Greek Gods: A Comprehensive List of Names and Meanings

This comprehensive list explores the names of the Greek gods, delving into their origins and meanings. From the Olympian deities to the lesser-known figures, this guide provides a detailed understanding of the rich mythology that shaped ancient Greek culture. This information is invaluable for anyone interested in Greek mythology, literature, or history, offering a deeper understanding of the complex relationships and stories surrounding these powerful figures.
1. **Zeus:** "Sky" or "Shining One" - King of the gods, ruler of the sky, weather, and law.
2. **Hera:** "Guardian" or "She who protects" - Queen of the gods, goddess of marriage, women, and childbirth.
3. **Poseidon:** "Husband of the Earth" - God of the sea, horses, and earthquakes.
4. **Demeter:** "Mother Earth" or "Earth-Mother" - Goddess of agriculture, fertility, and harvest.
5. **Athena:** "Wise" or "Strong One" - Goddess of wisdom, war, crafts, and justice.
6. **Apollo:** "Destroyer" or "Brilliant One" - God of music, poetry, prophecy, healing, light, and the sun.
7. **Artemis:** "She who is without bounds" or "Independent One" - Goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, and the moon.
8. **Ares:** "Male warrior" or "Slaughterer" - God of war, violence, and bloodshed.
9. **Aphrodite:** "Born from foam" or "Foam-Born" - Goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation.
10. **Hephaestus:** "The Maker" or "Fire God" - God of fire, metalworking, and craftsmanship.
11. **Hermes:** "Messenger" - God of trade, commerce, travel, thieves, and messengers.
12. **Dionysus:** "Son of Zeus" or "Wine-Lover" - God of wine, revelry, theatre, and ecstasy.
13. **Hades:** "The unseen" or "Invisible One" - God of the underworld, death, and riches.
14. **Hestia:** "Hearth" or "Fireplace" - Goddess of the hearth, home, and family.
15. **Eros:** "Love" or "Desire" - God of love, passion, and desire.
16. **Helios:** "Sun" - Personification of the sun.
17. **Selene:** "Moon" - Personification of the moon.
18. **Eos:** "Dawn" - Personification of the dawn.
19. **Chronos:** "Time" - Personification of time.
20. **Moirai:** "Fate" or "Destiny" - Three goddesses who controlled destiny.
21. **Nike:** "Victory" - Goddess of victory.
22. **Eris:** "Strife" or "Discord" - Goddess of discord and chaos.
23. **Thanatos:** "Death" - Personification of death.
24. **Hypnos:** "Sleep" - Personification of sleep.
25. **Nemesis:** "Retribution" - Goddess of retribution and vengeance.
26. **Tyche:** "Fortune" or "Luck" - Goddess of fortune, luck, and chance.
27. **Pan:** "All" or "Universal" - God of the wild, shepherds, flocks, and rustic music.
28. **Asclepius:** "He who heals" - God of medicine and healing.
29. **Iris:** "Rainbow" - Messenger of the gods, particularly Hera.
30. **Hecate:** "Far-Reaching" or "She who holds sway over the crossroads" - Goddess of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, and the night.
31. **Persephone:** "Bringer of life" or "The Destroyer" - Queen of the underworld and wife of Hades.
32. **Aphrodite Pandemos:** "Aphrodite of the people" - Goddess of common love.
33. **Aphrodite Urania:** "Aphrodite of the heavens" - Goddess of divine love.
34. **Hebe:** "Youth" - Goddess of youth and eternal life.
35. **Triton:** "Son of Poseidon" - Herald of the sea and a sea-god.
36. **Atlas:** "Bearer" - Titan who holds up the sky.
37. **Prometheus:** "Forethought" - Titan who created humans.
38. **Epimetheus:** "Afterthought" - Titan who accepted Pandora's box.
39. **Typhon:** "Storm" - The most powerful monster in Greek mythology.
40. **Cerberus:** "Spotted" or "Hound of Hades" - Three-headed dog guarding the gates of the underworld.
41. **Charon:** "Ferryman" - Ferryman who carries souls across the River Styx.
42. **Nymphs:** "Maiden" - Spirits of nature who represented various aspects of the natural world.
43. **Satyr:** "Forest beings" - Male companions of Dionysus, known for their lustful and drunken behavior.
44. **Muses:** "Those who inspire" - Nine goddesses of the arts and sciences.
45. **Furies:** "Avengers" or "Furies" - Goddesses of revenge and punishment.
46. **Graces:** "Charms" - Three goddesses of beauty, charm, and grace.
47. **Tritons:** "Children of Poseidon" - Creatures that were half-human, half-fish.
48. **Cyclopes:** "Round-eyed" - One-eyed giants known for their strength.
49. **Giants:** "Earth-born" - Powerful beings born from the blood of Uranus.
50. **Harpies:** "Snatchers" - Winged creatures with the bodies of women and the heads of birds.
51. **Gorgons:** "Monstrous" - Three female monsters with snakes for hair.
52. **Centaurs:** "Half-horse, half-human" - Creatures with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse.
53. **Sphinx:** "Strangler" - Creature with a lion's body, a woman's head, and eagle's wings.
54. **Sirens:** "Alluring" - Creatures with the heads and upper bodies of women and the tails of birds.
55. **Hydra:** "Water-snake" - Multi-headed serpent.
56. **Chimera:** "Goat, lion, and snake" - A creature with the head of a lion, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail.
57. **Minos:** "Ruler" - King of Crete and judge of the underworld.
58. **Orpheus:** "Music" - Musician and poet who could charm even the underworld.
59. **Heracles:** "Glory of Hera" - Hero known for his strength and bravery.
60. **Theseus:** "Established" - Hero who slew the Minotaur.
61. **Perseus:** "Destroyer" - Hero who slew Medusa.
62. **Jason:** "Healer" - Leader of the Argonauts.
63. **Achilles:** "Pain" - Hero of the Trojan War.
64. **Hector:** "Holder" - Trojan hero.
65. **Odysseus:** "Angry" - Hero of the Trojan War and the Odyssey.
66. **Agamemnon:** "Much strength" - King of Mycenae and leader of the Greeks in the Trojan War.
67. **Ajax:** "Strong" - Hero of the Trojan War.
68. **Paris:** "Equal" - Prince of Troy, who started the Trojan War.
69. **Helen:** "Light" or "Torch" - Queen of Sparta, whose abduction sparked the Trojan War.
70. **Andromeda:** "Ruler of men" - Princess of Ethiopia, who was chained to a rock as a sacrifice to Cetus.
71. **Cassandra:** "She who shines" - A prophetess who was cursed by Apollo, so that no one would believe her prophecies.
72. **Pandora:** "All gifted" - The first woman, who was given a box containing all the evils of the world.
73. **Europa:** "Wide-eyed" - A Phoenician princess who was abducted by Zeus in the form of a white bull.
74. **Io:** "Walking" - A priestess of Hera, who was transformed into a cow by Zeus.
75. **Echo:** "Sound" - Nymph who could only repeat the last words spoken to her.
76. **Narcissus:** "Torment" - A handsome young man who fell in love with his own reflection.