Greek Names — Origins, Meanings & History

Bakchos Masculine Greek Greek

Bakchos is the original Greek form of Bacchus, derived from Greek Bakchos, which itself comes from iacho meaning "to shout." This name was another appellation for the Greek god Dionysos, the god of wine, revelry, fertili...

Bellerophon Masculine Greek Greek

Etymology Bellerophon is the Anglicized form of the Ancient Greek name Βελλεροφόντης (Bellerophontes), whose meaning is debated. The second element is generally agreed to come from Greek φόντης (phontes), meaning "slayer...

Bellerophontes Masculine Greek Greek

Bellerophontes is a Latinized variant of Bellerophon, the name of a celebrated hero from Greek mythology. The name itself is of ancient Greek origin, derived from the elements belos (βέλος, "dart" or "missile") and phont...

Boreas Masculine Greek Greek

EtymologyBoreas is the anglicized form of the Ancient Greek name Boréas (Βορέας), meaning "north wind" or "north." The name is directly derived from Greek mythology, where he personifies the cold north wind of winter.Gre...

Briseis Feminine Greek Greek

Briseis is a significant female figure from Greek mythology, best known as a war prize in Homer's epic poem, the Iliad. Her name is a patronymic derived from the Greek name Briseus, meaning 'daughter of Briseus,' though...

Britomartis Feminine Greek Greek

Britomartis is a name of uncertain meaning, derived from a Cretan dialect. The Roman historian Solinus interpreted it as "sweet maiden", from the elements (brit-) meaning "sweet" and (martis) meaning "maiden". However, o...

Brontes Masculine Greek Greek

Brontes is a name from Greek mythology, meaning "thunderer" in Greek. In Hesiod's Theogony, Brontes was one of the three Cyclopes, the sons of Uranus (Sky) and Gaia (Earth). The other two Cyclopes were Arges ("bright") a...

Cadmus Masculine Greek Greek

Cadmus is the Latinized form of Greek Κάδμος (Kadmos), a name of uncertain meaning. In Greek mythology, Cadmus stands as a major figure—a Phoenician prince, hero, and monster-slayer who predated Heracles. His myth intert...

Calliope Feminine Greek Greek

Calliope is a Latinized form of the Greek name Kalliope. In Greek mythology, Calliope (from Ancient Greek Καλλιόπη, meaning 'beautiful-voiced') was the Muse of epic poetry and eloquence, with a voice likened to ecstatic...

Callirrhoe Feminine Greek Greek

Etymology and MeaningCallirrhoe is a name of Greek origin, derived from the Ancient Greek name Καλλιρρόη (Kallirrhoe), which comes from the adjective καλλίρρους (kallirrhous) meaning "beautiful flowing." The name evokes...

Callisto 2 Feminine Greek Greek

Callisto is a Latinized form of Kallisto, an Ancient Greek name. It is derived from the Greek word kallistos meaning "most beautiful", a superlative of kalos ("beautiful"). In Greek mythology, Kallisto was a nymph and a...

Calypso Feminine Greek Greek

Calypso is a female name of mythological origin, ultimately from the ancient Greek name Καλυψώ (Kalypso). The name is thought to derive from the Greek verb καλύπτω (kalypto), meaning "to cover, to conceal," giv...

Carme 2 Feminine Greek Greek

Carme (Greek: Κάρμη) is a feminine name of Greek origin, Latinized from the Greek Karme, which is derived from keiro (κείρω) meaning 'to shear.' In Greek mythology, Carme was a Cretan goddess associated with the harvest,...

Cassandra Feminine English French +1 English French Greek

Cassandra is a feminine given name of Greek origin, most famously borne by a Trojan princess in Greek mythology. The name derives from the Greek Kassandra (Κασσάνδρα), which is generally interpreted as meaning "to excel,...

Cassiopea Feminine Greek Greek

Cassiopea is a variant of the name Cassiopeia, rooted in Greek mythology. The name Cassiopeia itself is the Latinized form of Greek Kassiopeia or Kassiepeia, possibly meaning "cassia juice." In Greek myth, Cassiopeia was...

