Ancient Greek Names

Korinthia Κορινθία f Ancient Greek
Greek form of Corinthia.

Kosmas Κοσμᾶς m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Cosmas.

Kyriakos Κυριακός m Greek, Ancient Greek
Greek form of Cyriacus.

Kyrillos Κύριλλος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Cyril.

Laodice Λαοδίκη f Ancient Greek (Latinized), Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of Greek Λαοδίκη (Laodike) meaning "justice of the people", derived from Greek λαός (laos) meaning "people" and δίκη (dike) meaning "justice, custom, order". In Greek mythology this was the name of several women, notably the daughter of King Priam of Troy. It was also common among the royal family of the Seleucid Empire, being borne by the mother of Seleucus himself (4th century BC).

Laodike Λαοδίκη f Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Original Greek form of Laodice.

Leon Λέων m English, German, Dutch, Polish, Slovene, Croatian, Greek, Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek λέων (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 the Communist revolutionary Leon Trotsky (1879-1940), whose name is Лев in Russian.

Leonidas Λεωνίδας m Greek, Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek λέων (leon) meaning "lion" combined with the patronymic suffix ἴδης (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.

Leontia Λεοντία f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Leontios. This name was used among Byzantine royalty.

Leontios Λεόντιος m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek λέοντος (leontos), the genitive case of λέων (leon) meaning "lion". This was the name of various early saints and martyrs. It was also borne by a 7th-century Byzantine emperor.

Leontius Λεόντιος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Leontios.

Leucippus Λεύκιππος m Ancient Greek (Latinized), Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of Leukippos.

Leukippos Λεύκιππος m Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Means "white horse", derived from Greek λευκός (leukos) meaning "white, bright" and ἵππος (hippos) meaning "horse". This name was borne by a 5th-century BC Greek philosopher, as well as by several characters in Greek mythology.

Ligeia Λιγεία f Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek λιγύς (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).

Linos Λίνος m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Greek form of Linus.

Linus Λίνος m Greek Mythology (Latinized), Ancient Greek (Latinized), Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, German
From the Greek name Λίνος (Linos) meaning "flax". In Greek legend he was the son of the god Apollo, who accidentally killed him in a contest. Another son of Apollo by this name was the music teacher of Herakles. The name was also borne by the second pope, serving after Saint Peter in the 1st century. In modern times this was the name of a character in Charles Schulz's comic strip Peanuts.

Loukianos Λουκιανός m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Lucianus.

Lycurgus Λυκοῦργος m Greek Mythology (Latinized), Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Λυκοῦργος (Lykourgos), derived from λύκος (lykos) meaning "wolf" and ἔργον (ergon) meaning "work, deed". In Greek legend this was the name of a king who was driven mad by the gods because of his impiety. This was also the name of a Spartan legislator of the 9th century BC.

Lycus Λύκος m Greek Mythology (Latinized), Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Λύκος (Lykos) meaning "wolf". This name was borne by several characters in Greek mythology including a legendary ruler of Thebes.

Lydos Λυδός m Ancient Greek
Meaning unknown. This was the name of the semi-legendary king who gave his name to the region of Lydia in Asia Minor.

Lykos Λύκος m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Greek form of Lycus.

Lykourgos Λυκοῦργος m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Greek form of Lycurgus.

Lysander Λύσανδρος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Λύσανδρος (Lysandros), derived from Greek λύσις (lysis) meaning "a release, loosening" and ἀνήρ (aner) meaning "man" (genitive ἀνδρός). This was the name of a notable 5th-century BC Spartan general and naval commander.

Lysandra Λυσάνδρα f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Lysandros (see Lysander).

Lysandros Λύσανδρος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Lysander.

Lysimachos Λυσίμαχος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Lysimachus.

Lysimachus Λυσίμαχος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Λυσίμαχος (Lysimachos), derived from λύσις (lysis) meaning "a release, loosening" and μάχη (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.

Lysistrata Λυσιστράτη f Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Lysistrate.

Lysistrate Λυσιστράτη f Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek λύσις (lysis) meaning "a release, loosening" and στρατός (stratos) meaning "army". This is the name of a comedy by the Greek playwright Aristophanes.

Markos Μᾶρκος m Greek, Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek
Greek form of Marcus (see Mark).

Melanthios Μελάνθιος m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek μέλας (melas) meaning "black, dark" and ἄνθος (anthos) meaning "flower". In Homer's epic the Odyssey this is the name of an insolent goatherd killed by Odysseus.

Melissa Μέλισσα f English, Dutch, Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Means "bee" in Greek. In Greek mythology this was the name of a daughter of Procles, as well as an epithet of various Greek nymphs and priestesses. According to the early Christian writer Lactantius this was the name of the sister of the nymph Amalthea, with whom she cared for the young Zeus. Later it appears in Ludovico Ariosto's 1516 poem Orlando Furioso belonging to the fairy who helps Ruggiero escape from the witch Alcina. As an English given name, Melissa has been used since the 18th century.

