Ancient Greek Names — Origins, Meanings & History

Acacius Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Acacius is a masculine given name of Ancient Greek origin, derived as the Latinized form of Akakios. The name Akakios comes from the Greek word akakos, meaning "innocent, not evil," formed by the negative prefix a- (mean...

Achaikos Masculine Greek Bible Ancient Greek Greek Bible Ancient Greek

Achaikos is the Greek form of Achaicus, a name derived from the region of Achaia in the northern Peloponnese of Greece. In the New Testament, Achaicus is mentioned as a Corinthian Christian who, along with Fortunatus and...

Achilles Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

EtymologyThe name Achilles is the Latinized form of the Greek Ἀχιλλεύς (Achilleus), whose etymology remains uncertain. It may derive from Greek ἄχος (achos) meaning "pain" or "grief," reflecting the sorrow associated wit...

Achilleus Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Achilleus is the Ancient Greek form of Achilles, the legendary hero of Greek mythology. The name originates from the Greek Ἀχιλλεύς (Achilleus), whose meaning is uncertain. It may derive from ἄχος (achos), meaning 'pain'...

Adamantios Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Adamantios is a Greek masculine given name derived from the ancient Greek word ἀδάμας (adamas), meaning "unconquerable, unbreakable, adamant." The genitive form ἀδάμαντος (adamantos) gives rise to the name's ending. The...

Aeschylus Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Aeschylus is a name of Ancient Greek origin, derived from the Greek Αἰσχύλος (Aischylos), which itself comes from αἶσχος (aischos) meaning "shame". The name is most famously borne by the 5th-century BC Athenian playwrigh...

Aesop Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Aesopus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Αἴσωπος (Aisopos), the famous Greek fabulist of the 6th century BC. The name's etymology is unknown, though ancient folk etymologies associated it with aisimmi or other Gre...

Agape Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Agape is a feminine name derived from Ancient Greek ἀγάπη (agape), meaning "love"—specifically the highest, selfless, unconditional love often associated with divine love in Christian theology. Unlike eros (romantic love...

Agapetos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Agapetos is the Ancient Greek form of the name Agapito, which derives from the Late Latin name Agapitus or Agapetus, ultimately from the Greek Ἀγαπητός (Agapetos) meaning 'beloved'. The name is rooted in the Greek noun a...

Agapetus Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Agapetus is a Latinized form of the Greek name Agapetos, derived from Ἀγαπητός, meaning "beloved". The name appears in both ancient and Christian contexts, and Roman Catholics are likely most familiar with Agapito, the S...

Agapios Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Agapios is the Greek and Ancient Greek masculine form of Agape, derived from the Greek word ἀγάπη (agape) meaning “love.” The name is closely associated with early Christian martyrdom and has been borne by several saints...

Agapius Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Agapius is a Latinized form of Agapios, a masculine name derived from the Greek word agapē (ἀγάπη), meaning "love." The root name Agape (from which Agapios is formed) was borne by early Christian saints and reflects the...

Agatha Feminine Dutch English +2 Dutch English German Ancient Greek

Agatha is a feminine given name derived from the Greek Ἀγαθή (Agathe), which itself comes from the Greek adjective ἀγαθός meaning "good." The name was Latinized as Agatha and has been used throughout Christian Europe sin...

Agathangelos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Agathangelos (from Greek Ἀγαθάγγελος) is a masculine name of Ancient Greek origin meaning "bearer of good news." It is composed of the elements ἀγαθός (agathos), meaning "good," and ἄγγελος (angelos), meaning "messenger"...

Agathe Feminine Danish French +3 Danish French German Norwegian Ancient Greek

Agathe is the Scandinavian, German, French, and Ancient Greek form of the name Agatha. It derives from the Greek word ἀγαθός (agathos), meaning "good," and its feminine form Ἀγαθή (Agathe).Etymology and HistoryThe name A...

Agathinos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Agathinos is the Ancient Greek form of Agathinus, a Latinized name. It is derived from the Greek verb root ἀγαθός (agathos) meaning "good". Etymology The name contains the element agath-, a productive Greek stem meaning...

Agathinus Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Agathinus is a Latinized masculine given name of Ancient Greek origin. It derives from the Greek Ἀγαθῖνος (Agathinos), which itself is formed from the root ἀγαθός (agathos), meaning “good.” As such, the name carries the...

Agathocles Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Agathocles is the Latinized form of the ancient Greek name Agathokles (Ἀγαθοκλῆς), derived from the Greek elements agathos (ἀγαθός) meaning "good" and kleos (κλέος) meaning "glory". Thus, the name means "good glory" or "...

Agathokles Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Agathokles is the Greek form of Agathocles. In Greek, the name is Αγαθοκλῆς (Agathokles), derived from ἀγαθός (agathos) meaning "good" and κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory". Thus, Agathokles translates to "good glory" or "re...

Agathon Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Agathon is an Ancient Greek masculine name, derived as a variant of Agatha. The name comes from the Greek word agathos (ἀγαθός), meaning "good." In Greek onomastics, Agathon belongs to a class of names expressing positiv...

