Pelagia is a female Greek name which used to be very common in Greece, especially in the Cyclades islands and the Islands of the Ionian Sea.
Pelagia comes from the Greek word “pelagos”, which means the “open sea” and therefore it was a rather appropriate name for women born on the Greek islands.
Pelagia is an ancient Greek name, but it became more popular during the Byzantine Era.
Sound of name Pelagia: Pe-la-yeé-a
Male Version of name Pelagia: N/A
Nameday of Pelagia: mainly October 8th, other dates too like May 5 and July 23
Origin of name Pelagia – Agia Pelagia
We already mentioned the etymology of name Pelagia; the name is included in the Greek Orthodox Calendar associated with Agia Pelagia, a woman who lived in Tarsus during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.
One night while sleeping, Pelagia dreamt of the local Bishop who was encouraging her to be baptized Christian, and so she did. She sold her clothes to the poor people and got dressed in very simple dresses; when her mother saw her she was very upset and tried to persuade her to reject the new religion but Pelagia denied.
Pelagia was engaged to Diocletian’s son, who also found out about the baptism and asked Pelagia to reject Christians, but again she denied. Then her fiance killed himself. When Diocletian found out he had Pelagia arrested; he tortured her and killed her.
The Greek Orthodox Church celebrates the memory and nameday of Pelagia on May 5th.
There is a second Pelagia in the Greek Orthodox Calendar. She is “Blessed Pelagia”, a woman who lived in Antiocheia. She was a prostitute who found Christ and was baptized a Christian, despite the persecutions from the local rulers. She also suffered a terrible death and was declared Blessed by the Greek Orthodox Church that celebrates her memory on October 8th.
There are also references for another Pelagia, who lived on the island of Tinos. Her memory is celebrated on July 23.
It seems that the name Pelagia used to be quite popular in different regions of Greece, therefore, you might find women named Pelagia celebrating their nameday on different dates, according to local traditions. It is recommended to ask your friend Pelagia when she has her nameday, so that you do not miss the chance to wish for her nameday on the right date!
Nicknames deriving from name Pelagia
Pelagia doesn’t have many nicknames or diminutives; the only ones used are Gia, Agi, Pelagitsa, Lia, Pela.
The Names’ Fairy reveals the meaning of name Pelagia
Pelagia is a wise and strong woman, ready to deal with the misfortunes of life. She is a capable and very intelligent woman, dependable but sort of introverted.
My grandmother’s name was Pelagia. She was born in Ukraine. Other members in our family tree told me Pelagia means Pearl. It’s been interesting to research this name.
I am a Pelagia, born July, 10, 1958 and I am a Namibian. I have lived in Russia,
Poland, Sweden. I have 7 Namesakes who are directly named after me, the youngest
born on 24 July 2022. I love my name soo much.
Wow this is so amazing to hear that my name is a unique name to other counties am actually Zimbabwean and was given my name by aunt and have always wanted to search for the meaning and am still up to find if it has a biblical meaning but open sea sounds more nicer and I love the vibe cause I like to consider myself as an open person .but my name has an r between a and g pelargia
My name is Pelagia and I thought I’m the only one alive with that name for I was told that my name is ancient and also like most of you my dad got me that name from his mother for he’s a mama’s boy. Yeah it’s my grandmother’s name.
My parents were born in Greece. My father who named me told me Pelagia meant a bay/port of water that opens up to the ocean.
The word Pelagic means: relating to or living or occurring in the open sea
There is also the religious meaning which have two very different types of Pelagia’s
Its my name and am a Ugandan, African
well, i thought the name Pelagia meant the deepest part of the sea
I also was told my name Pelagia meant mermaid of the sea and was also named after my grandmother.
i am the same, i always thought that my name meant mermaid, though i’m not named after anyone!
I have always thought my name meant mermaid of the sea but so many people say it means from the sea or part of the sea it would be nice to find the true meaning as I was named after my great grandmother.