10 girl’s names inspired by the ancient world

Damaris is derived from the Greek for calf and eventually became the Roman name meaning gentle. She is mentioned in the bible as being converted to Christianity by St Paul.

When I hear this name I think of Aphra Benn – 17th Century playwright, poet and spy. She was a pretty amazing woman from what I’ve read, with an awesome name.

This one’s not an unusual name but it is an old one – it’s been in use since Roman times.

This beautiful, ancient name means Blossom in Greek, as in to flourish. It was the name of one of the Three Graces (demi-goddesses of human creativity and beauty). She was also the eighth of the nine muses of the arts, representing Comedy.

Salma means “safe” from the Arabic Salima “to be unharmed”. There’s also a Persian version which means Sweetheart

What a beautiful name. It brings to mind the Greek word for Lighthouse – Pharos, which I’m sure has the same origin.
It can be spelled in different ways: Faydra, Fedra, Phaidra, Phedra or Phadra

This is a great twist on the English name May and means beloved of Amun. Amun was an ancient Egyptian deity.

Although it sounds like Olivia, which means Olive, Livia has a different meaning. Livia Drusilla was the wife of Caesar Augustus.

I love the idea that there’s a name for a sister of twins. I can’t find any other examples of this. Let me know in the comments if you know any.

Juno was the wife of Jupiter in Greek mythology. She was the Queen of heaven and sacred animal was the peacock.
I love the quirkiness of this name.