103 Ancient Greek Boy Names That Reflect History
Channel the strength of Alketas and the power of Kallikrates through these timeless names.
Greece is known for its scenic beauty and its rich mythology. Ancient Greek boy names are influenced by these two factors associated with the country. Most parents in Greece do not choose a name just because they like it. They follow a traditional method for selecting baby names. As per their tradition, the first-born or eldest son in a family is given the name of his paternal grandfather. The later-born sons can be given names of other male relatives. The Greek Orthodox Church also plays a significant role in assigning names to babies. Most Greek babies are named after saints. Every island or part of Greece has its own patron saint. A child is often given the name of the local saint (1). Every Greek child’s first name is followed by a patronymic name, that is, their father’s first name with the suffix -ou, meaning ‘of.’ The family name or surname comes last. People may even have a middle name in addition to patronymic names. The Greeks' practice of naming children after their grandparents has ensured that traditional names are relevant in modern times. These names link the bearer to ancient Greece's cultural and philosophical legacy. They are backed by heroic tales of gods, warriors, and scholars. Famous names like Priam and Aristotle connect the name bearer to a long legacy of wisdom and glory. A unique quality of these names is their universal nature. Greek names have survived the test of time and have transcended borders. These culturally rich names are popular even with non-Greek people. In fact, Alexander and Elias, names with Greek roots, are featured within the top 50 baby names in the US (2). This indicates the global appeal that Greek boy names possess. Noting the popularity of ancient Greek boy names, we have compiled a list of names you may want to consider for your son.
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Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
| Unisex | Sky father | |
| Boy | Warlike; Martial; Devoted to Ares; Of Ares | |
| Boy | Loyal; Godlike; Provider; Guardian spirit | |
| Boy | The smallest part of something | |
| Boy | Defender; Helper | |
| Unisex | Sky god; Sky or shine | |
| Boy | Safe; Butcher | |
| Boy | The best | |
| Boy | The best purpose | |
| Boy | Lord; Lordly; Lord of the Home | |
| Boy | Master planner; Cunning master | |
| Boy | From the region of Arcadia | |
| Boy | Of Arcadia | |
| Boy | Brave; Manly; Virile | |
| Boy | Whole power | |
| Boy | Holy mountain; Of Athena | |
| Unisex | NA | |
| Boy | Downy-bearded; Sky father | |
| Boy | A friendly and loving person | |
| Boy | Vigor of the people; Strength | |
| Unisex | Vast chasm; Void | |
| Boy | To win; To conquer; Victory | |
| Boy | Heart | |
| Boy | A river of sorrow; The stream of woe; Pain | |
| Boy | Virile | |
| Boy | Order; Decency; Universe | |
| Boy | In good spirits; Good-hearted | |
| Boy | Good | |
| Boy | Master of the people | |
| Boy | Traits which resemble that the person is youthful | |
| Boy | Life | |
| Boy | Light | |
| Girl | Wealth; Fortune; Prosperity; Lyric poem | |
| Boy | Surrounding glory; Nearing masculinity | |
| Boy | A very courageous person; Latinized version of the name Priam, the king of Troy | |
| Boy | One who is a horse lover | |
| Boy | Red; Flame-colored; Fire | |
| Boy | Glory of skill; Glorious in wisdom | |
| Boy | Safe in strength | |
| Boy | Fighting from afar | |
| Boy | Giving to God | |
| Boy | Follower or gift of Artemis; A variant of Artemus | |
| Boy | Golden flower | |
| Boy | Male form of Aerope | |
| Boy | Strength; A strong man | |
| Boy | A form of Peter; Rock | |
| Boy | Life of Zeus | |
| Boy | Achaikos is the ancient Greek form of Achaicus. It refers to a region in Greece named Achaia | |
| Boy | Beloved | |
| Boy | Innocent; Not evil | |
| Boy | Strength | |
| Boy | Strength | |
| Boy | Greek form of the name Ampelio; Vine | |
| Boy | Original Greek form of Anacletus; Invoked | |
| Boy | Derived from Greek element anax; Master or lord and agora; Assembly; Marketplace | |
| Boy | Greek form of Androcles; Glory of man | |
| Boy | Form of Andronicus; Victory of a man | |
