Greek mythology-inspired baby names are surging in popularity in Wales, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), analysed by JoJo Maman Bébé. The trend follows the release of Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film, The Odyssey.
Top Girls' Names
The most popular mythological name for girls in Wales is Penelope, the famously faithful wife of Odysseus. In 2025, 43 baby girls in Wales were named Penelope, contributing to a total of 1,174 across England and Wales.
Other top girls' names include Athena, goddess of wisdom, courage, and warfare (29 babies in Wales), Poppy (associated with the goddess Demeter), Hallie (a sea-nymph daughter of Nereus), and Lily (tied to Hera, queen of the gods).
Top Boys' Names
For boys, Theodore is the most popular Greek mythology-inspired name in Wales, with 94 babies given the name in 2025. The name combines the Greek words 'theos' (God) and 'doron' (gift).
Other popular boys' names include Alexander (after Alexander the Great), Myles (a king of Laconia), Tomos (a Lydian king and mountain god), and Otis (one of the Aloadae giant twins).
Changing Tastes
Anne Varsanyi, head of buying at JoJo Maman Bébé, said: "Choosing a baby's name is one of the first opportunities parents have to express something about their family, whether that's honouring tradition, celebrating heritage or simply choosing a name they love."
"What's particularly fascinating about this year's data is seeing how quickly tastes can change. Some names that once filled classrooms have become increasingly rare, while others that were barely heard a generation ago are now among the country's favourites."
The figures come from the ONS Baby Names in England and Wales release, published on July 9, 2026.