Cassiopeia Feminine Greek Greek

Cassiopeia is the Latinized form of Greek Κασσιόπεια (Kassiopeia) or Κασσιέπεια (Kassiepeia), which possibly means 'cassia juice.' In Greek mythology, Cassiopeia was the wife of Cepheus and the mother of Andromeda, and s...

Castor Masculine Greek Greek

Castor is a masculine given name of Greek origin, rooted in ancient mythology and language. The name derives from the Greek Κάστωρ (Kastor), which may be connected to the verb κέκασμαι (kekasmai), meaning "to excel, to s...

Cecrops Masculine Greek Greek

Cecrops is the Latinized form of the Greek Κέκροψ (Kekrops), a name of uncertain meaning, possibly of pre-Greek origin. In Greek mythology, it is associated with two legendary kings of Athens. Kekrops I is often consider...

Céfiro Masculine Greek Greek

Céfiro is the Spanish form of Zephyr, derived from the Greek Ζέφυρος (Zephyros), meaning "west wind." In Greek mythology, Zephyros was the god of the west wind, associated with the gentle, spring-like breeze that brought...

Celaeno Feminine Greek Greek

Celaeno is a Latinized form of Kelaino, a name derived from the Greek adjective kelainos (κελαινός), meaning "black," "dark," or "murky." In Greek mythology, Celaeno (also spelled Celeno or Kelaino) is the name of severa...

Cephalus Masculine Greek Greek

Cephalus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Κέφαλος (Kephalos), which derives from κεφαλή (kephale) meaning "head". In Greek mythology, Cephalus is a hero-figure with two distinct traditions: one as the son of Herme...

Cepheus Masculine Greek Greek

Cepheus is the Latinized form of the Greek Κηφεύς (Kepheus), a name of unknown meaning. In Greek mythology, Cepheus was a king of Ethiopia (or Eritrea, according to some sources) and the husband of the queen Cassiopeia....

Cerberus Masculine Greek Greek

Cerberus is a Latinized form of the Greek Κέρβερος (Kerberos), derived from a possible Indo-European root meaning "spotted" or "dappled". In Greek myth, Cerberus was the fearsome three-headed dog of Hades, tasked with gu...

Chalcis Feminine Greek Greek

Chalcis is the Latinized form of the Greek name Chalkis. This feminine name is rooted in ancient Greek mythology and geography.Etymology and Mythological OriginThe name derives from the Greek word χαλκός (chalkos), meani...

Chalkis Feminine Greek Greek

Chalkis is a feminine name of ancient Greek origin, directly borrowed from the city of Chalkis (modern Chalkida) on the island of Euboea. The name is derived from Greek χαλκός (chalkos), meaning "copper" or "bronze". Acc...

Charon Masculine Greek Greek

Charon (also spelled Kharon) is a name of Greek origin, most famously borne in mythology by the ferryman of the underworld. The meaning of the name Charon is uncertain; it possibly means "fierce brightness" in Greek, tho...

Cheiron Masculine Greek Greek

Cheiron is a variant Romanization of Chiron, the wise centaur of Greek mythology. The name derives from the Greek word cheir (χείρ), meaning "hand," reflecting Chiron's skill and craftsmanship. In Greek lore, Chiron was...

Chione Feminine Greek Greek

Chione is a feminine name of Boreas. It derives from the Greek χιών (chion), meaning "snow". In Greek mythology, Chione appears as a daughter of Boreas, the north wind. Another figure by this name is the daughter of the...

Chiron Masculine Greek Greek

Chiron is a name derived from Greek Χείρων (Cheiron), which is itself derived from χείρ (cheir) meaning "hand". In Greek mythology, Chiron (also spelled Cheiron or Kheiron) is the most famous and respected of the centaur...

