theodora - gift of God). However, some pre-Christian names of Greek women entered the canonical Orthodox name book thanks to outstanding bearers of the early Christian period, for example, Εὐφροσύνη (Euphrosyne - goddess of joy). In the 20th-21st centuries, with an increase in the number of non-believers and pagans, a tendency appeared to revive pre-Christian traditions, but in most cases, pagan Greek female names are rare today.

Names of foreign origin

The proximity to Romance-speaking peoples, and especially several centuries of Roman rule, left a mark in the form of Greek names for girls of Latin origin. For example: Κωνσταντίνα (Constantine, from constans/constance, constancy), Αντώνηα (Antonia, from the name of the ancient Roman family Antonius), Βικτώρια (Victoria, from Victoria - victory), Στέλλα (Stella, from stella - star).

Along with Christianity, the Greeks adopted many biblical names of Jewish origin. Of the names of this type, you can most often find ᾿Ιωάννα (John, from יוחנן/Yokhanan - God had mercy), Άννα (Anna, from חַנָּה - favor), Μαγδαληνή (Magdalene, from the nickname of the mother of Jesus המגד לית/Magdalite - born in the city of Migdal-El) , as well as many others.

The names of other peoples of Europe and Asia are also used: Όλγα (Olga - from Scandinavian Helga through Russian Olga), Ελβίρα (Elvira, from Old Germanic dialects), Αλίκη (Aliki, from Old French Alis), Σουλτανα (Soultana, from Semitic, and later Islamic שולטנא/سلطان/sulṭān - title of ruler). Under the influence of world literature, cinematography, and show business, a modern Greek girl can sometimes receive the most unexpected and completely unconventional name for Greece.

Greek names among other peoples

Female names of Greek origin are found in almost all peoples of the world, and among the Slavs they make up a significant part of the name book. For example, the name Ἑλένη (Eleni) in different languages ​​took the form Elena, Alena, Olena, Elena, Lina, Helen, Elina, and Αικατερίνη (Ekaterini) - Ekaterina, Katsyaryna, Kӑtyarikka, Kachyri, Catherine, Katrina, Katalin, Kati, Catharina, Katarzyna.

In the Russian female name book, names familiar to the Slavs are of Greek origin, such as Alexandra (from Αλέξανδρος/Alexandros - protector of people), Anastasia (from Αναστασία - resurrected), Varvara (from βάρβαρος / Varvaros - foreign), Galina (γα λήνη/galini - calmness ), Ksenia/Oksana (from Ξένια/Ksenia - hospitable), Lydia (from Λυδία/Lydia - region in Asia Minor) and many others. Some names are tracings, for example, the popular today Faith, Hope and Love are formed by a direct translation of the corresponding Greek names Πίστις (Pistis), Ελπίς (Elpis) and Ἀγάπη (Agape) and they primarily became popular thanks to the acts of Greek saints.

Below you can find a list of Greek female names, where among the well-known options you can find names that are rare for the Russian-speaking environment, but no less beautiful.

In this article we will look at Greek female names: the meaning and origin of the most popular, as well as rare, ancient Greek names. You can read about male Greek names.

Which female names came to us from Greece? Let's figure it out.

Greek female names: meaning and origin

Female names and myths of Ancient Greece

Name Galina comes from the ancient Greek word γαλήνη - “calmness, serenity.” One of the Nereids (sea deities similar to mermaids) was named Galena.

Another example is a name Irina (Εἰρήνη- peace, quiet). Irini (Eirene) is the name of the ancient Greek goddess of peace. Irini is the daughter of Zeus and Themis.

But a beautiful, but already rare name Apollinaria. It is believed to be of ancient Roman origin (from the Latin Apollinaris - “belonging to Apollo”, “solar”), but it comes from the name of the ancient Greek god Apollo. Polina is a shortened form that has now become an independent name. Other versions of its origin have been put forward - for example, the French one (Pauline).

