Greek Names — Origins, Meanings & History

Acantha Feminine Greek Greek

Acantha is a Latinized form of the Greek name Ἄκανθα (Akantha), meaning "thorn, prickle." In Greek mythology, she is a minor figure, often described as a nymph loved by the god Apollo. According to a later tradition, Aca...

Acheloios Masculine Greek Greek

Etymology and Origin Acheloios is the Ancient Greek form of Achelous, the name of the Greek river god associated with the Achelous River in western Greece. The etymology of the name is uncertain, but it is considered by...

Achelous Masculine Greek Greek

Achelous (also Acheloos or Acheloios; Ancient Greek: Ἀχελώϊος, later Ἀχελῷος) is a name derived from the Greek god of the same name, who was the personification of the Achelous River, the largest river in Greece. The ety...

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'...

Achlys Feminine Greek Greek

Achlys (Ancient Greek: Ἀχλύς) is a Greek female name meaning "mist, darkness." In Greek mythology, according to a poem by Hesiod, Achlys was one of the figures portrayed on the shield of the hero Heracles. She is describ...

Actaea Feminine Greek Greek

Actaea is a Latinized feminine given name of Greek origin. It derives from the Greek Ἀκταίη (Aktaie) or Ἀκταία (Aktaia), which are themselves derived from the word ἀκτή (akte) meaning "shore, headland". In classical myth...

Actaeon Masculine Greek Greek

Actaeon is a Latinized form of the Greek name Ἀκταίων (Aktaion), which possibly derives from ἀκταῖος (aktaios) meaning "on the coast, on the shore" or from ἀκτίς (aktis) meaning "ray, beam." The name belongs to a tragic...

Actor Masculine Greek Greek

Actor is the Latinized form of Greek Ἄκτωρ (Aktor), meaning "leader." It derives from the Greek verb ἄγω (ago), meaning "to lead." This name appears in Greek mythology for several characters, including one of the Argonau...

Admetos Masculine Greek Greek

Admetos is the Greek form of Admetus, a name derived from the Greek word admetos meaning "unconquered, untamed." This poetic form of adamastos ("untamed") reflects strength and resilience. In Greek mythology, Admetos was...

Admetus Masculine Greek Greek

Admetus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ἄδμητος (Admetos), meaning "unconquered, untamed" — a poetic variant of ἀδάμαστος (adamastos). In Greek mythology, Admetus was the king of Pherae in Thessaly, known for his...

Adonis Masculine Greek Greek

Adonis is a masculine given name of Greek origin, derived from the Phoenician word ʾadon meaning "lord, master." In Greek mythology, Adonis was a strikingly handsome young shepherd who became the mortal lover of the godd...

Adrastea Feminine Greek Greek

Adrastea is a Latinized form of the Greek name Adrasteia, which itself derives from Adrastos, meaning "not inclined to run away" in Greek. The name is composed of the negative prefix ἀ (a) and διδράσκω (didrasko) meaning...

Adrasteia Feminine Greek Greek

Adrasteia is a feminine name of Greek origin, derived from the masculine Adrastos. In Greek mythology, Adrasteia was a nymph who fostered the infant Zeus, hiding him from his father Cronus. She was also identified with t...

Adrastos Masculine Greek Greek

Adrastos is a Greek masculine name derived from the negative prefix ἀ (a) and the verb διδράσκω (didrasko) meaning "to run away," thus signifying "not inclined to run away" or "the inescapable." This name is most famousl...

Aegeus Masculine Greek Greek

Aegeus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Αἰγεύς (Aigeus), which is probably derived from the Greek word αἴξ (aix) meaning "goat" (genitive αἰγός). The plural αἶγες (aiges) also means "waves," a dual meaning that ma...

Aegisthus Masculine Greek Greek

Aegisthus is a figure from Greek mythology, best known as the lover of Clytemnestra and the murderer of Agamemnon. The name is a Latinized form of the Greek Αἴγισθος (Aigisthos), which is derived from αἰγός (aigos), mean...

Aegle Feminine Greek Greek

Aegle is the Latinized form of the Greek name Αἴγλη (Aigle), meaning "light, radiance, glory." In Greek mythology, this name was borne by several figures, including one of the Heliades—the daughters of the sun god Helios...

Aegyptus Masculine Greek Greek

Aegyptus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Αἴγυπτος (Aigyptos), which is ultimately derived from the place name Egypt. In Greek mythology, Aegyptus was a legendary king of ancient Egypt, the twin brother of Danaus,...

Aella Feminine Greek Greek

Aella is a feminine given name of ancient Greek origin. The name derives from the Greek word ἄελλα (aella), meaning "whirlwind". In Greek mythology, Aella was the name of an Amazon warrior who fought against Heracles dur...