Chloe Feminine English Greek +4 English Greek English Bible Greek Bible Latin Bible +1

Chloe is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "green shoot" (from Greek χλόη, referring to new plant growth in spring). It was used as an epithet of the Greek goddess Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and fer...

Chloris Feminine Greek Greek

Chloris is a name from mythology and ancient Greek culture, derived from the Greek word χλωρός (chloros) meaning "pale green". This etymology evokes the fresh, green hues of vegetation, and true to its meaning, Chloris w...

Chronos Masculine Greek Greek

Chronos (also spelled Chronus) is the Greek personification of time. His name is derived directly from the Greek word χρόνος (chronos), meaning "time." In Greek mythology, Chronos is depicted as an old, bearded man, wiel...

Chryse Feminine Greek Greek

Chryse is a Greek feminine name meaning "golden," derived from the Greek word chrysos (χρυσός). In Greek mythology, Chryse is the name of several figures, notably the mother of Phlegyas by the war god Ares. The name also...

Chryseis Feminine Greek Greek

Chryseis is a name of Greek origin, best known as a character in Homer's Iliad. The name is a patronymic derived from her father Chryses, meaning "Chryses' daughter" in ancient Greek. Chryses, in turn, comes from the Gre...

Chryses Masculine Greek Greek

Chryses is a name from Greek mythology, derived from the Greek χρύσεος (chryseos), meaning "golden." This etymology reflects a common theme in Greek naming, where precious metals often denote value, beauty, or divine fav...

Chthonia Feminine Greek Greek

Chthonia is a feminine name of Greek origin, derived from χθών (chthon), meaning "earth, ground, soil." As a name, it signifies "of the earth" or "subterranean," reflecting its connection to the chthonic, or underworld,...

Circe Feminine Greek Greek

Circe is the Latinized form of the Greek name Κίρκη (Kirke), possibly derived from the Greek word κίρκος (kirkos) meaning "hawk". In Greek mythology, Circe was a sorceress renowned for her vast knowledge of potions and h...

Cleone Feminine Greek Greek

Cleone is a Latinized form of the Greek name Κλεώνη (Kleone), which is ultimately derived from the Greek word κλέος (kleos), meaning "glory". This name belongs to a naiad—a type of freshwater nymph—in Greek mythology, ad...

Clio Feminine Italian Greek Italian Greek

Clio is the Latinized form of the Greek name Kleio, which derives from the Greek root κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory." In Greek mythology, Clio is one of the nine Muses, specifically the muse of history and heroic poetry....

Clotho Feminine Greek Greek

Clotho is the Latinized form of Klotho, a name meaning "spinner" in Greek. In Greek mythology, Clotho was one of the three Fates, or Moirai, who controlled human destiny. She was responsible for spinning the thread of li...

Clymene Feminine Greek Greek

Clymene (also spelled Klymene) is a feminine name of Greek origin. It derives from Ancient Greek Κλυμένη (Klymene), which in turn comes from κλύμενος (klymenos), a word meaning "famous" or "renowned." The name thus carri...

Clytaemnestra Feminine Greek Greek

Clytaemnestra is a variant of Clytemnestra, the Latinized form of the Greek name Klytaimnestra or Klytaimestra. This name belongs to one of the most complex and infamous figures in Greek mythology: Clytemnestra, the wife...

Clytemnestra Feminine Greek Greek

Clytemnestra is a Latinized form of the Greek name Klytaimnestra (Κλυταιμνήστρα) or Klytaimestra (Κλυταιμήστρα). The first element derives from klytos (κλυτός), meaning "famous, noble." The second element is debated: if...

Clytia Feminine Greek Greek

Clytia is a Latinized form of Klytië. Etymology and Mythological Origin The name derives from the Greek κλυτός (klytos), meaning "famous, noble." In Greek mythology, Klytië (the original Greek form) was an Oceanid nymph...

Clytius Masculine Greek Greek

Clytius is the Latinized form of Klytios, a name derived from the Greek κλυτός (klytos) meaning "famous, noble". In Greek mythology, this name is borne by several minor characters, most notably a Giant slain by Hecate du...