Melite Μελίτη f Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek μέλι (meli) meaning "honey" (genitive μέλιτος). This is the name of several figures from Greek mythology, including a nymph who was the mother of Hyllus by Herakles.

Meliton Μελίτων m Ancient Greek, Georgian
Derived from Greek μέλι (meli) meaning "honey" (genitive μέλιτος). This was the name of a 2nd-century bishop of Sardis who is regarded as a saint in the Orthodox Church.

Melitta Μέλιττα f Ancient Greek, German
Ancient Attic Greek variant of Melissa.

Menander Μένανδρος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Μένανδρος (Menandros), derived from either μένω (meno) meaning "to stay, to last" or μένος (menos) meaning "mind, strength, force" combined with ἀνήρ (aner) meaning "man" (genitive ἀνδρός). This was the name of a 4th-century BC Greek dramatist. It was also borne by a 2nd-century BC Indo-Greek king who expanded the realm to its greatest extent.

Menandros Μένανδρος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Menander.

Menelaos Μενέλαος m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek, Greek
Greek form of Menelaus.

Menodora Μηνοδώρα f Ancient Greek
Means "gift of the moon", derived from Greek μήνη (mene) meaning "moon" and δῶρον (doron) meaning "gift". This was the name of a 4th-century saint who was martyred with her sisters Metrodora and Nymphodora.

Metrodora Μητροδώρα f Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek μήτηρ (meter) meaning "mother" (genitive μητρός) and δῶρον (doron) meaning "gift". This was the name of a 4th-century saint and martyr who was killed with her sisters Menodora and Nymphodora.

Metrophanes Μητροφάνης m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek μήτηρ (meter) meaning "mother" (genitive μητρός) and φανής (phanes) meaning "appearing". Saint Metrophanes was the first bishop of Byzantium (4th century).

Miltiades Μιλτιάδης m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek μίλτος (miltos) meaning "red earth" and the patronymic suffix ἴδης (ides). This was the name of the general who led the Greek forces to victory against the Persians in the Battle of Marathon.

Mnason Μνάσων m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Ancient Greek
Possibly means "reminding" in Greek. In Acts in the New Testament Paul stays in Jerusalem with a man named Mnason, a Jew who was originally from Cyprus.

Myron Μύρων m English, Ukrainian, Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek μύρον (myron) meaning "sweet oil, perfume". Myron was the name of a 5th-century BC Greek sculptor. Saints bearing this name include a 3rd-century bishop of Crete and a 4th-century martyr from Cyzicus who was killed by a mob. These saints are more widely revered in the Eastern Church, and the name has generally been more common among Eastern Christians. As an English name, it has been used since the 19th century.

Myrrhine Μυρρίνη f Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek μύρρα (myrrha) meaning "myrrh".

Myrto Μυρτώ f Greek, Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
From Greek μύρτος (myrtos) meaning "myrtle". This was the name of a few characters from Greek mythology, including one of the Maenads.

Neon Νέων m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek νέος (neos) meaning "new".

Neophytos Νεόφυτος m Ancient Greek
Greek name meaning "new plant, new child", from a word that was derived from νέος (neos) meaning "new" and φυτόν (phyton) meaning "plant".

Nereus Νηρεύς m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Derived from Greek νηρός (neros) meaning "water". In Greek myth this was the name of a god of the sea, the father of the Nereids. It is mentioned briefly in the New Testament, belonging to a Christian in Rome. This was also the name of a Roman saint of the 1st century, a member of the army, who was martyred with his companion Achilleus because they refused to execute Christians.

Nicander Νίκανδρος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Nikandros.

Nicanor Νικάνωρ m Ancient Greek (Latinized), Biblical, Biblical Latin, Spanish
From the Greek name Νικάνωρ (Nikanor), which was derived from νίκη (nike) meaning "victory" and ἀνήρ (aner) meaning "man". This name was borne by several notable officers from ancient Macedon. It is also mentioned in the New Testament as belonging to one of the original seven deacons of the church, considered a saint.

Nicodemus Νικόδημος m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From the Greek name Νικόδημος (Nikodemos) meaning "victory of the people", derived from Greek νίκη (nike) meaning "victory" and δῆμος (demos) meaning "the people". This is the name of a character in the New Testament who helps Joseph of Arimathea entomb Jesus.

Nicolaus Νικόλαος m German, Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Nikolaos (see Nicholas). This form is also used in Germany as a variant of Nikolaus.

Nicomachus Νικόμαχος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Nikomachos.

Nicomedes Νικομήδης m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Nikomedes.

Nicostratus Νικόστρατος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Nikostratos.

Nikandros Νίκανδρος m Ancient Greek
Means "victory of a man" from the Greek elements νίκη (nike) meaning "victory" and ἀνήρ (aner) meaning "man" (genitive ἀνδρός). This was the name of a 2nd-century BC Greek poet and grammarian from Colophon.

