Niobe

♀ Girl

Pronounced NY-oh-bee /ˈnaɪ.oʊ.bi/Medium

Meaning: From Greek mythology: Niobe, a queen who boasted of her many children and lost them all, then wept endlessly and was turned to stone — long a byword for grief. The name's older sense is uncertain; we note it gently.Low

In 30 seconds: A name from Greek myth: Niobe recalls a grieving mother turned to stone (said 'NY-oh-bee'). Classic and poignant — we note it gently.

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningFrom Greek mythology: Niobe, a queen who boasted of her many children and lost them all, then wept endlessly and was turned to stone — long a byword for grief. The name's older sense is uncertain; we note it gently.

U.S. rank (2023)#13083 ↗ Rising

2023 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 190

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

Niobe is a figure of Greek mythology, a queen whose pride cost her children and who was turned to weeping stone — long a symbol of grief, which we note gently. As a modern name it reads classical and poignant, rare in the U.S. (said 'NY-oh-bee').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, classical, and poignant.

Did you know? In Greek myth Niobe boasted of her children and lost them all, weeping until she turned to stone — so the name became a byword for grief, which we note gently. It carries a solemn, classical beauty (said 'NY-oh-bee').

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Niobe — Greek myth; byword for grief; older sense uncertain

Variations

NiobiNyobeNioby

Nicknames

NioBee

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Famous bearers coming soon.

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By themegreek mythology classical

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Niobe mean?

Niobe is a Greek mythological figure — a grieving mother turned to stone — long a byword for grief. Its older sense is uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Niobe?

It's said NY-oh-bee /ˈnaɪ.oʊ.bi/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Niobe a boy or girl name?

Niobe is a girl's name.

How popular is Niobe?

Niobe is an extremely rare name in the U.S.