Christopher Nolan's star-studded retelling of the epic Greek poem The Odyssey has enjoyed incredible success this summer, earning rave reviews and leaving a strong impression on audiences. That impact is now showing up in an unexpected place: the baby names parents are choosing.
The film's release has put Greek mythology back in focus, inspiring a comeback for timeless names like Penelope, Atlas, Apollo and Athena. New Office for National Statistics (ONS) baby name data, analysed by JoJo Maman Bébé, has revealed which names inspired by Greek mythology are proving most popular with today's parents.
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."
Top five most popular Greek mythological 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 most popular Greek mythological 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
The numbers behind the trend
JoJo Maman Bébé analysed the latest ONS data, reports the Echo. Analysis included the most popular names in 2025, names experiencing the largest increases in popularity since 1996, and names experiencing the largest declines in popularity since the same year.
Data was collected from the ONS Baby Names in England and Wales release, published on July 9, 2026.
Penelope, the heroine at the heart of The Odyssey, already reigns supreme as the number one mythological name, with 1,174 babies born in 2025. 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.