Nikanor Νικάνωρ m Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek, Russian (Rare)
Greek and Russian form of Nicanor.

Nike Νίκη f Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Means "victory" in Greek. Nike was the Greek goddess of victory.

Nikephoros Νικηφόρος m & f Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Means "carrying victory" from Greek νίκη (nike) meaning "victory" and φέρω (phero) meaning "to carry, to bear". This name was borne by several Byzantine emperors, including the 10th-century Nikephoros II Phokas. Besides being a masculine personal name, it was also a title borne by the goddess Athena.

Niketas Νικήτας m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek νικητής (niketes) meaning "winner, victor". Saint Niketas was a 4th-century bishop of Remesiana in Serbia. He is a patron saint of Romania.

Nikias Νικίας m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek νίκη (nike) meaning "victory". This was the name of an Athenian general who fought in the Peloponnesian war.

Nikodemos Νικόδημος m Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek
Ancient Greek form of Nicodemus.

Nikolaos Νικόλαος m Greek, Ancient Greek
Greek form of Nicholas.

Nikomachos Νικόμαχος m Ancient Greek
Means "battle of victory" from Greek νίκη (nike) meaning "victory" and μάχη (mache) meaning "battle". This was the name of both the father and son of the Greek philosopher Aristotle. It was also borne by a 2nd-century Greek mathematician.

Nikomedes Νικομήδης m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek νίκη (nike) meaning "victory" and μήδεα (medea) meaning "plans, counsel, cunning". This was the name of a 1st-century saint, a priest beaten to death for refusing to worship the Roman gods.

Nikon Νίκων m Ancient Greek, Russian
Derived from Greek νίκη (nike) meaning "victory".

Nikostratos Νικόστρατος m Ancient Greek
Means "army of victory" from Greek νίκη (nike) meaning "victory" and στρατός (stratos) meaning "army". This was the name of a Roman saint martyred during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian at the end of the 3rd century.

Nympha Νύμφη, Νύμφα f Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek, Biblical
Variant of Nymphe (as well as the usual Latinized form). This name is mentioned briefly by Paul in his epistle to the Colossians in the New Testament, though it is uncertain whether it refers to a woman Nympha or a man Nymphas. The name was later borne by an obscure 4th-century saint possibly from Palermo, Sicily.

Nymphas Νυμφᾶς m Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek, Biblical
Short form of Nymphodoros. This name is mentioned briefly by Paul in his epistle to the Colossians in the New Testament. Alternatively, the Greek text might be read as Nympha referring to a woman. Some bible translations use Nymphas, others use Nympha.

Nymphe Νύμφη f Ancient Greek
Means "bride, nymph" in Greek.

Nymphodora Νυμφοδώρα f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Nymphodoros. This was the name of a 4th-century saint who was martyred with her sisters Menodora and Metrodora.

Nymphodoros Νυμφόδωρος m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek νύμφη (nymphe) meaning "bride, nymph" and δῶρον (doron) meaning "gift".

Olympas Ὀλυμπᾶς m Biblical, Biblical Greek, Biblical Latin, Ancient Greek
Probably a shortened form of a longer name such as Olympiodoros. It is mentioned briefly in the New Testament.

Olympias Ὀλυμπιάς f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Olympos. This was the name of the mother of Alexander the Great. It was also borne by a 4th-century saint.

Olympiodoros Ὀλυμπιόδωρος m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek name meaning "gift of Olympus", derived from Olympos, the name of the mountain home of the Greek gods, combined with δῶρον (doron) meaning "gift".

Olympos Ὄλυμπος m Ancient Greek
From a Greek personal name that was derived from the place name Olympos, the name of the mountain home of the Greek gods.

Onesimos Ὀνήσιμος m Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek
Greek form of Onesimus.

Onesiphoros Ὀνησίφορος m Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek
Ancient Greek form of Onesiphorus.

Ophelia Ὠφελία f English, Literature, Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek ὠφέλεια (opheleia) meaning "help, advantage". This was a rare ancient Greek name, which was either rediscovered or recreated by the 15th-century poet Jacopo Sannazaro for a character in his poem Arcadia. It was borrowed by Shakespeare for his play Hamlet (1600), in which it belongs to the daughter of Polonius and the potential love interest of Hamlet. She eventually goes insane and drowns herself after Hamlet kills her father. In spite of this negative association, the name has been in use since the 19th century.

Origenes Ὠριγένης m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Origen.

Pamphilos Πάμφιλος m Ancient Greek
Means "friend of all" from Greek πᾶν (pan) meaning "all" and φίλος (philos) meaning "friend". This was the name of a 4th-century saint from Caesarea in the Roman province of Syria Palaestina.

Pamphilus Πάμφιλος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Pamphilos.

