ACHILLES Αχιλλευς m Greek Mythology (Latinized), Ancient Greek (Latinized)From the Greek
Αχιλλευς (Achilleus), which is of unknown meaning, perhaps derived from Greek
αχος (achos) meaning
"pain" or else from the name of the Achelous River. This was the name of a warrior in Greek legend, one of the central characters in
Homer's
Iliad. The bravest of the Greek heroes in the war against the Trojans, he was eventually killed by an arrow to his heel, the only vulnerable part of his body.
... [more] AESOP Αισωπος m Ancient Greek (Anglicized)From the Greek
Αισωπος (Aisopos), which is of unknown meaning. This was the name of a Greek fabulist of the 6th century BC, famous for such tales as
The Tortoise and the Hare.
AGAPIOS Αγαπιος m Greek, Ancient GreekMasculine form of
AGAPE. This was the name of a saint from Caesarea who was martyred during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian in the early 4th century.
AGATHA Αγαθη f English, Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
Αγαθη (Agathe), derived from Greek
αγαθος (agathos) meaning
"good". Saint Agatha was a 3rd-century martyr from Sicily who was tortured and killed after spurning the advances of a Roman official. The saint was widely revered in the Middle Ages, and her name has been used throughout Christian Europe (in various spellings). The mystery writer Agatha Christie (1890-1976) was a famous modern bearer of this name.
AGNES ‘Αγνη f English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
‘Αγνη (Hagne), derived from Greek
‘αγνος (hagnos) meaning
"chaste". Saint Agnes was a virgin martyred during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian. The name became associated with Latin
agnus "lamb", resulting in the saint's frequent depiction with a lamb by her side. Due to her renown, the name became common in Christian Europe.
... [more] AKAKIOS Ακακιος m Greek, Ancient GreekFrom a Greek word meaning
"innocent, not evil", derived from
α (a), a negative prefix, combined with
κακη (kake) meaning "evil". This was the name of three early saints, two of whom were martyred.
ALCIBIADES Αλκιβιαδης m Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
Αλκιβιαδης (Alkibiades), derived from
αλκη (alke) meaning "strength" and
βια (bia) meaning "force" with the patronymic suffix
ιδης (ides). This was the name of a notable Greek statesman and general during the Peloponnesian War. He changed allegiance from Athens to Sparta and back again during the course of the war.
ALEXANDER Αλεξανδρος m English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Hungarian, Slovak, Biblical, Ancient Greek (Latinized), Greek Mythology (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
Αλεξανδρος (Alexandros), which meant
"defending men" from Greek
αλεξω (alexo) meaning "to defend, help" and
ανηρ (aner) meaning "man" (genitive
ανδρος). In Greek mythology this was another name of the hero
Paris, and it also belongs to several characters in the New Testament. However, the most famous bearer was Alexander the Great, king of Macedon. In the 4th century BC he built a huge empire out of Greece, Egypt, Persia, and parts of India. Due to his fame, and later medieval tales involving him, use of his name spread throughout Europe.
... [more] ALEXANDRA Αλεξανδρα f English, German, Dutch, French, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Greek, Portuguese, Romanian, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Catalan, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Ukrainian, Ancient Greek, Greek MythologyFeminine form of
ALEXANDER. In Greek mythology this was a Mycenaean epithet of the goddess
Hera, and an alternate name of
Cassandra. It was borne by several early Christian saints, and also by the wife of Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia. She was from Germany and had the birth name
Alix, but was renamed
Александра (Aleksandra) upon joining the Russian Church.
ALEXIS Αλεξις m & f German, French, English, Greek, Ancient GreekFrom the Greek name
Αλεξις (Alexis) meaning
"helper" or
"defender", derived from Greek
αλεξω (alexo) meaning "to defend, to help". This was the name of a 3rd-century BC Greek comic poet, and also of several saints. It is used somewhat interchangeably with the related name
Αλεξιος or
Alexius, borne by five Byzantine emperors. In the English-speaking world it is more commonly used as a feminine name.
ALEXIUS Αλεξιος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
Αλεξιος (Alexios), a derivative of
Αλεξις (see
ALEXIS). This was the name of five Byzantine emperors. It was also borne by a 5th-century Syrian saint who is especially venerated in the Eastern Church.
