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
I’m Greek-American, so I grew up hearing this name, as well as Xanthippe, which I believe is related. It’s always been a favorite of mine.
I adore the name Rosanthe (Rose + Xanthe) and Xanthe by itself is beautiful aswell 🙂
My name is Xhante Marie Valencia. A variant in spelling, but the pronunciation is the same. I love learning about Greek Mythology and about my name in particular! When I was younger, I hated my name because it was so unusual, but of course now I like it because it makes me unique. If I ever have a daughter, I will be sure to consult the Greek myths for a suitable name.
My name is Xanthe! I must say, I have received many comments about how beautiful my name is from others and I am proud to be the only Xanthe around. My full name is Xanthe Alexandra Giulia K and It is very nice to be unique. I’m glad y’all approve! it makes me :). thanks
That’s a shame. The 2006 100 list was confirmed by a government department as being correct. Maybe not so after all. * *expletives**
Leonie, I suspect that you’re right – it doesn’t match up with the official Top 30 on the NZ government site. (Gov list = Ella, Sophie, Olivia, Emily; Huggies list = Ella, Emily, MIa, Chloe).
Still, I think it’s an interesting indicator about emerging fashions. Even if there aren’t currently many baby Xanthes, it seems like there are quite a few parents considering the name. It’s sort of like the US BabyCenter list versus the Social Security Administration’s list (BabyCenter’s #1: Aiden; official government list’s #1: Jacob.) It might not be statistically accurate, but it reflects trends.
And so I say, wahoo! Because Lola, I agree – the list is lovely!
If that’s the Huggies list, then it’s not really official registry data, it’s a list of names in order of popularity, as chosen by website users.
I wouldn’t be able to offer any insight on the two syllable Heaven picking up a third syllable when reversed, it baffles me too. But I’d love to find out if anyone has any insight!
And wow! Thanks, whoever 😉 is, that link is awesome! Who’d’ve thought that Xanthe would rank #60! Very cool. (Also happy to see Harriet (even though I prefer Henrietta, nn Harriet, Hattie, Hettie or Etta) Also loving the boys list! Both my boys are on there! (Leo # 45, Simon # 94)
All in all, a Pleasant list, both masculine & feminine. Usually I hear the worst about names from NZ, this is lovely!
Here you go: https://huggiesnz.co.nz/BabyNames/lists/top100girlsnames_NZ.asp
It’s the real deal but I wish they would post every single name used in the country every year like Scotland manages to.
Lola, there was a Xanthe Rosalind Dunleavy on the Australian voter rolls back in the early 20th century! (You can find her listing on the ancestry.com website.) It’s a great combo. Xanthe Caroline Rose is stunning, too, Laney!
;), did Xanthe really register in the top 100 in NZ? Wild! The link I have only lists the Top 30 names. Please post a link if you’ve got a better source – we’ll all be curious to scan the list.
I’m delighted that Xanthe’s getting such a good reception. I think Xanthe would fit in just fine in our ‘hood, but I’ve yet to meet one.
Laney, I legally changed my name at 28. Seven years later, I still find my birth name rattling around. But I think it’s smart to use a nickname to bridge the gap between your first and second identities – it’s what I did, and it made it much, much less awkward for everyone – including me.
As for the “why does the 2-syllable heaven pick up a third syllable when reversed” question? I’m almost tempted to do Nevaeh as a NotD just to pull that one apart. It’s a daffy, daffy name – but undeniably a popular one. I don’t actually *know* any, though – and since I do know a Madison, a Kayla and a Jordan, it makes me wonder *who* chooses Nevaeh? Hmmm …