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.
Methodia
“Feminine form of Methodios”
Methodia is the feminine variant of the revered name Methodios, combining the Greek prefix 'meta' (after, along) and 'hodos' (path, way), yielding the sense of following a path or pursuing a goal with deliberate method. The name is especially celebrated in Slavic Orthodox Christianity through Saints Cyril and Methodios, who created the Glagolitic alphabet and brought literacy to Slavic peoples. As a feminine form, Methodia honors this legacy of scholarly devotion and missionary purpose.
Methodios
“From the Greek for 'pursuit along a path”
Methodios combines the Greek elements 'meta' (along, after) and 'hodos' (road, path), meaning one who pursues a goal along a definite path, or one who proceeds with system and method. The name became one of the most celebrated in Christian history through Saint Methodios of Thessaloniki, who with his brother Cyril created a writing system for Slavic peoples and brought the Christian faith to vast regions of Eastern Europe. It is a name that carries connotations of intellectual rigor, missionary zeal, and transformative purpose.
Michail
“Who is like God”
Michail is the Greek form of Michael, derived from the Hebrew question 'Mi ka'el', meaning 'Who is like God?'. The name is a rhetorical expression of humility before the divine, traditionally associated with the Archangel Michael. It carries a sense of strength, protection and spiritual devotion.
Michalis
“Who is like God”
Michalis is the common spoken form of Michail, the Greek equivalent of Michael. The name poses a rhetorical question, 'Who is like God?', implying that no one can compare to the divine. It is borne by the archangel Michael in Judeo-Christian tradition, the warrior angel who leads the heavenly armies. In Greece, Michalis is one of the most enduring and beloved masculine names, found across generations and regions.
Mikis
“Michail or Nikolaos”
Mikis is a typically Greek affectionate short form of Michail (Michael) or occasionally Nikolaos, used as a given name in its own right across the 20th century. The name carries the informal warmth characteristic of Greek diminutives, suggesting a person who is accessible and loved. Its most celebrated bearer, the composer Mikis Theodorakis, made the name synonymous with Greek artistic genius and political passion.
Miltiades
“Red earth”
Miltiades is an ancient Greek name derived from 'miltos', meaning red ochre or red earth, a pigment of great commercial and artistic importance in the ancient Mediterranean world. The name is inseparably linked to Miltiades the Elder and his son Miltiades the Younger, the Athenian general who led the Greeks to their celebrated victory over the Persian army at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. It carries the weight of one of history's most decisive military triumphs.
Miltiadis
“Of red earth”
Miltiadis is the modern Greek form of the ancient name Miltiades, believed to derive from 'miltos,' the Greek word for red ochre or red earth, a mineral pigment with both practical and sacred uses in antiquity. The name was borne by one of the most celebrated generals of the ancient world, the Athenian commander who defeated the Persian army at Marathon in 490 BC. Choosing this name today is an act of connection to the heroic age of Athenian democracy.
Miltos
“Red earth”
Miltos derives from the Greek word 'miltos', meaning red earth or red ochre, the natural pigment used in ancient Greece for painting ships, marking boundaries, and athletic rituals. As a given name it is a diminutive of Miltiades, the Athenian general who led the victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. The name carries connotations of the Greek earth itself, of ancient heroism, and of the vivid colour of Attic soil.
Mirsini
“Derived from the Greek word for myrtle”
Mirsini comes from 'myrsine' (μυρσίνη), the ancient Greek word for the myrtle plant, a fragrant evergreen shrub that was among the most sacred plants in the ancient world, associated with Aphrodite, love, and immortality. The myrtle was used in wedding crowns, funerary rites, and religious ceremonies, making it a plant that accompanied the most significant moments of human life. As a name, Mirsini carries all this symbolic richness: beauty, love, endurance, and the sacred connection between nature and the divine.
Mnisikles
“one of remembered glory”
Mnisikles is composed of the Greek roots 'mnesis' (memory, remembrance) and 'kleos' (glory, fame), yielding the meaning of one whose glory is remembered or one of enduring fame. The name belongs to the classical tradition of compound Greek names expressing aspirations of lasting honor. Its most celebrated bearer was the 5th-century BC Athenian architect who designed the Propylaea, the monumental gateway to the Acropolis, ensuring that his own name would live up to its meaning across the centuries.