Pancratius Παγκράτιος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Greek Παγκράτιος (Pankratios), derived from the Greek word παγκρατής (pankrates) meaning "all-powerful", from the roots πᾶν (pan) meaning "all" and κράτος (kratos) meaning "power". Early Byzantine Christians used this as a title of Christ. It was borne by two saints, a 1st-century Sicilian martyr and a semi-legendary 4th-century Roman martyr.

Pankratios Παγκράτιος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Pancratius.

Pantaleon Πανταλέων m Ancient Greek
Derived from the Greek elements πᾶν (pan) meaning "all" (genitive παντός) and λέων (leon) meaning "lion". This was the name of a 2nd-century BC king of Bactria. It was also borne by Saint Pantaleon (also called Panteleimon), a doctor from Asia Minor who was martyred during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian in the early 4th century. He is a patron saint of doctors and midwives.

Panther Πάνθηρ m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek name meaning "panther".

Pantheras Πανθήρας m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek πάνθηρ (panther) meaning "panther", a word ultimately of Sanskrit origin, though folk etymology connects it to Greek πᾶν (pan) meaning "all" and θηράω (therao) meaning "to hunt". According to some legends a Roman soldier named Panthera was the father of Jesus.

Paramonos Παράμονος m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek παραμονή (paramone) meaning "endurance, constancy".

Pelagia Πελαγία f Ancient Greek, Greek, Polish (Rare)
Feminine form of Pelagius. This was the name of a few early saints, including a young 4th-century martyr who threw herself from a rooftop in Antioch rather than lose her virginity.

Pelagios Πελάγιος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Pelagius.

Pelagius Πελάγιος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Πελάγιος (Pelagios), which was derived from πέλαγος (pelagos) meaning "the sea". This was the name of several saints and two popes.

Pericles Περικλῆς m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From the Greek name Περικλῆς (Perikles), which was derived from the Greek elements περί (peri) meaning "around, exceedingly" and κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory". This was the name of a 5th-century BC Athenian statesman and general. It is also the name of the central character in the play Pericles, Prince of Tyre (1608) written (or co-written) by William Shakespeare.

Perikles Περικλῆς m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Pericles.

Phaedrus Φαῖδρος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Φαῖδρος (Phaidros), which meant "bright". This was the name of a 5th-century BC Greek philosopher, and also of a 1st-century Roman fabulist who was originally a slave from Thrace.

Phaidros Φαῖδρος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Phaedrus.

Pherenike Φερενίκη f Ancient Greek
Ancient Attic Greek form of Berenice.

Philadelphos Φιλάδελφος m Ancient Greek
From Greek φιλέω (phileo) meaning "to love" and ἀδελφός (adelphos) meaning "brother".

Philadelphus Φιλάδελφος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Philadelphos.

Philandros Φίλανδρος m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Philander.

Phile Φίλη f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Philon (see Philo).

Philemon Φιλήμων m Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Ancient Greek
Means "affectionate" in Greek, a derivative of φίλημα (philema) meaning "kiss". Philemon was the recipient of one of Paul's epistles in the New Testament.

Philippos Φίλιππος m Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek
Greek form of Philip.

Philo Φίλων m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From the Greek name Φίλων (Philon), which was derived from φίλος (philos) meaning "lover, friend". This was the name of a 1st-century Hellenistic Jewish philosopher and theologian from Alexandria.

Philokrates Φιλοκράτης m Ancient Greek
Means "friend of power" from Greek φίλος (philos) meaning "lover, friend" and κράτος (kratos) meaning "power".

Philomena Φιλουμένη f English, German, Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From Greek Φιλουμένη (Philoumene) meaning "to be loved", an inflection of φιλέω (phileo) meaning "to love". This was the name of an obscure early saint and martyr. The name came to public attention in 1802 after a tomb seemingly marked with the name Filumena was found in Rome, supposedly belonging to another martyr named Philomena. This may have in fact been a representation of the Greek word φιλουμένη, not a name.

Philon Φίλων m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Philo.

Philotheos Φιλόθεος m Ancient Greek
Means "friend of god" from Greek φίλος (philos) meaning "lover, friend" and θεός (theos) meaning "god".

Philoumene Φιλουμένη f Ancient Greek
Original Greek form of Philomena.

Phocas Φωκᾶς m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Φωκᾶς (Phokas), which meant "seal (animal)" from Greek φώκη (phoke). This was the name of an early saint and martyr from Asia Minor. Sentenced to death for being a Christian, he is said to have given his killers lodging and then dug his own grave before he was executed.

Phoibe Φοίβη f Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek
Greek form of Phoebe.

Phoibos Φοῖβος m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Greek form of Phoebus.

Phokas Φωκᾶς m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Phocas.

Photina Φωτίνη f Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Photine.

Photine Φωτίνη f Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek φῶς (phos) meaning "light" (genitive φωτός (photos)). This is the name traditionally given to the Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well (see John 4:7). She is venerated as a saint by the Eastern Church.

Photios Φώτιος m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek φῶς (phos) meaning "light" (genitive φωτός (photos)).