Name Maya (Μαϊα) translated as "mother". It comes from the name of the Greek goddess (Pleiades) Maya, mother of Hermes. True, this is only one of the hypotheses of the origin of the name - there is both Latin (from Majus - “may”) and Hebrew (from מים‎ - mayim - “water”). By the way, the Greek word μαία (read mEA) means “midwife”, “one who takes birth.”

On behalf of the goddess of victory Niki (Νίκη) the name Nick comes from. This is an independent name, although it often happens that other names are shortened to Nike, for example, Veronica (from the ancient Greek Φερενίκη - “bringing victory”: φέρω - “bring” and νίκη - “victory”). The analogue of the name Veronica is Berenice.

Zinaida (Ζηναις)- another name associated with mythology. Presumably, it is associated with the name of Zeus (Ζεύς, genitive case form - Ζηνός).

Female names and place names

Even before our era (in the 7th century) in Asia Minor there was a country called Lydia (Λυδία), from which the female name Lydia came.

Name Larisa derived from the name of the Greek city Larissa (Larissa). Λάρῑσ(σ)α is translated from Greek as “seagull”. In Greek mythology, Poseidon, the god of the sea, had a granddaughter, Larissa, a nymph. There is a hypothesis that the city was named after her. Her image can be found on ancient coins:

Near the city of Argos there is the Larisa fortress:

  • "Talking" names

    If the Greeks' male names glorified such qualities as nobility, courage and strength, then female names - chastity, beauty, fertility, etc. Now most of them are quite rare.

    For example, Agnia(from the ancient Greek ἁγνὴ) means “pure”, “immaculate”. Agni Parthene (Αγνή Παρθένε) - Pure Virgin - a hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

    Zoya (Ζωή) translated from ancient Greek as “life”. Sofia (Sofia) comes from the Greek σοφία - “wisdom”. Name Pelageya (Pelagia) derived from πέλαγος - “sea”.

    Name Angelina (Αγγελίνα) comes from ἄγγελος - “messenger” (angel).

    And here is an example of a name that speaks of beauty - Anfisa (Ἀνθούσα- sounds like “Antusa”). It comes from the word ἄνθος, which means “flower”.

    Anastasia- a pair name for Anastasy (Ἀναστάσιος). The word ἀνάστασις from which it comes means “resurrection.” Καλή Ανάσταση! (Happy Resurrection of Christ!) - this is how the Greeks congratulate each other on Easter.

    Other paired names: Vasilisa (βασίλισσα)- from Vasily, translated as “queen”, Eugenia, Alexandra, Kira (Κύρα). They have the same meanings as the male versions.

    Name Paraskeva (Praskovya) comes from the word παρασκευή - “Friday”. Paraskeva Pyatnitsa is the patroness of women in Slavic Orthodox mythology. There are many sayings associated with it, as well as prohibitions: on Friday it was forbidden to plow, spin and sew (on Fridays men do not plow, women do not spin).

    There are names whose etymology still cannot be accurately determined. For example, Catherine (Αικατερίνη). There is no consensus on the origin of this name. The most common version is from the word καθαρή - pure, immaculate. However, some experts (for example, the famous lexicographer M. Vasmer) disagree with her. There is another hypothesis that it is formed on behalf of Hecate (Ἑκάτη), the ancient Greek goddess of moonlight and witchcraft, but this is also quite controversial.

    Everyone has heard about the legendary Helen of Troy. At the name Elena (Ἑλένη) there is also no clear etymology. According to one version, it is associated with the name Helios (Ἥλιος), god of the Sun. The second version claims that the name is consonant with the word Ἕλληνες - Hellenes (that is, Greeks), the third - that it comes from the word ἑλένη (ἑλάνη) - “torch”. None of the hypotheses have been truly confirmed.

    At the name Ksenia (Ξένια) two translation options: from the ancient Greek ξενία - “hospitality” and ξένος - “stranger”, “foreign”. The names Aksinya and Oksana are derivatives and are now used as independent names. The name Varvara, which has a similar meaning, comes from βαρβαρικός - “foreign”.

