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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nephele

Nephele

♀ Girl

Pronounced NEF-uh-lee /ˈnɛf.ə.li/Medium

Meaning: From Greek nephele, 'cloud'. In Greek myth Nephele is the cloud-nymph whom Zeus shaped in Hera's likeness; in the stories she becomes the mother of the centaurs, and the rescuer of the children Phrixus and Helle. A myth name with real weight.Medium

In 30 seconds: Nephele is Greek for 'cloud' — and the name of the cloud-nymph of myth, shaped by Zeus in Hera's image (said 'NEF-uh-lee').
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Origin MediumGreek
MeaningFrom Greek nephele, 'cloud'. In Greek myth Nephele is the cloud-nymph whom Zeus shaped in Hera's likeness; in the stories she becomes the mother of the centaurs, and the rescuer of the children Phrixus and Helle. A myth name with real weight.
U.S. rank (2024)#14735
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 6

History & Origin

Nephele is the Greek word for 'cloud', and in myth the name of the cloud-nymph whom Zeus fashioned in Hera's image. The tales give her a strange, airy life: mother of the centaurs in one strand, and the one who sends the golden ram to carry Phrixus and Helle to safety in another. It is a genuine myth name, and we note the story plainly rather than softening it. Airy, learned, and unusual (said 'NEF-uh-lee').

It appears only very rarely in U.S. records. Rare, classical, and cloud-light.

Did you know? In the old stories Nephele was made of cloud in the very likeness of the goddess Hera — a figure of mist and mistaken identity, later called the mother of the centaurs.
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Nephele — Greek nephele 'cloud'; cloud-nymph of Greek myth

Variations

NefeliNephelieNefele

Nicknames

NefPhelie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nephele…

Nefeli— the modern Greek spelling
Penelope— a like three-beat Greek classic
Calliope— a like lyrical myth name
Daphne— a like Greek nature-myth pick

Explore names like Nephele

By themegreeknaturemythologyclassical

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nephele mean?

Nephele is Greek for 'cloud'. In myth she is the cloud-nymph made by Zeus in Hera's likeness, and in some tellings the mother of the centaurs.

How do you pronounce Nephele?

It's said NEF-uh-lee /ˈnɛf.ə.li/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nephele a boy or girl name?

Nephele is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Nephele?

Nephele is very rare in the U.S.; the Greek form Nefeli is well used in Greece.

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