Greek Baby Names
Explore 514 greek names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
Greek names carry the weight of antiquity and the warmth of the Mediterranean. Many are mythological; many are saintly. Greek has given English more given names than any language except Hebrew.
A short history
Greek naming spans 3,000 years. The mythological names (Helena, Penelope, Theseus, Alexander) come from Homeric and classical sources. The saintly names (Georgios, Nikolaos, Katerina) come from Byzantine Christianity. The philosophical names (Sophia, Eugenia, Theophilus) draw on classical Greek virtue vocabulary.
Naming traditions
Greek families traditionally named the first grandchild on each side after the respective grandparent, producing dense family naming recurrence. Many Greek saints have specific name-days, which are celebrated rather than (or alongside) birthdays in Greek Orthodox tradition.
Sound and style
Greek names are vocalic and balanced, usually three or four syllables with stress on the penultimate. Alexander, Theodora, Elena, Nikolaos, and Sofia all demonstrate the characteristic rhythm.
Achilleas
“Pain of the people”
Achilleas is the modern Greek form of Achilles, meaning 'pain of the people.' It is a name steeped in heroic mythology, evoking the legendary warrior of the Trojan War. Despite its intense etymology, the name is celebrated for its associations with courage, strength, and extraordinary ability.
Achilles
“Pain of the people”
Achilles is the name of the greatest warrior in Greek mythology, the nearly invulnerable hero of Homer's Iliad whose wrath and valour shaped the course of the Trojan War. The meaning of the name is debated, but the most commonly cited interpretation is "pain of the people" or "he who embodies the grief of the people", from the Greek elements "achos" (pain, grief) and "laos" (people). Despite this solemn etymology, the name is overwhelmingly associated with strength, courage, and legendary prowess.
Adonis
“Lord”
Adonis is a name of Greek mythological fame meaning "lord," derived from a Semitic word for master or ruler. It has come to symbolise extraordinary beauty, youthful vitality, and the eternal cycle of nature.
Adriani
“From Hadria”
Adriani is a graceful Greek form of the name Adrian, meaning "from Hadria," an ancient town that also gave its name to the Adriatic Sea. With its flowing vowels and Mediterranean warmth, Adriani carries a sense of classical beauty and timeless charm. It offers a distinctive alternative to the more widely known Adriana or Adrienne.
Aeneas
“Praised”
Aeneas means "praised" or "praiseworthy," derived from the Greek word "ainein" meaning "to praise." The name is immortalised through the legendary Trojan hero Aeneas, who survived the fall of Troy and, according to Virgil's Aeneid, went on to become the ancestor of the Romans.
Agamemnon
“Very steadfast”
Agamemnon carries the powerful meaning of "very steadfast" or "unwavering," derived from the Greek elements "aga" (very much) and "memnon" (resolute or steadfast). This is a name that speaks to extraordinary determination and an unshakeable spirit, qualities that have resonated through thousands of years of storytelling and culture.
Agape
“Unconditional love”
Agape comes from the Greek word for the highest, most selfless form of love. In Christian theology, agape represents divine, unconditional love, distinct from romantic love (eros) or the love between friends (philia). As a name, it carries extraordinary depth of meaning, offering its bearer a lifelong connection to one of humanity's most cherished ideals.
Agapi
“Love”
Agapi is a Greek name meaning 'love,' derived from the word 'agape,' which describes the highest and most selfless form of love. In Greek philosophy and theology, agape represents unconditional, all-encompassing love, making Agapi one of the most profoundly meaningful names a parent can bestow. It is used for both boys and girls in Greek-speaking communities.
Agatha
“Good, virtuous”
Agatha is a distinguished Greek name meaning "good" or "virtuous," derived from the Greek word "agathos." It has been borne by saints, queens, and literary icons throughout history, carrying an unmistakable air of moral strength and timeless sophistication that transcends passing trends.
Agathangelos
“Good angel”
Agathangelos is a grand Greek name meaning 'good angel' or 'bearer of good news'. It is formed from the Greek words 'agathos' (good, noble) and 'angelos' (messenger, angel). The name carries profound spiritual and cultural weight, evoking the image of a divine messenger bringing tidings of goodness. It has been used in both religious and secular contexts throughout Greek history.
