Ancient Greek Names — Origins, Meanings & History

Linus Masculine Danish German +4 Danish German Norwegian Swedish Greek +1

Etymology Linus is a masculine given name derived from the Latin form of the Ancient Greek name Linos (Λίνος). The name's meaning is linked to the Greek word linon (λίνον), meaning flax. Flax was used in antiquity for ma...

Lycurgus Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Lycurgus is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek name Lykourgos (Λυκοῦργος), which is composed of the elements λύκος (lykos) meaning "wolf" and ἔργον (ergon) meaning "work, deed." Thus, the name can be interpreted as...

Lycus Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Lycus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Lykos (Λύκος), which means "wolf". In Greek mythology, Lycus was a name borne by several figures, including a legendary ruler of Thebes, a son of Poseidon, and a Bythinian ki...

Lydos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Lydos (Ancient Greek: Λυδός) is a name of uncertain meaning, traditionally associated with the semi-legendary king who lent his name to the region of Lydia in Asia Minor. According to ancient sources, Lydos was one of th...

Lykos Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Lykos is the original Greek form of the name Latinized as Lycus, derived from the Ancient Greek word λῠ́κος (lykos) meaning “wolf.”Etymology and Mythological SignificanceThe wolf held strong symbolic value in ancient Gre...

Lykourgos Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Lykourgos is the Greek form of Lycurgus, a name borne by legendary figures from Spartan history and Greek mythology. The name derives from the Ancient Greek elements λύκος (lykos) meaning "wolf" and ἔργον (ergon) meaning...

Lysander Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Lysander is a Latinized form of the Greek name Λύσανδρος (Lysandros), derived from the Greek word λύσις meaning "a release, loosening" and ἀνήρ meaning "man" (genitive ἀνδρός). Thus, the name can be interpreted as "relea...

Lysandra Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Lysandra is a feminine name of Ancient Greek origin, derived from the masculine Lysander (or Lysandros). The name is composed of the Greek elements lysis, meaning "a release, loosening," and aner (genitive andros), meani...

Lysandros Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Lysandros is the original Greek form of the name Lysander. Derived from the Greek elements λύσις (lysis) meaning "a release, loosening" and ἀνήρ (aner) meaning "man" (genitive ἀνδρός), Lysandros thus signifies "released...

Lysimache Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Lysimache is a feminine Ancient Greek name, the direct female form of Lysimachus. The name is derived from the Greek elements λῦσις (lysis) meaning "a release, loosening" and μάχη (mache) meaning "battle", thus often int...

Lysimachos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Lysimachos is the Greek form of Lysimachus, a name borne by one of the most notable successors of Alexander the Great. The name derives from Greek elements: lysis meaning "a release, loosening" and mache meaning "battle"...

Lysimachus Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Lysimachus is a Latinized form of the Greek name Λυσίμαχος (Lysimachos), derived from λύσις (lysis) meaning "a release, loosening" and μάχη (mache) meaning "battle". The name thus signifies "one who loosens the battle" o...

Lysistrata Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Lysistrata is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek name Lysistrate, which appears as the title character in Aristophanes' comedy first performed in 411 BCE at the Lenaea festival in classical Athens. The name means "a...

Lysistrate Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Lysistrate is an Ancient Greek female name derived from λύσις (lysis) meaning "a release, loosening" and στρατός (stratos) meaning "army", thus literally "army disbander". The name is primarily known from Aristophanes' f...

Malthace Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Malthace is a Latinized form of the Greek name Μαλθάκη (Malthake), which derives from μαλθακός (malthakos) meaning "soft, tender." This etymology reflects a common practice in Ancient Greek onomastics of using adjectives...

Malthake Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Malthake is the Ancient Greek form of Malthace, a name derived from the Greek word malthakos meaning "soft, tender". In the context of the Hellenistic world and the Roman-client kingdom of Judea, Malthake is historically...

Melanthios Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Melanthios (also Latinized as Melanthius) is a masculine given name of ancient Greek origin. It derives from the Greek elements melas (), meaning "black" or "dark", and anthos (), meaning "flower"—thus, "black flower" or...

Meleager Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Meleager is the Latinized form of the Greek name Μελέαγρος (Meleagros), a heroic figure from Greek mythology. The name's etymology is uncertain, but it may derive from μέλεος (meleos) meaning "unhappy, useless" or μέλας...

Meleagros Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Meleagros is the Greek form of the name Meleager. In ancient Greek, it is written as Μελέαγρος.EtymologyThe etymology of Meleagros is uncertain but may derive from μέλεος (meleos) meaning "unhappy" or "useless", or from...

Melissa Feminine Dutch English +2 Dutch English Greek Ancient Greek

Melissa is a feminine given name derived from the Greek word μέλισσα (mélissa), meaning "bee", which in turn comes from μέλι (meli), "honey". The name is deeply rooted in Greek culture, with origins possibly reaching bac...

