Pericles
PEH-REE-KLEES
Pericles is composed of the Greek prefix peri, meaning around, beyond, or exceedingly, and kleos, meaning fame or glory. Together they convey the sense of one who is surrounded by fame or renowned above all others. The name was borne by the greatest statesman of ancient Athens, whose leadership defined the classical golden age of Greek civilisation.
At a glance
A grand ancient Greek name meaning exceedingly famous, borne by the greatest statesman of classical Athens and full of historical gravitas.
Etymology & History
Pericles comes from the ancient Greek peri (around, beyond, exceedingly) combined with kleos (fame, glory, renown). The element kleos appears in many ancient Greek names, including Heracles (glory of Hera), Patroclus (glory of the father), and Damocles (glory of the people). The peri prefix intensifies the meaning, suggesting fame that exceeds ordinary bounds. The name has remained in continuous use as a marker of Hellenic cultural identity.
Cultural Significance
Pericles is one of the most historically loaded names in the Western tradition. The historical Pericles governed Athens during the mid-fifth century BC, a period of extraordinary cultural and intellectual flowering. He commissioned the Parthenon, supported the playwright Sophocles, and was the companion of the philosopher Anaxagoras. His Funeral Oration, recorded by Thucydides, remains one of the greatest defences of democracy ever written. Shakespeare used the name for a noble Tyrian prince in his late romance, further embedding it in the literary imagination. The name carries tremendous weight and is used today in Greek communities worldwide as a gesture of classical pride.
Famous people named Pericles
Pericles of Athens
The pre-eminent Athenian statesman and general of the fifth century BC who presided over Athens during its golden age, overseeing the construction of the Parthenon and championing Athenian democracy.
Pericles (Shakespeare play)
A late Shakespearean romance whose protagonist, the Prince of Tyre, shares the name and its associations with noble leadership and legendary endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Pericles
Leonidas
“Son of the lion”
Leonidas is an ancient Greek name meaning 'son of the lion' or 'lion-like', derived from leon (lion) with a patronymic suffix. It is a name inseparable from the legendary King Leonidas I of Sparta, who led three hundred warriors against the Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BCE. The name carries an unmistakable sense of courage, defiance, and heroic sacrifice. For modern parents, Leonidas offers both the gravitas of classical antiquity and the warmth of its natural nickname, Leo.
Ptolemy
“Warlike, of great power”
Ptolemy derives from the ancient Greek name Ptolemaios, formed from 'ptolemos', a poetic variant of 'polemos' meaning war or battle. The name thus carries the sense of warlike or aggressive, though in classical usage it was understood more broadly as a name of martial strength and royal power. It was borne by the generals who carved up Alexander the Great's empire, by a dynasty of Egyptian pharaohs, and by the most influential astronomer of antiquity. Today it stands as one of the boldest choices a parent can make.
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.
Where you'll find Pericles
Pericles shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.