Rhea

♀ Girl

Pronounced REE-uh /ˈriː.ə/High

Meaning: Possibly from Greek rheo meaning to flow; name of the Titan mother of the Olympian gods including Zeus, Hera, and PoseidonMedium

In 30 seconds: A soft, two-syllable Greek name borne by the mother of Zeus, Rhea carries quiet mythological depth and has been steadily rising as parents seek short names with ancient roots.

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Origin HighGreek

MeaningPossibly from Greek rheo meaning to flow; name of the Titan mother of the Olympian gods including Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon

U.S. rank (2025)#639 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births452 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 19,733

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Rhea is a name from Greek mythology, borne by a Titan goddess and mother of the Olympian gods. She was the daughter of Uranus and Gaia and the wife of Cronus, and she famously saved infant Zeus from being swallowed by hiding him in Crete. The name's etymology is uncertain; the most commonly cited gloss links it to the Greek verb rheo, meaning to flow, though other scholars connect it to words for earth or ease.

The name remained rare in the English-speaking world until the 20th century, when it began appearing in scattered use. Actress Rhea Perlman brought the name mild visibility in the 1980s–90s. By the 2010s Rhea began climbing U.S. charts steadily, appealing to parents drawn to short, ancient Greek names like Thea, Clio, and Iris.

Did you know? Rhea Silvia, the legendary mother of Romulus and Remus — the founders of Rome — shared this name, giving it a founding-myth resonance that spans both Greek and Roman tradition.

Overall data confidence 80%

Behind the Name — Rhea — etymology and mythologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ReaRheia

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Rhea Perlman (1948–present)
American actress known for playing Carla Tortelli on Cheers.
★Rhea Silvia (mythological)
Legendary Vestal Virgin and mother of Romulus and Remus in Roman mythology.

If you like Rhea…

Thea— same short Greek mythological feel with a soft -a ending

Nora— shares the gentle two-syllable vintage revival character

Cleo— equally compact and myth-adjacent with the same breezy charm

Iris— fellow short Greek name with ancient roots and modern appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Rhea mean?

Rhea is a Greek name possibly meaning flowing stream. In mythology she was the Titan mother of Zeus and the other Olympian gods.

How do you pronounce Rhea?

It is said REE-uh /ˈriː.ə/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Rhea a boy or girl name?

Rhea is used almost exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Rhea?

Rhea has been gradually rising in the U.S. since the 2010s, appealing to parents who love short Greek mythological names.