Persephónē: a female name of Greek origin meaning "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Persephónē (Περσεφόνη),” composed of two elements: “pérthō (πέρθω)” (to sack, ravage, destroy) plus “phōnḗ (φωνή)” (sound, voice, speech, discourse)".It derives from the Greek word "pérthō phōnḗ > Persephónē".
Persephónē has maintained its appeal as a feminine name in modern times while preserving its Greek roots. Today, parents are drawn to its meaningful essence of "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Persephónē (Περσεφόνη),” composed of two elements: “pérthō (πέρθω)” (to sack, ravage, destroy) plus “phōnḗ (φωνή)” (sound, voice, speech, discourse)" and its cultural richness. This name bridges traditional heritage with contemporary naming trends.
Quick Facts About Persephónē
Quick facts about Persephónē
Origin
Greek
Gender
Girl name
Popularity
Uncommon
Researched by Name Doctor Linguistics Team
Our names are verified by professional linguists with expertise in etymology and cultural naming traditions.
Last reviewed: November 2025
Meaning
This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Persephónē (Περσεφόνη),” composed of two elements: “pérthō (πέρθω)” (to sack, ravage, destroy) plus “phōnḗ (φωνή)” (sound, voice, speech, discourse). In turn, the name means “the voice of destruction, to destroy, murder, the maiden.” Persephone, also called Kore, is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld. Homer describes her as the formidable, venerable majestic queen of the shades, who carries into effect the curses of men upon the souls of the dead.
Etymology & Details
Name Root
pérthō phōnḗ > Persephónē
Other Scripts
Ancient Greek (Περσεφόνη)
How to Pronounce Persephónē
Persephónē is pronounced /pərˈsɛf.ə.niː/(Greek)
Step-by-step pronunciation guide:
Break it into syllables: Per-sep-hón-ē
Say it like: "PER-SEP-HÓN-Ē"
Practice saying it naturally a few times
✓Pronunciation verified by linguistic sources
Usage & Popularity
Persephónē is predominantly used in ancient greek speaking communities, where it maintains strong cultural connections and traditional significance.
ancient greek
Frequently Asked Questions About Persephónē
What does the name Persephónē mean?
Persephónē means "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Persephónē (Περσεφόνη),” composed of two elements: “pérthō (πέρθω)” (to sack, ravage, destroy) plus “phōnḗ (φωνή)” (sound, voice, speech, discourse). In turn, the name means “the voice of destruction, to destroy, murder, the maiden.” Persephone, also called Kore, is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld. Homer describes her as the formidable, venerable majestic queen of the shades, who carries into effect the curses of men upon the souls of the dead.". The name comes from pérthō phōnḗ > Persephónē. In its original form, the name derives from pérthō (πέρθω) phōnḗ (φωνή) Persephónē (Περσεφόνη). This greek name has been passed down through generations, carrying its meaning across different cultures and time periods. Parents who choose Persephónē for girls often connect with the name's meaning of "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Persephónē (Περσεφόνη),” composed of two elements: “pérthō (πέρθω)” (to sack, ravage, destroy) plus “phōnḗ (φωνή)” (sound, voice, speech, discourse). In turn, the name means “the voice of destruction, to destroy, murder, the maiden.” Persephone, also called Kore, is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld. Homer describes her as the formidable, venerable majestic queen of the shades, who carries into effect the curses of men upon the souls of the dead." as a quality they hope to see in their child. Persephónē offers a distinctive option for parents who want a name with clear meaning that stands apart from more common choices. The name is associated with qualities like GREEK MYTHOLOGY (MINOR FIGURES), reflecting its meaning in how people perceive those who carry it.
What is the origin of the name Persephónē?
Persephónē is a greek name. The name traces back to pérthō phōnḗ > Persephónē. The original form pérthō (πέρθω) phōnḗ (φωνή) Persephónē (Περσεφόνη) shows the name's roots in its native language. In its native script, Persephónē is written as Ancient Greek (Περσεφόνη). The name remains closely tied to ancient greek naming traditions while occasionally appearing in other cultures. The greek meaning "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Persephónē (Περσεφόνη),” composed of two elements: “pérthō (πέρθω)” (to sack, ravage, destroy) plus “phōnḗ (φωνή)” (sound, voice, speech, discourse). In turn, the name means “the voice of destruction, to destroy, murder, the maiden.” Persephone, also called Kore, is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld. Homer describes her as the formidable, venerable majestic queen of the shades, who carries into effect the curses of men upon the souls of the dead." reflects values important in the culture where this name first appeared.