Aeolus Masculine Greek Greek

Aeolus is a Latinized form of Aiolos, a Greek name meaning "quick-moving, nimble." In Greek mythology, Aeolus is a name shared by three distinct figures, all connected to the winds or Aeolian lineage. The most famous is...

Aesculapius Masculine Greek Greek

Aesculapius is the Latinized form of the Greek name Asklepios, the god of medicine and healing in ancient mythology. The original Greek name Ἀσκληπιός (Asklēpiós) has an uncertain etymology, but Aesculapius became the st...

Aeson Masculine Greek Greek

Aeson is a name from Greek mythology, borne by the king of Iolcus in Thessaly and the father of the hero Jason. Derived from the Ancient Greek Αἰσών (Aison), the name's meaning remains uncertain. In legend, Aeson was a m...

Aether Masculine Greek Greek

Aether is a name deeply rooted in ancient Greek cosmology and mythology. It is the Latinized form of the Greek Αἰθήρ (Aither), which means "bright upper sky" or "ether, heaven". The word derives from the verb αἴθω (aitho...

Afina Feminine Greek Greek

Afina is a Russian and Ukrainian form of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, and craft. The name appears in cultures that adopted the goddess through Orthodox Christian tradition, often as a given name rather t...

Afrodita Feminine Greek Greek

Afrodita is the Spanish and Russian form of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. This name crosses linguistic boundaries, appearing in Spanish-speaking countries and in Russia, often with the same mythologica...

Afrodite Feminine Greek Greek

Afrodite is the Italian and Portuguese form of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty. The name itself, while ultimately derived from Aphrodite, has seen occasional usage in Italy and Portuguese-speaking...

Agamemnon Masculine Greek Greek Greek Greek

Agamemnon is a name of Greek origin that carries the meaning "very steadfast" or "resolute," derived from the elements ἄγαν ('very much') and μένω ('to stay, stand fast'). In Greek mythology, he was the king of Mycenae (...

Agaue Feminine Greek Greek

Agaue (Ἀγαύη) is a female name of Greek origin meaning "illustrious, noble" or "high-born". In classical mythology, the name was borne by several figures, including a Nereid, a Danaid, an Amazon, and most notably the dau...

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...

Agelaus Masculine Greek Greek

Agelaus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Agelaos. The name derives from the Greek elements ἄγω (ago) meaning "to lead" and λαός (laos) meaning "people," thus signifying "leader of the people." An alternative etymo...

Agenor Masculine Portuguese Greek Portuguese Greek

Agenor is a masculine name of Ancient Greek origin, predominantly used in Greek and Portuguese contexts. Derived from the poetic Greek word ἀγήνωρ (agenor), meaning “very manly, heroic,” the name combines the intensifier...

Aglaea Feminine Greek Greek

Aglaea is the Latinized form of Aglaia, a name derived from the Greek word aglaia meaning “splendor, beauty” or “glory.” In Greek mythology, Aglaea was one of the three Graces (Charites), goddesses of charm, beauty, and...

Aglaia Feminine Greek Greek Greek Greek

Aglaia is a feminine given name derived from the ancient Greek word meaning "splendour, beauty". This name originates from Greek mythology, where Aglaia was one of the Three Graces, or Χάριτες (Charites), who were goddes...

Aias Masculine Greek Greek

Aias (Αἴας) is the original Greek form of the name Ajax, borne by two mythological heroes of the Trojan War. The etymology is uncertain: it may derive from Greek αἰαστής (aiastes) meaning “mourner” or from αἶα (aia) mean...

Aigeus Masculine Greek Greek

Aigeus is the original Greek spelling of the name more commonly Latinized as Aegeus. In Greek mythology, Aegeus was a legendary king of Athens, best known as the father of the hero Theseus. The name is probably derived f...

Aigisthos Masculine Greek Greek

Aigisthos is the Greek form of Aegisthus. The name originates from the Ancient Greek Αἴγισθος, which is derived from αἰγός, the genitive of αἴξ meaning "goat". Thus, the name carries the literal meaning "of a goat".Mytho...

Aigle Feminine Greek Greek

Aigle is a name of Greek origin, the Greek form of Aegle. The name derives from the Greek word αἴγλη (aigle), meaning "light", "radiance", or "glory". In Greek mythology, Aigle appears as a mortal princess or nymph assoc...

Aigyptos Masculine Greek Greek

Etymology Aigyptos is the original Greek form of the Latinized name Aegyptus, which in turn is derived from the place name Egypt. The name may relate to the Greek words for "burnt-face," reflecting perhaps the sun-scorch...

Aineias Masculine Greek Greek

Aineias (Αἰνείας) is the Ancient Greek form of the Latinized name Aeneas. It derives from the Greek word αἴνη (aine), meaning "praise," suggesting a poetic and honorific origin. In Greek mythology, Aineias was a Trojan h...

