Europa
Fact sheet
- Name
- Europa
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 3
The first name Europa has its roots in Greek mythology and is used for girls. It can be translated as 'the one with the broad face' or 'the one with the wide gaze'.
What does the name Europa mean?
The name Europa also comes from Greek mythology and translates to 'the one with the broad face' or 'the one with the wide gaze'. The origin of the name is based on the ancient Greek words eurús (εὐρύς), meaning 'wide', 'broad', or 'spacious', and ṓps (ὤψ), which means 'in the eye', 'in the face', or 'eye'. In mythology, Europa was the daughter of King Agenor of Phoenicia (present-day Phoenicia) and the sister of Cadmus (Roman Cadmus). Zeus (Roman Jupiter), the highest god, abducted her across the sea to Crete, where she became his earthly wife and bore him three sons, of whom Minos was the most famous, renowned for his power and wisdom. The continent of Europe also derives its name from her. The Slovak and Czech form of the name is Európa.
Where does the name Europa come from?
The name Europa has its roots in Ancient Greek and means 'the one with the broad face'. It consists of the ancient Greek terms eurús (εὐρύς) for 'wide', 'broad' and ṓps (ὤψ) for 'in the eye', 'in the face', and 'eye'. The name is used in various languages, including Basque, Breton, Greek, Italian, Catalan, Slovak, Spanish, and Czech.
How do you pronounce Europa?
The pronunciation of the name Europa conveys an open, far-reaching sound. It is typically pronounced as 'Eu-ro-pa' [euˈroːpa], with the name beginning with an extended diphthong that immediately conveys a sense of expansiveness. The middle syllable with the long 'o' provides stability, while the final 'a' gently fades away. This gives Europa a sonorous quality that is grand and rounded – expansive, calm, and with a clear, supportive presence.
Popularity
In Germany, the first name Europa is rather rare. In 2016, it ranked 4,471st on the list of the most common female first names. Its best placement was in 2012 at rank 3,656. In the last ten years, the name has been given as a first name less than 10 times, placing it 9,317th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 7,864th.
Nicknames & pet names
Ero / Eura / Euri / Europe / Ropa
Famous people
- Europa (Astronomy) (moon of the planet Jupiter)
- Europa (continent) (continent in the Northern Hemisphere)
- Europa Anguissola (Italian painter)
- Europa Rossi (opera singer from Italy)
Frequently asked questions about the name Europa
What is the meaning of the name Europa?
The name Europa translates from Greek mythology to 'the one with the broad face' or 'the one with the wide gaze'.
Where does the name Europa come from?
Europa has its roots in Ancient Greek and is composed of the terms 'eurús' for 'wide' and 'ṓps' for 'in the eye'.
How popular is the name Europa?
The name Europa is widespread in various countries and cultures, but it is less frequently given compared to other first names.