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Persephone

Girl name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Persephone: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 2023.

From Greek mythology, Persephone (originally Persephonē) means “bringer of destruction” or “she who destroys the light,” though she is equally revered as the goddess of spring and queen of the underworld. The most famous bearer is the mythological daughter of Demeter, whose abduction by Hades famously explains the seasons. In modern pop culture, the name appears in *The Matrix* films as the enigmatic Persephone, played by Monica Bellucci. While there are no major places directly named after her, the name shares its root with the ancient city of Persephone in Epirus. Occasionally used in Scotland, Persephone remains a rare but evocative choice—its dual themes of darkness and renewal giving it a quietly poetic, enduring appeal.