Although classical Greek names are already among the most popular for U.S. babies — Sophia (‘wisdom’) was the most-popular female name in 2017 — a leading lifestyle site has given its readers 18 more to choose from.
HelloGiggles.com — founded by Hollywood A-lister Zooey Deschanel in 2011 — posted recently a paean not only to the distinctiveness of ancient Greek names but their longevity, meaning they still fit, long after baby has grown up.
It states: “Whether you’re looking for a middle name, a name that guarantees your kid won’t get lost in the sea of Emmas and Olivias in kindergarten, or you just want something that isn’t quite as traditional as many baby names are, taking a page out of the Greeks’ book isn’t such a bad idea.
“Best of all? A lot of these aren’t just for toddlers; they’re suitable to follow your child into adulthood without a nickname and tons of explanation to everyone they meet in the future.”
The shortlist includes Linus (“more than the Charlie Brown character who was attached to his blanket”), Calliope (“more than just the name of a beloved Grey’s Anatomy character”) and Perseus (“a Greek destroyer, which makes his name sound that much cooler”).
So, fans of ancient Greece may want to pass on a little Hellenic history to their new arrival.
Here’s that list in full:
- Ajax
- Paris
- Adonis
- Atlas
- Evander
- Linus
- Perseus
- Phoebe
- Selene
- Hera
- Daphne
- Calliope
- Melaina
- Cassandra
- Thalia
- Artemis
- Clio
- Demetra
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