Greek names
What are Greek names like?
Sophia means “wisdom” in Greek. Alexander comes from a Greek name meaning “defender of men”.
Greek names carry astonishing continuity, many, like Sophia, Alexander, and Elena, have been spoken essentially unchanged for over two thousand years, rooted in mythology, philosophy, and the Orthodox Church calendar. Greek families also follow a strong custom of naming the first son after his paternal grandfather, the first daughter after her paternal grandmother.
Part ofEuropean names
Achilles pain; the great hero of the Iliad
Adonis lord; the beautiful young man loved by Aphrodite, the goddess of love, in Greek myth
Alexander defender of men, from Greek Alexandros, combining words for "defend, help" and "man"
Alexandra feminine form of Alexander, with the inherited Greek meaning "defender of men"
Alexios defender
Andreas manly, brave
Angelo messenger
Apollo god of sun, music, and prophecy
Ariadne most holy, utterly pure
Athena goddess of wisdom and war
Atlas possibly "enduring"; in Greek mythology, the Titan who bears the heavens
Calliope beautiful voice; muse of epic poetry
Cassandra possibly Greek kekasmai "to excel, to surpass" with aner "man"; the Trojan prophetess
Chloe blooming, green
Cleo glory, pride
Constantine steadfast, constant
Cosmo order, harmony, universe
Damon to tame, loyal friend
Daphne laurel tree
Demetrios follower of Demeter
Despina lady, mistress
Electra shining, amber, radiant
Eleni shining light
Eudora good gift, generous
Galatea she who is milk-white
George farmer, earth-worker
Helena form of Helen used in Latin; the original Greek meaning is uncertain, and "light" or "torch" is a traditional explanation
Homer hostage, pledge; the great poet
Ianthe violet flower
Iris rainbow, messenger goddess
Jason healer
Leon lion
Lysander liberator, freer of men
Melina elaboration of Mel, from names such as Melissa or the Greek meli, "honey"
Nicholas victory of the people
Nico victory of the people
Orion rising in the sky
Orpheus the darkness of night; legendary musician
Penelope weaver
Persephone bringer of destruction; goddess of spring
Perseus destroyer; slayer of Medusa
Peter rock, stone
Phoebe bright, radiant, shining one
Phoenix dark red; the immortal firebird
Selene moon, moon goddess
Sophia wisdom
Stavros cross
Thalia to flourish, blooming; muse of comedy
Theo a short form of Theodore, "gift of God"; French Théo comes from Théodore
Theodora gift of God
Theodore gift of God
Xanthe golden, yellow
Yannis God is gracious
Zoe life
Which of these fits YOUR family? →