Ancient Greek Names — Origins, Meanings & History

Nikodemos Masculine Greek Bible Ancient Greek Greek Bible Ancient Greek

Nikodimos is the Ancient Greek form of the name Nicodemus. The name is composed of the Greek elements nike meaning "victory" and demos meaning "the people", thus giving the overall meaning "victory of the people". This n...

Nikolaos Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Nikolaos is a Greek given name, a direct form of the name Nicholas. In Ancient Greek it is Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), derived from νίκη (nikē), meaning "victory," and λαός (laos), meaning "people," thus meaning "victory of the...

Nikomachos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nikomachos (Νικόμαχος) is an Ancient Greek masculine name, composed from νίκη (nikē) meaning "victory" and μάχη (machē) meaning "battle", thus signifying "battle of victory" or "victorious battle."Etymology and Linguisti...

Nikomedes Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nikomedes is an ancient Greek name that combines two powerful elements: nike, meaning "victory", and medea, meaning "plans, counsel, cunning". Thus, the name conveys the concept of "counsel of victory" or "victory throug...

Nikon Masculine Russian Ancient Greek Russian Ancient Greek

Nikon is a masculine given name of Ancient Greek origin, meaning "victory." It derives from the Greek word nike (νίκη), which signifies victory. The name Nikon is also a Russian given name, often used in Orthodox Christi...

Nikostrate Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nikostrate is the feminine form of Nikostratos, an Ancient Greek name. Its meaning is derived from the elements nike ('victory') and stratos ('army'), translating to 'victory of the army' or 'army of victory'. The name i...

Nikostratos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nikostratos is a masculine Ancient Greek name meaning "army of victory", derived from the Greek elements nike ("victory") and stratos ("army"). The name embodies a compound of triumph and military prowess, reflecting the...

Nilus Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Nilus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Neilos, which is also the Greek name for the Nile River. The etymology of Neilos is uncertain, but it may derive from a Semitic root meaning ">river". This connection to the...

Nympha Feminine English Bible Greek Bible +1 English Bible Greek Bible Ancient Greek

Nympha is a name of Ancient Greek origin, best known as the short form of Nymphe, meaning "bride" or "nymph" (a female nature spirit in Greek mythology). It also serves as a common Latinized form of the name. In the New...

Nymphas Masculine English Bible Greek Bible +1 English Bible Greek Bible Ancient Greek

Nymphas is a masculine name that appears in some English Bible translations, though its gender and exact form are debated. In the New Testament, a person named Nymphas (or Nympha) is briefly mentioned in Colossians 4:15,...

Nymphe Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nymphe is a feminine name of ancient Greek origin, derived from the Greek word νύμφη (nymphe) meaning "bride, nymph". In Greek mythology, nymphs were nature spirits personifying various natural elements—rivers, trees, mo...

Nymphodora Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nymphodora is a feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin. It is the feminine form of Nymphodoros, which is derived from Greek νύμφη (nymphe) meaning "bride, nymph" and δῶρον (doron) meaning "gift," thus the name trans...

Nymphodoros Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Nymphodoros is an Ancient Greek masculine name. Its etymology traces back to the word νύμφη (nymphe), meaning "bride" or "nymph," and δῶρον (doron), meaning "gift." Thus, the name Nymphodoros can be interpreted as "gift...

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

Olympas is a name appearing once in the New Testament, specifically in Romans 16:15, where Paul the Apostle sends greetings to a Roman Christian of this name. The name is considered a shortened form (or a derivative) of...

Olympias Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Olympias is the feminine form of the Greek name Olympos, itself derived from Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the gods in Greek mythology. The name was borne by several notable figures from antiquity, most famously th...

Olympiodoros Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Olympiodoros is an ancient Greek masculine name meaning "gift of Olympus," derived from Olympos, the mountain home of the Greek deities, combined with the Greek element doron ("gift"). The name thus belongs to a class of...

Olympos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Olympos is an Ancient Greek masculine personal name, derived directly from the name of the iconic mountain Olympus – the mythical home of the Olympian gods in Greek tradition. The mountain's name, whose etymology is deba...

Onesimos Masculine Greek Bible Ancient Greek Greek Bible Ancient Greek

Onesimos is the Greek form of Onesimus, derived from the Greek word onesimos meaning "beneficial" or "profitable." This name carries significant historical and religious weight due to its connection to a key figure in th...

Onesiphoros Masculine Greek Bible Ancient Greek Greek Bible Ancient Greek

Onesiphoros is the Ancient Greek form of Onesiphorus, a name derived from the Greek elements “onesis” (benefit) and “phero” (to bring), giving it the meaning “bringing advantage” or “beneficial.” The name appears in the...

Ophelia Feminine English Ancient Greek +1 English Ancient Greek Literature

Ophelia is a female given name of English, Ancient Greek, and literary origin, derived from the Greek word ὠφέλεια (ōphéleia) meaning "help, advantage." As a rare ancient Greek name, it was either rediscovered or recreat...

