Greek Male Names and Meanings: Discover the Rich History and Significance Behind These Classic Names

Are you searching for a strong and meaningful name for your son? Look no further than the rich tapestry of Greek mythology and history. Greek male names possess a timeless elegance and profound significance, drawing inspiration from heroes, gods, and virtues. From the legendary Achilles to the wise Socrates, these names evoke a sense of power, intellect, and noble character. Explore this list of classic Greek male names and their meanings, and discover the perfect name that reflects your son's future potential and honors his heritage.
1. **Agamemnon:** Leader, strong, steadfast. The name Agamemnon is derived from the Greek words *aga* meaning "good" and *memnon* meaning "strength" or "steadfast." It was the name of the King of Mycenae in Greek mythology, known for his role in the Trojan War.
2. **Achilles:** Without pain, strong, protector, warrior. Achilles was a legendary hero of the Trojan War, known for his immense strength and vulnerability. His name is derived from the Greek word *achilles* meaning "without pain" or "strong."
3. **Adonis:** Handsome, beautiful. Adonis was a beautiful young man in Greek mythology, beloved by Aphrodite. His name is derived from the Phoenician word *adon* meaning "lord" or "master."
4. **Apollo:** Light, sun, music, prophecy, healing, poetry. Apollo was the Greek god of light, music, prophecy, healing, and poetry. His name is derived from the Greek word *apollon* meaning "destroyer" or "exterminator."
5. **Ares:** War, violence, bloodshed. Ares was the Greek god of war, known for his fierce and violent nature. His name is derived from the Greek word *ares* meaning "to fit" or "to harm."
6. **Aristophanes:** Best, appearing. Aristophanes was a famous Greek playwright, known for his comedies. His name is derived from the Greek words *aristos* meaning "best" and *phainein* meaning "to appear."
7. **Aristides:** Just, righteous. Aristides was a Greek statesman and military leader, known for his justice and fairness. His name is derived from the Greek words *aristos* meaning "best" and *dike* meaning "justice."
8. **Aristotle:** Best purpose, excellence. Aristotle was a renowned Greek philosopher and scientist, known for his contributions to logic, ethics, and physics. His name is derived from the Greek words *aristos* meaning "best" and *telos* meaning "purpose" or "end."
9. **Atlas:** To bear, strong. Atlas was a Titan in Greek mythology, condemned to hold up the sky. His name is derived from the Greek word *atlas* meaning "to bear" or "strong."
10. **Cadmus:** Ancient, eastern. Cadmus was a Phoenician prince in Greek mythology, known for founding the city of Thebes. His name is derived from the Greek word *kadmos* meaning "ancient" or "eastern."
11. **Damon:** To tame, to subdue. Damon was a loyal friend of Pythias in Greek mythology, known for his unwavering faithfulness. His name is derived from the Greek word *daimon* meaning "to tame" or "to subdue."
12. **Demosthenes:** People, strong. Demosthenes was a renowned Greek orator, known for his powerful speeches against Philip II of Macedon. His name is derived from the Greek words *demos* meaning "people" and *sthenos* meaning "strength."
13. **Dionysus:** God of wine, revelry, and theater. Dionysus was the Greek god of wine, revelry, and theater. His name is derived from the Greek word *dionysos* meaning "son of Zeus."
14. **Eros:** Love, desire. Eros was the Greek god of love and desire. His name is derived from the Greek word *eros* meaning "love" or "desire."
15. **Euclid:** Famous, glory. Euclid was a Greek mathematician, known for his contributions to geometry. His name is derived from the Greek words *eu* meaning "good" or "well" and *kleos* meaning "glory."
16. **Eumenides:** Kindly ones. The Eumenides were the Greek goddesses of vengeance, also known as the Furies. Their name is derived from the Greek word *eumenes* meaning "kindly" or "well-disposed."
17. **Hermes:** Messenger, thief, guide. Hermes was the Greek messenger god, known for his speed and trickery. His name is derived from the Greek word *hermes* meaning "messenger" or "thief."
18. **Hector:** Holding, defender. Hector was a Trojan hero in the Trojan War, known for his strength and bravery. His name is derived from the Greek word *hektor* meaning "holding" or "defender."
