
The short answer
Persephone is a feminine name used in Greek Mythology. Behind the Name describes it this way: "Meaning unknown, probably of pre-Greek origin, but perhaps related to Greek πέρθω (pertho) meaning ‘to destroy’ and φόνος (phonos) meaning ‘murder’. In Greek myth Persephone was the daughter of Demeter and Zeus." It ranked #735 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, meaning unknown, probably of pre-Greek origin, but perhaps related to Greek πέρθω (pertho) meaning ‘to destroy’ and φόνος (phonos) meaning ‘murder’. In Greek myth Persephone was the daughter of Demeter and Zeus. The entry lists its usage as Greek Mythology.
Editorial confidence: uncertain
Popularity
Persephone ranked #735 for girls in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #735 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (Greek Mythology) and that sit near Persephone in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Persephone mean?
Persephone means "thresher of corn", according to Behind the Name.
Is Persephone a popular name?
Persephone ranked #735 for girls in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Persephone a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Persephone appears in the girls' list; Behind the Name labels it feminine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Persephone — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.