"bringer of destruction"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
Persephone
Does Persephone flow with your last name?
Queen of the underworld, harbinger of spring
Greek
English
American
Mythological
Bold
Sophisticated
Literary
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Persephone
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Persephone
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"she who destroys the light"
Origin: Greek mythology
Language: Greek
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Persephone
See all →What the Persephone report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Persephone the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Persephone
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Persephone head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Persephone actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with the goddess of the underworld — may feel too dark for some families
The Story of Persephone
Persephone comes from Ancient Greek, though its precise etymology is debated. Some scholars derive it from 'pertho' (to destroy) and 'phone' (to bring), giving 'bringer of destruction.' Others link it to pre-Greek substrata roots. In mythology, she was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, abducted by Hades to become Queen of the Underworld. The Greeks also called her Kore (maiden), emphasizing her dual nature as both innocent spring goddess and fearsome ruler of the dead.
Persephone has been rising since the 2010s as parents increasingly embrace mythological names. The graphic novel Lore Olympus (2018) by Rachel Smythe, with over one billion reads, significantly boosted interest among millennials choosing baby names, giving the ancient name a distinctly modern romantic appeal.
In Greek mythology, Persephone is the goddess of spring and queen of the underworld — a duality that makes her one of the most complex figures in ancient religion. Her myth explains the cycle of seasons and was central to the Eleusinian Mysteries, one of antiquity's most important religious rites.
Historical Record
Persephone first appeared in US Social Security records in 1962.
Over 4,583 babies have been named Persephone in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Persephone is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #737 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Romans called her Proserpina, and her myth was central to the Eleusinian Mysteries, one of antiquity's most important secret religious rites
- The graphic novel Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe has over 1 billion reads and inspired a Broadway musical adaptation
Persephone in Other Languages
Greek
Περσεφόνη
Latin
Proserpina
French
Perséphone
Italian
Persefone
Spanish
Perséfone
Popularity Over Time
#737
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Persephone
P
Persephone Swales-Dawson
Actor
British actress known for her role in the TV series Skins
P
Persephone Fictional
Other
Greek goddess of spring and Queen of the Underworld, daughter of Zeus and Demeter, central to the Eleusinian Mysteries
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Valery
Girl
"strong, healthy"
#787
Elisabeth
Girl
"pledged to God"
#906
Angie
Girl
"divine messenger"
#593
Indie
Girl
"from India, the Indus River"
#651
Naya
Girl
"water nymph, spring"
#899
Compare Persephone with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #737
- Total SSA Count
- 381
- Cultural Origins
- Greek English American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Persy
Percy
Effie
Sephie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Persephone
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Persephone fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Persephone →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Persephone with...
Same Origin Names (Greek)
See all Greek names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Persephone
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Persephone and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Persephone sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Valery
Girl
Latin origin
"strong, healthy"
#787 in US
Elisabeth
Girl
Biblical Hebrew origin
"pledged to God"
#906 in US
Angie
Girl
Greek origin
"divine messenger"
#593 in US
Indie
Girl
Greek/Sanskrit origin
"from India, the Indus River"
#651 in US
Naya
Girl
Basque origin
"water nymph, spring"
#899 in US
Drew
Girl
Welsh origin
"wise"
#695 in US
Ainsley
Girl
Old English origin
"one's own meadow, Aen's clearing"
#706 in US
Marjorie
Girl
Greek via Latin origin
"pearl"
#822 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Persephone's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Persephone
What does the name Persephone mean?
"bringer of destruction" (from Ancient Greek). "she who destroys the light" (from Greek mythology). Persephone comes from Ancient Greek, though its precise etymology is debated. Some scholars derive it from 'pertho' (to destroy) and 'phone' (to bring), giving 'bringer of destruction.' Others link it to pre-Greek substrata roots. In mythology, she was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, abducted by Hades to become Queen of the Underworld. The Greeks also called her Kore (maiden), emphasizing her dual nature as both innocent spring goddess and fearsome ruler of the dead.
What is the origin of the name Persephone?
Persephone has Ancient Greek, Greek mythology, Greek, English, and American origins. In Ancient Greek, it means "bringer of destruction". In Greek mythology, it means "she who destroys the light".
Is Persephone a boy or girl name?
Persephone is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Persephone?
Persephone is currently ranked #737 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Persephone?
Common nicknames for Persephone include Persy, Percy, Effie, and Sephie.
What are good middle names for Persephone?
Popular middle name pairings include Persephone Rose, Persephone Luna, Persephone Jade, Persephone Wren, Persephone Mae, Persephone Belle, and Persephone Blue.
What are good sibling names for Persephone?
Names that pair well with Persephone as siblings include Athena, Calliope, Orion, Daphne, Phoebe, Damian, and Felix.
How many syllables does Persephone have?
Persephone has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Persephone a common or rare name?
Persephone is moderately common, ranked #737 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Persephone
Persephone is a girl name with Greek, English, and American origins . The name means "bringer of destruction" in Ancient Greek .
Persephone is currently ranked #737 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Persephone has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Persephone include Persy, Percy, Effie, and Sephie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Ancient Greek Names
Browse all names with this origin
P
Names Starting with P
More girl names like Persephone
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis