IantheἸάνθη

/ee-AN-thee/

GreekGirl

Ianthe is a Greek girl's name pronounced /ee-AN-thee/. A beautiful name referring to a violet-colored flower from Greek mythology.

Meaning of Ianthe

A beautiful name referring to a violet-colored flower from Greek mythology.

The name Ianthe is derived from the Ancient Greek words 'ion', meaning violet, and 'anthos', meaning flower. In Greek mythology, Ianthe was an oceanid nymph, the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, associated with the beauty of violet-colored blooms.

Origin
Greek
Pronunciation
/ee-AN-thee/

Cultural background

While rare today, the name saw a revival during the Romantic period in England and remains a choice for parents seeking classical, botanical names.

Variations & nicknames

  • Ianthina
  • Iantha
  • Ianthé
  • Iann
  • Thea

Famous people named Ianthe

Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.

  • Ianthe Brautigan

    American author and daughter of writer Richard Brautigan

    Literature · 1960-present

  • Ianthe Elizabeth Pratt

    British painter known for her floral and landscape works

    Art · Late 19th-early 20th century

  • Ianthe (Lady Charlotte Harley)

    The dedicatee of Lord Byron's poem 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage'

    Literature · Early 19th century

  • Ianthe Tridentarius

    Major character in Tamsyn Muir's Locked Tomb series

    Literature · 21st century

Frequently asked about Ianthe

What does Ianthe mean?
Ianthe is a Greek name meaning 'violet flower' or 'purple flower'.
How do you pronounce Ianthe?
The name is typically pronounced eye-AN-thee in English, though some may use ee-AN-thee.
Is Ianthe a boy or girl name?
Ianthe is traditionally a feminine name used for girls.
What is the origin of the name Ianthe?
The name originates from Ancient Greece and is featured in Greek mythology as the name of an ocean nymph.

Love Ianthe? Get more names like it

We'll email you 5 fresh Greek names each week — free, no spam.

Compare Ianthe with…

Side-by-side meaning, sound and popularity.

More Greek names

See all Greek names
Find more names like Ianthe