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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Greek Mythology Girl Names

72 replies

mythologygirl · 31/10/2019 21:57

I am pregnant with twin girls. I really love Greek mythology and drawn to greek mythology goddess, nymphs and muses names. I have a list of some I like, but looking for opinions, feedback or others that you like.

Arethusa(ar-uh-thoo-zuh)
Xanthe (zan-thee)
Eos (ee-aw-s) I think I'd like this one as a middle name.
Gaia (guy - yA)
Ianthe(ee-an-thee)
Selene (suh-leh'-nee) I think I'd like this one as a middle name.

OP posts:
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Toomanyspoons · 01/11/2019 05:21

Hello - I read Classics and in College this used to be a hot topic of discussion - which sound too harsh and abrasive like Clytemnestra and which didn’t sound Greek/Classical enough like Helen. Check whether you’ve got a parent/brother sister etc murdering character - and probably avoid ones that make a pun easily.

My best suggestion - because it’s classical pedigree is top notch and because she is a great character - but also no one has ever heard of her is Nyssia. She was the wife of Candules - thought to be the most beautiful woman in the world and she kills her husband for letting another man (Gyges) look at her. So Nyssia would get my vote. The story is in Herodotus.

Pinkybutterfly · 01/11/2019 05:16

Iris

NorthLondonmum83 · 01/11/2019 04:46

Ariadne is lovely and easy to pronounce! With names from Greek mythology always worth checking the story as some are a little dark (I'd have loved to call my son Orestes but it just felt too weird!). I liked Phaedra for my daughter but my mother and friend who had studied classics were a quick veto Smile

Original poster
mythologygirl · 01/11/2019 04:42

Thanks everyone but I think I am set on Twin A: Xanthe Eos
I am not set on Twin B name yet, but I thank everyone on their feedback and suggestions.

OP posts:
NameChangedNoImagination · 01/11/2019 04:22

Harmonia
Hera
Hestia
Artemis
Demeter (is on my list)
Leto
Eirene
Hebe
Hecate
Macaria
Nyx
Alectrona
Techne
Tyche
Psyche
Chione
Electra
Aura
Hemera
Cybele
Hermione
Nymphe
Daphne
Rhea
Asteria
Ismene
Danae
Pandaisia
Circe
Mneme
Calliope
Ino
Andromeda
Clio

And beautiful but totally unusable...
Nemesis
Nike

CrumpetyTea · 01/11/2019 04:10

Of yours I really like Ianthe
I also like
Phoebe
Hebe
Phaedra
Daphne

MerryMarigold · 01/11/2019 04:06

Not Arleen, Seleen. Keeps autocorrecting for me!

MerryMarigold · 01/11/2019 04:05

Selene will be pronounced Arleen. There's also Phoebe, Persephone (Seffie). I'd say having a middle name AND a first name from the same group of names may be overkill. I'd have a raised eyebrow if you told me your gorgeous newborn was Arethusa Eos.

TheAirbender · 01/11/2019 04:02

Love all these names. All of them! Lyra is also a great Greek inspired girls (though not really from the Greek myths as such).

mistermagpie · 01/11/2019 03:53

I can't really get my mouth around saying Arethusa so that's a no from me. I like Xanthe though!

blueskiesbrighteyes · 01/11/2019 02:32

Circe

Omashu · 01/11/2019 02:26

I don’t mind all the names but some are just not the most pleasant to say.

Xanthe and Gaia are the best. Love those names ❤️

Original poster
mythologygirl · 31/10/2019 22:44

Thanks everyone for your comments so far. I am glad there is love for Xanthe. I thought maybe it may have been way out there. I am a little sad but not surprised there is no love for Arethusa. I personally love it, but it's one of those names that you either love it or hate.

OP posts:
AdaColeman · 31/10/2019 22:10

Some that I like,
Iphigenia
Hippolyta
Dido

Stickyuptail · 31/10/2019 22:08

Xanthe gets my vote for first name and the others for middle names except for Arethusa which sounds a bit like ‘I refuse her.’

Suggestions:
Iris
Helena
Jocasta
Cassandra
Thalia
Eris/Aeris
Hera
Chloe
Grace
Lilah
Maia
Persephone
Tessa
Zoe

Ylvamoon · 31/10/2019 22:06

Ariadne
Myrina

TricklBOO · 31/10/2019 22:03

Gaia & Xanthe for me

FredaFrogspawn · 31/10/2019 22:02

Antigone (ant-igg-on-ee)

Myrianthea (Mirr-ee- anthea)

My two favourites.

I like Gaia and Selene from your list.

Pinkbonbon · 31/10/2019 22:01

Not a goddess but, Helena. As in Helena of troy. Helena and ...Paris? Think that was the dudes name right? Would work for a girl too I guess.

pallisers · 31/10/2019 21:59

I know a girl called Athena Sunflower.

Think it is great.

MrsBertBibby · 31/10/2019 21:59

Iris
Hestia

mnahmnah · 31/10/2019 21:59

Xanthe and Gaia get my vote