Origenes Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Origenes is the Greek original form of the name Origen (Ὠριγένης).EtymologyThe name likely derives from the name of the ancient Egyptian god Horus combined with the suffix γενής (genes), meaning "born of" or "son of," yi...

Pamphilos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Pamphilos is an ancient Greek masculine name derived from πᾶν (pan) meaning "all" and φίλος (philos) meaning "friend", thus literally "friend of all". The Latinized variant Pamphilus is also used historically. Etymology...

Pamphilus Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Pamphilus is a Latinized form of Pamphilos, an Ancient Greek name meaning "friend of all", derived from the Greek elements πᾶν (pan) meaning "all" and φίλος (philos) meaning "friend".Etymology and BackgroundThe name Pamp...

Pancratius Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Pancratius is a Latinized form of the Ancient Greek name Παγκράτιος (Pankratios), derived from the word παγκρατής (pankrates) meaning "all-powerful". This term itself combines the Greek elements πᾶν (pan, meaning "all")...

Pankratios Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Pankratios is the original Greek form of Pancratius. Derived from the Greek elements πᾶν (pan) 'all' and κράτος(kratos) 'power', it means 'all‑powerful'. In early Byzantine Christianity, this epithet was used as a title...

Pantaleon Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Pantaleon is an Ancient Greek masculine name that combines two powerful elements: πᾶν (pan), meaning “all” (from the genitive παντός), and λέων (leon), meaning “lion.” Thus, the name signifies “all-lion” or “wholly lion-...

Panther Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Panther is an Ancient Greek name meaning "panther." It is a rare masculine given name derived from the Greek word πάνθηρ (pánthēr), which refers to a large cat, especially a leopard or black panther. The panther carried...

Pantheras Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Pantheras is an Ancient Greek male name derived directly from the Greek word πάνθηρ (panther), meaning "panther". Linguistically, the word has a complex history: it is ultimately of Sanskrit origin, likely from pāṇḍara (...

Paramonos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Parámōnos (Παράμονος) is an ancient Greek given name derived from the noun παραμονή (paramone), meaning "endurance, constancy" or literally "standing by" or "remaining" — from the verb παραμένω (paraménō, "to stay beside...

Parmenides Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Parmenides is an Ancient Greek masculine name derived from a poetic contracted form of the Greek verb παραμένω (parameno), meaning "to stay beside," combined with the patronymic suffix -ἴδης (-ides), indicating “son of”...

Parthena Feminine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

EtymologyParthena is a feminine Greek name derived from the Greek word παρθένος (parthenos), meaning "maiden" or "virgin." The name is closely related to Parthenia, a form used in Greek mythology and literature. The elem...

Parthenios Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

EtymologyParthenios is the original Greek form of Parthenius. The name derives from the Greek word parthenos (παρθένος), meaning "maiden" or "virgin," giving Parthenios the meaning of "maidenly" or "virginal." It is a na...

Parthenius Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Parthenius is a Latinized form of the Greek name Parthenios (Παρθένιος), which derives from the Greek adjective parthenios meaning “maidenly, virginal.” The name is rooted in parthenos, the Greek word for “virgin” or “ma...

Pausanias Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Pausanias is a masculine given name of Ancient Greek origin. The name derives from the Greek word παυσανίας (pausanias), meaning "reliever of sorrow". This compound is formed from the elements παῦσις (pausis), meaning "s...

Pelagia Feminine Greek Polish +1 Greek Polish Ancient Greek

Pelagia is a feminine given name derived from the Pelagius, a Latinized form of the Ancient Greek Pelagios, which in turn comes from pelagos meaning πέλαγος ("the sea"). The name thus carries an oceanic or marine etymolo...

Pelagios Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Pelagios is the Ancient Greek form of Pelagius, a Latinized name derived from the Greek word πέλαγος (pelagos), meaning "the sea." The name thus carries connotations of the open ocean, evoking vastness and depth. In its...

Pelagius Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Pelagius is a Latinized form of the Greek name Πελάγιος (Pelagios), derived from the word πέλαγος (pelagos) meaning "the sea." This name has been borne by several saints and two popes in Christian history, but it is most...

Pericles Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Pericles is an Ancient Greek male name, meaning "far-famed" or "surrounded by glory," derived from the Greek elements περί (peri) meaning "around, exceedingly" and κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory." Written as Περικλῆς (Peri...

Perikles Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Perikles is the Ancient Greek form of the name Pericles, derived from the Greek elements περί (peri) meaning "around, exceedingly" and κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory", thus signifying "exceedingly glorious". The name is mo...

Phaedrus Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Phaedrus is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek name Phaidros (Φαῖδρος), which meant "bright" or "radiant". The name originates from the Greek adjective phaidros (φαιδρός), meaning "bright, beaming, joyful". As a mas...