Myrtia
“Derived from the myrtle plant”
Myrtia takes its name from the Greek word 'myrtos,' referring to the myrtle tree, a plant deeply woven into ancient Mediterranean symbolism. The myrtle was considered sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and was worn as garlands at weddings and celebrations. It represented not only romantic love but also eternal life, as the plant stays green year-round and its fragrant blossoms endure through seasons.
Myrto
“Myrtle”
Myrto comes from the Greek 'myrtos', the myrtle plant, which was sacred to Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. The myrtle was used in wreaths, bridal ceremonies, and religious rites throughout the ancient Greek world, symbolising love, honour, and immortality. The name therefore carries a rich mythological and botanical heritage, evoking the fragrant, evergreen nature of the plant itself.
Nausica
“burner of ships or she who burns ships”
Nausica (also spelled Nausicaa) is derived from the Greek 'naus,' meaning ship, and 'kaio,' meaning to burn, yielding a striking compound name. Despite its fierce literal meaning, the name is best known through the gentle, gracious character in Homer's Odyssey, a princess of remarkable kindness and poise. The name evokes the heroic age of Greek seafaring and mythology, making it a name with epic literary pedigree.
Nausicaa
“Ship burner”
Nausicaa is an ancient Greek name, usually interpreted as meaning ship burner or one who burns ships, from naus (ship) and kaiein (to burn). Despite the martial etymology, the character of Nausicaa in Homer's Odyssey is entirely gentle. She is the kind and perceptive princess of the Phaeacians who discovers the shipwrecked Odysseus on the beach and ensures his safe passage home, demonstrating extraordinary grace and compassion.
Nefeli
“From the Greek word 'nephele”
Nefeli is the modern Greek form of Nephele (Νεφέλη), derived from 'nephos' meaning cloud. In Greek mythology, Nephele was a cloud goddess created by Zeus in the image of Hera, who became the mother of the centaurs. The name carries a dreamy, atmospheric quality that resonates with ideas of grace, delicacy, and otherworldly beauty. In contemporary Greece, Nefeli is a popular and beloved feminine name with a poetic, airy sensibility.
Nektaria
“Of nectar”
Nektaria is the feminine form of Nektarios, deriving from the Greek nektar, the divine drink of the gods in ancient mythology. The name suggests sweetness, divine favour, and an almost otherworldly quality. It is strongly associated with Saint Nektarios of Aegina, one of the most beloved saints of the Greek Orthodox Church, giving the name deep spiritual resonance.
Nektarios
“Of nectar”
Nektarios derives from the Greek 'nektar', the mythological drink of the gods that conferred immortality. The name therefore evokes divine sweetness, heavenly sustenance, and the idea of something precious beyond earthly measure. In the Christian tradition, the name is inseparably associated with Saint Nektarios of Aegina (1846-1920), one of the most beloved and miracle-working saints of the modern Greek Orthodox Church.
Nemesia
“to give what is due or righteous indignation”
Nemesia is a feminine name rooted in the Greek 'nemesis' (νέμεσις), which derives from 'nemo,' meaning to allot or distribute, and reflects the concept of dispensing what is deserved. The goddess Nemesis was a figure of divine justice who checked excessive good fortune and punished hubris, making the name associated with fairness and moral order. As a given name, Nemesia carries a dignified, powerful quality, worn historically by Christian martyrs and saints.
Neofytos
“newly planted or new convert”
Neofytos is a distinctly Greek Orthodox name formed from the compound of 'neos' (νέος), meaning new, and 'phyton' (φυτόν), meaning plant or growth, yielding the literal meaning 'newly planted.' In early Christian usage, the term 'neophyte' was applied to newly baptized converts who, like young plants, were freshly rooted in the faith and growing toward spiritual maturity. The name thus combines botanical imagery with profound religious significance, representing spiritual renewal and the beginning of a faith journey.
Neophytos
“newly planted or new convert to the faith”
Neophytos is the classical transliteration of the Greek name meaning 'newly planted,' built from 'neos' (new) and 'phyton' (plant or growth). As a Christian term, 'neophyte' designated converts fresh from the baptismal waters, still tender in faith like young seedlings. The name embodies the Christian ideal of spiritual rebirth and the beginning of a new life in the faith, and has been borne by one of Cyprus's most beloved saints, giving it deep religious and historical resonance throughout the Orthodox world.
