Greek Names

Male Names
  • Adonis (Phoenician) - Lord [English, Greek and Spanish speaking countries]

    Adonis was the name of the Phoenician god of spring. In Greek mythology Adonis was the name of a boy loved by Aphrodite. The name is derived from the Phoenician 'adon' (lord).

  • Alek (Greek) - Defending men [Albanian, English, Greek and Russian speaking countries]
  • Alexander (Greek) - Defending men [Dutch, English, German, Hungarian and Slovak speaking countries]

    Anglicised version of the Greek name Alexandros.

    Alexander appears in the Bible as the one who helps Jesus bear the cross on the journey to Calvary.

    Alexander the Great was an ancient Macedon king. Greece was unified by his

  • Alexandr (Greek) - Defending men [Czech and English speaking countries]
  • Andreas (Greek) - Man, warrior [English, German, Greek and Spanish speaking countries]

    Greek root of names such as Andrew and André, the short form of names beginning with 'andr-' such as Androkles and Andronikos.

    The San Andreas Fault is a geological transform fault in California that marks the boundary between the North Ame

  • Christopher (Greek) - Bearer of Christ [English speaking countries]

    From the Greek 'christos' (the annointed one, Christ) and 'phero' (I carry). Christopher is the patron saint of travellers and, according to the legend, Christopher carried the young Jesus across a river. Another famous bearer of the name is the explorer

  • Darius (Persian) - Maintain well; possess and good [English and Persian speaking countries]

    Darius the Great was king of Persia in the fifth and sixth centurys BC. He is famous for being a great financier and fighting against the Greeks at Marathon.

    Darius Danesh is a singer.

  • Elias (Hebrew) - My God is the Lord [English and Greek speaking countries]

    Greek variant of the Hebrew Elijah. "Elias" is the name of an oratorio by Felix Mendelssohn. It is sometimes claimed that Elias is linked to the ancient Greek name Helios, though this theory is not strongly supported by onomastic evidence.

  • Eugene (Greek) - Well born [English and French speaking countries]

    A borrowing from the French Eugène.

    From the Latin Eugenius and the Greek Eugenios, which are derived from the Greek "eugenes" (well-born, noble). Eugene was a name borne by four popes and several saints.

    Eugène de Beauharna

  • George (Greek) - Earth worker [English speaking countries]

    There have been six British kings called George, and Saint George is the patron saint of England, knights, armorers and archers. This is also the first name of US President, George H. W. Bush and his son, President George W. Bush, and the first US Preside

  • Homer (Greek) - Pledge or hostage [English speaking countries]

    The most famous bearer of this name in history is undoubtedly the ancient Greek epic poet. This association has been unfortunately overshadowed in recent years by the cartoon buffoon, Homer Simpson. There are many towns in the U.S. that bear the name Ho

  • Jerome (Greek) - Sacred name [English and French speaking countries]

    The French form of the name is spelled Jérôme.

    St. Jerome is the patron saint of librarians, he translated the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin.

    Jerome K Jerome was an English novelist.

  • Julius (Latin) - Down-bearded youth [English and Greek speaking countries]

    Julius Caesar was a Roman general and politician. His assassination was fictionalised in Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar'. He was of the gens or clan of Julia, and so Julius was passed on to his nephew, the emperor Augustus, who was the founder of the Julio-

  • Leon (Latin) - Lion [English, French, German and Polish speaking countries]

    English, German and Polish form of Leo. It is spelled as Léon in French.

    León is a province in Spain, it's capital is also called León. León is also the name of a car made by SEAT.

    Russian Bolshevik revolutionary, Leon Trotsk

  • Matthias (Hebrew) - Gift of God [English, French and Greek speaking countries]

    New Testament Greek form of the Hebrew Mattathia.

  • Milo (Germanic) - Uncertain, perhaps peaceful [English speaking countries]

    The name Milo is of uncertain derivation.

    Of Germanic origin, adopted by the French as Milon, and established in English-speaking countries as Miles.

    Milo might come from the German 'mild' (mild, peaceful, calm), which is d

  • Myron (Greek) - Myrrh [English and Greek speaking countries]

    From a classical Greek name, derived from Greek 'myron' (myrrh).
    Myrrh is a red-brown dried sap of a tree native to Somalia and the eastern parts of Ethiopia.