Agelaos Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Agelaos (also spelled Agelaus) is a Greek masculine name with roots in ancient Greek etymology and mythology. The name is derived from two possible sources: either from the Greek verb ἄγω (ago) meaning "to lead" combined...

Aikaterine Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Aikaterine is the Ancient Greek form of Katherine. The name originates from the Greek Αἰκατερίνη (Aikaterine), whose etymology is debated. It may derive from Ἑκατερινη (Hekaterine), itself from ἑκάτερος (hekateros) meani...

Aischylos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Aischylos is the original Ancient Greek form of the name Aeschylus, derived from the Greek word αἶσχος (aischos) meaning "shame". This name is most famously borne by Aeschylus (c. 525/524 – c. 456/455 BC), the ancient At...

Aisopos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Aisopos is an Ancient Greek name that Latinizes to Aesop, from the Greek Αἴσωπος. Its etymology is uncertain, though the name is forever linked to the legendary fabulist of the 6th century BC, credited with a vast corpus...

Akakios Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Akakios is a Greek masculine given name derived from the Greek word ἀκακία (akakia), meaning "innocent, not evil." The name is composed of the negative prefix ἀ- (a-) and κάκη (kake), meaning "evil." Thus, the literal se...

Alcaeus Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Alcaeus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ἀλκαῖος (Alkaios), meaning "strong", derived from the Greek element alkē (ἀλκή) meaning "strength, prowess". This name is most famously associated with the lyric poet Alcae...

Alcetas Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Alcetas is an Ancient Greek given name, possibly derived from Greek ἀλκή (alke) meaning "strength, prowess." This name was borne by historical figures including kings of Macedon and Epirus. Etymology and Origin The name...

Alcibiades Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Alcibiades is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ἀλκιβιάδης (Alkibiades). It is composed of the elements ἀλκή (alke), meaning "strength" or "prowess", and βία (bia), meaning "force", combined with the patronymic suffix...

Alcinoe Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Alcinoe is the Latinized form of Alkinoe, a feminine name from Greek mythology. The name derives from the Greek elements alkē (strength, prowess) and noos (mind, thought), meaning "strong-minded" or "strong will." It is...

Alexander Masculine Danish Dutch +10 Danish Dutch English German Hungarian +7

Alexander is a masculine given name of Greek origin, Latinized from the Greek name Ἀλέξανδρος (Alexandros), which means "defending men" or "protector of men." It is composed of the Greek elements ἀλέξω (alexo), meaning "...

Alexandra Feminine Catalan Czech +16 Catalan Czech Danish Dutch English +13

Alexandra is a female given name of Greek origin, derived from the masculine name Alexander. The name is a compound of the Greek verb alexein (ἀλέξειν), meaning 'to defend', and anēr (ἀνήρ, genitive ἀνδρός), meaning 'man...

Alexandros Masculine Greek Greek +2 Greek Greek Greek Bible Ancient Greek

Alexandros is the Greek form of the name Alexander, derived from the Greek elements ἀλέξω (alexo) meaning "to defend, help" and ἀνήρ (aner) meaning "man" (genitive ἀνδρός). Thus, the name conveys the meaning "defending m...

Alexios Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Alexios (Αλέξιος) is a Greek masculine given name, derived from the same root as Alexis. Both names ultimately come from the Greek verb ἀλέξω (alexo), meaning "to defend" or "to help," and thus Alexios means "defender" o...

Alexis Unisex English French +3 English French Greek Spanish Ancient Greek

Alexis is a given name of Greek origin meaning "helper" or "defender," derived from the Greek verb ἀλέξειν (alexein) meaning "to defend" or "to help". The name comes from the Ancient Greek Ἄλεξις (Alexis), which itself i...

Alexius Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Alexius is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ἀλέξιος (Alexios), a derivative of Ἄλεξις (see Alexis). The name derives from the Greek verb ἀλέξω (alexo), meaning "to defend" or "to help", giving Alexius the overall mea...

Alkaios Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Alkaios is the Ancient Greek form of Alcaeus, a name Latinized from the Greek Ἀλκαῖος (Alkaios), which derives from ἀλκή (alkē), meaning "strength" or "prowess". This name is historically associated with the 7th-century...

Alketas Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Alketas is the Greek form of Alcetas, a name with roots in antiquity. The name Alkétas (Ἀλκέτας) derives from the Greek element ἀλκή (alke), meaning "strength" or "prowess." It was borne by several notable figures in the...

Alkibiades Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Alkibiades is the Greek form of Alcibiades, a name borne by one of the most controversial figures of classical Athens. The name derives from the Greek elements ἀλκή (alke) meaning "strength, prowess" and βία (bia) meanin...

Ambrosia Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Ambrosia is the feminine form of Ambrose, derived ultimately from the Greek word ambrosios, meaning "immortal." In Greek mythology, ambrosia was the food of the gods, often depicted as conferring immortality upon those w...

Ambrosios Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Ambrosios is the Ancient Greek form of the name Ambrose, derived from the Greek word ambrosios (ἀμβρόσιος), meaning "immortal" or "divine." The name carries connotations of the ambrosia of Greek mythology, the food of th...

