Skip to content
BoyGreek

Themistocles

THEH-MIS-TOH-KLEEZ

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.

PopularityRising
12Letters
4Syllables

At a glance

A monumental ancient Greek name meaning glory of the law, borne by the architect of Greece's greatest naval victory.

Etymology & History

The name derives directly from classical Greek. The first element, themis, referred to divine or customary law, the natural order established by the gods, and was embodied in the Titaness Themis, one of Zeus's counsellors and the goddess of justice and order. The second element, kleos, is one of the most important concepts in ancient Greek culture, meaning fame, glory, or the renown that outlasts death. Together they form a name expressing the idea that true glory comes from upholding justice. The -es ending is characteristic of ancient Greek masculine names.

Cultural Significance

Themistocles is one of the great names of classical antiquity, borne by the Athenian strategos who saved Greece from Persian conquest at Salamis. He is credited with persuading Athens to build its fleet, a decision that proved decisive in the Persian Wars. His later ostracism and death in Persian exile make him a figure of both triumph and tragedy. The name carries enormous historical weight and is occasionally used in Greece and Cyprus today, as well as in diaspora communities with Hellenic heritage. It is an extraordinarily ambitious name for a boy, suggesting classical education and deep admiration for ancient Greek civilisation.

Famous people named Themistocles

Themistocles of Athens

Fifth-century BC Athenian statesman and general who masterminded the Greek naval victory at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC, widely regarded as one of the greatest strategic minds of antiquity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Themistocles is pronounced THEH-MIS-TOH-KLEEZ, with four syllables and the stress on the second. The final -es is pronounced as a separate syllable, as in classical Greek names.

Themistocles was a fifth-century BC Athenian general and statesman. He convinced Athens to invest in a powerful navy and commanded the Greek fleet at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC, where the Greeks decisively defeated the Persian armada under Xerxes I.

The name means glory of the law or one renowned for justice, from the Greek themis, meaning divine law or order, and kleos, meaning glory or fame.

It is rare but not extinct. It is occasionally found in Greece and Greek diaspora communities, usually in families with a strong appreciation for classical history. It is a bold and distinctive choice.

Themis is the most natural short form, taking the first element of the name. Temi is a more informal option. In Greek-speaking households, Themis is the most common everyday form.

Other classical Greek names of similar grandeur work well, such as Lysander, Leonidas, Ariadne, Calliope, or Pericles. These share the same ancient world character.

It is certainly an imposing name, but the nickname Themis makes it manageable in daily life. Many parents who choose historically grand names find that children grow into them with ease.

Themis was a Titaness in Greek mythology, the personification of divine law, natural order, and justice. She was a counsellor of Zeus and mother of the Fates and the Seasons. The name Themistocles honours this concept of cosmic justice through its first element.
Explore more

Names like Themistocles

Boy

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.

Origin: Greek
Boy

Lysander

“Liberator, one who frees”

Lysander is a grand, classical name that feels both distinguished and adventurous, well suited to parents looking for an uncommon choice with deep historical roots. Shakespeare immortalised the name in A Midsummer Night's Dream, lending it a romantic and poetic quality. Though rare in everyday use, Lysander has a devoted following among parents who appreciate bold, elaborate names.

Origin: English
Boy

Pericles

“Exceedingly famous”

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.

Origin: Greek
Boy

Sophocles

“skilled in wisdom or wise in glory”

Sophocles derives from the Greek elements 'sophos' (wise, skilled) and 'kleos' (glory, fame), together meaning one who is famous for wisdom or glorified by skill. The name carries exceptional literary and cultural prestige as the name of the great 5th-century BCE Athenian playwright who wrote Oedipus Rex, Antigone, and other tragedies that continue to shape Western dramatic tradition. Choosing the name Sophocles connects a child to one of the supreme intellectual achievements of ancient civilization.

Origin: Greek
Appears in

Where you'll find Themistocles

Themistocles shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.

Lists

Greek Boy Names