Briseis

Meaning of Briseis

Briseis is a feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, historically borne by the captive woman in Homer’s Iliad who became Achilles’ concubine and whose narrative underscores themes of honor and agency within epic tradition. Linguistically, the name derives from the Ancient Greek term βρίσις (brísis), often interpreted as “curly hair,” though its exact etymology remains debated among scholars. Pronounced BREE-says in Greek and brih-SAY-iss in English, Briseis has maintained a modest presence in the United States, ranking around the 900s in recent annual baby-name charts. Its classical pedigree, combined with rare usage, may appeal to those seeking a technically rich name with mythological resonance.

Pronunciation

Greek

• Pronunced as BREE-says (/ˈbri.sis/)

English

• Pronunced as brih-SAY-iss (/brɪˈseɪ.ɪs/)

• Brielle
• Brynlee
• Brynn
• Brisa
• Bria
• Brissa
• Bryony