Ambrosius Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Ambrosius is a Latinized form of the Greek name Ambrosios, tracing back to the ancient Greek word ἀμβρόσιος (ambrosios), meaning "immortal" or "divine." This etymology connects directly to ambrosia, the mythical food of...

Ampelios Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Ampelios is a Greek masculine name derived from the Greek word ἄμπελος (ampelos), meaning "vine." It is the Greek form of Ampelio and ultimately traces back to the Latin Ampelius. The name is deeply connected to early Ch...

Ampelius Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Ampelius is a Latinized form of Ampelio, which itself derives from the Greek name Ἀμπέλιος (Ampelios), ultimately coming from the Greek word ἄμπελος (ampelos), meaning 'vine'. As an Ancient Greek name, it likely referenc...

Amyntas Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Amyntas is a masculine given name of Ancient Greek origin, derived from the Greek word ἀμύντωρ (amyntor), meaning “defender” or “helper,” which in turn comes from the verb ἀμύνω, “to ward off” or “to defend.” The name is...

Anacletus Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Anacletus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ἀνάκλητος (Anakletos), derived from the word ἀνάκλητος meaning "invoked". The name is best known as that of the third pope, who served as Bishop of Rome following Peter a...

Anakletos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Anakletos is the Ancient Greek form of the Latinized name Anacletus, which itself derives from the Greek ἀνάκλητος (anakletos) meaning "invoked." The name is intimately connected with early Christian history, as it was b...

Anastasia Feminine Georgian Belarusian +7 Georgian Belarusian English Greek Italian +4

Etymology and Meaning Anastasia is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word anástasis (ἀνάστασις), meaning "resurrection." It is the feminine form of Anastasius. The name first emerged during th...

Anastasios Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Anastasios is the Greek form of the Latinized name Anastasius, derived from the Ancient Greek name Ἀναστάσιος (Anastasios). The name means "resurrection,” stemming from the Greek word ἀνάστασις (anastasis), which itself...

Anastasius Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Anastasius is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ἀναστάσιος (Anastasios), which derives from the Greek word ἀνάστασις (anastasis), meaning "resurrection." This word itself is composed of ἀνά (ana), meaning "up," and στ...

Anatolia Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Anatolia is the feminine form of the masculine name Anatolius, ultimately derived from the Greek Ἀνατολή (anatole), meaning "sunrise" or "east." This name was borne by a 3rd-century Italian saint and martyr, Saint Anatol...

Anatolios Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Anatolios is the original Greek form of the Latin name Anatolius, directly derived from the Greek word ἀνατολή (anatole), meaning "sunrise." As a masculine given name in Ancient Greek usage, it embodies a metaphor of daw...

Anatolius Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Anatolius is a Late Latin masculine given name derived from the Greek Ἀνατόλιος (Anatolios), itself based on ἀνατολή (anatole), meaning "sunrise" or "east." The name thus carries connotations of dawn, light, and the risi...

Anaxagoras Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Anaxagoras is an ancient Greek name derived from the elements ἄναξ (anax) meaning "master, lord" and ἀγορά (agora) meaning "assembly, marketplace". Thus, the name signifies "lord of the assembly" or "master of the market...

Anaximander Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Anaximander is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek name Ἀναξίμανδρος (Anaximandros), derived from the elements ἄναξ (anax) meaning "master, lord" and μάνδρα (mandra) meaning "enclosed space". The name is historically...

Anaximandros Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Anaximandros is the original Greek form of the name Anaximander. It was borne by the ancient Greek philosopher Anaximander of Miletus, whose name combines the ἄναξ (anax) element meaning "master, lord" with μάνδρα (mandr...

Anaximenes Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Anaximenes is a masculine given name of Ancient Greek origin, derived from ἄναξ (anax) meaning "master, lord" and μένος (menos) meaning "mind, strength, force." The name thus carries the combined sense of "lordly strengt...

Andreas Masculine Danish Dutch +8 Danish Dutch German Greek Norwegian +5

Andreas is the Ancient Greek and Latin form of Andrew, and it is also the form used in Modern Greek, German, and Welsh. The name derives from the Greek noun ἀνήρ (anēr), meaning "man," with its derivative ἀνδρεῖος (andre...

Androcles Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Androcles is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ἀνδροκλῆς (Androkles), derived from the Greek elements ἀνήρ (aner) meaning "man" (genitive ἀνδρός) and κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory," giving the overall meaning "glory of...

Androkles Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Androkles is the Greek form of the name Androcles, itself a Latinized rendering of the Greek Ἀνδροκλῆς (Androkles). The name derives from elements meaning “man” and “glory,” thus signifying “glory of a man.” Androkles is...

Andronicus Masculine English Bible Latin Bible +1 English Bible Latin Bible Ancient Greek

EtymologyAndronicus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ἀνδρόνικοσ (Andronikos), which derives from the elements ἀνήρ (aner, meaning “man”) and νίκη (nike, meaning “victory”). Thus the name signifies “victory of a ma...