Is Persephónē a boy or girl name?
Persephónē is a girl's name. This traditionally feminine name has been chosen by parents for daughters across many cultures and time periods. In greek tradition, Persephónē has historically been given to girls. The meaning "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Persephónē (Περσεφόνη),” composed of two elements: “pérthō (πέρθω)” (to sack, ravage, destroy) plus “phōnḗ (φωνή)” (sound, voice, speech, discourse). In turn, the name means “the voice of destruction, to destroy, murder, the maiden.” Persephone, also called Kore, is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld. Homer describes her as the formidable, venerable majestic queen of the shades, who carries into effect the curses of men upon the souls of the dead." carries well for a daughter, giving the name lasting appeal.
How do you pronounce Persephónē?
Persephónē is pronounced "/pərˈsɛf.ə.niː/". This pronunciation follows el language patterns. In its original script, the name appears as Ancient Greek (Περσεφόνη), which helps explain how native speakers pronounce it. As a single-syllable name, Persephónē is quick to say and easy to call out. If you're unfamiliar with greek names, listening to a native speaker say Persephónē can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis. The name's root pérthō phōnḗ > Persephónē influences how Persephónē sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name Persephónē?
Persephónē is less common but not rare. As a less common choice, Persephónē gives a child a name that stands out. Most people will encounter it rarely, making it memorable when they do. Persephónē's popularity may vary between greek communities and the broader population, where naming trends differ. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Persephónē (Περσεφόνη),” composed of two elements: “pérthō (πέρθω)” (to sack, ravage, destroy) plus “phōnḗ (φωνή)” (sound, voice, speech, discourse). In turn, the name means “the voice of destruction, to destroy, murder, the maiden.” Persephone, also called Kore, is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld. Homer describes her as the formidable, venerable majestic queen of the shades, who carries into effect the curses of men upon the souls of the dead." likely influences its appeal, as parents often choose names that express values or hopes for their children. Among girls' names, Persephónē holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name Persephónē commonly used?
Persephónē is used primarily in ancient greek naming traditions. The name originated in greek culture and spread as people migrated and cultures exchanged ideas. The meaning "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Persephónē (Περσεφόνη),” composed of two elements: “pérthō (πέρθω)” (to sack, ravage, destroy) plus “phōnḗ (φωνή)” (sound, voice, speech, discourse). In turn, the name means “the voice of destruction, to destroy, murder, the maiden.” Persephone, also called Kore, is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld. Homer describes her as the formidable, venerable majestic queen of the shades, who carries into effect the curses of men upon the souls of the dead." carries universal appeal, helping explain why different cultures adopted Persephónē into their naming traditions. A child named Persephónē will likely find their name recognized in multiple countries, which can be an advantage for families with international connections or who value global accessibility. Across these cultures, Persephónē is given to girls, maintaining consistent gender association.
What is the cultural significance of Persephónē?
Persephónē carries associations with GREEK MYTHOLOGY (MINOR FIGURES). These qualities shape how people perceive the name and those who carry it, creating expectations and first impressions. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Persephónē (Περσεφόνη),” composed of two elements: “pérthō (πέρθω)” (to sack, ravage, destroy) plus “phōnḗ (φωνή)” (sound, voice, speech, discourse). In turn, the name means “the voice of destruction, to destroy, murder, the maiden.” Persephone, also called Kore, is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld. Homer describes her as the formidable, venerable majestic queen of the shades, who carries into effect the curses of men upon the souls of the dead." reinforces these associations, connecting the literal translation to the character traits people expect. In greek culture, where Persephónē originates, these qualities held particular value, making the name a way to express hopes for a child's character. Research shows that names do influence perceptions. People form impressions based on names before meeting someone, which means choosing Persephónē sets certain expectations. Parents choosing Persephónē often connect with one or more of these associations, selecting the name because it represents qualities they value or wish for their child. In ancient greek communities, these associations may carry extra weight, as naming traditions often reinforce cultural values.
Sources: Etymology verified through linguistic research including Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name, and academic etymology databases.