ANASTASIA Αναστασια f Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, English, Spanish, Italian, Georgian, Ancient GreekFeminine form of
ANASTASIUS. This was the name of a 4th-century Dalmatian saint who was martyred during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Due to her, the name has been common in Eastern Orthodox Christianity (in various spellings). As an English name it has been in use since the Middle Ages. A famous bearer was the youngest daughter of the last Russian tsar Nicholas II, who was rumoured to have escaped the execution of her family in 1918.
ANASTASIUS Αναστασιος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
Αναστασιος (Anastasios), which meant
"resurrection" from Greek
αναστασις (anastasis) (composed of the elements
ανα (ana) meaning "up" and
στασις (stasis) meaning "standing"). This was the name of numerous early saints and martyrs, including a 7th-century monk and writer from Alexandria who is especially venerated in the Eastern Church.
ANDREAS Ανδρεας, Ανδριας m German, Greek, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Welsh, Ancient Greek, Biblical Latin, Biblical GreekAncient Greek and Latin form of
ANDREW. It is also the form used in Modern Greek, German and Welsh.
ANTIOCHUS Αντιοχος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)From the Greek name
Αντιοχος (Antiochos), derived from Greek
αντι (anti) meaning "against, compared to, like" and
οχη (oche) meaning "support". This was the name of several rulers of the Seleucid Empire. It was also borne by a 2nd-century Christian martyr, the patron saint of Sardinia.
ANTIPATER Αντιπατρος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)From the Greek name
Αντιπατρος (Antipatros), which meant
"like the father" from Greek
αντι (anti) meaning "against, compared to, like" and
πατηρ (pater) meaning "father" (genitive
πατρος). This was the name of an officer of Alexander the Great who became the regent of Macedon during Alexander's absence.
APOLLINARIS Απολλιναρις m Ancient GreekAncient Greek name derived from the name of the god
APOLLO. This was the name of several early saints and martyrs, including a bishop of Ravenna and a bishop of Hierapolis.
APOLLONIOS Απολλωνιος m Ancient GreekFrom an ancient Greek personal name that was derived from the name of the Greek god
APOLLO. It was borne by a Greek poet of the 3rd century BC. Several saints have also had this name.
ARISTOTLE Αριστοτελης m Ancient Greek (Anglicized)From the Greek name
Αριστοτελης (Aristoteles) meaning
"the best purpose", derived from
αριστος (aristos) meaning "best" and
τελος (telos) meaning "purpose, aim". This was the name of a Greek philosopher of the 4th century BC who made lasting contributions to Western thought, including the fields of logic, metaphysics, ethics and biology.
ARKADIOS Αρκαδιος m Ancient GreekFrom an ancient Greek name meaning
"of Arcadia". Arcadia was a region in Greece, its name deriving from
αρκτος (arktos) meaning "bear". This was the name of a 3rd-century saint and martyr.
ARSENIOS Αρσενιος m Ancient GreekMeans
"virile" in Greek. Saint Arsenius was a 5th-century deacon who was tutor to the two sons of the Roman emperor Theodosius. The two sons, Arcadius and Honorius, divided the empire into eastern and western halves upon their father's death.
ARTEMIDOROS Αρτεμιδωρος m Ancient GreekMeans
"gift of Artemis" from the name of the goddess
ARTEMIS combined with Greek
δωρον (doron) meaning "gift". This was the name of a Greek author of the 2nd century who wrote about the interpretation of dreams.
ARTEMIOS Αρτεμιος m Ancient GreekFrom an ancient Greek name that was derived from the name of the Greek goddess
ARTEMIS. This was the name of a 4th-century general in the Roman army who is venerated as a saint in the Orthodox Church.
ARTEMISIA Αρτεμισια f Ancient GreekFeminine form of
ARTEMISIOS. This was the name of the 4th-century BC builder of the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. She built it in memory of her husband, the Carian prince Mausolus.
ASKLEPIADES Ασκληπιαδης m Ancient GreekAncient Greek personal name that was derived from the name of the Greek god
ASKLEPIOS combined with the patronymic suffix
ιδης (ides). It was borne by several Greek physicians.
ASPASIA Ασπασια f Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
ασπασιος (aspasios) meaning
"welcome, embrace". This was the name of the lover of Pericles (5th century BC).
ATTICUS Αττικος m Literature, Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of Greek
Αττικος (Attikos) meaning
"from Attica", referring to the region surrounding Athens in Greece. This name was borne by a few notable Greeks from the Roman period (or Romans of Greek background). The author Harper Lee used the name in her novel
To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) for an Alabama lawyer who defends a black man accused of raping a white woman.