| Boy | Original form of Anicetus; Unconquerable | |
| Boy | Against; Compared to | |
| Boy | King | |
| Boy | Glory and strength | |
| Boy | To tame; Powerful man | |
| Boy | To possess something good | |
| Boy | Judge of the people | |
| Boy | Gift of Zeus | |
| Boy | Given by Zeus | |
| Boy | Gift of Dionysos | |
| Boy | He who is lovely and charming | |
| Boy | Newly acquired | |
| Boy | Appearing; Manifesting | |
| Boy | To delight | |
| Boy | A Greek tragedian from Athens | |
| Boy | He who is pious | |
| Boy | Fruitful | |
| Boy | Well-built; Stable | |
| Boy | In good spirits | |
| Boy | Power of Hermes | |
| Boy | The people of Hermes | |
| Boy | To throw a song | |
| Boy | Equal power | |
| Boy | Beauty | |
| Boy | Beautiful power | |
| Boy | Splendid; Famous | |
| Boy | Work; Deed; Wolf | |
| Boy | Newly planted | |
| Boy | Victory of a man | |
| Boy | Glory of the law | |
| Boy | Given to God | |
| Boy | Manifestation of God | |
| Boy | Slave of god | |
| Boy | Watched by god | |
| Boy | The glory of God | |
| Boy | Yellow horse | |
| Boy | Foreigner; Guest power | |
| Boy | West wind; Ancient Greek form of Zephyr | |
| Boy | Glowing | |
| Boy | Viable or likely to survive | |
| Boy | He who is full of life | |
| Boy | Victory | |
| Boy | Yellow | |
By choosing an Ancient Greek boy name, parents keep their culture alive and their children connected to their roots. These names have deep meanings that reflect virtues and qualities admired by the Greek community. Many Greek names commonly reflect traits such as strength, wisdom, or creativity. They also honor Greek gods, saints, legends, and heroes. Their mythological and historical associations make them more authentic. Thus, if you wish to carry your legacy forward or give your son a culturally-rich name, Ancient Greek boy names are the way to go.
Infographic: Traditional Greek Names For The Modern Baby Boy
Ancient Greek boy names are symbols of the country’s history and mythology. These names also stand for human virtues upheld by the Greek community. Most of these names have a story behind them that makes them more significant and meaningful. The infographic below will help you pick some Greek boy names that are traditional and meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the importance of names in ancient Greece?
In ancient Greece, the naming system was unique and was used for much more than just identification. Even though an individual was only assigned a single name officially, they sometimes had one or two added-on names. These names were usually associated with their family and the region from which they hailed. Therefore, a name was also utilized to symbolize the individual's status. These names also had links to religious rituals and prophecies, as the ancient Greeks considered names a means of establishing a connection between mortals and the gods (3).
2. How do ancient Greek names add a sense of tradition and legacy to a family's history?
In Ancient Greek, the naming practices were based on a strong foundation of legacy and traditions. The naming process usually involves selecting a name from within the family. The first-born son was named after his paternal grandfather, and the first-born daughter after the paternal grandmother. This naming tradition added value to the legacy of a family's history and ensured that it was carried forward to future generations (3).
3. Why did ancient Greeks only have one name?
According to the traditions of earlier times, Greeks were assigned one name because this was the Indo-European naming tradition followed throughout the continent then. Though the Greeks were officially only given a single name, they were sometimes given semi-formal names that assisted with identification, such as their father’s name or place of origin (3).
References
- Guides to International Names.
https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dean-of-students-office/community-values-education/saymyname/library/tools/chinesenames/ - Top 50 Names in 2022.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/ - Naming Practices.
https://www.lgpn.ox.ac.uk/naming-practices
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
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