Melite Feminine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Melite is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the ancient Greek word μέλι (meli), meaning "honey". The name thus carries the sweetness and preciousness associated with honey, a substance highly valued in...

Meliton Masculine Georgian Ancient Greek Georgian Ancient Greek

Meliton is a masculine given name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word μέλι (meli), meaning "honey." The genitive form μέλιτος (melitos) gives the sense of "like honey" or "sweet." The name is recorded in both An...

Melitta Feminine German Ancient Greek German Ancient Greek

Melitta is a feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, serving as an Attic variant of Melissa. The name Melissa means "bee" in Greek, and Melitta shares this core meaning. In classical Athens, the Attic dialect often...

Menander Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Menander is the Latinized form of the Greek name Μένανδρος (Menandros), derived from either μένω (meno) meaning "to stay, to last" or μένος (menos) meaning "mind, strength, force" combined with ἀνήρ (aner) meaning "man"...

Menandros Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Menandros is the Greek form of Menander, a name steeped in classical history and etymology. Derived from the Ancient Greek elements meno (meaning "to stay, to last" or menos meaning "mind, strength, force") combined with...

Menecrates Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Menecrates is a Latinized form of the Greek name Menekrates (Μενεκράτης), derived from elements meaning either "to stay, to last" or "mind, strength, force" (from meno or menos) combined with kratos, meaning "power". The...

Menekrates Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Menekrates is the Greek form of Menecrates. The name is derived from the Greek elements menos (meaning "mind, strength, force") or meno ("to stay, to last") combined with kratos ("power"), thus conveying the idea of "end...

Menelaos Masculine Greek Greek +1 Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Etymology Menelaos is the Greek form of Menelaus, a name of Ancient Greek origin. Its first element is derived from either μένω (meno) meaning "to stay, to last" or μένος (menos) meaning "mind, strength, force", combined...

Menodora Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Menodora is a feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, meaning "gift of the moon". It is derived from the Greek elements mene (μηνη, "moon") and doron (δῶρον, "gift"). The name is borne by a 4th-century Christian sai...

Menophilos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Menophilos is an Ancient Greek masculine name meaning "friend of the moon", derived from Greek mene meaning "moon" and philos meaning "friend". This compound name reflects a pattern common in Greek onomastics, where elem...

Metrodora Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Etymology and Meaning Metrodora is an Ancient Greek feminine name composed of the elements μήτηρ (meter), meaning "mother", and δῶρον (doron), meaning "gift". The name thus signifies "gift of the mother" or "mother's gif...

Metrophanes Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Metrophanes is a Greek masculine given name derived from the elements μήτηρ (meter) meaning "mother" (genitive μητρός) and φανής (phanes) meaning "appearing" or "shining". Thus, the name signifies "one who appears like a...

Milo 2 Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Milo 2 is an ancient Greek name, derived from the Greek Μίλων (Milon), which possibly comes from μῖλος (milos) meaning "yew tree". The name is most famously associated with Milo of Croton, a celebrated 6th-century BC Gre...

Milon Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Milon is the original Ancient Greek form of the name Milo 2. In Greek, it is written as Μίλων (Milon), a name that likely derives from the word μῖλος (milos) meaning "yew tree," a type of coniferous tree known for its ha...

Miltiades Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Miltiades is a name of Ancient Greek origin, derived from Greek μίλτος (miltos) meaning 'red earth' and the patronymic suffix ἴδης (ides). Thus, the name essentially means 'son of miltos' or 'son of the red earth.' Etymo...

Mnason Masculine English Bible Greek Bible +2 English Bible Greek Bible Latin Bible Ancient Greek

EtymologyMnason is a name of Greek origin that possibly means "reminding." In the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts, Mnason is mentioned as a first-century Cypriot Christian who offered hospitality to Paul...

Myron Masculine English Ukrainian +1 English Ukrainian Ancient Greek

Myron is a masculine given name whose origins trace back to Ancient Greek μύρον (myron), meaning "sweet oil, perfume." The myron element is also related to the Greek word for myrrh. The most famous historical bearer from...

Myrrhine Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Myrrhine is an Ancient Greek female name derived from μύρρα (myrrha), meaning "myrrh". Myrrh is a fragrant resin used in ancient times for embalming, incense, and perfume, giving the name associations with sweetness, bea...

Myrto Feminine Greek Greek +1 Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Myrto (Μυρτώ) is a female name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word μύρτος (myrtos), meaning "myrtle." The myrtle plant was sacred in ancient Greece and associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, as well as...

Neilos Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Neilos is a Greek masculine name directly derived from the ancient Greek name for the Nile River (Νεῖλος). The river's name itself is thought to be of Semitic origin, likely meaning "river", reflecting the Nile's central...

