Ἀμαρυλλίς

Amaryllis

girlGreek

Amaryllis is a girl name of Greek origin, meaning “To sparkle”.

MeaningTo sparkle
GenderGirl
OriginGreek
Written asἈμαρυλλίς
Pronunciationam-uh-RIL-is
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited Kingdom, United States

Meaning and origin of Amaryllis

Amaryllis is usually traced to the Greek verb amaryssein, 'to sparkle' or 'to twinkle'. It appears as the name of a shepherdess in the pastoral poems of Theocritus and in Virgil's Eclogues, and English poets later used it as a stock name for a country girl. The flowering amaryllis plant was named after this poetic figure, so today the name carries both a literary and a floral feel.

Is Amaryllis a religious name?

Amaryllis comes from classical poetry and botany and has no religious background.

How popular is Amaryllis?

Very rare as a given name, chosen mostly by parents who like botanical or literary names.

Gifts with the name Amaryllis

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Spellings and variants of Amaryllis

AmarilisAmarilli

Names similar to Amaryllis

OttilieClementineMarigoldCordelia

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Amaryllis mean?

Amaryllis means 'To sparkle'. It is of Greek origin.

Does Amaryllis have a religious meaning?

Amaryllis comes from classical poetry and botany and has no religious background.

How do you pronounce Amaryllis?

Amaryllis is pronounced am-uh-RIL-is.

Is Amaryllis a boy or girl name?

Amaryllis is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.