Aiolos Masculine Greek Greek

Aiolos (also known as Aeolus) is a Greek divine name meaning "quick-moving, nimble" (αἰόλος). This name is primarily recognized in Greek mythology as that of the god of the winds, a role famously assigned to the third Ae...

Aison Masculine Greek Greek

Aison is the Greek form of Aeson, a name of uncertain meaning from Greek mythology. Aeson is best known as the father of the hero Jason, who led the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece.EtymologyThe name Aeson (Αἴσων...

Aither Masculine Greek Greek

Aither is the Greek form of the name Aether, derived from the Greek word αἴθω (aitho), meaning "to burn, to ignite." In Greek mythology, Aither was the primordial deity representing the upper sky, light, and aether—the s...

Ajax Masculine Greek Greek

EtymologyAjax is the Latinized form of the Greek name Αἴας (Aias). The name's etymology is uncertain, but it may derive from αἰαστής (aiastes) meaning "mourner" or from αἶα (aia) meaning "earth, land." In Greek mythology...

Akantha Feminine Greek Greek

Akantha is the Greek form of Acantha. The name is derived from the Greek word akantha (ἄκανθα) meaning "thorn" or "prickle," referring to the spiny nature of the acanthus plant. In Greek mythology, Akantha was a nymph lo...

Aktaie Feminine Greek Greek

Aktaie is the Greek form of the name Actaea. Actaea itself is a Latinized form of the Greek Aktaie (Ἀκταίη) or Aktaia (Ἀκταία), derived from the Greek word aktē (ἀκτή) meaning "shore" or "headland". This name is rooted i...

Aktaion Masculine Greek Greek

Aktaion is the Greek form of Actaeon, a name rooted in Greek mythology. The name is derived from the Greek adjective aktaios, meaning "on the coast, on the shore" or the noun aktis, meaning "ray, beam." While Aktaion is...

Aktor Masculine Greek Greek

Aktor is the Greek form of Actor. The name derives from the Greek verb ἄγω (ago), meaning "to lead," and thus carries the sense of "leader" or "guide." In Greek mythology, numerous characters bear this name, including a...

Alastor Masculine Greek Greek

Alastor is a name derived from the Greek word alastor (Ἀλάστωρ), meaning "avenger". In Greek mythology, it was used as an epithet of Zeus, emphasizing his role as the punisher of evil deeds, particularly familial bloodsh...

Alcestis Feminine Greek Greek

Alcestis is the Latinized form of Greek Ἄλκηστις (Alkestis), derived from the Greek word ἀλκηστής (alkestes), meaning “brave, valiant.” This, in turn, comes from ἀλκή (alke), meaning “strength, prowess.” In Greek mytholo...

Alcides Masculine Portuguese Spanish +1 Portuguese Spanish Greek

Alcides is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ἀλκείδης (Alkeides), which was an alternative name for the great hero Heracles. The name combines the Greek element ἀλκή (alke) meaning “strength, prowess” with the patrony...

Alcinous Masculine Greek Greek

Alcinous is the Latinized form of Alkinoos, a Greek name meaning "strong mind" from elements ἀλκή (alke) "strength, prowess" and νόος (noos) "mind, thought". In Greek mythology, Alcinous is a prominent figure as the king...

Alcippe Feminine Greek Greek

Alcippe is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ἀλκίππη (Alkippe), derived from the elements ἀλκή (alke) meaning "strength, prowess" and ἵππος (hippos) meaning "horse." The name thus translates to "strong horse" or "migh...

Alcmene Feminine Greek Greek

EtymologyAlcmene (or Alcmena) is a name of Greek origin, derived from the Ancient Greek Ἀλκμήνη (Alkmḗnē). It is composed of two elements: alke meaning "strength, prowess" and mene meaning "moon" or menis meaning "wrath....

Alcyone Feminine Greek Greek

Etymology Alcyone is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ἀλκυόνη (Alkyone), derived from the word ἀλκυών (alkyon), meaning "kingfisher". The origin of alkyon itself is uncertain; it is considered to be of pre-Greek, non...

Alecto Feminine Greek Greek

Alecto is a feminine name derived from Greek mythology, Latinized from the Greek Ἀληκτώ (Alekto), which comes from ἄληκτος (alektos) meaning "unceasing". In classical mythology, Alecto is one of the three Erinyes (Furies...

Alekto Feminine Greek Greek

EtymologyAlekto is the Greek form of Alecto, which is a Latinized rendering of the Greek Ἀληκτώ (Alektō). This name derives from the Greek adjective ἄληκτος (alektos), meaning "unceasing" or "relentless." In Greek mythol...

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...