Fun Facts About the Name Fotini
- 416 babies named Fotini: U.S. records list 416 babies given the name Fotini from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Fotini Mean?
Fotini is a Greek feminine name meaning "light." It comes from the Greek adjective φωτεινή (foteini), the feminine form of φωτεινός (foteinos), "luminous, bright," which derives from φῶς (phos), "light." The customary English gloss "light" names the root idea, while the Greek adjective is closer to "luminous" or "bright." The spellings Photini, Fotini, and Foteini reflect different transliteration conventions: ph renders the Greek letter phi traditionally, while f follows modern Greek pronunciation.
Fotini Name History & Origins
Fotini is a Greek Christian name. In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks with a Samaritan woman at a well, but the Gospel does not give her name; Eastern Orthodox tradition calls her Photini and venerates her as Saint Photini. The name Photini / Fotini is associated with that tradition and appears in Orthodox calendars. The Greek form Φωτεινή was transliterated as Photini in older English usage, while Fotini and Foteini reflect modern transliteration. The name is distinct from the Slavic name Svetlana, which also means "light" but has a separate Slavic origin.
How Popular is the Name Fotini?
Fotini has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1984. Its best rank was #4,211 in 1984.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #13,775 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2024 | #13,996 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2023 | #15,964 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2021 | #12,631 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2018 | #14,400 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2017 | #13,177 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2016 | #17,120 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2015 | #17,345 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2013 | #15,249 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #13,976 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2010 | #15,610 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2009 | #18,229 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | #14,339 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2007 | #14,411 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2006 | #18,059 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2005 | #12,199 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2003 | #16,588 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2002 | #16,296 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2001 | #14,113 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2000 | #12,217 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1999 | #10,678 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1998 | #9,544 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1997 | #12,616 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1996 | #10,956 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1995 | #14,174 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1994 | #9,068 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1993 | #8,264 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1991 | #9,621 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1990 | #13,682 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1989 | #10,047 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1988 | #7,310 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1987 | #8,240 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1986 | #8,842 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1985 | #8,631 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1984 | #4,211 | 18 | 0.0011% |
| 1983 | #6,371 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1982 | #6,512 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1981 | #5,354 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1980 | #5,058 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1979 | #4,687 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 1978 | #7,159 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1977 | #5,298 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 1976 | #4,427 | 14 | 0.0010% |
| 1975 | #4,672 | 13 | 0.0009% |
| 1974 | #5,116 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1973 | #4,439 | 13 | 0.0009% |
| 1972 | #6,769 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1971 | #4,633 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1970 | #4,316 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1969 | #6,895 | 6 | 0.0004% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Explore More Lists with Name Fotini
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with F
How the Name Fotini Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are kind, home-loving, hospitable and friendly. Since you take responsibility well, you are a good organizer of social affairs. Compassion for others is an outstanding trait. You are a great lover and a great flirt – an artist, musician, actor, teacher, nurse. Your character can be contradictory. You are practical, yet idealistic and intuitive; capable of selfless devotion to someone you love, yet look to receive payback. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You are always looking for a chance to do your own thing, to be your own person, and to have things done your own way.
✦ Fotini's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Fotini's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.