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129 Greek Names and Meanings
Thinking of giving your baby a Greek first name? Here are some Greek girl names and Greek boy names with timeless meanings and deep historical ties.
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Updated: May 13, 2025
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Up until the 18th century, almost all Christian Greeks were named after Orthodox saints. Since then, many Greek first names have been heavily influenced by Christian values and the Bible, but also Greek mythology and the rich history and culture of Greece. In fact, many Greek names were popularized throughout Europe via works of Greek literature.
Ancient Greek mythology shares many of the same characters as Roman mythology. Greek mythology, however, predates the Roman version by approximately one thousand years. Even so, there was some crossover between traditions and names, and some of the Latin names are still popular in Greece today. Greece has strong naming traditions, naming the first son after the paternal grandfather and the second after the maternal grandfather, which is why so many classic Greek names have remained so popular for so long.
Greek Girl Names
Greek mythology and literature are intertwined, but not all characters from the tales and myths were gods and goddesses. Many Greek namesakes stem from tales and literature, chief among them The Odyessy. Many of these ancient names are quite popular today in English-speaking cultures and around the world.
- Athena - Patron of Athens, from The Odyssey
- Calliope - Greek muse of poetry
- Cassandra - Daughter of Troy's king and queen
- Circe - Sorceress from The Odyssey
- Helen - Great beauty from Homer’s Odyssey
- Penelope - Wife of Odysseus in the famed Trojan tale of The Odyssey
- Acantha - Thorn, prickle
- Alethea - Truth
- Andromeda - Princess in Greek mythology
- Anthea - Flower, blossom
- Arete - Excellence, virtue
- Berenice - Bringer of victory
- Calista - Most beautiful
- Charis - Grace, kindness
- Clytemnestra - Queen in Greek mythology
- Delia - Greek island Delos
- Eirene - Goddess of peace
- Electra - Amber, shining
- Eudora - Good gift
- Ianthe - Violet flower
- Ismene - Knowledge
- Leda - Queen, mother of Helen of Troy
- Lyra - Lyre, musical instrument
- Nyx - Primordial goddess of the night
- Pallas - Wisdom, as in Pallas Athena
- Thalia - Blooming, flourishing
- Xanthe - Yellow, blonde
- Zoe - Life
Greek Boy Names
There is no doubt that Greek mythology and its gods have survived and thrived over thousands of years and are prevalent in cultures worldwide. Ancient Greek characters have even made it as far as Disney World with the 90s movie Hercules! Here are some of our favorite Greek names for boys.
- Adonis - Beauty
- Hector - Mighty fighter
- Jason - Healer
- Paris - Prince of Troy
- Achilles - Strength and bravery
- Aeneas - Trojan hero
- Alcaeus - Strength
- Ariston - Excellence
- Cleon - Renowned
- Damocles - Sword of Damocles
- Dionysus - God of wine
- Evander - Good man
- Galen - Calm, healer
- Lysander - Liberator
- Melanthios - Dark flower
- Myron - Fragrant oil
- Nico - Victory of the people
- Orestes - Mountain dweller
- Patroclus - Companion of Achilles
- Perseus - Slayer of Medusa
- Phaedrus - Bright
- Philemon - Loving
- Soterios - Savior
- Stephanus - Crowned
- Tychon - Fortune
- Xenophon - Foreign voice
- Zeno - Gift of Zeus
Greek Mythology Boy Names
Is your little boy the perfect child for a Greek god name?
- Apollo - Greek god of music, poetry, and the sun
- Alexander - Defender of man
- Ajax - Eagle, from the Greek word aiastes
- Demetrius - Masculine form of Demeter, goddess of the harvest
- Helios - Sun god
- Hercules - Son of Zeus, the strongest man on earth
- Hermes - Messenger of the gods
- Orpheus - Mythological musician
- Triton - Son of Poseidon, messenger of the sea
- Zeus - Main god of Olympus, famous for thunder and lightning
Greek Mythology Girl Names
You might have a little Iris or Artemis on your hands!
