Ancient Greek Male Names: A Comprehensive List with Meanings

Looking for a strong and meaningful name for your son? Ancient Greek names are a rich source of inspiration, steeped in mythology, history, and cultural significance. From heroes and gods to legendary figures, these names offer a unique blend of tradition and timeless appeal. Explore our extensive list of ancient Greek male names, each accompanied by a detailed explanation of its meaning and origin. Discover the perfect name that resonates with your values and reflects the spirit you wish to imbue in your child.
1. **Agamemnon:** "much in strength," referring to the king of Mycenae and the leader of the Greek forces in the Trojan War.
2. **Ajax:** "eagle," the name of two Greek heroes, Ajax the Greater and Ajax the Lesser, known for their bravery and strength.
3. **Alexander:** "defender of men," a name borne by the great conqueror Alexander the Great, symbolizing leadership and power.
4. **Alcibiades:** "strong in counsel," a brilliant Athenian statesman and general renowned for his strategic brilliance and charisma.
5. **Apollo:** "the destroyer," the Greek god of music, poetry, light, healing, and prophecy, embodying artistic talent and divine guidance.
6. **Ares:** "slaughter," the Greek god of war and violence, representing courage, aggression, and martial prowess.
7. **Aristarchus:** "best ruler," signifying excellence in leadership and governance, embodying wisdom and authority.
8. **Aristotle:** "best purpose," a renowned philosopher and scientist who greatly influenced Western thought, symbolizing intellectual pursuit and wisdom.
9. **Aristides:** "just," known as "the Just," an Athenian statesman celebrated for his integrity and fairness, representing moral righteousness.
10. **Artaxerxes:** "great king," a Persian king known for his power and influence, symbolizing strength and royal authority.
11. **Asclepius:** "the healer," the Greek god of medicine and healing, representing the pursuit of health and well-being.
12. **Atlas:** "to bear," a Titan condemned to hold up the sky, embodying strength, resilience, and the burden of responsibility.
13. **Cadmus:** "the eastern one," the founder of Thebes and the inventor of writing, signifying knowledge, creativity, and cultural contribution.
14. **Calypso:** "she who conceals," a nymph who detained Odysseus on her island, embodying beauty, enchantment, and hidden allure.
15. **Cepheus:** "shining," the king of Ethiopia in Greek mythology, symbolizing leadership, royalty, and brilliance.
16. **Charon:** "fierce," the ferryman who transported souls across the River Styx to the Underworld, representing the transition between life and death.
17. **Chiron:** "hand," a centaur known for his wisdom and healing abilities, embodying knowledge, compassion, and healing.
18. **Cleopatra:** "glory of father," the last active pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, renowned for her intelligence, charisma, and political prowess.
19. **Damon:** "subduer," a renowned musician and close friend of Pythias, symbolizing loyalty, friendship, and artistic talent.
20. **Demeter:** "earth mother," the Greek goddess of agriculture, symbolizing fertility, growth, and the abundance of nature.
21. **Diogenes:** "son of Zeus," a Cynic philosopher who valued simplicity and self-sufficiency, representing philosophical inquiry and the rejection of materialism.
22. **Dionysus:** "son of Zeus," the Greek god of wine, festivity, and theater, embodying celebration, creativity, and ecstatic revelry.
23. **Eros:** "love," the Greek god of love, desire, and beauty, symbolizing passionate affection and romantic attraction.
24. **Eurydice:** "wide justice," the wife of Orpheus, representing love, loyalty, and the enduring power of music.
25. **Hades:** "the unseen one," the Greek god of the Underworld, symbolizing death, the afterlife, and the unknown.
26. **Hector:** "holding fast," the Trojan hero renowned for his bravery and loyalty, representing courage, strength, and family devotion.
27. **Heracles:** "glory of Hera," a demigod known for his strength and numerous heroic deeds, symbolizing power, courage, and unwavering determination.
28. **Hermes:** "messenger," the Greek god of messengers, trade, travel, and thieves, embodying swiftness, communication, and adaptability.
29. **Hippolytus:** "loosened horse," a tragic figure known for his devotion to chastity, representing purity, virtue, and the consequences of defying fate.
30. **Homer:** "blind," a legendary poet who wrote the epics "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey," symbolizing storytelling, artistry, and cultural influence.
31. **Icarus:** "youth," a figure from Greek mythology who flew too close to the sun, representing ambition, recklessness, and the consequences of defying limits.
32. **Jason:** "healer," the leader of the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece, symbolizing courage, adventure, and the pursuit of the unknown.
33. **Leonidas:** "son of the lion," the Spartan king who famously defended Thermopylae against the Persians, representing bravery, loyalty, and unwavering defense of one's land.
34. **Lycurgus:** "wolf-slayer," a legendary Spartan lawgiver known for establishing a strict code of conduct, representing discipline, order, and Spartan values.
35. **Menelaus:** "strong in battle," the king of Sparta and the husband of Helen, representing leadership, courage, and the pursuit of revenge.
36. **Mentor:** "wise," the wise advisor of Telemachus in Homer's "Odyssey," symbolizing guidance, wisdom, and mentorship.
37. **Mercury:** "messenger," the Roman equivalent of Hermes, embodying speed, communication, and commerce.
38. **Narcissus:** "numbness," a figure from Greek mythology known for his vanity and self-admiration, representing arrogance, beauty, and the dangers of self-obsession.
39. **Odysseus:** "the one who hates," the protagonist of Homer's "Odyssey," representing cunning, perseverance, and the enduring power of home.
40. **Orion:** "the morning," a giant hunter in Greek mythology, symbolizing strength, skill, and the beauty of the cosmos.
41. **Pan:** "all," the Greek god of the wild, shepherds, and flocks, representing nature, spontaneity, and the untamed spirit.
42. **Paris:** "equal," the Trojan prince who sparked the Trojan War by abducting Helen, representing beauty, ambition, and the consequences of personal desires.
43. **Pericles:** "surrounding glory," a prominent Athenian statesman and orator during the Golden Age, representing political leadership, eloquence, and artistic patronage.
44. **Philoctetes:** "loving strength," a Greek hero known for his archery skills and his role in the Trojan War, representing strength, courage, and the enduring power of healing.
45. **Prometheus:** "forethought," a Titan who stole fire from the gods for humanity, representing innovation, creativity, and the pursuit of knowledge.
46. **Pythagoras:** "Pythian victory," a Greek philosopher and mathematician known for his contributions to mathematics and music theory, symbolizing intellectual pursuit and the harmony of the universe.
47. **Socrates:** "saving strength," a renowned Athenian philosopher known for his method of questioning, representing philosophical inquiry, critical thinking, and the pursuit of wisdom.
48. **Solon:** "wise," an Athenian statesman and lawmaker known for his reforms, representing wisdom, leadership, and the pursuit of justice.
49. **Theseus:** "the established one," the Athenian hero known for slaying the Minotaur, representing bravery, strength, and the overcoming of obstacles.
50. **Thales:** "flourishing," a pre-Socratic philosopher known for his contributions to astronomy and mathematics, representing intellectual curiosity and scientific inquiry.
51. **Themistocles:** "strong in war," an Athenian statesman and general who won the Battle of Salamis against the Persians, representing strategic brilliance, naval prowess, and leadership.
52. **Zeus:** "sky," the king of the Olympian gods, representing power, authority, and the forces of nature.