Entry № 1586 · Greek origin

Marpessa Marpessa — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ mar-PES-sah /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Greek
Meaning
"She who preferred a mortal to a god"
Syllables
3
Rank · US 2025
№ 0
First recorded
Ancient (Greek)

A name that means "she who preferred a mortal to a god".

Marpessa (Μάρπησσα) means "snatcher" in Greek. The princess of Aetolia who was given the choice between marrying Apollo or the mortal Idas — she chose the mortal, **explaining that Apollo would abandon her in old age while a mortal would grow old with her**. One of the few Greek figures to choose mortal love over divine.

Marpessa Dawn (1934-2008) was the African-American actress who starred in Black Orpheus (1959).

She who chose a mortal over Apollo.

The name in its native script.

Μάρπησσα
Transliteration
Márpēssa
Pronunciation
/ mɑːrˈpɛs.ə /
Root
Grammatical form

Where Marpessa stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 0 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 0 in 0
Babies named Marpessa · last year
87 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
0
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · — NOW · —

Marpessas before her.

Real people
Marpessa Dawn
African-American actress (Black Orpheus).
1934 – 2008
In fiction
Marpessa
Greek mythological figure.
Greek mythology

Names connected to Marpessa.

The number behind Marpessa.

7

The Seeker

Marpessa reduces to seven — the number of Greek choice.

Why families chose this name.

"Chose mortal over Apollo. Eight letters. Marpessa."
Eleni · Mother of one · Aetolia