    And finally - the rather unexpected name Thekla (Θέκλα) . At first glance it looks like ours, Russian... but no. Also of ancient Greek origin, and it is translated as “God’s glory”: θεός - “God” and κλέος - “glory”.

    Now you know about common (and not so common) female names of Greek origin in Russia and their meanings.

    Female names popular in Greece itself

    Here, by a large margin (who would doubt it!) is in the lead Maria - Μαρία, with 9.82%. That is, almost every tenth Greek woman bears this name!

    It is followed by a large margin by the name Ελένη - Elena, from 6.72%.

    On the third place Katerina - Κατερίνα from 4.69%, in fourth place Βασιλική – Vasiliki from 3.45%. The top five is completed Παναγιώτα – Panayiota from 2.69%.

    In the next five - Sofia (Σοφία) from 2.53%, Angeliki (Αγγελική) from 2.24%, George - (Γεωργία) with 2.153% and almost the same result Gospels - (Ευαγγελία) from 2.15%. And completes the top ten most popular female names Irini - (Ειρήνη) from 1.92%.

    Quite popular names Dimitra (Δήμητρα), Joanna (Ιωάννα), Konstantina (Κωνσταντίνα), Anastasia (Αναστασία), Paraskevi (Παρασκευή), Christina (Χριστίνα), Stavrula (Σταυρούλα), Despina (Δέσπ οινα), Kalliopi (Καλλιόπη) are included in the second ten of the list and each of them has an indicator of less than 2%. The names are not far from them Photini (Φωτεινή), Alexandra (Αλεξάνδρα), Chryse (Χρύσα), Athena (Αθηνά), Theodora (Θεοδώρα).

    Ancient Greek female names

    We find such names in myths and poems, many of them have survived to this day and are not used as often as the names given above.

    • Αριάδνη - Ariadne: the most innocent,
    • Ακτίς - Actis: this was the name of the daughter of the astronomer Eudoxus,
    • Aλκηστις - Alkistis: the joy of family, hearth,
    • Ανδρομάχη - Andromache: fighting on the outskirts,
    • Αφροδίτη - Aphrodite: born from sea foam,
    • Αρσινόη - Arsinoe: sublime,
    • Αρετή - Areti: virtue,
    • Εριφύλη - Erifili: the most excellent of women,
    • Ευδοξία - Eudoxia: glorious,
    • Ελπινίκη - Elpinika: hope for victory,
    • Ευρυδίκη - Eurydice: very fair,
    • Ηλέκτρα - Electra: shining with charm,
    • Ηρώ - Ira (Hera): personification of Hera,
    • Ίρις - Iris: messenger of the gods,
    • Ιφιγένεια - Iphigenia: very strong,
    • Καλλιόπη - Calliopi (Calliope): beautiful-eyed,
    • Καλλιρρόη - Callirhoe: fresh, like spring water,
    • Κλεοπάτρα - Cleopatra: glory of the Motherland,
    • Μελπομένη - Melpomene (Melpo): tender with her singing,
    • Μυρτώ - Myrto: pleasant as myrtle,
    • Ναυσικά - Nafsika: glorified by sailors,
    • Νεφέλη - Nepheli: offering living water,
    • Ξανθίππη - Xanthippe: fair-haired horsewoman,
    • Πηνελόπη - Penelope: a skilled weaver,
    • Πολυξένη - Polyxena: very hospitable,
    • Φαίδρα - Phaedra: bright, shining,
    • Χλόη - Chloe: grass. One of the names of Demeter, as the protector of the plant world.

    Of course, it is impossible to cover the entire variety of female names in one article. But I hope that you learned something new for yourself. Did any fact become a discovery for you? Share in the comments.