    The name was borne by a famous sculptor of the 5th century BC.
    It

  • Nestor (Greek) - Return [English speaking countries]

    Nestor comes from the root 'nes', from which the ancient Greek language also developed 'neomai' ('to go away/back', 'to go to war') and 'nostos' ('a return home', 'a journey'). In Greek mythology Nestor was the son of Neleus and Chloris and King of Pylos.

  • Philip (Greek) - Lover of horses [English speaking countries]

    Anglicised version of the Greek name Philippos.

    St Philip was one of the twelve disciples.

    Philip has long been used as a name in the ruling classes, from the Kings of Macedon (Philip II was the father of Alexander the Great

  • Sebastian (Latin) - Man from Sebaste [Danish, English, German, Norwegian and Spanish speaking countries]

    In early Christian lore, Saint Sebastian was a Roman soldier who was martyred when his Christian faith was discovered. Sebastian was an extremely popular saint in the Middle Ages.

    In Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night', Sebastian is the twin br

  • Silas (Latin) - Of the forest [English speaking countries]

    Silas was an early convert to Christianity, and a companion to St Paul, and later St Peter.

    'Silas Marner' is a novel by George Eliot.

    In 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown, Silas is a murderous monk.

  • Theodore (Greek) - Gift of God [English, French and Greek speaking countries]

    Theodore was a pre-Christian name borne by many learned men in ancient Greece, including the ironically-named Theodorus the Atheist. There have been various saints named Theodore, and two popes.

    Theodore Roosevelt was President of the Uni

  • Theron (Greek) - Hunter [English speaking countries]

    From 'theraein', 'to hunt'. Theron was an ancient king of Sicily, though the name is today encountered mostly as a surname.

  • Timothy (Greek) - To honor God, to fear God [English speaking countries]

    St Timothy was a companion of Paul, and the recipient of the two letters to Timothy, contained within the New Testament.

    The name has been borne by James Bond actor Timothy Dalton, 'The Goodies' comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor and actor Timothy

  • Tobias (Hebrew) - God is good [English and German speaking countries]
  • Xenon (Greek) - Foreigner [English and Greek speaking countries]
  • Xerxes (Persian) - Chief [Arabic, English and Greek speaking countries]

    Hellenised version of a Persian name belonging to a 5th-century BC Persian king.

  • Xylon (Greek) - Woods, wooded [English and Greek speaking countries]
  • Zacharias (Hebrew) - The Lord remembers [English speaking countries]

    Zacharias is originally the Greek cognate of the Hebrew name Zechariah.

Female Names
  • Alexandra (Greek) - Defending men [Czech, Dutch, English, German, Greek, Hungarian, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak and Russian speaking countries]

    There have been various Alexandras in royalty: Alexandra of Hesse was the wife of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia, Alexandra of Denmark was the wife of British King Edward VIII and Princess Alexandra is a cousin of British Queen Elizabeth II.

  • Alexandria (Greek) - Defending men [English speaking countries]

    Alexander the Great founded many cities in his name, the most famous of which is Alexandria in Egypt. The Library of Alexandria was the largest in the ancient world, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

  • Alexia (Greek) - Defender [English and Greek speaking countries]

    Feminine form of the Greek Alexios.

    Alexia is also the technical term for 'word blindness', a neurological disorder caused by a brain lesion resulting in inability to understand written language.

    Princess Alexia is third in l

  • Anastasia (Greek) - Resurrection [English and Russian speaking countries]

    There are several saints named Anastasia. St Anastasia of Sirmium was a fourth century martyr. December 25 is St Anastasia's Day.

    St Anastasia the Patrician lived in the sixth century. In order to escape the advances of Emperor Justinian

  • Angela (Greek) - Messenger [English, German and Spanish speaking countries]

    Angela is derived from the same origin as the vocabulary word 'Angel' - angels being the messengers of God.

