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Iantha

♀ Girl

Pronounced ee-AN-thuh /iˈæn.θə/Medium

Meaning: Iantha comes from Greek ion, 'violet', and anthos, 'flower', giving 'violet flower'. It is a variant of Ianthe, a name from classical mythology and later English poetry, prized for its delicate floral image.Medium

In 30 seconds: Iantha means 'violet flower' in Greek, a variant of the poetic Ianthe. A rare, pretty vintage name, said ee-AN-thuh.

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningIantha comes from Greek ion, 'violet', and anthos, 'flower', giving 'violet flower'. It is a variant of Ianthe, a name from classical mythology and later English poetry, prized for its delicate floral image.

U.S. rank (1983)#10857 ↘ Falling

1983 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1915

Total births (all-time)≈ 511

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

Iantha joins the Greek words ion, 'violet', and anthos, 'flower', so it literally means 'violet flower'. It is a form of Ianthe, borne by a sea nymph in Greek myth and later a poetic favorite, giving Iantha both a botanical charm and a classical pedigree.

It was always rare, given to only about twenty girls a year around its 1915 peak, and it stayed a scholarly, uncommon choice. As floral and Greek names draw fresh interest, Iantha is the kind of pretty antique that could plausibly appeal again, though it remains little used.

Did you know? Ianthe appears in the tales of Ovid and was a favorite of Romantic poets such as Shelley and Byron, which carried the delicate flower name into English-speaking use.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Iantha — Greek ion + anthos, 'violet flower'; variant of Ianthe; poetic use

Variations

IantheIanthiaIantho

Nicknames

IanAnn

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Iantha…

Iolanthe— a like violet-rooted Greek name

Zinnia— another vintage flower name

Calla— a similar botanical girl's name

Iretha— shares the -ha ending

Dorotha— a fellow Greek choice

Explore names like Iantha

By themerare greek floral poetic

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Iantha mean?

It comes from Greek words for 'violet' and 'flower', so it means 'violet flower'.

How do you pronounce Iantha?

It is said ee-AN-thuh /iˈæn.θə/, three syllables with the stress on the second.

Is Iantha a boy or girl name?

Iantha is used as a girl's name.

Is Iantha a popular name?

No, it was always rare, given to only about twenty girls a year at its peak in the nineteen-tens.