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.
Diamanto
“diamond or diamond-like”
Diamanto derives from 'diamantis' (diamond), the Greek adaptation of the Latin 'adamas' (unconquerable), which gave the English word diamond. The name suggests a woman as precious, brilliant, and indestructible as a diamond. It was particularly popular in post-Byzantine Greece and carried associations of wealth, extraordinary beauty, and unbreakable strength of character.
Dimitra
“Of the goddess Demeter”
Dimitra is the modern Greek form of Demetria, derived from Demeter, the ancient goddess of the harvest and grain. The name carries deep associations with fertility, abundance, and the cycles of nature central to ancient Greek religion. It remains one of the most enduringly popular feminine names in Greece, beloved for its cultural depth and graceful sound.
Dimitrios
“Devoted to Demeter”
From the Greek Demetrios, meaning 'devoted to Demeter', the goddess of harvest and fertility. Dimitrios carries a deep connection to the earth, abundance, and the ancient rhythms of agricultural life.
Dimitris
“Follower of Demeter”
Dimitris is the everyday modern Greek form of Dimitrios, derived from Demeter, the ancient goddess of the harvest, grain, and the fertility of the earth. The name thus connects its bearer to one of the most fundamental forces of ancient Greek religion: the cycle of growth, death, and renewal that governed agricultural life. As one of the most common male names in Greece, Dimitris carries both this ancient mythological depth and a thoroughly modern, everyday familiarity.
Dimos
“of the people or the people”
Dimos is a colloquial short form of Dimos or Dimosthenis (Demosthenes), and also functions as an independent name derived from 'demos' (the people, the citizenry). The name suggests a person who belongs to and serves the community. It carries democratic and civic connotations from the ancient Athenian political tradition where the demos was the sovereign body.
Diogenes
“Born of Zeus”
Diogenes combines the Greek Dios, the genitive form of Zeus, with genes, meaning born of or descended from. The name therefore means born of Zeus or descended from Zeus, placing the bearer in an exalted lineage. It was borne most famously by Diogenes of Sinope, the fourth-century philosopher who founded the Cynic school of philosophy and became legendary for his radical rejection of social convention and his insistence on living according to nature.
Diomedes
“Zeus-planned or divine cunning”
Diomedes combines 'dios' (of Zeus, divine) and 'medea' (plans, counsel, cunning), creating a name meaning 'divine counsel' or 'planned by Zeus.' In the Iliad, Diomedes of Argos was one of the most capable Greek warriors, remarkable for both martial skill and measured judgment. He was one of the few heroes who wounded Olympian gods in battle.
Dion
“of Zeus or divine”
Dion derives from the Greek name Dionysios, which honors the god Dionysus, son of Zeus. The name carries connotations of divine joy, creative energy, and celebration. It has been borne by philosophers, rulers, and artists throughout history, lending it both intellectual and artistic associations.
Dionysia
“devoted to Dionysus or of Zeus”
Dionysia is the feminine counterpart to the masculine Dionysios, both rooted in the worship of Dionysus, the Olympian god of wine and creative inspiration. The name was borne by early Christian martyrs in the Roman Empire, giving it both pagan and sacred dimensions. Women named Dionysia were associated with artistic sensibility, spiritual devotion, and a celebratory approach to life.
Dionysios
“Follower of Dionysus”
Dionysios means 'follower of Dionysus', the Greek god of wine, festivity, theatre, and ecstasy. The name connects the bearer to one of the most colourful and complex figures in Greek mythology. It has been borne by saints, scholars, and rulers throughout Greek history, lending it both mythological grandeur and historical gravitas.
Dionysius
“of Zeus or devoted to Dionysus”
Dionysius is the Latin rendering of the Greek Dionysios, honoring Dionysus, the son of Zeus and Semele and one of the most complex deities of the ancient world. The name was carried by Greek philosophers, early church fathers, and Roman governors, spanning pagan and Christian traditions. Its bearers are historically associated with intellectual depth, spiritual authority, and cultural creativity.
Dorotheos
“gift of God”
Dorotheos is the masculine Greek form of the name that also produced Dorothy in English, both meaning 'gift of God'. The name pairs the Greek words for gift ('doron') and God ('theos'), expressing gratitude for divine benevolence. It has been borne by saints, bishops, and spiritual writers in the Eastern Christian tradition, associating it with deep piety and intellectual holiness.
Efrosini
“joy or mirth”
Efrosini is the modern Greek rendering of the ancient name Euphrosyne, which personified cheerfulness and delight as one of the three Charites (Graces) in Greek mythology. The name derives from the Greek word 'euphrosynē' meaning joy or merriment. Saint Efrosini of Alexandria, a fifth-century monastic figure, ensured the name's survival and reverence within the Eastern Orthodox tradition.
Efstathios
“well-standing or steadfast”
Efstathios is the modern Greek form of the ancient name Eustathios, composed of the Greek elements 'eu' meaning good or well and 'stasis' meaning standing or stability. The name therefore means one who stands firm or is well-established, connoting reliability and moral steadfastness. Saint Eustathios of Antioch, a fourth-century bishop, gave the name lasting ecclesiastical prestige in the Eastern church.
Efstratios
“good soldier or valiant in battle”
Efstratios derives from the Greek elements 'eu' (good) and 'stratos' (army, military host), meaning 'good soldier' or 'noble warrior'. The name honors both physical bravery and the moral qualities expected of a soldier, loyalty, discipline, and courage. Several early Christian martyrs bore this name, particularly a group of soldiers martyred during the Diocletianic persecutions, giving it a double legacy of military and spiritual valor.