- Ambrosia - Immortal
- Aphrodite - Goddess of love
- Artemis - Greek goddess of the hunt, also a unisex name
- Artemis - Goddess of the hunt
- Chloe - Spring and growth, alternative name for Demeter
- Hera - Zeus’ wife
- Icarus - Mythological figure, can be used as a unisex choice
- Iris - Rainbow, goddess of rainbows
- Isidoros - Gift of Isis
- Phaedra - Bright, shining
- Phoebe - Light
- Selena - Moon, heavenly
- Selene - The Ancient Greek goddess of the moon
Ancient Greek Names for Boys and Girls
Ancient Greece had many heroes and heroines, some real and some from mythology. As a result, Greek culture has inspired many monikers that are still popular names today.
- Aion - Eternal
- Alexios - Helper, defender
- Alexis - Feminine form of Alexander; also Alexandria, Alexandra
- Andreas - Manly, strong
- Athanasios - Immortal
- Basil - King
- Cleo - Glory
- Dorian - Of the Dorian people, gift
- Elpis - Hope
- Eugene - Well-born
- Galatea - Milk-white
- Io - Mythological priestess of Hera
- Kallisto - Most beautiful
- Kyrie - Lord, master
- Leander - Lion-man
- Minos - King of Crete
- Nerissa - Of the sea
- Nikos - Victory of the people
- Panos - All-holy
- Philip - Lover of horses
- Phoenix - Mythical bird, rebirth
- Roxane - Dawn, one of Alexander the Great’s wives
- Solon - Wisdom, knowledge
- Sousanna - Lily, Greek version of Shoshanna
- Stavros - Cross
- Stephanie - Crown, victorious
- Thales - To blossom
- Theon - Godly
- Theron - Hunter
- Urania - Heavenly, muse of astronomy
- Zephyr - West wind
- Zina - Hospitality
Greek Names Inspired by Christianity
Christianity first came to Greece in 51 A.D. when St. Paul. Over the years, it took hold and became a strong influence throughout the country. By the end of the 4th century A.D., it was considered the official religion. The Greek Orthodox church still exists today, and many popular baby names stem from the church.
- Agape - Love, the highest form of love
- Agatha - Good and honorable
- Andrew - One of the original twelve disciples
- Christos - To anoint, alternative to Christopher
- Constantine - The emperor who Christianized Rome
- Daphne - Laurel tree
- Dorothy - Gift of God
- Gregorious - Watchful and vigilant, alternate versions include Gregory and Georgios
- Konstandia - Saint, the feminine Greek form of Constantine
- Nikolaos - St. Nicholas, a 4th-century saint
Famous Greek Names (With English Translations)
Greek names carry with them a rich historical and cultural significance, often encapsulating unique stories, qualities, and virtues. Some of the names below might be recognizable as popular Greek first names stemming from history, each with its own distinct meaning and heritage.
- Alexander - Meaning "defender of the people", Alexander has been a powerful name throughout history, most notably borne by Alexander the Great, the legendary Greek king and military leader
- Diotama - Reflecting ancient Greek philosophy, Diotama means "inspired by Zeus". It's a name that implies divine inspiration and wisdom, honoring the king of the Greek gods
- Drakos - Originating from the Greek word for "dragon", Drakos is a name that conveys power, fierceness, and mystery. It's a name that embodies strength and the mythical aura of dragons
- Elena - Derived from the name Helen, Elena means "shining light" or "the bright one". It's a name that evokes beauty and brightness, much like the mythological Helen of Troy
- Madalena - A variant of Magdalene, meaning "from Magdala", Madalena has been embraced in Greek culture. It's a name with biblical roots, signifying someone who comes from the village of Magdala, known for its beauty and grandeur
- Maria - Though used widely across different cultures, Maria has deep roots in Greek history, meaning "beloved" or "love". It's a timeless name that signifies deep affection and care
- Nikolas - Meaning "victory of the people" or "victorious people", Nikolas is a name that encapsulates strength and success. It is often shortened to Niko
- Sebastian - Though not originally Greek, Sebastian is widely loved in Greece, meaning "venerable" or "revered". It suggests someone worthy of respect and honor
- Sophia - This beautiful name means "wisdom" in Greek. It has been a popular name for centuries, reflecting the value placed on wisdom in Greek culture
Going Greek (With Names)!
Greek names have built-in connections with thousands of years of stories, tradition, and influential figures. And if you choose to give your child a Greek name, then it’s like giving them a little piece of ancient history that they can carry with them forever. Happy naming!
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