Phaidros Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Phaidros is the Ancient Greek form of Phaedrus.Etymology and MeaningThe name Phaidros (Φαῖδρος) is derived from the Greek adjective phaidros, meaning "bright" or "radiant." This etymology conveys a sense of brilliance an...

Pherenike Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Pherenike is the Attic Greek form of Berenice. The name is derived from the Greek elements φέρω (phero) meaning "to bring" and νίκη (nike) meaning "victory", so the name as a whole means "bringing victory." The Macedonia...

Philadelphos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Philadelphos is an Ancient Greek masculine name derived from the elements φιλέω (phileo) "to love" and ἀδελφός (adelphos) "brother", thus meaning "lover of brothers" or "brotherly love". The name was notably used as an e...

Philadelphus Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Philadelphus is a Latinized form of the Greek name Philadelphos, derived from the elements φιλέω (phileo, “to love”) and ἀδελφός (adelphos, “brother”), meaning “brotherly love.” The name is historically associated with t...

Philandros Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Philandros is an Ancient Greek name that serves as the original form of the Latinized Philander. Composed of the elements philos meaning "friend" and aner meaning "man" (genitive andros), Philandros translates to "friend...

Phile Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Phile is a feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin. It is the feminine form of Philon (see Philo).EtymologyThe name Phile derives from Philo, which itself comes from the Greek name Φίλων (Philon), meaning "loving" or...

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

Philemon is a male given name derived from the Greek word φίλημα (philema), meaning "kiss," and signifies "affectionate." It appears in the New Testament as the recipient of one of the Apostle Paul's epistles, known as t...

Philippos Masculine Greek Bible Ancient Greek Greek Bible Ancient Greek

Philippos is the original Greek form of the name Philip, derived from the Greek elements philos meaning "friend, lover" and hippos meaning "horse", thus giving the meaning "friend of horses". It is the root from which ma...

Philippus Masculine Latin Bible Ancient Greek Latin Bible Ancient Greek

EtymologyPhilippus is the Latin form of the Greek name Philippos (Φίλιππος), which directly translates to the English name Philip. The Latin adaptation was used both in the Latin Bible (Vulgate) and historically in the R...

Philo Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Philo is a masculine given name of Ancient Greek origin, derived from the Greek name Φίλων (Philon), which comes from the Greek word φίλος meaning "lover" or "friend". The name thus conveys a sense of affection and compa...

Philokrates Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Philokrates is an Ancient Greek masculine name derived from the elements philos (φίλος, meaning "lover, friend") and kratos (κράτος, meaning "power"), thus conveying the sense of "friend of power". This compound name ref...

Philomena Feminine English German +1 English German Ancient Greek

Philomena (FIL-ə-MEE-nə) is a female given name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek Φιλουμένη (Philoumene), which means "to be loved." This is a participle form of the verb φιλέω (phileo), meaning "to love." The name...

Philon Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Philon is the Ancient Greek form of the name Philo, derived from the Greek word φίλος (philos) meaning "lover, friend."Historical FigureThe most documented bearer of this name is Philon of Athens, a 4th-century BC archit...

Philotheos Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Philotheos is an ancient Greek masculine given name meaning "friend of god," derived from the elements φίλος (philos) "lover, friend" and θεός (theos) "god." Theophoric names (containing a divine element) were especially...

Philoumene Feminine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Philoumene is the original Ancient Greek form of the name Philomena. It derives directly from the Greek verb φιλέω (phileo), meaning "to love," with the specific form φιλουμένη (Philoumene) representing a passive partici...

Phlegon Masculine Greek English Bible +2 Greek English Bible Greek Bible Ancient Greek

Phlegon is a Greek name meaning "burning," derived from the verb phlego (φλέγω), "to burn." The name appears twice in historical contexts: in Greek mythology and in the Christian New Testament. In mythology, Phlegon is o...

Phocas Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Phocas is the Latinized form of the Greek name Φωκᾶς (Phokas), derived from φώκη (phoke) meaning "seal (animal)". This ancient Greek name was borne by an early Christian saint and martyr from Asia Minor, who according to...

Phoibe Feminine Greek Greek Bible +1 Greek Greek Bible Ancient Greek

Phoibe (Φοίβη) is the Ancient Greek form of the name Phoebe, deriving from the Greek word phoibos (φοῖβος), meaning "bright, pure." In Greek mythology, Phoibe was a Titaness associated with the moon, and the name also se...

Phoibos Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Phoibos is the original Greek form of the name Phoebus, which itself is the Latinized version. In Ancient Greek mythology and language, Phoibos (Φοῖβος) means "bright" or "pure". It was primarily used as an epithet of th...

Phokas Masculine Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

Phokas is the Greek form of Phocas, which itself is a Latinized derivative of the Greek name Φωκᾶς (Phokas), meaning "seal (animal)" from φώκη (phoke). The name is most notably associated with Phocas, a Byzantine emperor...