Plato Πλάτων m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From the Greek name Πλάτων (Platon), which was derived from Greek πλατύς (platys) meaning "broad-shouldered". Plato was one of the most important of the Greek philosophers. He was a pupil of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle. He constructed the theory of Forms and wrote several works, including the Republic.

Platon Πλάτων m Ancient Greek, Greek, Russian, Ukrainian
Greek form of Plato.

Ploutarchos Πλούταρχος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Plutarch.

Polycarp Πολύκαρπος m Ancient Greek (Anglicized)
From the Greek name Πολύκαρπος (Polykarpos) meaning "fruitful, rich in fruit", ultimately from Greek πολύς (polys) meaning "much" and καρπός (karpos) meaning "fruit". Saint Polycarp was a 2nd-century bishop of Smyrna who was martyred by being burned at the stake and then stabbed.

Polykarpos Πολύκαρπος m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Polycarp.

Porphyrios Πορφύριος m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Porfirio.

Praxiteles Πραξιτέλης m Ancient Greek
Derived from the Greek elements πρᾶξις (praxis) meaning "action, exercise" and τέλος (telos) meaning "purpose, result, completion". This was the name of a 4th-century BC sculptor from Athens.

Prochoros Πρόχορος m Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek
Greek form of Prochorus.

Ptolemaeus Πτολεμαῖος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Ptolemaios (see Ptolemy).

Ptolemaios Πτολεμαῖος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Ptolemy.

Ptolemais Πτολεμαΐς f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Ptolemaios (see Ptolemy).

Pyrrhos Πύρρος m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Greek form of Pyrrhus.

Pyrrhus Πύρρος m Greek Mythology (Latinized), Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From the Greek name Πύρρος (Pyrrhos) meaning "flame-coloured, red", related to πῦρ (pyr) meaning "fire". This was another name of Neoptolemus the son of Achilles. This was also the name of a 3rd-century BC king of Epirus who was famed for his victorious yet costly battles against Rome.

Pythagoras Πυθαγόρας m Ancient Greek
Derived from Pythios, a name of Apollo, combined with Greek ἀγορά (agora) meaning "assembly, marketplace". This was the name of a 6th-century BC Greek philosopher and mathematician from Samos. He was the founder of a school of philosophy whose members believed that numbers described the universe.

Rhode Ῥόδη f Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek, Biblical Latin
Greek form of Rhoda.

Rhodopis Ῥοδῶπις f Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek ῥόδον (rhodon) meaning "rose" and ὄψ (ops) meaning "face, eye". According to Herodotus this was the name of a prostitute who was a slave with Aesop on Samos. The same figure appears in the 1st-century BC writings of Strabo, which recount the tale of a slave named Rhodopis who marries the Egyptian pharaoh after he finds her sandal and has his men locate the owner. Some sources spell her name as Rhodope.

Rhoxane Ῥωξάνη f Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Roxana.

Roxana Ῥωξάνη f English, Spanish, Romanian, Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latin form of Ῥωξάνη (Rhoxane), the Greek form of an Old Persian or Bactrian name, from Old Iranian *rauxšnā meaning "bright, shining". This was the name of Alexander the Great's first wife, a daughter of the Bactrian nobleman Oxyartes. In the modern era it came into use during the 17th century. In the English-speaking world it was popularized by Daniel Defoe, who used it in his novel Roxana (1724).

Sappho Σαπφώ f Ancient Greek
Possibly from Greek σάπφειρος (sappheiros) meaning "sapphire" or "lapis lazuli". This was the name of a 7th-century BC Greek poetess from Lesbos.

Seleucus Σέλευκος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Σέλευκος (Seleukos), of unknown meaning. It is possibly related to λευκός (leukos) meaning "bright, white". This was the name of one of Alexander the Great's generals, who established the Seleucid Empire in Western Asia after Alexander's death.

Seleukos Σέλευκος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Seleucus.

Serapion Σεραπίων m Ancient Greek
From the name of the Greco-Egyptian god Serapis. Saint Serapion was a 3rd-century patriarch of Antioch. This was also the name of a 13th-century saint, a Mercedarian friar who was martyred by pirates.

Simon 2 Σίμων m Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Derived from Greek σιμός (simos) meaning "flat-nosed". In Greek mythology this was the name of one of the Telchines, demigods who were the original inhabitants of Rhodes.

Simonides Σιμωνίδης m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek σιμός (simos) meaning "flat-nosed" and the patronymic suffix ἴδης (ides). This name was borne by the 7th-century BC iambic poet Simonides of Amorgos and the 6th-century BC lyric poet Simonides of Ceos.

Socrates Σωκράτης m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From the Greek name Σωκράτης (Sokrates), which was derived from σῶς (sos) meaning "whole, unwounded, safe" and κράτος (kratos) meaning "power". This was the name of an important Greek philosopher. He left no writings of his own; virtually everything that we know of his beliefs comes from his pupil Plato. He was sentenced to death for impiety.

