Greek God Names and Meanings: A Comprehensive Guide

Discover the fascinating world of Greek mythology and delve into the meanings behind the names of the powerful gods and goddesses. From the mighty Zeus to the cunning Hermes, each name carries a rich history and symbolism that reflects their roles and personalities in the ancient Greek pantheon. This comprehensive list provides detailed explanations for over 40 Greek god names, offering insights into their origins, attributes, and significance within mythology.
1. **Zeus:** "Sky", "Zeus" - The king of the gods, associated with the sky, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice.
2. **Poseidon:** "Husband of the Earth", "Earth-shaker" - The god of the sea, earthquakes, horses, and storms.
3. **Hades:** "Unseen", "Invisible" - The god of the underworld, death, and wealth.
4. **Apollo:** "Destroyer", "Shining One" - The god of music, poetry, light, prophecy, healing, and the arts.
5. **Artemis:** "The Unharmed", "She who does not bear children" - The goddess of the hunt, wilderness, childbirth, and the moon.
6. **Athena:** "Wise", "Intelligent" - The goddess of wisdom, war, crafts, and justice.
7. **Aphrodite:** "Born of foam", "She who brings forth foam" - The goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and desire.
8. **Ares:** "Mars", "The Destroyer" - The god of war, violence, and bloodshed.
9. **Hephaestus:** "The Fire-worker", "The Smith" - The god of fire, metalworking, craftsmanship, and volcanoes.
10. **Hermes:** "Messenger", "He who sends" - The messenger of the gods, god of travel, trade, thieves, and athletes.
11. **Demeter:** "Mother Earth", "Earth Mother" - The goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the harvest.
12. **Hestia:** "Hearth", "Home" - The goddess of the hearth, home, and family.
13. **Dionysus:** "Son of Zeus", "God of Wine" - The god of wine, revelry, ecstasy, and theater.
14. **Eros:** "Love", "Desire" - The god of love, attraction, and desire.
15. **Helios:** "Sun", "Shining One" - The god of the sun and light.
16. **Selene:** "Moon", "Shining One" - The goddess of the moon.
17. **Eris:** "Strife", "Discord" - The goddess of chaos, discord, and strife.
18. **Tyche:** "Fortune", "Luck" - The goddess of fortune, luck, and chance.
19. **Nike:** "Victory" - The goddess of victory.
20. **Hypnos:** "Sleep", "Slumber" - The god of sleep and dreams.
21. **Thanatos:** "Death" - The personification of death.
22. **Moirai:** "Fates", "Destiny" - The three goddesses who controlled fate and destiny.
23. **Cronus:** "Time" - The titan who ruled during the Golden Age, father of Zeus.
24. **Rhea:** "Flowing" - The titaness who ruled during the Golden Age, mother of Zeus.
25. **Prometheus:** "Forethought" - The titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity.
26. **Atlas:** "Bearing", "To Endure" - The titan condemned to hold up the sky.
27. **Pandora:** "All-gifted" - The first woman, created by Hephaestus, who opened a jar containing all the evils of the world.
28. **Persephone:** "She who brings forth" - The queen of the underworld, wife of Hades.
29. **Hecate:** "She who works by night" - The goddess of magic, witchcraft, the crossroads, and ghosts.
30. **Nemesis:** "Retribution", "Divine Vengeance" - The goddess of retribution and vengeance.
31. **Asclepius:** "Healer" - The god of medicine and healing.
32. **Pan:** "All", "Everything" - The god of nature, shepherds, flocks, and rustic music.
33. **Triton:** "Son of Poseidon" - The sea god, son of Poseidon.
34. **Charon:** "Ferryman" - The ferryman who transports souls across the river Styx to the underworld.
35. **Cerberus:** "Spot", "Monster" - The three-headed dog who guards the gates of the underworld.
36. **Styx:** "Hate" - The river that separates the world of the living from the underworld.
37. **Lethe:** "Forgetfulness" - The river of forgetfulness in the underworld.
38. **Erebus:** "Darkness" - The god of darkness and shadow, residing in the underworld.
39. **Eileithyia:** "She who comes", "The Bringer of Birth" - The goddess of childbirth.
40. **Iris:** "Rainbow" - The messenger of the gods, goddess of the rainbow.
41. **Hebe:** "Youth" - The goddess of youth and eternal springtime.
42. **Ganymede:** "Joy" - A Trojan prince who was abducted by Zeus to become his cupbearer.
43. **Typhon:** "Storm", "Hurricane" - A monstrous giant, defeated by Zeus, considered a primeval god of storms and wind.
44. **Echo:** "Sound", "Resonance" - A nymph cursed to only repeat the last words spoken by others.
45. **Nyx:** "Night" - The goddess of night and darkness.
46. **Eos:** "Dawn", "Sunrise" - The goddess of the dawn.
47. **Zeus:** "Sky", "Zeus" - The king of the gods, associated with the sky, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice.
48. **Ares:** "Mars", "The Destroyer" - The god of war, violence, and bloodshed.
49. **Athena:** "Wise", "Intelligent" - The goddess of wisdom, war, crafts, and justice.
50. **Hera:** "Queen", "Mistress" - The queen of the gods, goddess of marriage, women, and childbirth.