    Famous bearers include German Chancellor Angela Merkel (who pronounces her name with a hard 'g'), actress Angela Lansbury and Briti

  • Arianne (Greek) - Very holy one [English and French speaking countries]
  • Calista (Greek) - Most beautiful [English speaking countries]
  • Callista (Greek) - Most beautiful [English speaking countries]
  • Catherine (Greek) - Pure [English speaking countries]

    A French form of Katherine commonly used in English. Catherine is the name of several important Christian saints, and has been used by European royal families for centuries.

  • Charis (Greek) - Grace; charm [English speaking countries]

    The name of a wife of the Greek god Hephaestus. A Charis was also a member of the Charites, or Graces, goddesses who represented the most favorable qualities of women.

  • Charissa (Greek) - Grace; charm [English speaking countries]
  • Cynthia (Greek) - From Kynthos [English and Greek speaking countries]

    In ancient times Cynthia was a cult title of the Greek god Apollo (from Mount Kynthos on Delos, the island on which Apollo was born) and not used as a girl's first name. The Latin elegist Propertius did write love poetry to a woman called Cynthia, but he

  • Damaris (Greek) - Calf [English speaking countries]

    Damaris appears in Acts 17.34 in the Bible.

  • Daphne (Greek) - Laurel [English speaking countries]

    In Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph who, when chased by an amorous Apollo, was changed into a laurel bush. In the English-speaking world, Daphne became popular at the end of the 19th century and has remained in use ever since.

    Daphne is

  • Daria (Persian) - Maintain well; possess and good [English speaking countries]
  • Delia (Latin) - Of Delos [English speaking countries]

    Delia is the feminine form of the Latin Delius, from the Greek place name Delos, a small Aegean island and the legendary birthplace of the divine twins Artemis and Apollo. In ancient times Delia was a cult title of Apollo and not used as a girl's first na

  • Demetria (Greek) - Earth mother; barley-mother [English speaking countries]
  • Eleni (Greek) - Wicker, reed, shoot; torch; basket [English and Greek speaking countries]

    In the Greek alphabet the modern form of Helen is written 'epsilon-lambda-epsilon-nu-eta', with the accent on the second epsilon. In English it is variantly transcribed as 'Elene' or 'Eleni'.

  • Elizabeth (Hebrew) - My God is a vow [English, Greek and Hebrew speaking countries]

    From Elisabet, the Greek form of the Hebrew name Elisheva meaning "my God is a vow".
    In the Old Testament, Elisheva is the wife of Aaron.
    In the New Testament, the name is borne by a kinswoman of the Virgin Mary and mother of John the Bapti

  • Eugenia (Greek) - Of noble descent [English, French, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]
  • Eunice (Greek) - Good victory [English speaking countries]

    Eunice is the Latinized form of the Greek name Eunike, composed of the elements 'eu' ('well, good, fair') and 'nike' ('victory'). Eunike appears in Greek mythology as a Neriad and a nymph. There is also a Eunike in the Bible. She is the mother of Timothy

  • Helen (Greek) - Wicker, reed, shoot; torch; basket [English speaking countries]

    The English name Helen comes from the ancient Greek Helene. In Greek mythology it famously belonged to Helen of Troy, the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta who caused the Trojan War by sailing to Troy with Paris. For a discussion on the etymology of the nam

  • Irene (Greek) - Peace [English and Spanish speaking countries]

    In Greek mythology, Eirene or Irene was the goddess who personified peace. Although she did not play an active part in many myths, Eirene was still a source of inspiration for several ancient artists, writers, and poets. Child of Zeus and Themis, the godd

  • Joanna (Hebrew) - God is gracious [English speaking countries]

    From the Latin and Greek form Ioanna. In the New Testament, the name is borne by a woman who was one of Jesus's followers.

    Other famous Joannas include actress Joanna Lumley and author Joanna Trollope.

    'Joanna' is cockney rh

  • Karis (Greek) - Grace; charm [English speaking countries]
  • Katerina (Greek) - Pure [Czech, English, Greek and Russian speaking countries]

    This name is likely derived from the Russian name Ekaterina.

  • Katharine (Greek) - Pure [English and German speaking countries]

    An alternate spelling of Katherine that emphasizes the link to the Greek "katharos," or "pure."