AUXENTIOS Αυξεντιος m Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
αυξανω (auxano) meaning
"to increase, to grow". This name was borne by a few early saints.
BERENICE Βερενικη f English, Italian, Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of
Βερενικη (Berenike), the Macedonian form of the Greek name
Φερενικη (Pherenike), which meant
"bringing victory" from
φερω (phero) meaning "to bring" and
νικη (nike) meaning "victory". This name was common among the Ptolemy ruling family of Egypt, a dynasty that was originally from Macedon. It occurs briefly in Acts in the New Testament (in most English Bibles it is spelled
Bernice) belonging to a sister of King Herod Agrippa II. As an English name,
Berenice came into use after the Protestant Reformation.
CHARES Χαρης m Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
χαρις (charis) meaning
"grace, kindness". This was the name of a 4th-century BC Athenian general. It was also borne by the sculptor who crafted the Colossus of Rhodes.
CHARMION Χαρμιον f Ancient GreekGreek name derived from
χαρμα (charma) meaning
"delight". This was the name of one of Cleopatra's servants, as recorded by Plutarch.
CLEOPATRA Κλεοπατρα f Ancient Greek (Latinized)From the Greek name
Κλεοπατρα (Kleopatra) meaning
"glory of the father", derived from
κλεος (kleos) meaning "glory" combined with
πατηρ (pater) meaning "father" (genitive
πατρος), This was the name of queens of Egypt from the Ptolemaic royal family, including Cleopatra VII, the mistress of both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. After being defeated by Augustus she committed suicide by allowing herself to be bitten by an asp. Shakespeare's tragedy
Antony and Cleopatra (1606) is based on her.
COSMAS Κοσμας m Ancient Greek (Latinized)From the Greek name
Κοσμας (Kosmas), which was derived from
κοσμος (kosmos) meaning
"order, decency". Saint Cosmas was martyred with his twin brother Damian in the 4th century. They are the patron saints of physicians.
CYRUS Κυρος m English, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Ancient Greek (Latinized)From
Κυρος (Kyros), the Greek form of the Persian name
Kūrush, which may mean
"far sighted" or
"young". The name is sometimes associated with Greek
κυριος (kyrios) meaning "lord". It was borne by several kings of Persia, including Cyrus the Great, who conquered Babylon. He is famous in the Old Testament for freeing the captive Jews and allowing them to return to Israel. As an English name, it first came into use among the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation.
DEMETRIUS Δημητριος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
Δημητριος (Demetrios), which was derived from the name of the Greek goddess
DEMETER (1). Kings of Macedon and the Seleucid kingdom have had this name. This was also the name of several early saints including a Saint Demetrius who was martyred in the 4th century.
DEMOSTHENES Δημοσθενης m Ancient GreekMeans
"vigour of the people" from Greek
δημος (demos) meaning "the people" and
σθενος (sthenos) meaning "vigour, strength". This was the name of both an Athenian general of the 5th century and an Athenian orator of the 4th century.
DION Διων m Ancient Greek, EnglishShort form of
DIONYSIOS and other Greek names beginning with the Greek element
Διος (Dios) meaning "of
ZEUS". This was the name of a 4th-century BC tyrant of Syracuse. It has been used as an American given name since the middle of the 20th century.
DIONYSIOS Διονυσιος m Greek, Ancient GreekGreek personal name derived from the name of the Greek god
DIONYSOS. Famous bearers include two early tyrants of Syracuse and a 1st-century BC Greek rhetorician.
DIONYSIUS Διονυσιος m Ancient Greek (Latinized), BiblicalLatin form of
DIONYSIOS. Dionysius the Areopagite, who is mentioned in the New Testament, was a judge converted to Christianity by Saint
Paul. This was also the name of many other early saints, including a 3rd-century pope.
DORIS Δωρις f English, German, Croatian, Ancient Greek, Greek MythologyFrom the Greek name
Δωρις (Doris), which meant
"Dorian woman". The Dorians were a Greek tribe who occupied the Peloponnese starting in the 12th century BC. In Greek mythology Doris was a sea nymph, one of the many children of Oceanus and Tethys. It began to be used as an English name in the 19th century. A famous bearer is the American actress Doris Day (1924-2019).
DRACO Δρακων m Ancient Greek (Latinized)From the Greek name
Δρακων (Drakon), which meant
"dragon, serpent". This was the name of a 7th-century BC Athenian legislator. This is also the name of a constellation in the northern sky.