Sokrates Σωκράτης m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Socrates.

Solon Σόλων m Ancient Greek
Possibly from Greek σόλος (solos) meaning "lump of iron". This was the name of an Athenian statesman who reformed the laws and government of the city.

Sophia Σοφία f English, Greek, German, Ancient Greek
Means "wisdom" in Greek. This was the name of an early, probably mythical, saint who died of grief after her three daughters were martyred during the reign of the emperor Hadrian. Legends about her probably arose as a result of a medieval misunderstanding of the phrase Hagia Sophia "Holy Wisdom", which is the name of a large basilica in Constantinople.... [more]

Sophocles Σοφοκλῆς m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From the Greek name Σοφοκλῆς (Sophokles), which was derived from Greek σοφός (sophos) meaning "skilled, clever" and κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory". Sophocles was a 5th-century BC Greek tragic poet.

Sophokles Σοφοκλῆς m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Sophocles.

Sophos Σόφος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Sophus.

Sophron Σώφρων m Ancient Greek
Means "self-controlled, sensible" in Greek. This name was borne by the 5th-century BC writer Sophron of Syracuse.

Sophus Σόφος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From the Greek name Σόφος (Sophos) meaning "skilled, clever".

Sosigenes Σωσιγένης m Ancient Greek
Means "born safely" from Greek σῶς (sos) meaning "safe, whole, unwounded" and γενής (genes) meaning "born". This was the name of an astronomer from Alexandria employed by Julius Caesar to correct the Roman calendar.

Sostrate Σωστράτη f Ancient Greek
Means "safe army" from Greek σῶς (sos) meaning "safe, whole, unwounded" and στρατός (stratos) meaning "army".

Stephanos Στέφανος m Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek, Greek
Greek form of Stephen. In Modern Greek it is usually transcribed Stefanos.

Straton Στράτων m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek στρατός (stratos) meaning "army". This was the name of a 3rd-century BC Greek philosopher.

Syntyche Συντύχη f Biblical, Biblical Greek, Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek name derived from συντυχία (syntychia) meaning "occurrence, event". This is the name of a woman mentioned in Paul's epistle to the Philippians in the New Testament.

Telesphoros Τελεσφόρος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Télesphore.

Telesphorus Τελεσφόρος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Telesphoros (see Télesphore).

Thaïs Θαΐς f Ancient Greek, French
Possibly means "bandage" in Greek. This was the name of a companion of Alexander the Great. It was also borne by a 4th-century saint from Alexandria, a wealthy socialite who became a Christian convert, though in her case the name may have had a distinct Coptic origin. She has been a popular subject of art and literature, including an 1891 novel by Anatole France and an 1894 opera by Jules Massenet.

Thais Θαΐς f Ancient Greek, Spanish
Alternate transcription of Ancient Greek Θαΐς (see Thaïs), as well as the usual Spanish form.

Thales Θαλῆς m Ancient Greek, Portuguese (Brazilian)
Derived from Greek θάλλω (thallo) meaning "to blossom". Thales of Miletus was a 6th-century BC Greek philosopher and mathematician.

Theano Θεανώ f Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology, Greek
From Greek θεά (thea) meaning "goddess". Theano was a 6th-century BC Greek philosopher associated with Pythagoras. The name was also borne by several figures from Greek mythology.

Themistocles Θεμιστοκλῆς m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Θεμιστοκλῆς (Themistokles) meaning "glory of the law", from θέμις (themis) meaning "law of nature, divine law, custom" (genitive θέμιστος) and κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory". This was the name of an Athenian statesman and general who was victorious over the Persians in the Battle of Salamis.

Themistokles Θεμιστοκλῆς m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Themistocles.

Theocritus Θεόκριτος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Θεόκριτος (Theokritos), a Greek name meaning "judge of god" from θεός (theos) meaning "god" and κριτής (krites) meaning "judge, critic". This was the name of a 3rd-century BC Greek poet.

Theodora Θεοδώρα f English, Greek, Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Theodore. This name was common in the Byzantine Empire, being borne by several empresses including the influential wife of Justinian in the 6th century.

Theodoros Θεόδωρος m Greek, Ancient Greek
Greek form of Theodore.

Theodorus Θεόδωρος m Ancient Greek (Latinized), Dutch
Latinized form of the Greek name Theodoros (see Theodore). As a Dutch name, it is used on birth certificates though a vernacular form such as Theodoor is typically used in daily life.

Theodosia Θεοδοσία f Ancient Greek, Greek
Feminine form of Theodosius.

Theodosios Θεοδόσιος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Theodosius.

Theodosius Θεοδόσιος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Θεοδόσιος (Theodosios) meaning "giving to god", derived from θεός (theos) meaning "god" and δόσις (dosis) meaning "giving". Saint Theodosius of Palestine was a monk who founded a monastery near Bethlehem in the 5th century. This also was the name of emperors of the Eastern Roman and Byzantine Empires.

