Ancient Greek Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Meanings

Looking for the perfect name for your baby? Or perhaps you're just curious about the history and meaning behind ancient Greek names? This comprehensive guide provides a detailed list of over 40 popular and lesser-known names, exploring their origins and rich symbolism in Greek mythology and culture. From classic choices like Alexander and Athena to more unique names like Andromeda and Theseus, this list offers a wealth of options for anyone seeking a name with a captivating story and enduring significance.
1. **Aeneas:** A hero of the Trojan War, renowned for his piety and bravery; "praiseworthy" or "worthy of praise."
2. **Agathon:** A character in Plato's Symposium, known for his love of beauty; "good" or "excellent."
3. **Alexander:** A legendary king of Macedon, known for his military conquests; "defender of mankind."
4. **Andromeda:** A princess in Greek mythology, known for her beauty and tragic story; "ruler of men."
5. **Antinous:** A young man loved by the emperor Hadrian, known for his beauty and grace; "one who blooms."
6. **Apollo:** The Greek god of music, poetry, prophecy, healing, and the sun; "destroyer."
7. **Ares:** The Greek god of war, known for his strength and ferocity; "destruction."
8. **Artemis:** The Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and childbirth; "whole" or "unharmed."
9. **Athena:** The Greek goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts; "wise one."
10. **Atlas:** A Titan in Greek mythology, condemned to hold up the sky; "to bear or support."
11. **Cassandra:** A Trojan princess known for her prophetic abilities; "shining" or "the one who shines."
12. **Clio:** The muse of history; "to celebrate."
13. **Damon:** A loyal friend of Pythias, known for their unbreakable bond; "to tame."
14. **Demeter:** The Greek goddess of agriculture and fertility; "mother earth" or "earth mother."
15. **Diomedes:** A Greek hero of the Trojan War, known for his strength and courage; "divine strength."
16. **Dionysus:** The Greek god of wine, theatre, and festivity; "son of Zeus."
17. **Eirene:** The Greek goddess of peace; "peace."
18. **Eros:** The Greek god of love and desire; "love."
19. **Euphrosyne:** One of the three Graces, representing joy and mirth; "joy" or "cheerfulness."
20. **Hades:** The Greek god of the underworld; "unseen" or "invisible."
21. **Hector:** A Trojan prince, known for his bravery and loyalty; "holding" or "protector."
22. **Helen:** A beautiful woman whose abduction sparked the Trojan War; "light" or "torch."
23. **Hermes:** The Greek messenger god, known for his speed and cunning; "messenger" or "interpreter."
24. **Hestia:** The Greek goddess of the hearth and home; "hearth" or "home."
25. **Hypnos:** The Greek god of sleep; "sleep."
26. **Icarus:** A young man who flew too close to the sun, known for his hubris; "to fly."
27. **Iris:** The Greek goddess of the rainbow, known for her speed and grace; "rainbow."
28. **Jason:** The leader of the Argonauts, known for his quest for the Golden Fleece; "healer."
29. **Kratos:** The Greek personification of power and strength; "strength" or "power."
30. **Leto:** The mother of Apollo and Artemis, known for her beauty and grace; "to hide" or "concealed."
31. **Lyra:** A constellation named after the lyre of Orpheus, known for its beauty and music; "lyre."
32. **Melpomene:** The muse of tragedy; "to sing" or "to celebrate."
33. **Nike:** The Greek goddess of victory; "victory."
34. **Oedipus:** A tragic hero in Greek mythology, known for his destiny and fate; "swollen foot."
35. **Pandora:** The first woman in Greek mythology, known for opening a box that released evils into the world; "all gifted."
36. **Persephone:** The Greek goddess of the underworld, known for her role in the cycle of life and death; "she who brings forth."
37. **Poseidon:** The Greek god of the sea, known for his strength and power; "husband of the earth."
38. **Prometheus:** A Titan who stole fire from the gods, known for his cunning and rebellion; "forethought."
39. **Selene:** The Greek goddess of the moon; "moon."
40. **Theseus:** A hero of Athens, known for his bravery and strength; "to establish."
41. **Thalia:** One of the nine Muses, representing comedy; "to bloom" or "to flourish."
42. **Zeus:** The king of the gods, known for his power and authority; "sky" or "light."