Home › Baby Names Directory › Persephone

Persephone

♀ Girl

Pronounced per-SEF-oh-nee /pərˈsɛf.ə.ni/High

Meaning: Exact meaning disputed; possibly related to Greek pertho (to destroy) and phone (voice or murder); name of the goddess of spring and queen of the underworldMedium

In 30 seconds: A grand, mythological Greek name borne by the goddess of spring and queen of the underworld, Persephone is the ultimate bold choice for parents who love mythology and maximalist names.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighGreek
MeaningExact meaning disputed; possibly related to Greek pertho (to destroy) and phone (voice or murder); name of the goddess of spring and queen of the underworld
U.S. rank (2025)#735 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births372 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,955

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219622025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Persephone is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter in Greek mythology. She was abducted by Hades and taken to the underworld, where eating pomegranate seeds bound her to spend part of each year below the earth. Her mother Demeter's grief caused winter; her return brought spring.

Long considered too grand or unusual for daily use, Persephone has been rising in the U.S. since the 2010s as maximalist mythological names gain popularity. It ranks as a bold statement name for parents confident enough to carry off four syllables.

Did you know? Persephone's abduction and annual return from the underworld was the ancient Greek explanation for the seasons — her name is literally built into how the Greeks understood the calendar.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name — Persephone — etymology and mythologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

PersefoneProserpina

Nicknames

PerseySephiePercy

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Persephone…

Calliope— same bold multi-syllable Greek mythological name for confident parents
Cassandra— fellow Trojan-era myth name with dramatic literary depth
Athena— equally mythological Greek goddess name, slightly more familiar
Selene— shares the ethereal goddess quality and ancient Greek heritage

Frequently Asked

What does the name Persephone mean?

Persephone is an ancient Greek name of disputed meaning, possibly related to destruction or grain-threshing. She was the goddess of spring and queen of the underworld.

How do you pronounce Persephone?

It is said per-SEF-oh-nee /pərˈsɛf.ə.ni/ — four syllables, stress on the second.

Is Persephone a boy or girl name?

Persephone is used almost exclusively as a girls name.

How popular is Persephone?

Persephone ranked around #735 in the U.S. in 2025 and has been rising as maximalist mythological names gain popularity.