Theodotos Θεόδοτος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Theodotus.

Theodotus Θεόδοτος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Θεόδοτος (Theodotos) meaning "given to god", derived from θεός (theos) meaning "god" and δοτός (dotos) meaning "given". This name belonged to several early saints and martyrs.

Theodoulos Θεόδουλος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Theodulus.

Theodulus Θεόδουλος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Θεόδουλος (Theodoulos) meaning "slave of god", derived from θεός (theos) meaning "god" and δοῦλος (doulos) meaning "slave". This name was borne by several early saints.

Theokleia Θεόκλεια f Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Thekla.

Theokritos Θεόκριτος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Theocritus.

Theophanes Θεοφάνης m Ancient Greek
Means "manifestation of God" from Greek θεός (theos) meaning "god" and φανής (phanes) meaning "appearing". This name was borne by a few saints, including an 8th-century chronicler from Constantinople and a 19th-century Russian Orthodox saint, Theophanes the Recluse, who is Феофан (Feofan) in Russian. Another famous bearer was a 14th-century Byzantine icon painter active in Moscow.

Theophania Θεοφάνια f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Theophanes.

Theophila Θεοφίλα f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Theophilus.

Theophile Θεοφίλη f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Theophilus.

Theophilos Θεόφιλος m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek form of Theophilus.

Theophilus Θεόφιλος m Biblical, Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Θεόφιλος (Theophilos) meaning "friend of god", derived from θεός (theos) meaning "god" and φίλος (philos) meaning "friend". In the New Testament the evangelist Luke addresses his gospel and the Book of Acts to a man named Theophilus.

Theophylaktos Θεοφύλακτος m Ancient Greek
Means "watched by god" from Greek θεός (theos) meaning "god" and φυλακτέος (phylakteos) meaning "to be watched". Saint Theophylaktos was a 9th-century bishop of Nicomedia who was banished to Caria.

Theotimos Θεότιμος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Theotimus.

Theotimus Θεότιμος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Θεότιμος (Theotimos) meaning "honouring god", derived from the elements θεός (theos) meaning "god" and τιμάω (timao) meaning "to honour". Saint Theotimus was a 4th-century bishop of Tomi in Scythia.

Theron Θήρων m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek θηράω (therao) meaning "to hunt".

Thoukydides Θουκυδίδης m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Thucydides.

Thrasyboulos Θρασύβουλος m Ancient Greek
From a Greek word meaning "bold in counsel", itself from θρασύς (thrasys) "bold" and βουλή (boule) "counsel, advice". A notable bearer was the 5th-century BC Athenian general who fought to maintain democratic government in the city-state.

Thucydides Θουκυδίδης m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Means "glory of god", from the Greek name Θουκυδίδης (Thoukydides), derived from θεός (theos) meaning "god" (genitive θεοῦ) and κῦδος (kydos) meaning "glory" with the patronymic suffix ἴδης (ides). This was the name of a 5th-century BC Athenian historian.

Timaeus Τίμαιος m Ancient Greek (Latinized), Biblical Latin, Biblical
Latinized form of the Greek name Τίμαιος (Timaios), derived from τιμάω (timao) meaning "to honour". This is the name of one of Plato's dialogues, featuring Timaeus and Socrates. Timaeus is also the name of a person mentioned briefly in the New Testament (Mark 10:46).

Timaios Τίμαιος m Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek
Greek form of Timaeus.

Timo 3 Τιμώ f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Timon.

Timoleon Τιμολέων m Ancient Greek
Derived from the Greek elements τιμάω (timao) "to honour" and λέων (leon) "lion". This name was borne by a 4th-century BC Greek statesman and general.

Timon Τίμων m Ancient Greek, Biblical, Biblical Greek, Biblical Latin, Dutch
Derived from Greek τιμάω (timao) meaning "to honour, to esteem". According to ancient writers, this was the name of a wealthy man of Athens who grew to hate humanity after he lost his riches and his friends deserted him. His story is related in Shakespeare's tragedy Timon of Athens (1607). This name is also mentioned in the New Testament as belonging to one of the original seven deacons of the church, considered a saint.

Timoteus Τιμόθεος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Variant of Timotheus.

Timothea Τιμοθέα f Ancient Greek, Greek
Feminine form of Timothy.

Timotheos Τιμόθεος m Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek
Greek form of Timothy.

Trophimos Τρόφιμος m Ancient Greek, Biblical Greek
Original Greek form of Trophimus.

Tryphaina Τρύφαινα f Biblical Greek, Ancient Greek
Greek form of Tryphena.

Tryphon Τρύφων m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek τρυφή (tryphe) meaning "softness, delicacy". Saint Tryphon, a gooseherder from Syria, was martyred in the 3rd century.

Tryphosa Τρυφῶσα f Biblical, Biblical Greek, Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek τρυφή (tryphe) meaning "softness, delicacy". In the New Testament this name is mentioned briefly as belonging to a companion of Tryphena.

