"gentle, tamed"
Damaris
Pronunciation: [ d-uhm-AHR-uhs ]
A rare Biblical gem from the hills of ancient Athens
Meaning & Origin
"heifer, young calf"
The Story of Damaris
Damaris derives from the Greek damalis meaning heifer or calf, connoting gentleness and being peaceable by nature. In the New Testament (Acts 17:34), Damaris was one of the very few Athenians converted by Paul's famous sermon on Mars Hill — making her one of the earliest named female converts in Christian scripture. Her singling out by name gives the name enduring theological weight.
Damaris has never been a mass-trend name but maintains steady use among families seeking Biblical names that feel both distinctive and deeply rooted in tradition. It is particularly favored in evangelical Christian communities and among families of Greek heritage who seek a name with ancient credentials.
Damaris holds a unique place in the New Testament as one of only two named converts from Paul's address at the Areopagus in Athens. For Christian families, choosing this name connects a daughter to a woman who stood firm in intellectual Athens and chose faith over philosophy.
Fun Facts
- Damaris is one of only two people named in Acts 17:34 as converts from Paul's Areopagus sermon in Athens
- The name has been in continuous use in English-speaking Puritan and evangelical communities since the 17th century
Damaris in Other Languages
Famous People Named Damaris
Damaris (biblical convert)
Religious
Athenian woman mentioned in Acts 17:34 as one of Paul's converts after his Areopagus sermon, among the few women individ...
Athenian woman mentioned in Acts 17:34 as one of Paul's converts after his Areopagus sermon, among the few women individually named in the Acts of the Apostles
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,439
- Total SSA Count
- 154
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Biblical English Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Damaris is also used as a boy name, ranked #20985.
View Damaris as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Damaris
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About the Name Damaris
Damaris is a girl name with Greek, Biblical, English, and Spanish origins . The name means "gentle, tamed" in Greek .
Is Damaris a boy or girl name? Damaris is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,439 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,985. Damaris is more commonly used as a girl name.
Damaris is currently ranked #1,439 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Damaris has 3 syllables and is pronounced d-uhm-AHR-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Damaris include Dami and Mari. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.