The latest ONS baby name data has been analysed to reveal the most popular names, with some ancient names proving incredibly popular with modern parents
In the wake of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey proving a box office smash, ancient Greece is once more gripping the nation’s attention. But might this rekindled interest in Gods, warriors and epic myths also be shaping the names mums and dads are picking for their wee ones?
Greek mythology has shaped baby names across the ages, from enduring classics such as Penelope to striking contemporary picks like Atlas.
New Office for National Statistics (ONS) baby name figures, examined by JoJo Maman Bébé, now show which mythology-inspired names are winning favour with modern 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,” reports the Liverpool Echo.
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
JoJo Maman Bébé examined the most recent ONS figures.
The analysis looked at 2025’s most popular names, those showing the biggest rises since 1996, and those suffering the steepest drops over the same period.
Figures were drawn from the ONS Baby Names release, which came out on July 9, 2026.
Penelope, the legendary heroine from The Odyssey, sits at the pinnacle as the top mythological choice, with 1,174 newborns given the name in 2025.
Athena (519 babies ) and Atlas (355 babies) have made the leap from ancient myth to contemporary nursery staples, both proving remarkably fashionable amongst mums and dads seeking names with power and presence.
While choices such as Rhea and Ares are gaining traction, parents after something genuinely distinctive could turn to Apollo (39 babies) or Perseus (eight babies) for a name that really stands out.
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