Greece in the name

It's no secret that Greece is a country with one of the most ancient and interesting cultures. Honoring the traditions of ancestors and accumulating experience and knowledge are important parts of cultural traditions that are passed on from generation to generation. Beautiful Greek names are a way to convey the connection of centuries to modern children. Most names are of local origin, but there are also some borrowed from other languages. Therefore, they can all be divided into several groups: those in which legends and myths are taken as a basis; borrowed from Jewish and Latin cultures; names based on Orthodox calendars; adoption of naming traditions from the cultures of the peoples of Western Europe. However, since Greek civilization dates back hundreds of years, its influence has spread to many cultures. Greek female names were adopted by other peoples and interpreted in accordance with local traditions of pronunciation of words, which significantly modified the original source. But all these circumstances in no way deprived the original and its derivative of sacred meaning. It is believed that only the names of the children of Hellas were consecrated twice throughout history: the first time - during the times of paganism and the worship of the gods of Olympus, the second time - at the beginning of the Christian era.

Greek female names and primordial naming traditions

Their uniqueness lies not only in the fact that they originate from the sacred names of beautiful goddesses, but also in the fact that they personify the exceptional and original qualities of human nature. Often these are positive character traits, a description of a pleasant appearance, as well as beautiful natural phenomena.

Aurora

In the traditions and legends of Greece, this name was borne by the beautiful goddess of the morning dawn. The girls named after her have a truly royal character - they are capricious and stubborn, they will stubbornly stand their ground, even when they realize that they are not entirely right.

Aphrodite

It also comes from the name of the goddess of beauty and love, who is one of the most revered and beloved to this day. These Greek female names give their owners enormous creative potential. Such girls will be active and talented in everything. With the support and support of people close to her, Aphrodite is able to move mountains and turn back rivers.

Cassandra

A fairly widespread name, despite its origin. Its owners are persistent in achieving their goals, they radiate optimism and rarely become depressed. Thanks to their innate talent and stubbornness, they have the ability to compete with men in many areas of life.

Distribution in the post-Soviet space

It is no secret to anyone that the names Alexandra, Polina, Anastasia, as well as Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov, were widely spread back in the days of Ancient Rus'. However, few people know that these are Greek female names borrowed by other peoples. Each of them is a melodic and beautiful tradition that came to us from the depths of time.

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Mythical names

Mythical male and female names and their meanings

Mythical names- these are names taken from Roman, Greek, Scandinavian, Slavic, Egyptian and other mythologies.

On our website we offer a huge selection of names...

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Mythical names. Mythical male and female names and their meanings

Ancient names with Greek roots are unique. All of them are not only very harmonious (both in pronunciation and hearing), but also carry a special meaning. The ancient Greeks were very wise and named children with names that often emphasize the positive qualities of a person, and have a beautiful literal translation - “pure”, “young”, “wise”, “kind”, “tender”, etc.

Many researchers agree that Greek tradition helped preserve most of these names. The fact is that the Greeks have strict canons in naming. For example, the first daughter in a family should bear the name of her paternal grandmother, and the first son should bear the name of her paternal grandfather, etc. Thus, by passing on names from generation to generation, the Greeks managed to preserve this part of the culture of their people.

Greek names can be represented in two groups. The first is ancient names, these are the names of gods and all kinds of mythical characters of Ancient Greece. The second is the Greek names of the Orthodox heritage, which came mainly from Christian mythology.

Thus, the names of many goddesses, nymphs, charites of ancient Greek mythology are still quite common today both in Greece itself and beyond its borders:

In the 5th century, Greece became the leader of Eastern Christianity. And after the death of the ancient Roman Empire and the emergence of the powerful Byzantium, it was the Greek lands that began to be considered the center of the spread of Orthodox Christianity. And it is quite natural that from that time on Christian mythology also became a source of replenishment of the Greek nomenclature:

  • Anastasia– resurrected;
  • Angelina– messenger;
  • Gospels– good news, Gospel;
  • Evdokia- God's will;
  • Catherine– pure, immaculate;
  • Elena– torch;
  • Euphrosyne- joyful, well-meaning;
  • Zoya- life;
  • Sofia– wise;
  • Thekla- God's glory;
  • Feodosia- given by God.

