Entry № 1920 · Greek origin

Phaethusa Phaethusa — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ fee-eh-THOO-sah /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Greek
Meaning
"Phaethon's amber-weeping sister"
Syllables
4
Rank · US 2025
№ 0
First recorded
Ancient (Greek)

A name that means "phaethon's amber-weeping sister".

Phaethusa (Φαέθουσα) is the Greek name from phaethon ("radiant"). One of the Heliades — sisters of Phaethon — who wept so bitterly when their brother was struck down by Zeus that they were transformed into poplar trees, their tears becoming amber.

Rare but iconic in Ovid's Metamorphoses.

The amber-weeping sister of Phaethon.

The name in its native script.

Φαέθουσα
Transliteration
Phaéthousa
Pronunciation
/ ˌfiː.eɪˈθuː.sə /
Root
Grammatical form

Where Phaethusa stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 0 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 0 in 0
Babies named Phaethusa · 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 · —

Phaethusas before her.

Real people
Phaethusa
Greek nymph.
In fiction
Phaethusa
Heliade in Ovid's Metamorphoses.
Ancient Greek myth

Names connected to Phaethusa.

The number behind Phaethusa.

8

The Authority

Phaethusa reduces to eight — the number of Greek amber-tears.

Why families chose this name.

"Amber-weeping. Nine letters. Phaethusa."
Eleni · Mother of one · Athens