Tychon Τύχων m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
From Greek τύχη (tyche) meaning "chance, luck, fortune", a derivative of τυγχάνω (tynchano) meaning "hit the mark, succeed". This was the name of a minor deity associated with Priapus in Greek mythology. It was also borne by a 5th-century saint from Cyprus.

Xanthe Ξανθή f Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek ξανθός (xanthos) meaning "yellow, blond, fair-haired". This was the name of a few minor figures in Greek mythology.

Xanthippe Ξανθίππη f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Xanthippos. This was the name of the wife of Socrates. Because of her supposedly argumentative nature, the name has been adopted (in the modern era) as a word for a scolding, ill-tempered woman.

Xanthippos Ξάνθιππος m Ancient Greek
From the Greek elements ξανθός (xanthos) meaning "yellow" and ἵππος (hippos) meaning "horse". This was the name of a 5th-century BC Athenian general.

Xanthos Ξάνθος m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
From Greek ξανθός (xanthos) meaning "yellow". This is the name of several figures, mostly minor, in Greek mythology.

Xenagoras Ξεναγόρας m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek ξένος (xenos) meaning "foreign, strange" and ἀγορά (agora) meaning "assembly, marketplace". This was the name of a 2nd-century BC Greek historian.

Xenia Ξενία f Greek, Ancient Greek
Means "hospitality" in Greek, a derivative of ξένος (xenos) meaning "foreigner, guest". This was the name of a 5th-century saint who is venerated in the Eastern Church.

Xeno Ξενώ f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Xenon.

Xenocrates Ξενοκράτης m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
From the Greek name Ξενοκράτης (Xenokrates), which was derived from ξένος (xenos) meaning "foreigner, guest" and κράτος (kratos) meaning "power". This was the name of a 4th-century BC Greek philosopher.

Xenokrates Ξενοκράτης m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Xenocrates.

Xenon Ξένων m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek ξένος (xenos) meaning "foreigner, guest".

Xenophon Ξενοφῶν m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek ξένος (xenos) meaning "foreign, strange" and φωνή (phone) meaning "voice". This was the name of a 4th-century BC Greek military commander and historian. This name was also borne by a 5th-century saint from Constantinople.

Zenais Ζηναΐς f Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek variant of Zenaida.

Zeno Ζήνων m Ancient Greek (Latinized), Italian
From the Greek name Ζήνων (Zenon), which was derived from the name of the Greek god Zeus (the poetic form of his name being Ζήν). Zeno was the name of two famous Greek philosophers: Zeno of Elea and Zeno of Citium, the founder of the Stoic school in Athens.

Zenobia Ζηνοβία f Ancient Greek
Means "life of Zeus", derived from Greek Ζηνός (Zenos) meaning "of Zeus" and βίος (bios) meaning "life". This was the name of the queen of the Palmyrene Empire, which broke away from Rome in the 3rd-century and began expanding into Roman territory. She was eventually defeated by the emperor Aurelian. Her Greek name was used as an approximation of her native Aramaic name.

Zenobios Ζηνόβιος m Ancient Greek
Masculine form of Zenobia.

Zenon Ζήνων m Ancient Greek, Polish
Ancient Greek form of Zeno, as well as the modern Polish form.

Zephyros Ζέφυρος m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Greek form of Zephyr.

Zoe Ζωή f English, Italian, Spanish, German, Czech, Ancient Greek
Means "life" in Greek. From early times it was adopted by Hellenized Jews as a translation of Eve. It was borne by two early Christian saints, one martyred under Emperor Hadrian, the other martyred under Diocletian. The name was common in the Byzantine Empire, being borne by a ruling empress of the 11th century.... [more]

Zoilos Ζωΐλος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Zoilus.

Zoilus Ζωΐλος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Greek Ζωΐλος (Zoilos), derived from ζωή (zoe) meaning "life". This name was borne by a 4th-century BC Greek philosopher known as a critic of Homer, and also by two Indo-Greek kings. Saint Zoilus was martyred at Córdoba, Spain during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian in the early 4th century.

Zopyros Ζώπυρος m Ancient Greek
Means "glowing" in Greek. This was the name of a Persian nobleman who aided his king Darius in the capture of Babylon. He did this by mutilating himself and then going to the Babylonians claiming that it had been Darius who did it to him. After gaining their trust he betrayed them.

Zosime Ζωσίμη f Ancient Greek
Feminine form of Zosimos (see Zosimus).

Zosimos Ζώσιμος m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Zosimus.

Zosimus Ζώσιμος m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Ζώσιμος (Zosimos), a Greek name derived from ζώσιμος (zosimos) meaning "viable" or "likely to survive". This was the name of several early saints and a pope.

Zoticus Ζωτικός m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Ζωτικός (Zotikos), derived from ζωτικός (zotikos) meaning "full of life". This was the name of several early saints.

Zotikos Ζωτικός m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Zoticus.