The baby name Xanthe fits with plenty of current trends, and yet this name from Greek mythology remains quite rare in the US.
Thanks to Laney for suggesting our intriguing Baby Name of the Day.
DAUGHTER OF OCEANUS
If you’ve been scouring your Bullfinch’s Mythology for lesser known figures, you might have tripped across Xanthe. At least two bearers of the name appear in myth.
First, Xanthe is one of the Oceanids, the 3000 daughters of Titans Oceanus and Tethys. (And you had a tough time naming your second kid, right?) Each of the Oceanids was assigned some natural dominion – a spring, pond, pasture, cloud or the like. There were also 3000 brothers to the Oceanids, charged with looking after rivers.
Not all of their names are recorded, but Hesiod lists a bunch of them, including sisters:
- Acaste
- Admete
- Asia
- Callirrhoe
- Calypso
- Cerceis
- Clymene
- Clytie
- Dione
- Doris
- Electra
- Europa
- Eurynome
- Galaxaura
- Hippo
- Ianeria
- Ianthe
- Idyia
- Melodosis
- Menestho
- Metis
- Pasithoe
- Perseis
- Petraea
- Plexhaura
- Pluto
- Polydora
- Prymno
- Rhodea
- Telesto
- Thoe
- Tyche
- Urania
- Zeuxo
And, of course, Xanthe. Compared to some of these, the name seems downright accessible.
A second bearer of the name was an Amazon warrior. Xanthe sometimes appears as an alternate name for Epione, the wife of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and a goddess in her own right.
PRONUNCIATION
How do you pronounce Xanthe?
The default in English is ZAN thee, treating the X like a Z.
With so many Greek names ending in E ranking in the Top 100 baby girl names, Xanthe could fit right in with Chloe, Zoe, and Penelope.
The name Xanthia is sometimes listed as another form, but it’s even less common.
COLOR YELLOW
The name Xanthe comes from xanthos, a Greek word that translates to yellow.
Sometimes you’ll find the meaning extended to “fair-haired” or “one with fair hair.”
This feels logical, and Xanthe appears on lots of lists if you’re looking for a girl’s name meaning blonde.
BY the NUMBERS
While the baby name Xanthe can be found in late 19th and early 20th century census and birth records, it’s never ranked in the US Top 1000.
Some of these early Xanthes surnames suggest their family’s Greek origin, but others might have borrowed the name from Hesiod.
As of 2022, just five girls received the name. Back in 2001, parents named 12 girls Xanthe – an all-time high.
It’s slightly more common elsewhere in the English-speaking world, but still far from widely used.
SPARKY and RARE
Xanthe works as a daughter’s name now. We’ve had generations of boys called Xavier and so many girls with names like Phoebe and Daphne. And we do like a high-value Scrabble letter, so that’s another factor.
With a sparky, unexpected sound and a tie to the natural world, Xanthe might be the perfect choice for parents seeking something truly daring, but still on the right side of wearable.
What do you think of the baby name Xanthe?
First published on August 26, 2008, this post was revised and updated on April 25, 2024.
Xanthe
golden girl
A rare mythological find with a shining meaning, we’ve overlooked Xanthe even as Chloe and Penelope caught on.
Popularity
unranked; given to five girls in 2022
Trend
holding steady and very rare
Origin
from a Greek word meaning yellow, likely referring to blonde hair
With Greek choices like Zoe, Chloe and Phoebe so mainstream, I can’t see Xanthe being so terribly difficult to live with. There were a few Xanthes born in New Zealand last year. Enough to register it in the top 100 baby-names for 2007.
I’m with DH this time around!
I guess I like it in theory but it seems like it would be a hard name to bear. I don’t think I would want my name to be Xanthe but I can see the appeal in naming your child that. I do love classical names, but this one is just a bit too conspicuous for me.
lol Lola. You read my mind. Also, isn’t naming your child Nevaeh like calling her “Hell”? Cuz it’s Heaven spelled backwards and Hell is the opposite of that. lmfao Thanks for the name comment. I like Xanthe Caroline Rose too. I just thought of it last night and it flows perfectly. Classic names are really nice and they’re a great change from all the Madisons, Aidans, etc… I’m soooo sick of hearing those names. I want my kids to stand out and not have to go by Madison M or Aidan M once they start school or something.
My real name is really common (Amanda Lynn McDonald) and I decided to go by Laney about a year or two ago because I was sick of being Amanda M. I am actually working on changing my name to Helena Elizabeth McDonald. Helena is after my maternal grandmother Mary Helen (first and middle, not 2 first names) and Elizabeth is her sister’s name and my mom’s confirmation name. I want something that is uncommon and alot classier than Amanda Lynn and still keep my nickname. I would have had my name changed when I was still a kid but my dad wouldn’t let me and now I’ll be 22 as of Sept. 16th so all I need is some money and I’m all set.
Unknown, I agree. Nevaeh is awful and almost unpronounceable. I just pronounce it Na-vay-ah, but no matter how you say it, it is a very ugly name and way overused. It was unique like 10 years ago but now it’s a top 50 choice. Xanthe is a way better alternative. It is a really beautiful name and has class unlike Nevaeh and all the other trendy names.
I’m a little horrified that Nevaeh is three syllables – being an ignorant Brit who has never come across the name except on naming blogs, I had no idea!
Xanthe is awesome! I’ve noticed the name appear on the odd Telegraph annoucement previously and always wondered about it – it certainly stands out but then X names always do! Both Xanthe Rosalind Elinor and Xanthe Caroline Rose are lovely and very classy to boot…
Laney, Xanthe Caroline Rose is delightful! (and yeah, Nevaeh always makes me say Nev-ah. I figure, if Heaven’s two syllables, it shouldn’t be three backwards!)
Xanthe is a great name. I am a huge fan of Greek names and this one is unique without being too over the top. The Greeks have some pretty colorful names. Now that I think of it, I may actually name my next child Xanthe if it’s a girl and if my boyfriend will allow it. I was thinking Xanthe Caroline Rose, Caroline after my aunt Carol and Rose just because I like it. My last name is a pretty easy one so most names work with it, and Xanthe is no exception.
I like Xanthe too! It’s a really pretty name and definitely an unique choice! It sounds lovely and compared to a name like Nevaeh, it isn’t really that difficult to pronouce. (I can never figure out how Nevaeh is pronouced!) It’s an awesome choice for a girl!
Xanthe’s a favorite of mine, along with Calypso, Ianthe, Clytie, Electra & Perseis. Xanthe’s gorgeous looking, fun to write & fun to look at, too! Her meaning is sweet and she’s fun to say, to boot!
(I have a tenative: Xanthe Rosalind Elinor) I could happily have four girls and name them Xathe, Calypso, Ianthe, Electra & Perseis! I agree, this sort of creativity is more so than endless respellings of Caitilin or *shudder* Mackenzie.
Xanthe gets a huge :thumbsup: from me!