So the subject pretty much explains it. I love these names, but are they usable for a modern little girl? Would she forever be explaining her name? Which of these, if any, do you like and why?
Many of them are usable! My favorites are: [name]Xanthe[/name], [name]Iris[/name], [name]Circe[/name], [name]Daphne[/name] and [name]Ione[/name]. I like them because they are familiar enough for most people and sound and look pretty.
You may have to explain this type of name to people you are new to meet, but do you really need to say much more than, “it’s a name from Greek mythology”? I don’t think so. Some of the names I like, with nicknames that could make them even more wearable:
Thank you for the imput. I’m suprised both of you that commented like [name]Xanthe[/name]. It’s definitely one of my newer favorites. I’m in the US and not sure how others will react. Not that I’m going to be expecting any time soon, but always planning for the future! I think from the list [name]Daphne[/name] and [name]Iris[/name] are the most well known. Unfortunately [name]Iris[/name] clashes with my son’s name. [name]Ione[/name] is another recently discovered name that really intrigues me. Hmm…
Alecto- Would probably be mistaken for masculine
[name]Ariadne[/name]- Yes, and I love it. It’s probably my favorite name at the moment. I think spelling/pronunciation may cause a few problems, but I don’t think it’s too strange and I think people will get it after you explain it
[name]Artemis[/name]- Probably not, because of [name]Artemis[/name] Fowl
[name]Calliope[/name]- I’m not a fan, but I think you could use it because of the possibility of nns [name]Callie[/name] and [name]Calla[/name].
[name]Calypso[/name]- Sounds a bit stripper-y, unfortunately
[name]Circe[/name]- The pronunciation is misleadingly difficult. I don’t think it’d work.
[name]Daphne[/name]- Personally I don’t care for the “phne” sound, but I think it’s one of the more familiar Greek mythological names, so it should be usable.
[name]Echo[/name]- I love this, but I’d be kidding myself to say it’s usable- it’s not. It would make a cool middle, though.
[name]Harmonia[/name]- I’m on the fence with this one, leaning towards yes.
[name]Ianthe[/name]- No, too difficult
[name]Ione[/name]- Again, I think it might be confusing
[name]Iris[/name]- Absolutely, and it’s beautiful!
[name]Persephone[/name]- Maybe. [name]Penelope[/name] is pretty popular, and [name]Persephone[/name] really isn’t much different, so I think it would be okay, but I personally don’t care for it.
[name]Thalia[/name]- definitely usable
[name]Theia[/name]- Would probably be mistaken for [name]Thea[/name], but I don’t think it’s too confusing to use.
[name]Xanthe[/name]- Probably not usable.
[name]Xanthe[/name] is most definitely usable. I grew up in a small (around 10k ppl), isolated town in north eastern [name]Canada[/name]. There was a [name]Xanthe[/name] a few years older than me, and her name was never an issue. You might get asked how to pronounce it, but it was never a big deal that her name wasn’t [name]Michelle[/name], [name]Krista[/name], or [name]Angela[/name], for example.
I think all of these work for middle names, for first names I’d give a path to:
[name]Artemis[/name]
[name]Calliope[/name] - Easily accessible nickname helps.
[name]Daphne[/name]
[name]Ione[/name]
[name]Iris[/name]
[name]Persephone[/name] - Same with [name]Calliope[/name].
[name]Thalia[/name]
[name]Theia[/name]
[name]Xanthe[/name] - I think this one is do able because it’s only two syllables, I believe. That makes it less intimidating.
[name]Daphne[/name] and [name]Iris[/name] are the easiest, of course, because they’ve been used as given names in English for a long time. They also happen to be my favorites for first names.
Alecto-no. [name]Male[/name]-ish, one of the names of the Furies and a bad [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] character… [name]Ariadne[/name]-my favorite character! My favorite myth! Please do! [name]Artemis[/name]-I think [name]Athena[/name] might work better, but I really do like [name]Artemis[/name]. I don’t see why not! [name]Calliope[/name]-is fine. Modern nicknames would be [name]Callie[/name], [name]Cal[/name]. [name]Calypso[/name]-I think [name]Calliope[/name] would be easier. [name]Circe[/name]-maybe not. [name]Daphne[/name]-definitely. [name]Love[/name] [name]Daphne[/name]! It’s not usually associated with the myth anymore anyways. [name]Echo[/name]-it’s more of a word name. [name]Harmonia[/name]-Or [name]Harmony[/name]. [name]Ianthe[/name]-I think it can work. [name]Ione[/name]-Not as likely to work. [name]Iris[/name]-see [name]Daphne[/name]. Also in love with this name. [name]Persephone[/name]-another name I love. I don’t know if it would work, but I’d love to meet one! [name]Thalia[/name]-yup. [name]Theia[/name]-I prefer the spelling [name]Thea[/name] myself. [name]Xanthe[/name]-See [name]Ianthe[/name] or [name]Ione[/name].
My daughter named her beautiful baby girl [name]Xanthe[/name] and she is just beautiful, and [name]Xanthe[/name] is such an easy name to say and I am sure that everyone will love it when they get used to hearing it.
I have a thing for Greek names too! Sigh. They’re gorgeous. I honestly think the literary/historic aspect of Greek names automatically makes most of them usable, in theory. Haha.
Alecto - I don’t think so. Would make a really cool middle name, though.
[name]Ariadne[/name] - Gorgeous. I’ve debating whether or not to put this one on my shortlist. I definitely think it’s usable.
[name]Artemis[/name] - I [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Artemis[/name]. Ridiculously. I think it sounds so strong and intelligent, but with a soft edge. I’m honestly not sure how usable it is. It’s a bit heavy.
[name]Calliope[/name] - Cute. Very usable. I like the nickname [name]Callie[/name] – has a vintage flair to it (traditional nn for [name]Caroline[/name]).
[name]Calypso[/name] - Oh, so fun! Why not? There’s [name]Caly[/name] again. It’d be great as a middle name if you’re not brave enough.
[name]Circe[/name] - So pretty! [name]Both[/name] the look and sound. Definitely usable.
[name]Daphne[/name] - I don’t care for [name]Daphne[/name], but it’s usable for sure.
[name]Echo[/name] - Kind of silly as a first name, but perfect as a cute quirky middle name.
[name]Harmonia[/name] - I actually think this is really pretty. Usable and lovely.
[name]Ianthe[/name] - Interesting alternative to [name]Violet[/name]. It’s growing on me.
[name]Ione[/name] - I don’t like this one, but maybe I’m pronouncing it wrong in my head. EE-oh-nee?
[name]Iris[/name] - Has been usable for ages. Quirky vintage classic.
[name]Persephone[/name] - Kind of a mouthful. Nickname [name]Sophie[/name] might make it accessible? Or perhaps Sephie or [name]Effie[/name].
[name]Thalia[/name] - Probably my favorite girls’ name ever. [name]Love[/name] it! Pretty but serious, and sweet nn possibilties – [name]Lia[/name]/[name]Hallie[/name]/[name]Tillie[/name]. I’m convinced my first daughter’s name will be [name]Thalia[/name].
[name]Theia[/name] - Gorgeous and usable, of course. I prefer the [name]Thea[/name] spelling though – and [name]Althea[/name] is also Greek, if I’m not mistaken, so I think it’s an acceptable spelling.
[name]Xanthe[/name] - Quite charming. Starting to grow on me.
I honestly think the literary/historic aspect of Greek names automatically makes most of them usable, in theory. Haha.