Agathi
“Good, noble”
Agathi is a Greek feminine name meaning "good" or "noble," derived from the ancient Greek word "agathos." It is a modern Greek form of the classical name Agatha, preserving the original meaning while reflecting contemporary Greek phonetics. The name embodies one of the most fundamental virtues prized in Greek philosophy: the concept of "the good" (to agathon), which Plato and Aristotle considered the highest aim of human life. Agathi carries both moral weight and melodic beauty, connecting its bearer to thousands of years of Hellenic thought.
Aggeliki
“Angelic one”
Aggeliki is a Greek name meaning "angelic one" or "messenger," derived from the Greek word "angelos" meaning messenger or angel. In Greek, the double 'g' produces a soft 'ng' sound, giving the name its distinctive pronunciation. Aggeliki is a beloved name in Greece, carrying connotations of grace, purity and divine communication. It is the Greek form of names like Angelica and Angelique, but with a distinctly Hellenic character that sets it apart. The name suggests someone who brings light and goodness to those around them, embodying the qualities traditionally attributed to celestial messengers.
Aglaia
“Splendour, beauty”
Aglaia is an ancient Greek name meaning "splendour," "beauty" or "radiance." In Greek mythology, Aglaia was one of the three Charites (Graces), the goddesses who personified beauty, charm and creativity. She was specifically associated with splendour, adornment and the glory of the natural world, making this name a celebration of luminous, transcendent beauty.
Aias
“Eagle”
Aias is an ancient Greek name derived from the word 'aetos,' meaning 'eagle.' In Greek mythology, Aias (often Latinised as Ajax) was one of the greatest warriors of the Trojan War, known for his immense strength and unwavering courage. The name carries connotations of power, nobility and soaring ambition, much like the eagle itself, which was considered sacred to Zeus, king of the gods.
Aikaterini
“Pure”
Aikaterini is the original Greek form of the name known in English as Catherine or Katherine. Its meaning is traditionally given as 'pure,' derived from the Greek word 'katharos.' This ancient name has been borne by saints, empresses, and scholars throughout history, and it remains the standard form used in Greece today. Aikaterini carries the full weight and beauty of its Greek origins, offering a name that is at once deeply historical and vibrantly alive in modern Greek culture.
Aischylos
“Shame”
Aischylos is an ancient Greek name meaning "shame," derived from the Greek word "aischos." While the meaning may seem unexpected by modern standards, in the ancient Greek context, names relating to shame or modesty were understood as protective, intended to ward off hubris and invite humility. The name is most famously associated with Aeschylus, the great Athenian tragedian considered the father of tragedy.
Ajax
“Eagle”
Ajax is a powerful Greek name meaning 'eagle', derived from the ancient Greek word 'aetos'. The name is most famously associated with two heroes of the Trojan War in Greek mythology, Ajax the Great and Ajax the Lesser, both celebrated for their strength and valour on the battlefield. The eagle connection gives the name connotations of majesty, keen vision, and soaring ambition, making it a bold and striking choice.
Alcibiades
“Forceful life”
Alcibiades derives from the Ancient Greek elements 'alke' meaning strength or force and 'bios' meaning life. The name therefore carries the sense of one whose life is marked by great force or vigour, a fitting description for the historical figure who bore it most famously. It belongs to a tradition of compound Greek names that combined virtues or powers to create aspirational personal names for children of the aristocracy.
Alcmene
“Strength of the moon”
Alcmene is composed of the Greek elements alke (strength, prowess) and either mene (moon) or menos (wrath, spirit), yielding a name that suggests both physical courage and an indomitable inner force. She is remembered in Greek mythology as the mother of Heracles, chosen by Zeus himself for her exceptional virtue and strength. The name therefore carries associations of heroic lineage, divine favour, and enduring resilience.