ELPIS Ελπις f Ancient Greek, Greek MythologyMeans
"hope" in Greek. In Greek mythology Elpis was the personification of hope. She was the last spirit to remain in the jar after Pandora unleashed the evils that were in it.
EPIKTETOS Επικτητος m Ancient GreekAncient Greek name meaning
"newly acquired". This was the name of a 1st-century Greek stoic philosopher.
EPIPHANES Επιφανης m Ancient GreekMeans
"appearing, manifesting" in Greek. This was an epithet of two 2nd-century BC Hellenistic rulers: the Seleucid king Antiochus IV and the Ptolemaic king Ptolemy V.
EUCLID Ευκλειδης m Ancient Greek (Anglicized)From the Greek name
Ευκλειδης (Eukleides), derived from Greek
ευ (eu) meaning "good" and
κλεος (kleos) meaning "glory" with the patronymic suffix
ιδης (ides). This was the name of a 3rd-century BC Greek mathematician from Alexandria who made numerous contributions to geometry.
EUDOCIA Ευδοκια f Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
Ευδοκια (Eudokia), derived from the word
ευδοκεω (eudokeo) meaning
"to be well pleased, to be satisfied", itself derived from
ευ (eu) meaning "good" and
δοκεω (dokeo) meaning "to think, to imagine, to suppose". This name was common among Byzantine royalty. Saint Eudocia was the wife of the 5th-century emperor Theodosius II.
EUDOXOS Ευδοξος m Ancient GreekFrom Greek
ευδοξος (eudoxos) meaning
"of good repute, honoured", itself from
ευ (eu) meaning "good" and
δοξα (doxa) meaning "notion, reputation, honour". This was the name of a 4th-century BC Greek mathematician and astronomer.
EULALIA Ευλαλια f Spanish, Italian, English, Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
ευλαλος (eulalos) meaning
"sweetly-speaking", itself from
ευ (eu) meaning "good" and
λαλεω (laleo) meaning "to talk". This was the name of an early 4th-century saint and martyr from Merida in Spain. She is a patron saint of Barcelona.
EUPHRANOR Ευφρανωρ m Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
ευφραινω (euphraino) meaning
"to delight". This was the name of a 4th-century BC Athenian artist.
EURIPIDES Ευριπιδης m Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
Ευριπος (Euripos), referring to the strait between Euboea and Boeotia, combined with the patronymic suffix
ιδης (ides). This was the name of a 5th-century BC Greek tragic poet.
EUSEBIOS Ευσεβιος m Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
ευσεβης (eusebes) meaning
"pious", itself derived from
ευ (eu) meaning "good" and
σεβω (sebo) meaning "to worship, to honour". This was the name of several saints.
GAIANA Γαιανη f Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
Γαιανη (Gaiane), a derivative of
GAIA. This was the name of a (perhaps fictional) martyr who was killed in Armenia during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian in the late 3rd century.
HELENA ‘Ελενη f German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Portuguese, Catalan, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Finnish, Estonian, Slovene, Croatian, Sorbian, English, Ancient Greek (Latinized), Greek Mythology (Latinized)Latinate form of
HELEN.
HERACLIUS ‘Ηρακλειος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek personal name
‘Ηρακλειος (Herakleios), which was derived from the name of the Greek hero
HERAKLES. This was the name of a 7th-century Byzantine emperor, known for his victories over the Sassanid Persian Empire. This name was also borne by two early saints.
HERAIS ‘Ηραις f Ancient GreekAncient Greek personal name that was probably derived from the name of the Greek goddess
HERA.
HERMAGORAS ‘Ερμαγορας m Ancient GreekFrom the name of the messenger god
HERMES combined with Greek
αγορα (agora) meaning "assembly, marketplace". Saint Hermagoras (3rd century) was the first bishop of Aquileia in Italy.
HERMES ‘Ερμης m Greek Mythology, Ancient GreekProbably from Greek
‘ερμα (herma) meaning
"cairn, pile of stones, boundary marker". Hermes was a Greek god associated with speed and good luck, who served as a messenger to
Zeus and the other gods. He was also the patron of travellers, writers, athletes, merchants, thieves and orators.
... [more] HERODOTUS ‘Ηροδοτος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
‘Ηροδοτος (Herodotos), derived from the name of the goddess
HERA combined with
δοτος (dotos) meaning "given, granted". Herodotus was a Greek historian of the 5th century BC who wrote the
Histories, a detailed account of the Greco-Persian Wars. He is known as the Father of History.