  • Katheryn (Greek) - Pure [English speaking countries]
  • Katina (Greek) - Pure [English and Greek speaking countries]

    This name is rarely used in modern Greece because it is used to denote an uneducated, gossipy woman.

  • Leandra (Greek) - Lion Man [English speaking countries]

    This is the feminine form of Leander.

  • Lydia (Germanic) - Noble kind; of the noble sort [English speaking countries]

    Lydia is the name of a historic region of Asia Minor, that included Troy and Ephesus. Lydia is also the name of a purple goods seller, in the Bible. She is considered the first European convert to Christianity. She was living in Thyatira which was on the

  • Margaret (Greek) - Pearl [English speaking countries]

    English form of the latinised Greek name meaning "pearl".

    An extremely common name from the Middle Ages onwards.

    St Margaret of Antioch was a virgin martyr, there is little evidence to suggest that she actually existed, but h

  • Margarita (Greek) - Pearl [Bulgarian, English, Greek, Lithuanian, Spanish and Russian speaking countries]

    Latin form from the Greek 'margarites' meaning "pearl".
    Latinate form of Margaret.

    This is also a Spanish word meaning "daisy flower".

  • Maria (Hebrew) - Bitter [Catalan, Dutch, English, Estonian, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish and Armenian speaking countries]

    Latin form of Mary.
    It arose as a back-formation from the early Christian Greek name Mariam, which was taken as a Latin accusative case, and is ultimately derived from Hebrew Miryam.

    In the English-speaking world, Maria was the writ

  • Mariam (Aramaic) - Uncertain, maybe bitter [Arabic, English, French, Greek and Armenian speaking countries]

    Aramaic alternative form of the Hebrew name Miriam.
    It is also the form of Mary used in the Greek translation of the Bible.
    It was mistaken as a Latin accusative case and gave the well-known name Maria.

    It can also be conside

  • Melanie (Greek) - Black [Dutch, English, French and German speaking countries]

    The French form of the Latin Melania, derived from the Greek 'melas', meaning "black, dark".
    The French spelling is Mélanie.

    The name was introduced to England in the Middles Ages, but became popular in the late 20th century. This ca

  • Melina (Greek) - Honey; quince-yellow [English and Greek speaking countries]

    A Greek name, possibly derived from 'meli' meaning "honey".

    It might also be associated to the feminine form of melinos (quince-yellow), which is derived from 'melon' (quince, apple).

  • Melissa (Greek) - Honey-bee [English speaking countries]

    From the Greek "honey bee".

    In Greek mythology, this was the name of a nymph that saved Zeus from his father, Cronus.

    The 16th century Italian poet Ariosto used the name for a good fairy in his poem "Orlando Furioso."

  • Melody (Greek) - Melody [English speaking countries]

    English word, derived from the French 'melodie', from the Greek.

  • Phoebe (Greek) - Bright; moon [English speaking countries]

    In Greek mythology Phoebe was the Titan mother of Leto, who was in turn mother of Apollo and Artemis. In popular culture Phoebe is a character from the popular sitcom Friends.

  • Phylicia (Greek) - Foliage [English speaking countries]
  • Phyllis (Greek) - Foliage [English, German and Greek speaking countries]
  • Rhea (Greek) - Earth [English speaking countries]

    Rhea is the Latin form of the Greek name Rheia. In Greek mythology, Rheia was a Titan, the sister and wife of Chronos, and the mother goddess who gave birth to many of the other major gods and goddesses. The name is most likely a form of 'era' (earth), al

  • Scotia (Greek) - Dark one [English speaking countries]

    Scotia was one of the names of Aphrodite, ancient Greek goddess of beauty. Scotia is the Latinised form of the Greek name.

  • Selena (Greek) - Moon [English speaking countries]
  • Sophia (Greek) - Wisdom [English, German, Greek and Italian speaking countries]

    The name Sophia is derived from the Greek word for "wisdom." In early religious and philosophical texts, characters who personified wisdom are referred to as "Sophia figures."

    Famous bearers include actress Sophia Loren, Sophia Myles and

  • Tanis (Phoenician) - Serpent lady [English and Greek speaking countries]

    Greek cognate of the Phoenician Tanith.