Neoptolemos
“new warrior or young warrior”
Neoptolemos is a heroic compound name built from 'neos' (νέος), meaning new or young, and 'polemos' (πόλεμος), meaning war, yielding 'new warrior' or 'young to war.' He was the son of Achilles and Deidamia, brought to Troy after his father's death because a prophecy declared Troy could not fall without him. Also known as Pyrrhus, he was a figure of fearsome martial prowess and, in some traditions, terrible ruthlessness, making his name one of the most storied in the entire Trojan cycle.
Nephele
“Cloud”
Nephele comes directly from the ancient Greek word nephele, meaning cloud. In Greek mythology, Nephele was a cloud nymph created by Zeus in the image of the goddess Hera to test the fidelity of Ixion, the king of the Lapiths. She later became the mother of Centaurus and played a central role in the myth of Phrixus and Helle, whose golden fleece became the object of the Argonauts' quest. The name evokes lightness, mystery, and the shifting beauty of the sky, making it a poetic and rare choice with deep mythological roots.
Neri
“water or sea nymph”
Neri is a soft, lyrical Greek name associated with the Nereids, the fifty sea-nymph daughters of the marine deity Nereus, whose name derives from the Greek root 'neros' (νερός) or 'naros,' meaning water or sea. The Nereids were benevolent marine spirits who aided sailors, and their number included the famous Thetis, mother of Achilles. The name Neri thus carries the gentle, shimmering quality of sea water and the protective, nurturing spirit of these beloved marine deities.
Nerine
“sea nymph or daughter of Nereus”
Nerine is a name derived from Nereis (Νηρηίς), the Greek term for the daughters of the sea god Nereus, collectively known as the Nereids. The name ultimately traces back to the Proto-Greek root associated with water, 'neros' or 'naros,' making Nerine essentially mean 'sea woman' or 'she who belongs to the sea.' As a given name it carries the graceful, shimmering quality of the Mediterranean and the benevolent, protective character of these marine deities. It is also the name of a genus of beautiful flowering plants in the amaryllis family, giving it botanical resonance as well.
Nika
“From the Greek 'nike”
Nika is a short, energetic Greek name derived directly from 'nike' (νίκη), the ancient Greek word for victory. The goddess Nike was the winged divine spirit who personified triumph in battle, sport, and competition, and was closely associated with Zeus and Athena. As a given name, Nika retains all of this triumphant energy while offering a softer, more feminine sound than the fuller form Nike, making it a name that feels both ancient and thoroughly modern.
Nikandros
“victory and man”
Nikandros is a compound Greek name built from 'nike,' meaning victory, and 'aner' or 'andros,' meaning man. Together the name conveys the image of a man defined by triumph and conquest. It was borne by several historical figures in the ancient world, reflecting the deep Greek admiration for martial and intellectual achievement.
Nikasia
“A feminine Greek name rooted in 'nike”
Nikasia is a rare feminine Greek name built on the powerful root 'nike,' the ancient word for victory that also gave rise to the name of the goddess Nike. The '-asia' suffix gives the name a lyrical, feminine ending that softens the triumphant core while retaining its force. It belongs to a family of Greek names celebrating female strength and achievement.
Nike
“Victory”
Nike is the Greek word for victory and the name of the goddess of victory in Greek mythology. She was depicted as a winged deity, often shown alongside Zeus and Athena, distributing glory and fame to victorious warriors and athletes. As a given name, Nike is used in Greece for both boys and girls, carrying a direct, powerful meaning with no ambiguity. The name is pronounced differently in Greek (NEE-kee) than the English pronunciation of the sportswear brand (NY-kee), a distinction that Greek families are often quick to make. Despite its brand associations in the English-speaking world, Nike remains a genuinely meaningful and historically rich Greek name.
Nikephoros
“bearer of victory or bringer of victory”
Nikephoros is a distinguished ancient Greek compound name combining 'nike' (νίκη), meaning victory, and 'phoros' (φόρος), derived from 'pherein,' meaning to bear or carry. The name thus translates as 'he who carries victory' or 'bringer of victory.' It was a prestigious name in the Byzantine Empire, borne by emperors and patriarchs, reflecting its association with supreme authority and divine mandate.
Nikiphoros
“bearer of victory”
Nikiphoros is an alternate romanization of the Byzantine Greek name Νικηφόρος, identical in meaning to Nikephoros: 'bearer of victory.' The variation arises from different conventions for rendering the Greek eta (η) sound, sometimes as 'e' and sometimes as 'i', in Latin script. Both forms represent the same celebrated name borne by Byzantine emperors, patriarchs, and military heroes throughout the medieval Greek world.
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