Baby Name of the Day Rhea: Gorgeous Ancient Goddess

The baby name Rhea steps out of ancient myth and into the 21st century. 

Thanks to Lou for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME RHEA MEAN?

The exact meaning of the name Rhea remains unclear. Theories connect it to the Ancient Greek rheo meaning “to flow” or maybe a word meaning ground. 

What we know for certain? In Greek mythology, the name belonged to a goddess, one of the primordial deities known as Titans. Rhea was mom to Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Hades, and Hestia. 

In fact, she served as her son’s protector, too. When her husband, Cronus, ate his children to keep them from usurping his throne, Rhea hid Zeus. She fed Cronus a rock instead. Zeus led the rebellion and installed the next generation on the thrones of Olympus. 

Speaking of famous mothers, Rhea Silvia birthed twins Romulus and Remus, legendary founders of Rome. Her tale ends tragically, but her sons changed the world – or so the story goes. 

This lends the name impeccable, ancient roots. 

NATURE NAME

Two more meanings attach to this name.

First, visit a zoo today and you might encounter a large, flightless bird, cousin to the ostrich. That’s a rhea. Native to South America, they took their name from the goddess. After all, if Rhea means ground, that suits a bird that cannot fly.

We don’t name our children Emu, but we have embraced dozens of bird names, from Raven and Wren to Paloma and Phoebe. 

But if the bird can’t fly, you might find this name in the sky after all. 

Italian astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini discovered a new moon of the planet Saturn in 1672.  

In 1847, John Herschel suggested the moons of Saturn be named for those early gods: Titan, Rhea, Dione, and Tethys. The planet has 275 moons, many recently discovered and unnamed.

That makes this a night sky name, too, though of course it also links back to the ancient world.

FAMOUS FIGURES

Rhea and Rea sometimes appear as surnames. Dozens of meanings attach. Most often cited? A Middle English phrase like atter ea – at the water. In this case, the name rhymes with Ray. 

Like any other short name, many possibilities compete.

When it comes to famous figures, a few come to mind:

• After a long run on sitcom Cheers and a star turn as the horrible mother in the movie adaption of Matilda, actress Rhea Perlman might be among the most widely-known bearers of the name. Perlman won four Emmys for playing sharp-tongued bar waitress Carla on the hit series.
• Rhea Seddon was among the first women NASA selected to train as astronauts. She ultimately went to space in three separate missions. Worth noting: she pronounces her name surname-style, like Ray. 
• On a similar note, actress Caroline Rhea – the actress who voiced the mom on Phineas and Ferb – also rhymes her last name with Ray. 
• Australia’s Rhea Ripley is a champ in the pro wrestling circuit.
• Katseye member Lara Raj has a sister by the name, who has also launched a singing career.
• British actress Rhea Bailey appeared on shows like The Bill and Coronation Street. 
• More recently, London-born Rhea Norwood played Imogen on Netflix YA series Heartstopper. 

Dozens more women by the name have answered to the name, along with a Supergirl character; a witch in Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series; and a Tennessee County named after an early 19th century politician; but once again, this last one rhymes with Ray.

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME RHEA?

The baby name Rhea appeared in small, but steady, numbers right through the 1950s. It left the charts entirely after 1968.

But then it started to climb in use again. Credit probably goes to the popularity of Leah and Mia. Though names with mythological roots have enjoyed a burst of popularity over the last few decades, too.

As of 2025, the name stands at #639. That’s still fairly uncommon, but marks a sharp increase from the year 2015, when Rhea ranked just #996. 

VINTAGE GEM WITH A STORY TO TELL

By any measure, this name remains quite uncommon. 

And yet, it offers so much: a compact, strong sound; ties to legend and myth; and a connection to the natural world, too.

Rhea feels completely unexpected but still surprisingly familiar. If you’re after a stands-out/fits-in choice for a daughter with an antique patina, this name might belong on your list. 

What do you think of the baby name Rhea?

First published on November 17, 2015, this post was revised and updated on October 30, 2026.