Nemesios Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nemesios is an Ancient Greek name, the original Greek form of Nemesius. It is derived from the name of the Greek goddess Nemesis, whose name means "distribution of what is due, righteous anger" and who personified vengea...

Nemesius Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nemesius is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek name Nemesios (Νεμέσιος), which is derived from the name of the Greek goddess Nemesis. Nemesis personified righteous anger and retribution, dispensing what was due to m...

Neon Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Neon is a masculine given name of Ancient Greek origin, derived from the Greek word νέος (neos) meaning "new".Etymology and Cultural ContextThe name Neon directly draws from the Greek adjective neos, which signifies some...

Neophytos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Neophytos is an Ancient Greek male name meaning "new plant" or "new child," derived from the elements neos ("new") and phyton ("plant"). The name metaphorically symbolizes new life, growth, or a recent member of a commun...

Nereus Masculine Greek English Bible +3 Greek English Bible Greek Bible Latin Bible Ancient Greek

Nereus is a masculine name with roots in ancient Greek mythology and early Christian history. Derived from the Greek word νηρός (neros) meaning "water," the name is intimately connected to the sea.Etymology and Mythologi...

Nicander Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nicander is the Latinized form of the Greek name Nikandros. Derived from the Greek elements νίκη (nike) meaning "victory" and ἀνήρ (aner) meaning "man" (genitive ἀνδρός), the name Nikandros thus means "victory of a man"....

Nicanor Masculine Spanish English Bible +2 Spanish English Bible Latin Bible Ancient Greek

Nicanor is a masculine given name with both Spanish and biblical usage, derived from the Greek name Νικάνωρ (Nikanor). The name is composed of two Greek elements: nike, meaning “victory,” and aner, meaning “man,” thus gi...

Nicasius Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nicasius is a Latinized form of the Greek name Νικάσιος (Nikasios), which derives from the Greek word νίκη (nikē), meaning "victory." The name thus carries the meaning "victorious" or "one who brings victory."EtymologyTh...

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

Nicodemus is a name of Ancient Greek origin, appearing prominently in the Christian New Testament. It derives from Νικόδημος (Nikodemos), a compound of the Greek elements νίκη (nike) meaning “victory” and δῆμος (demos) m...

Nicolaus Masculine German Ancient Greek German Ancient Greek

Nicolaus is the Latinized form of Nicholas, derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning "victory of the people" (from Greek nike "victory" and laos "people"). It is also used as a German variant of Nikolaus.Etymology a...

Nicomachus Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nicomachus is the Latinized form of the ancient Greek name Nikomachos, derived from the elements nike meaning "victory" and mache meaning "battle" — together giving the meaning "battle of victory." The name is perhaps be...

Nicomedes Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nicomedes is the Latinized form of the Greek name Nikomedes. It is composed of the Greek elements νίκη (nike) meaning "victory" and μήδεα (medea) meaning "plans, counsel, cunning", thus translating to "victory counsel" o...

Nicostratus Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nicostratus is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek name Nikostratos, which means "army of victory" from the Greek elements nike ("victory") and stratos ("army"). The name is ultimately rooted in Indo-European linguis...

Nikandros Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nikandros is an ancient Greek masculine name meaning "victory of a man", derived from the elements νίκη (nike) "victory" and ἀνήρ (aner) "man" (genitive ἀνδρός, andros). The name reflects a common pattern in Greek onomas...

Nikanor Masculine Russian Greek Bible +1 Russian Greek Bible Ancient Greek

Nikanor is the Russian and Greek form of Nicanor, an ancient name of Macedonian and Greek origin. The name is derived from the Greek elements nike, meaning "victory", and aner, meaning "man", thus carrying the meaning "v...

Nikasios Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nikasios is the original Greek form of the Latinized name Nicasius, itself derived from the Greek verb nikáō (νικάω), meaning "to conquer" or "to win victory." The root nike (νίκη) stands for "victory," a concept deeply...

Nike Feminine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Nike is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "victory". In Greek mythology, Nike was the goddess of victory, often depicted as a winged figure accompanying Zeus and Athena in battle. The name derives from the G...

Nikephoros Unisex Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Nikephoros is a Greek masculine given name meaning "carrying victory" or "bringer of victory," derived from the elements nike (victory) and phero (to carry, to bear). In ancient Greek religion, the name was also used as...

Niketas Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Niketas is a Greek given name derived from νικητής (niketes), meaning "winner, victor," ultimately from the element nike meaning "victory." The name appears in various forms across other languages and cultures, reflectin...

Nikias Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nikias is a masculine given name of Ancient Greek origin, derived from the Greek word νίκη (nike) meaning "victory." The name is closely related to names such as Nike, the feminine form and goddess of victory, and Nikon,...