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.
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) |
In Greek mythology, a Charis is one of the Charites (Greek: Χάριτες) or "Graces", goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and fertility; and in Homer's Iliad, Charis is the wife of Hephaestus.[1] Charis was also known as Cale ("Beauty") or Aglaea ("Splendor").[2]
Charis is also the Spartan name of a Grace.
In the Greek and Hebrew biblical term Charis (χάρις) refers to good will, loving-kindness, favour, in particular to God's merciful grace.[3] It is used over 140 times [4] in the New Testament and is a central concept in the theology developed by St. Augustine of Hippo.[5]
It is used in the descriptive epithet of many plant genera and species.[6] Including; Ammocharis (meaning sand and beauty),[7] 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.