Efthymia
“good-spirited”
Efthymia is the feminine Greek form of Efthymios, built from 'eu' (good) and 'thymos' (spirit, life-force, courage). The name conveys inner well-being and emotional generosity, suggesting a person of warm disposition and elevated spirit. In the Orthodox tradition, Efthymia is associated with several female saints and is observed as a name-day celebration, anchoring it within Greek religious and cultural practice.
Eftychia
“Happiness”
Eftychia comes from the ancient Greek word 'eftychis', meaning happy or fortunate, itself composed of 'eu' meaning good and 'tyche' meaning fortune or fate. The name is a direct expression of the wish for a joyful, blessed life. Tyche was also the name of the Greek goddess of fortune and prosperity, adding a mythological layer to the name's meaning. Eftychia is firmly embedded in the Greek Orthodox naming tradition and remains in consistent use in Greece and Greek diaspora communities worldwide.
Eirene
“Peace”
Eirene is the original Greek form of Irene, meaning 'peace.' In ancient Greek mythology, Eirene was the goddess of peace and one of the Horae, the goddesses who presided over the seasons and the natural order. The name embodies one of the highest ideals of classical civilisation.
Eirini
“peace”
Eirini is the modern Greek form of the ancient name Eirene, which simply means peace in Greek. In mythology Eirene was a goddess, daughter of Zeus and Themis, who personified peace and the prosperity that follows it. The name carries connotations of stillness, harmony, and blessed calm, and has been borne by Byzantine empresses, Christian saints, and countless Greek women across the centuries.
Electra
“From the Greek 'elektron'”
Electra derives from the Greek 'elektron', referring to amber, the golden, electrically charged substance whose very name gave us the word electricity. In Greek mythology Electra was a daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, who persuaded her brother Orestes to avenge their father's murder. Her story, dramatized by all three great Athenian tragedians, made her a symbol of filial loyalty, moral conviction, and inextinguishable passion.
Eleftheria
“Freedom, liberty”
Eleftheria comes directly from the ancient Greek word eleftheria, meaning freedom or liberty. It is one of the most philosophically charged names in the Greek language, encapsulating a value that has been central to Greek identity since antiquity. The famous Greek revolutionary motto 'Eleftheria i Thanatos' (Freedom or Death) elevated the word to near-sacred status during the War of Independence. Naming a daughter Eleftheria is an affirmation of the deepest Greek values of autonomy and dignity.
Eleftherios
“Liberator”
Eleftherios derives from the ancient Greek word 'eleftheria', meaning freedom or liberty. The name carries a profound political and philosophical weight, evoking the ideals of self-determination and independence that were central to Greek culture. It was given to boys with the hope they would embody the virtues of a free spirit and a champion of others.
Elektra
“Shining, radiant”
Elektra derives from the Greek word 'elektron', meaning 'shining' or 'radiant', evoking imagery of brilliant light and amber's warm glow.
Eleni
“Bright, shining light”
The modern Greek form of Helen, from the ancient Greek Helene, meaning 'bright' or 'shining light'. Eleni captures the radiance of the original while carrying a distinctly Greek musicality.
Eleutherios
“free or the free one”
Eleutherios comes from the ancient Greek adjective 'eleutheros' meaning free, and by extension 'the free man' or 'liberator'. Freedom was one of the highest values in Greek political thought, and the name was borne by gods, saints, and freedom fighters alike. In modern Greece the name is closely associated with the ideal of national liberation, most notably through Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos.
Elina
“torch or bright light”
Elina is a soft, melodious variant of the Greek name Helena or Eleni, which derives from 'helene' meaning torch, brightness, or possibly from 'Helios' the sun. The name carries connotations of radiance and light, and its simplicity has made it internationally beloved. It shares its heritage with Helen of Troy, the legendary beauty whose face was said to have launched a thousand ships.
Elpida
“Hope”
Elpida comes from the ancient Greek word elpis, meaning hope. In Greek mythology and philosophy, hope held a uniquely powerful position: when Pandora opened her jar and all the world's evils escaped, hope alone remained inside, offering comfort to humanity. The name Elpida thus carries one of the most profound and enduring concepts in human experience. It is a name that speaks of resilience, expectation, and the sustaining belief in something better.
Emmanouil
“God is with us”
Emmanouil is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Emmanuel, composed of 'el' (God) and 'immanuel' (God is with us). The name appears in the Book of Isaiah as a prophetic name and was applied to Jesus in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew, giving it extraordinary theological importance. In Greece, Emmanouil is the formal name from which the beloved diminutives Manolis and Manos are derived. It has been a consistent choice in Greek Orthodox families for centuries, carrying both scriptural authority and a warm, lived-in quality through its everyday nicknames.
Epameinondas
“abiding among men or one who remains steadfast”
Epameinondas is a compound ancient Greek name whose elements combine 'epi' (upon, among), 'meno' (to stay, remain, abide), and 'andros' (man), yielding a meaning of 'one who stays among men' or 'the steadfast man'. The name is most famous through Epameinondas of Thebes, the fourth-century BCE general and statesman who defeated Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra, ending Spartan military dominance of Greece.
Epaminondas
“One who treads on praise”
Epaminondas is an ancient Greek name meaning one who treads on praise or one who walks above fame, suggesting a person of such achievement that praise itself is beneath them. It was most famously borne by the Theban general Epaminondas, who in the fourth century BC shattered the myth of Spartan military invincibility. The name is one of the longest in the classical Greek tradition and carries an extraordinary weight of historical and heroic association.
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