Following the success of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, ancient Greece is once again capturing the public imagination. New Office for National Statistics (ONS) baby name data, analysed by JoJo Maman Bébé, reveals which Greek mythology-inspired names are proving most popular with today’s parents.
The analysis, based on the ONS Baby Names release published on July 9, 2026, included the most popular names in 2025, names with the largest increases in popularity since 1996, and names with the largest declines. It found Penelope to be the number one mythological name, with 1,174 babies born in 2025.
Top five Greek myth names for girls
- Penelope – The famously faithful wife of Odysseus
- Athena – Goddess of wisdom, courage, and warfare
- Rhea – Titaness and mother of the original Olympian gods
- Persephone – Queen of the Underworld and goddess of spring growth
- Gaia – Goddess of the Earth
Top five Greek myth names for boys
- Atlas – The Titan condemned to carry the weight of the heavens
- Ares – The God of war and courage
- Apollo – God of music, light, truth and healing
- Artemis – Traditionally, the Goddess of the hunt
- Perseus – The demigod who defeated Medusa
Rising favourites and rare picks
Athena (519 babies) and Atlas (355 babies) have transitioned from ancient legends to modern playground favourites, both proving incredibly popular for parents wanting a name with strength and stature.
While names like Rhea and Ares are on the rise, parents looking for something truly unique might look to Apollo (39 babies) or Perseus (eight babies) for a standout name.
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.”