How did they appear in Russian?

At the end of the 10th century, Christianity was adopted in Rus', and close contacts with Byzantium provided the Slavs with the opportunity to learn about ancient culture. And along with culture, science, and medicine, the Eastern European peoples began to adopt many Greek names.

For a long time, Slavic rulers gave children two names at once - pagan and church(baptismal). As a rule, the latter was Greek. Very soon, the pagan names traditional for the Slavs were almost completely replaced by baptismal names. Following the local nobility, peasants also began to give these names to newborns. After a fairly short time, almost all Russian names were Orthodox with Byzantine-Greek roots.

Thanks to close ties with Byzantium, the Russian name book was replenished not only with Greek names, but also with the names of almost all of humanity, since Jewish, Greek, Roman and other names came to us with the Orthodox calendar. After all, the Byzantine Greeks, in turn, adopted the best names of the peoples of East and Western Europe, with whom they maintained excellent trade and cultural relations at that time. Among the Byzantine names there were also ancient Egyptian, ancient Persian, Syrian...

Often today, under a Christian name, you can see images of more ancient cultures and religions. But over time, these names have merged so much with the local ones that it is now difficult to believe in their foreign roots.

So, for example, often found in Russian folklore, legends and fairy tales (Elena the Wise, Elena the Beautiful) the female name Elena, not Russian, but Greek in origin. Many will agree with this, remembering the one with whose “light hand” the Trojan War broke out.

However, the name became widespread not thanks to the mythological Helen. The credit here goes not to mythology, but to Christianity. Because Helen was the name of the mother of the Byzantine ruler Constantine. After her death, the church equated the Queen of Constantinople with the apostles for missionary work, thereby perpetuating a name that has only been gaining popularity ever since. It is widespread not only in Russia, but throughout the world.

Another interesting name for a girl with Greek roots is Zoya. It is translated as "life". Researchers believe that this name appeared in an attempt to literally translate the name of the first earthly woman - Eve.

It did not immediately take root in the Russian language - this name can be found in only a few sources, and only since the 18th century. Until now in Russia it is considered quite rare. Despite its simple and easy sound, parents for some reason avoid this name.

Irina is a name familiar to Russian ears, with roots in the Hellenistic era. and comes from the name of the mythological goddess Eirene. According to legend, she was the daughter of the goddess of justice Themis and the god Zeus. Eirene was the guardian of peaceful life. The antique statue represents her with a baby in her arms. This little boy is the young god of wealth - Plutos. The statue once stood in a crowded shopping area, and symbolized the ability of people to bargain and negotiate for personal gain.

In Byzantium, this name was widespread and had a high social status: among the bearers of this name were the wives of Byzantine rulers, one of whom, Empress Irina, became the sovereign ruler of the state at the end of the 8th century. After her death, she was canonized by the church for being able to restore icon veneration in the country. From Greek the name Irina is translated as “peace”, “harmony”, “peace”.

Already in the Middle Ages, girls of various classes were called Irins.. True, among the merchants and peasants such a form of name as Arina was more common. Irins were the name given to persons of the nobility. In the early 90s of the twentieth century, this name was extremely popular, now it is chosen a little less often.

Meaning

In the list below you will find the most beautiful female names of Greek origin, as well as those mentioned in the legends and myths of Ancient Greece and their meanings:

Of course, only the parents decide what to name the baby. But if you choose a Greek name, you will not go wrong at all - these names are beautiful in sound, easy to pronounce and carry incredibly positive energy. And the mythological names of Ancient Greece have amazing magnetism and attractiveness, creating the illusion of contact with the world of wizards and fairy-tale heroes.

In addition, the Greek name is universal. Its analogues can be found in any European languages. Therefore, a child with this name will feel comfortable in any country. In general, trust the wisdom and knowledge of the ancient Greeks, and your baby will definitely tell you: “Thank you for the name!”

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