Pronunciation | /ˈkeɪrɪs/ |
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Origin | |
Word/name | Ancient Greek |
Meaning | "one of the Graces", "grace" or "kindness" |
Other names | |
Related names | Charissa (English variant), Haris (Greek variant transcription) |
Charis (Greek: Χάρις) is a given name derived from a Greek word meaning "grace, kindness, and life." It is a unisex name, overwhelmingly used for men in Greece and overwhelmingly used for women elsewhere in the world.
In Greek mythology, Charis is one of the Charites (Greek: Χάριτες) or "Graces", goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and fertility.
The Greek and Hebrew biblical term Charis (χάρις) refers to good will, loving-kindness, favour, in particular to God's merciful grace.[1] It is used over 140 times[2] in the New Testament and is a central concept in the theology developed by St. Augustine of Hippo.[3]
It is used in the descriptive epithet of many plant genera and species.[4] Including; Ammocharis (meaning sand and beauty),[5] Eleocharis (meaning marsh and beauty), Englerocharis, Eucharis (meaning good and beauty), Hydrocharis (meaning water and beauty), Nomocharis, Argostemma phyllocharis (meaning leaf and beauty) and Pimelea ammocharis.