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.
Thalassa
“Sea”
Thalassa comes directly from the ancient Greek word for sea. In Greek mythology, Thalassa was the primordial goddess of the sea itself, a personification of the Mediterranean waters that shaped Greek civilisation. She was the counterpart of Pontos, the god of the deep sea, and together they were the ancestors of many marine deities. The name captures the boundless, ancient power of the ocean.
Thalassini
“of the sea or sea-born”
Thalassini comes from the Greek word thalassa (θάλασσα), meaning sea, combined with the feminine adjectival suffix -ini, producing a name that translates loosely as 'she who belongs to the sea' or 'sea girl'. The sea held profound religious and cultural significance in ancient Greece, making this a name that connects its bearer to the elemental power of water, voyaging, and myth. It remains in use primarily in Greece and among diaspora communities with strong maritime heritage.
Thaleia
“to flourish or blooming”
Thaleia comes from the Greek verb thallein (θάλλειν), meaning to bloom, flourish, or abound with life. As the name of both a Muse and a Grace in Greek mythology, it carries dual associations with creative comedy and abundant natural beauty. The name evokes the spring, growth, and the joyful side of artistic and natural life, making it a name full of vitality and warmth.
Thalia
“To flourish, blooming”
Thalia derives from the Greek word 'thallein', meaning 'to flourish' or 'to bloom', evoking images of abundant growth and joyful vitality.
Thanasios
“immortal or undying”
Thanasios is derived from the Greek athanatos (ἀθάνατος), combining the prefix a- (not) with thanatos (death), meaning literally 'deathless' or 'immortal'. The name carries strong theological resonance in the Greek Orthodox Christian tradition, where immortality of the soul is a central doctrine. Thanasios is the informal and everyday spoken form of the full name Athanasios, used widely in Greece as a standalone given name.
Thanasis
“Immortal”
A popular short form of Athanasios, Thanasis derives from the Greek word 'athanatos' meaning immortal or deathless. The name reflects the ancient Greek philosophical concept of eternal life, and it has been widely embraced since the early centuries of Christianity as an expression of faith in the soul's permanence.
Thanassis
“Immortal”
Thanassis is a Greek masculine name and a familiar variant of Athanasios, itself derived from the Greek 'athanatos', meaning immortal. Formed from 'a-' (not) and 'thanatos' (death), the name literally means deathless or undying. It is a name with profound philosophical resonance in a culture that gave the world much of its thinking on mortality and the soul. Thanassis is the colloquial, everyday form widely used in Greece, much as Nikos is used for Nikolaos, giving it a warm, approachable character despite its grand meaning.
Thanos
“Immortal”
Thanos is a diminutive of the Greek name Athanasios, derived from the Greek word athanatos, meaning immortal or deathless. Though recent popular culture has added new associations, it has been a common and well-loved name in Greece for centuries. The name carries a profound spiritual meaning rooted in the Greek Orthodox tradition.
Theano
“Divine”
Theano is an ancient Greek name derived from theos, meaning god or divine, with the suffix creating an abstract or adjectival form suggesting divine quality or god-like nature. It was borne by several women in antiquity, most notably Theano of Croton, a Pythagorean philosopher and mathematician regarded as one of the first known female scholars in the Western tradition. The name combines classical gravitas with a melodious sound, rarely heard today but deeply respected by those who know it.
Thekla
“Glory of God”
Thekla derives from the Greek 'theos' meaning God and 'kleos' meaning glory, creating a name that translates to glory of God. It was borne by one of the earliest Christian saints, a follower of Saint Paul whose story of faith and courage has resonated across centuries. The name carries both spiritual depth and a striking, memorable sound.
Themi
“law”
Themi is the informal diminutive form of Themis, the Greek Titaness personifying divine law, order, and custom. The root word themis (θέμις) referred in ancient Greek to divinely sanctioned law as opposed to human-made law (nomos), giving the name a lofty philosophical and religious dimension. In everyday Greek use, Themi functions as both a standalone name and an affectionate nickname, carrying a warmth that the more formal Themis lacks.
Themis
“divine law”
Themis (Θέμις) is one of the most philosophically rich names in the Greek tradition, referring to the divinely ordained principles of justice, order, and proper conduct that governed both mortal and divine life. As a Titaness and oracle, Themis sat beside Zeus as his divine counselor and was regarded as the embodiment of cosmic rightness. Today the name is given to both girls and boys in Greece, with its gender-neutral quality reflecting the timeless, universal nature of justice itself.
Themistocles
“Glory of the law”
Themistocles is composed of the ancient Greek elements themis, meaning divine law, justice, or that which is set down, and kleos, meaning glory or fame. The name thus means glory of the law or one who is famous for justice. Themis was also a goddess in Greek mythology, the personification of divine order and natural law, lending the name a sacred as well as civic dimension. It is a name of towering historical gravitas.
Theodora
“Gift of God; divine blessing”
Theodora is a Greek name meaning 'gift of God,' composed of the elements 'theos' (God) and 'doron' (gift). It is the feminine form of Theodore and carries a sense of divine grace and blessing. The name has been borne by empresses and saints, giving it an air of regal splendour.
Theodoros
“Gift of God”
Theodoros is the original Greek form of Theodore, composed of 'theos' meaning God and 'doron' meaning gift. It was borne by numerous Byzantine emperors, Orthodox saints and Greek heroes, making it one of the most historically significant names in the Greek-speaking world. The name carries a profound sense of gratitude and divine blessing.
Theodosia
“gift of God”
Theodosia is a compound Greek name formed from theos (θεός, god) and dosis (δόσις, gift or giving), producing the meaning 'gift of God' or 'given by God'. It is the feminine counterpart of Theodosios and shares the same etymological root as Dorothea (with the elements reversed). The name was popular in the Byzantine Empire and among early Christian communities, carried by several saints and martyrs, and has experienced a notable revival in English-speaking countries following references in Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton.