Alcyone
“Kingfisher”
Alcyone is an ancient Greek name meaning kingfisher, derived from 'alkyon', the Greek word for that brilliantly coloured bird. In Greek mythology, Alcyone was a daughter of Aeolus, god of the winds, who married Ceyx. When Ceyx drowned at sea, Alcyone was transformed into a kingfisher, and the gods calmed the winter seas for a fortnight each year so she could nest: these became known as the halcyon days. The name also belongs to the brightest star in the Pleiades star cluster, linking it to celestial beauty.
Alekos
“Defender”
Alekos is a Greek name meaning "defender," derived from the ancient Greek name Alexandros, which combines "alexein" (to defend) and "aner" (man). It is a familiar, affectionate form commonly used in Greece, carrying the same heroic connotations as its longer parent name while feeling distinctly warm and approachable.
Alethea
“Truth”
Alethea derives from the ancient Greek word aletheia, meaning truth or disclosure. In Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Heidegger who revisited classical Greek thought, aletheia represents the unconcealment or revealing of reality, something deeper than mere factual accuracy. The name was used in ancient Greece and was revived during the Renaissance and again in English literary circles. It carries an intellectual and philosophical gravitas that sets it apart from most given names.
Alexandros
“Defender of the people”
Alexandros combines the Greek words 'alexein' (to defend) and 'aner' (man, people), creating a name that speaks to protection and leadership. It carries an inherent sense of strength paired with responsibility toward others.
Alexia
“Defender, helper”
Alexia is the feminine form of Alexios, derived from the Greek verb 'alexein' meaning to defend or to help. The name shares its root with Alexander and Alexandra, all built on the same core meaning of protector or defender. Alexia is a refined and modern-feeling feminine form that has been used across Greek-speaking communities and beyond, appreciated for its elegant sound and its connection to one of the most historically significant name families in the Greek tradition. It carries the energy of strength and protectiveness in a particularly graceful form.
Alexios
“Defender”
Alexios derives from the Ancient Greek verb 'alexein', meaning to defend or to protect. It is the original Hellenistic form of Alexander-family names, carrying with it the full weight of Byzantine imperial history. The name implies strength of character and a willingness to stand between danger and those one loves.
Aliki
“form of Alice or Alexandra”
Aliki is the beloved Greek pet form of names meaning nobility or protection, most commonly used as a familiar form of Alexandra or Alice. It gained widespread recognition across Greece as a cheerful, approachable name that feels both classical in its roots and warmly contemporary in everyday use. The name evokes a spirited, generous personality and has strong cultural resonance in modern Greek society.
Amaranthi
“unfading or immortal flower”
Amaranthi is rooted in the Greek amarantos (ἀμάρανθος), composed of the negative prefix a- and maraino (to wither or fade), literally meaning that which does not wither. The amaranth flower was celebrated in ancient poetry as the emblem of immortality and was woven into garlands honouring heroes and gods. As a name, Amaranthi conveys lasting beauty, resilience, and an enduring spirit that time cannot diminish.
Amaryllis
“To sparkle”
From the ancient Greek verb 'amaryssein', meaning to sparkle or to twinkle. Amaryllis appears as a shepherdess in the pastoral poetry of Theocritus and later in Virgil's Eclogues, where she became an archetype of rustic beauty. The name was revived during the Renaissance as poets revisited classical pastoral traditions. Today it is also associated with the striking trumpet-shaped flowering plant, making it a name that conjures both literary romance and vivid botanical colour.
Amphitrite
“third one who encircles”
Amphitrite is a name steeped in the depths of ancient Greek mythology, carrying the powerful meaning of 'the third one who encircles,' a reference to the sea goddess who ruled the waters alongside Poseidon. The name evokes the boundless, encircling nature of the ocean, vast, mysterious, and eternal. It is a name of extraordinary mythological weight, suited to parents who wish to honor the classical world's reverence for the sea.
Anaitis
“immaculate or pure”
The name Anaitis reached the Greek world through contact with Persian religion, where Anahita was a major deity of water, healing, and fertility. Greek writers rendered the name as Anaitis and her cult spread through Asia Minor, becoming syncretised with Artemis and Aphrodite. As a personal name it carries connotations of purity, divine femininity, and life-giving power drawn from sacred waters.
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