HERON ‘Ηρων m Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
‘ηρως (heros) meaning
"hero". This was the name of a 1st-century Greek inventor (also known as
Hero) from Alexandria.
HESPEROS ‘Εσπερος m Ancient GreekMeans
"evening" in Greek. This was the name of the personification of the Evening Star (the planet Venus) in Greek mythology.
HOMER ‘Ομηρος m English, Ancient Greek (Anglicized)From the Greek name
‘Ομηρος (Homeros), derived from
‘ομηρος (homeros) meaning
"hostage, pledge". Homer was the Greek epic poet who wrote the
Iliad, about the Trojan War, and the
Odyssey, about
Odysseus's journey home after the war. There is some debate about when he lived, or if he was even a real person, though most scholars place him in the 8th century BC. In the modern era,
Homer has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world (chiefly in America) since the 18th century. This name is borne by the cartoon father on the television series
The Simpsons.
HYACINTHUS ‘Υακινθος m Greek Mythology (Latinized), Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
‘Υακινθος (Hyakinthos), which was derived from the name of the hyacinth flower. In Greek legend Hyakinthos was accidentally killed by the god
Apollo, who mournfully caused this flower to arise from his blood. The name was also borne by several early saints, notably a 3rd-century martyr who was killed with his brother Protus.
HYPATIA ‘Υπατια f Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
‘υπατος (hypatos) meaning
"highest, supreme". Hypatia of Alexandria was a 5th-century philosopher and mathematician, daughter of the mathematician Theon.
IRENAEUS Ειρηναιος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
Ειρηναιος (Eirenaios), which meant
"peaceful". Saint Irenaeus was an early bishop of Lyons for whom the Greek island of Santorini is named.
IRENE Ειρηνη f English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, German, Dutch, Ancient Greek (Latinized), Greek Mythology (Latinized)From Greek
Ειρηνη (Eirene), derived from a word meaning
"peace". This was the name of the Greek goddess who personified peace, one of the
‘Ωραι (Horai). It was also borne by several early Christian saints. The name was common in the Byzantine Empire, notably being borne by an 8th-century empress, who was the first woman to lead the empire. She originally served as regent for her son, but later had him killed and ruled alone.
... [more] KALLIAS Καλλιας m Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
καλλος (kallos) meaning
"beauty". This was the name of an Athenian who fought at Marathon who later became an ambassador to the Persians.
KALLISTO Καλλιστω f Greek Mythology, Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
καλλιστος (kallistos) meaning
"most beautiful", a derivative of
καλος (kalos) meaning "beautiful". In Greek mythology Kallisto was a nymph who was loved by
Zeus. She was changed into a she-bear by
Hera, and subsequently became the Great Bear constellation. This was also an ancient Greek personal name.
KLEITOS Κλειτος m Ancient GreekMeans
"splendid, famous" in Greek. This was the name of one of the generals of Alexander the Great.
LEON Λεων m English, German, Polish, Slovene, Croatian, Dutch, Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
λεων (leon) meaning
"lion". During the Christian era this Greek name was merged with the Latin cognate
Leo, with the result that the two forms are used somewhat interchangeably across European languages. In England during the Middle Ages this was a common name among Jews. A famous bearer was Leon Trotsky (1879-1940), a Russian Communist revolutionary.
LEONIDAS Λεωνιδας m Greek, Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
λεων (leon) meaning "lion" combined with the patronymic suffix
ιδης (ides). Leonidas was a Spartan king of the 5th century BC who sacrificed his life and his army defending the pass of Thermopylae from the Persians. This was also the name of a 3rd-century saint and martyr, the father of Origen, from Alexandria.
LEONTIOS Λεοντιος m Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
λεων (leon) meaning
"lion". This was the name of various early saints and martyrs. It was also borne by a 7th-century Byzantine emperor.
LIGEIA Λιγεια f Greek Mythology, Ancient GreekDerived from Greek
λιγυς (ligys) meaning
"clear-voiced, shrill, whistling". This was the name of one of the Sirens in Greek legend. It was also used by Edgar Allan Poe in his story
Ligeia (1838).
LYDOS Λυδος m Ancient GreekMeaning unknown. This was the name of the semi-legendary king who gave his name to the region of
Lydia in Asia Minor.
LYSIMACHUS Λυσιμαχος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
Λυσιμαχος (Lysimachos), derived from
λυσις (lysis) meaning "a release, loosening" and
μαχη (mache) meaning "battle". This was the name of one of the generals under Alexander the Great. After Alexander's death Lysimachus took control of Thrace.