  • Thalia (Greek) - To flourish; bloom [English speaking countries]

    Latinized form of the Greek Thaleia.
    In Greek mythology, Thalia is the Muse of comedy and idyllic poetry.
    This was also the name of one of the Three Graces, daughters of Zeus. Her sisters are Aglaia and Euphrosyne.

  • Xanthia (Greek) - Yellow [English speaking countries]

    Variation on Xanthe, from the Greek word 'xanthos'.

  • Xena (Greek) - Foreigner [English speaking countries]

    Xena is perhaps best known today for being the name of the main character on a the hit US television show, "Xena: Warrior Princess."

  • Xene (Greek) - Foreigner [English and Greek speaking countries]
  • Xyla (Greek) - Of the wooded land [English and Greek speaking countries]

    Probably a modern coinage derived from the Greek word Xylon, meaning "wood" or "wooded".

  • Xylia (Greek) - Of the wooded land [English and Greek speaking countries]

    A modern names likely derived from the Greek xylon, "wood" or "wooded".

  • Xylina (Greek) - Of the wooded land [English and Greek speaking countries]

    Probably a modern coinage derived from the Greek word Xylon, meaning "wood" or "wooded".

  • Zoe (Greek) - Life [English and Greek speaking countries]

    Zoe is a direct transliteration of the ancient Greek word 'zoe' (written 'zeta-omega-eta'). It is usually listed as meaning 'life', but it can also mean 'a (means of) living', 'subsistence', 'goods' or 'property'. It was the 54th most popular name for gir

Gender Neutral Names
  • Alexis (Greek) - Defender [English, French, German and Greek speaking countries]

    This traditionally male name is now also used for girls in the English-speaking world. In modern Greece it remains a male name, which might more literally be transliterated as 'Alexes': in the Greek alphabet it is written 'alpha-lambda-epsilon-xi-eta-sigm

  • Amara (Greek) - Unfading; eternal [English and Hindi speaking countries]

    The feminine Amara may be derived from the Greek amarantos (eternal, unfading).
    Alternatively, it may be from the Latin amarus (bitter, sour).

    As a male name it is Sanskrit in origin, and means 'immortal'. It also refers to the numb

  • Andrea (Greek) - Man, warrior; manly [Danish, English, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries]

    A feminine name in the English speaking world, but used for boys in Italy.

    Examples of it being used as a female name include Irish singer Andrea Corr, and author Andrea Levy.

    Male Andreas include singer Andrea Bocelli, pain

  • Anna (Hebrew) - Grace; favour [Bulgarian, Catalan, Czech, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Slovak and Armenian speaking countries]

    In a greater part of the world seen as a Latinate form of Hannah and used on females.

    On the Indian subcontinent it is considered masculine and derived from the Sanskrit, meaning 'grain'. There was also a king of East Anglia named Anna.

  • Cleo (Greek) - Glory + father [English speaking countries]

    Cleo is a nickname for the Greek Cleopatra (f) or Cleopas (m), used for both sexes. In some cases it is a respelling of Clio, but Clio is really a separate name. Cléo de Merode was a famous prima ballerina at the end of the twentieth century.

  • Ira (Hebrew) - Watchful [English, German and Hindi speaking countries]

    In the Bible Ira is King David's priest. Popular in the early part of the twentieth century it has since become rare. This is said EYE rah.

    It is also used as a female name in Germany and other European countries. This use comes from it be

  • Memphis (Greek) - N/A [English speaking countries]

    From the name of the town in Tennessee.

    Memphis is also the Greek name of the ancient capital of the first nome of Lower Egypt, and of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, which was known in Ancient Egyptian as the city of the "white walls". According

  • Paris (Greek) - N/A [English speaking countries]

    In Homer's epic poem "The Iliad", Paris was the Trojan Prince whose vanity caused the start of the Trojan war and the eventual downfall of his city. In Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", Paris was the man the Capulet's wanted Juliet to marry. Paris

  • Phoenix (Greek) - Phoenix; deep red [English speaking countries]

    A phoenix is a mythical bird with a colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet (or purple, blue, and green according to some legends). It has a 500 to 1,000 year life-cycle, near the end of which it builds itself a nest of twigs that then ignites; bo