Theodosios
“gift of God”
Theodosios is the masculine counterpart of Theodosia, a compound Greek name built from theos (θεός, god) and dosis (δόσις, gift), meaning 'gift of God' or 'given by God'. The name carries enormous historical weight as the name of Theodosius the Great, the last emperor to rule a unified Roman Empire, who made Christianity the state religion of Rome. Its Byzantine and Orthodox Christian heritage makes it a name of exceptional dignity in the Greek tradition.
Theodoti
“gift of God or given by God”
Theodoti is derived from the Greek theos (θεός, god) and dotē or dotheis, a form related to didomi (to give), creating a name meaning 'she who is given by God' or 'God's gift'. It is a variant within the same family as Theodosia, Theodore, and Theodora, all sharing the divine gift meaning but expressed through slightly different grammatical forms. Theodoti is less common than its relatives, giving it a distinctive rarity that makes it prized in families seeking an authentic Greek name with classical depth.
Theofilos
“beloved of God or friend of God”
Theofilos is a Greek name rooted in the words 'theos' meaning God and 'philos' meaning friend or beloved, together conveying the idea of one who is dear to God. The name carries strong religious connotations and has been borne by saints and ecclesiastical figures throughout Greek Orthodox history. It reflects the importance of divine relationship in Greek Christian naming customs.
Theognostos
“one who knows God or known by God”
Theognostos is an ancient Greek name combining 'theos' (God) and 'gnostos' (known), producing the meaning 'known by God' or 'one who knows God'. It reflects the mystical and philosophical dimensions of early Christian and Byzantine theology, where knowledge of the divine was considered the highest human aspiration. The name was borne by a respected Byzantine theologian and monastic writer.
Theologos
“one who speaks of God or theologian”
Theologos combines 'theos' (God) and 'logos' (word, reason, discourse), meaning 'one who speaks about God' or 'theologian'. In Christian tradition the title was granted to only three figures: John the Evangelist, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Symeon the New Theologian, making the name exceptionally distinguished. Bearing the name Theologos in Greek culture implies a deep connection to these saintly models of theological insight.
Theophano
“manifestation of God or God appearing”
Theophano is composed of 'theos' (God) and 'phainein' (to appear or to shine), together meaning 'the one in whom God appears' or 'divine manifestation'. The name was favored in Byzantine imperial circles and is associated with several historical empresses of Constantinople. It carries an aura of luminous beauty and divine presence, reflecting Byzantine ideals of sacred womanhood.
Theophilos
“beloved of God or friend of God”
Theophilos is the classical Greek form of the name meaning 'beloved of God' or 'friend of God', composed of 'theos' (God) and 'philos' (friend, beloved). The name is famous from the New Testament, where both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are addressed to 'most excellent Theophilos'. It has been borne by numerous saints, theologians, and historical figures across the Christian world.
Theseus
“To set, to place”
Theseus derives from the Greek word 'tithemi', meaning 'to set' or 'to place', suggesting one who establishes or founds something enduring.
Thodoris
“Gift of God”
Thodoris is a Greek diminutive of Theodoros, itself composed of the elements theos, meaning God, and doron, meaning gift. The full meaning is therefore gift of God, a name of profound spiritual significance used across the Greek-speaking world and beyond. While Theodoros is the formal version, Thodoris is the affectionate everyday form used in conversation, among friends, and within families in Greece. It has a warm, approachable quality that the more formal Theodoros lacks, making it both intimate and deeply rooted in Greek tradition.
Thrasybulos
“bold in counsel or brave advisor”
Thrasybulos combines 'thrasys' (θρασύς), meaning bold or courageous, and 'boule' (βουλή), meaning counsel, deliberation, or will, to produce the meaning 'bold in counsel' or 'one of courageous resolution'. The name is inextricably linked to Thrasybulos of Athens, the general who led the democratic resistance against the Thirty Tyrants and restored Athenian democracy in 403 BC. It embodies the Greek civic virtue of combining bravery with political wisdom.
Timoleon
“honoring the lion”
Timoleon is composed of two ancient Greek elements: 'time,' meaning honor or value, and 'leon,' meaning lion. Together the name expresses the idea of one who honors the lion or is worthy of the lion's honor, combining two of the most admired concepts in ancient Greek society, civic virtue and courageous strength. The lion in Greek culture was a symbol of bravery, royal power, and martial excellence, making this a name of exceptional nobility and force.
Timon
“Honouring”
Timon comes from the Greek word timao meaning to honour or to esteem. It reflects the classical Greek value of honouring the gods, one's community, and one's elders. Timon of Athens was a historical and legendary figure famous for his misanthropy after being abandoned by his false friends, and Shakespeare dramatised his story in one of his lesser-performed plays. Despite this literary association, the core meaning of the name is deeply positive.
Timotheos
“Honouring God”
Timotheos is the original Ancient Greek form of the name known in English as Timothy. It is composed of two Greek elements: 'time' meaning honour or value, and 'theos' meaning God. Together they express the concept of one who honours God, a deeply meaningful name in early Christian tradition. Saint Timothy, a devoted companion and disciple of Saint Paul, bore this name and gave it lasting significance in Christian communities across the world.
Titos
“defender or of the giants”
Titos is the Greek form of the Latin name Titus, whose meaning is debated among scholars, proposed origins include Latin 'titulus' (title, honor), the Sabine word for sun, or a connection to the Titans of Greek mythology. In the Christian tradition, Titos is best known as the faithful companion of Saint Paul mentioned in the New Testament epistles. He served as the first bishop of Crete and is venerated as a saint in both Orthodox and Catholic churches.
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