Coeus Masculine Greek Greek

Coeus is the Latinized form of Koios, a name borne by a Titan god of intelligence in Greek mythology. The name Koios is of uncertain etymology, possibly derived from the Greek κοῖος (koios) or ποῖος (poios), a questionin...

Cora Feminine English German +1 English German Greek

Cora is a feminine given name with multiple origins, most commonly viewed as a Latinized form of Kore, an epithet of the Greek goddess Persephone meaning "maiden" or "daughter." It was popularized in the English-speaking...

Coronis Feminine Greek Greek

Coronis is the Latinized form of Koronis, a name derived from the Greek word κορώνη meaning "crow". In Greek mythology, there are several figures named Koronis, but the most famous is a lover of Apollo who became the mot...

Creon Masculine Greek Greek

Creon is a name derived from the Ancient Greek Κρέων (Kreon), meaning "king". It is most famously borne in Greek mythology as the king of Thebes, appearing prominently in the legends surrounding Oedipus and his daughter...

Creusa Feminine Portuguese Greek Portuguese Greek

EtymologyCreusa is the Latinized form of the Greek name Κρέουσα (Kreousa), which means "princess" — derived from κρείων (kreion) meaning "king, lord." The name appears primarily in Greek mythology, where it was borne by...

Crius Masculine Greek Greek

Crius is the Latinized form of Kreios, a name belonging to a Titan in Greek mythology. The root name Kreios is possibly derived from either Greek κρείων (kreion) meaning "lord, master" or κριός (krios) meaning "ram, male...

Cronus Masculine Greek Greek

Cronus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Κρόνος (Kronos), derived from the Indo-European root *(s)ker- meaning "to cut." In ancient Greek mythology, Cronus was the youngest and most powerful of the Titans, the prim...

Cynthia Feminine Dutch English +2 Dutch English French Greek

Etymology and OriginsCynthia is a feminine given name with roots in Greek mythology. It is the Latinized form of the Greek Kynthia (Κυνθία), meaning "woman from Cynthus". Mount Cynthus on the island of Delos was the sacr...

Cyrene Feminine Greek Greek

Cyrene is the Latinized form of the Greek Κυρήνη (Kyrene), the name of a prominent Hellenic city in ancient Libya. The city's name likely derives from a nearby spring called Κύρη (Kyre), though earlier associations linke...

Cytherea Feminine Greek Greek

Cytherea is a Latinized form of the Greek Kythereia (Κυθέρεια), meaning "woman from Cythera." This name was an epithet of the goddess Aphrodite, who, according to some Greek legends, was born on the island of Cythera (mo...

Daedalus Masculine Greek Greek

Daedalus is the Latinized form of the Greek Δαίδαλος (Daidalos), derived from δαιδάλλω (daidallo), meaning "to work cunningly". The name evokes the legendary Athenian craftsman of Greek mythology, celebrated for his inge...

Daeira Feminine Greek Greek

Daeira (also spelled Daira) is a figure from Greek mythology whose name means "the knowing one," derived from the Greek verb daô (to learn, to know, to teach). This etymology reflects her role as a divinity associated wi...

Daidalos Masculine Greek Greek

Daidalos (Δαίδαλος) is the Greek form of Daedalus, a name deeply rooted in Greek mythology. It derives from the Greek verb δαιδάλλω (daidallo), meaning "to work cunningly" or "to craft skillfully." This etymology undersc...

Damocles Masculine Greek Greek

Damocles is a Latinized form of the Greek name Δαμοκλῆς (Damokles), derived from the Doric Greek word δᾶμος (damos) meaning "the people" (a variant of δῆμος or demos) and κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory." The name thus carr...

Damokles Masculine Greek Greek

Damokles is the Greek form of Damocles, a name immortalized through the ancient moral parable known as the “Sword of Damocles.” The name itself is derived from the Doric Greek elements δᾶμος (damos) meaning “the people”...