Types of Greek Nymphs
or
Zeus's Petting Zoo

The Hespirides
The Hespirides were the nymphs who guarded the Tree of the Golden Apples.
Their father was Hesperos, or the God of the Evening Star. Their names were:
  • Aegle
  • Eritheia
  • Hesperia
Draiads

The Draiads were the Nymphs of the Forest. Draiads were immortal,
unlike other types, like the Hamadreiads, who lived in oak trees and would
die when the tree they lived in died. They were the hunting companions of
Artemis.

The Heliades
The Heliades were the sisters of Phaeton (son of Apollo). When Phaeton
died, they wept for four months. The Gods took pity on them and
turned then into poplar trees and their tears to amber.
The Pleiades
There were seven Pleiades, all are stars in the sky. They were the
daughters of Pleione and Atlas son of Iapetus, a Titan, and Clymene,
the Sea Nymph). Their names were:
  • Aleyone
  • Celaeno
  • Electra
  • Maia
  • Merope
  • Sterope or Asterope
  • Taygeta
Hyades

These daughters of Atlas and Pleione were also the sisters of
Hyas, who died. they mourned for him so much that the Gods hung
them as stars in the Sky.

Oceanids

There were 3000 Oceanids, and they were all the Nymphs of the Ocean.
Their mother was the Titaness Tethys and their father the Titan Oceanus.

Nereids

The Nereids were the 50 daughters of Nereus (the Sea) and Doris.
The were the Nymphs of the Sea One was Amphitrite and when they
performing a dance on the island of Naxos that Poseidon claimed Amphitrite
as his bride.

Naiads

The Naiads were the nymphs of freshwater streams rivers and lakes. They had extremely long lifetimes, but they were not considered immortal.

Meliads

These Draids were the Nymphs of Ash Trees. They were the daughters
of Gaia and of Uranus' blood.

Napaea

The Napaea were the Nymphs of the Valley. In Greek nape means dell.

Oreads

Oreads were the Nymphs of the Mountains.

Epimeliads

Epimeliads were the Protectors of Sheep.

Lamusidean Nymphs

Lamusidean Nymphs were the daughters of Lamus. They were the nurses of
Dionysus, but because of Hera's deep jealousy they were driven mad. They
would have chopped the baby Dionysus up, and not Hermes appeared on the
scene just in time to save the baby God.

Individual Nymphs
Aegina


This was the daughter of Asopus, a river god. She was abducted by Zeus and
carried off to the island of Attica (which was renamed after her for a
period). There she had a son, Aeacus, and he became the monarch of the
island.

Calypso

She was the daughter of Atlas. She is in the story of Odysseus. She
takes a fancy to him, and keeps him prisoner for seven years, during
which time they sleep together, although Odysseus remains loyal to
Penelope, and eventually Zeus orders her to set him free.
Chelone
This poor nymph got turned into a turtle because she refused to attend the
wedding of Hera and Zeus. The gods condemned her to eternal silence
because of her insulting words.
Clytia
Also known as Clytie, this Oceanid was the beloved of Apollo. Well, she
was until he got tired of her. Then he dropped her and broke her heart.
She was changed into a sunflower with her face to the sun.
Lethe
Lethe was another Naiad, but her river was in the Underworld. The Lethe
was the river of Forgetfulness and Oblivion. Lethe was a daughter of
Eris.
Rhodus
Rhodus was a nymph who was a daughter of Poseidon. She was the mother of
the Heliadae with Helios. The island she lived on was named after her:
Rhodes.
Styx

Styx was a Naiad and Her name meant literally Hateful. possibly
because her river was the one that all of the dead must pass. Her river
was the most holy and sacred, and to swear on it was the most holy oath a
God could make.

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