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Fotini

♀ Girl

Pronounced foh-TEE-nee /foˈti.ni/Medium

Meaning: From Greek phos, photos — 'light'. Fotini (Photini) is the name given in Orthodox tradition to the Samaritan woman at the well, venerated as Saint Photini, 'the enlightened one'. A long-standing Greek name.Medium

In 30 seconds: Fotini is Greek for 'light' — the name of Saint Photini in Orthodox tradition (said 'foh-TEE-nee').

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningFrom Greek phos, photos — 'light'. Fotini (Photini) is the name given in Orthodox tradition to the Samaritan woman at the well, venerated as Saint Photini, 'the enlightened one'. A long-standing Greek name.

U.S. rank (2024)#13996 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1984

Total births (all-time)≈ 410

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Fotini comes from Greek phos, photos, 'light'. In Orthodox tradition the Samaritan woman at the well is called Photini, 'the enlightened', and she is honored as a saint — which anchored the name across Greece and the Greek diaspora. In the U.S. it reads as a luminous heritage name (said 'foh-TEE-nee').

It appears only rarely in U.S. records, chiefly in Greek families. Rare here, well loved in Greece.

Did you know? Fotini shares its root with 'photo' and 'photon': Greek phos, 'light'. In Orthodox Christianity, Saint Photini is the Samaritan woman Jesus meets at the well — the enlightened one (said 'foh-TEE-nee').

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Fotini — Greek phos 'light'; Saint Photini of Orthodox tradition

Variations

PhotiniFotineFotina

Nicknames

FotiFofoTini

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Fotini…

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Athina— a like three-beat Greek pick

Despina— another traditional Greek choice

Lucia— shares the 'light' meaning in Latin

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Fotini mean?

Fotini means 'light', from Greek phos, photos. It is linked to Saint Photini, 'the enlightened one'.

How do you pronounce Fotini?

It's said foh-TEE-nee /foˈti.ni/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Fotini a saint's name?

Yes — in Orthodox tradition Photini is the Samaritan woman at the well, venerated as a saint.

How popular is Fotini?

Fotini is rare in the U.S. but a familiar traditional name in Greece.