19. **Heracles:** Glory of Hera. Heracles was a Greek demigod, known for his incredible strength and twelve labors. His name is derived from the Greek words *hera* meaning "glory" and *kles* meaning "fame."
20. **Hypnos:** Sleep. Hypnos was the Greek god of sleep. His name is derived from the Greek word *hypnos* meaning "sleep."
21. **Jason:** Healer. Jason was a Greek hero, known for leading the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece. His name is derived from the Greek word *iasos* meaning "healer."
22. **Kratos:** Power, strength. Kratos was a Titan in Greek mythology, personifying power and strength. His name is derived from the Greek word *kratos* meaning "power" or "strength."
23. **Leonidas:** Lion, son. Leonidas was a Spartan king, known for his bravery at the Battle of Thermopylae. His name is derived from the Greek words *leon* meaning "lion" and *idas* meaning "son."
24. **Lycurgus:** Wolf, work. Lycurgus was a Spartan lawgiver, known for his reforms that established the Spartan society. His name is derived from the Greek words *lykos* meaning "wolf" and *ergon* meaning "work."
25. **Lysander:** Liberator, helpful. Lysander was a Spartan admiral, known for his military victories. His name is derived from the Greek words *lyo* meaning "to liberate" and *andros* meaning "man."
26. **Melchior:** King of light. Melchior was one of the three wise men who visited the baby Jesus. His name is derived from the Hebrew words *melek* meaning "king" and *or* meaning "light."
27. **Menelaus:** Strong, ruler. Menelaus was the King of Sparta in Greek mythology, known for his role in the Trojan War. His name is derived from the Greek words *menos* meaning "strength" and *laos* meaning "people."
28. **Mercury:** Messenger, thief, guide. Mercury was the Roman messenger god, equivalent to the Greek god Hermes. His name is derived from the Latin word *mercurius* meaning "merchant" or "messenger."
29. **Narcissus:** Stun, numbness. Narcissus was a beautiful young man in Greek mythology, known for his vanity and obsession with his own reflection. His name is derived from the Greek word *narke* meaning "stun" or "numbness."
30. **Odysseus:** Angry, hateful. Odysseus was a Greek hero, known for his cunning and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. His name is derived from the Greek word *odysseia* meaning "anger" or "hatred."
31. **Orion:** Mountain, rising. Orion was a giant hunter in Greek mythology, known for his constellation. His name is derived from the Greek word *orion* meaning "mountain" or "rising."
32. **Pan:** All, shepherd. Pan was the Greek god of the wild, shepherds, and flocks. His name is derived from the Greek word *pan* meaning "all" or "everything."
33. **Pericles:** Surrounded, fame. Pericles was a statesman and orator in ancient Athens, known for his leadership during the Golden Age of Athens. His name is derived from the Greek words *peri* meaning "around" or "surrounding" and *kleos* meaning "fame."
34. **Phoebus:** Bright, shining. Phoebus was another name for the Greek god Apollo, emphasizing his connection to the sun. His name is derived from the Greek word *phoibos* meaning "bright" or "shining."
35. **Pythagoras:** Famous for victory. Pythagoras was a Greek philosopher and mathematician, known for his contributions to geometry and music theory. His name is derived from the Greek words *pytha* meaning "famous" and *agor* meaning "victory."
36. **Socrates:** Saving, safe. Socrates was a renowned Greek philosopher, known for his method of questioning and his emphasis on virtue. His name is derived from the Greek word *sokratos* meaning "saving" or "safe."
37. **Solon:** Wisdom. Solon was a Greek statesman and poet, known for his reforms that established a democratic government in Athens. His name is derived from the Greek word *solon* meaning "wisdom."
38. **Theodoros:** Gift of God. Theodoros was a Greek historian, known for his writings on the history of Alexander the Great. His name is derived from the Greek words *theos* meaning "god" and *dora* meaning "gift."
39. **Zeus:** Sky, king. Zeus was the king of the gods in Greek mythology. His name is derived from the Greek word *zeus* meaning "sky" or "king."
40. **Zeno:** Life, seeing. Zeno was a Greek philosopher, known for his contributions to Stoicism. His name is derived from the Greek word *zeno* meaning "life" or "seeing."