Greek Male Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Traditional and Modern Choices

Looking for a strong, meaningful name for your baby boy? Greek names have been a popular choice for centuries, known for their rich history, cultural significance, and elegant sound. From traditional classics like Alexander and Leonidas to modern favorites like Ares and Zeus, there's a Greek name to suit every taste. This list explores a wide range of options, providing detailed meanings and origins to help you find the perfect name for your little one.
1. **Agamemnon:** "Much in strength" or "Very strong" - Legendary king of Mycenae and commander-in-chief of the Greek forces in the Trojan War.
2. **Ajax:** "Eagle" - A powerful Greek hero in the Trojan War, known for his strength and bravery.
3. **Alexander:** "Defender of men" - A popular name throughout history, associated with great leaders like Alexander the Great.
4. **Andreas:** "Manly" - A popular name with a strong meaning, associated with the Apostle Andrew.
5. **Apollo:** "The Destroyer" - God of music, poetry, light, truth, and prophecy.
6. **Ares:** "God of war" - The Greek god of war and bloodshed.
7. **Aristarchus:** "Best leader" - Meaning "most excellent" or "best ruler."
8. **Aristophanes:** "He who reveals himself to be the best" - A celebrated Athenian playwright and comic poet.
9. **Aristides:** "Most just" - Known as "The Just," he was a prominent Athenian statesman and general.
10. **Aristotle:** "Best goal" - A renowned philosopher and polymath, considered one of the most influential thinkers in Western philosophy.
11. **Atlas:** "He who bears" - Titan condemned to hold up the sky for eternity.
12. **Basilius:** "King" - A name that signifies royalty and authority.
13. **Cadmus:** "Ancient" - Legendary founder of Thebes, who introduced the Phoenician alphabet to Greece.
14. **Charon:** "Fiery" or "Glutton" - The ferryman who carried souls across the River Styx to the Underworld.
15. **Chrysostomos:** "Golden-mouthed" - Meaning "golden mouth", referencing eloquent speech.
16. **Cleon:** "Glory" - A powerful Athenian politician during the Peloponnesian War.
17. **Demosthenes:** "Strong people" - A renowned Athenian orator and statesman known for his powerful speeches against Philip II of Macedon.
18. **Dionysus:** "Son of Zeus" - The Greek god of wine, revelry, and theater.
19. **Eratosthenes:** "Beloved of the Muses" - A celebrated Greek polymath and the first person to calculate the circumference of the Earth.
20. **Eros:** "Love" - The Greek god of love and desire.
21. **Eugenes:** "Well-born" - A name that suggests good lineage and character.
22. **Evangelos:** "Good news" - Meaning "bringer of good tidings," often associated with the gospel.
23. **Evander:** "Good man" - An Arcadian king who welcomed Aeneas to Italy.
24. **Hades:** "Invisible" - Greek god of the Underworld.
25. **Heracles:** "Glory of Hera" - Son of Zeus and Alcmene, famed for his strength and 12 Labors.
26. **Hermes:** "Messenger" - The Greek god of messengers, trade, travel, and thieves.
27. **Hesiod:** "He who sits" or "The gift" - A Greek poet, considered the father of didactic poetry.
28. **Hippolytus:** "He who loosens the horse" - A tragic character in Greek mythology, known for his purity and virtue.
29. **Homer:** "Hostage" or "Blind" - A celebrated ancient Greek epic poet, traditionally credited with writing the Iliad and Odyssey.
30. **Icarus:** "He who waxes" - A character in Greek mythology who flew too close to the sun and fell to his death.
31. **Jason:** "He who heals" - Leader of the Argonauts, who retrieved the Golden Fleece.
32. **Leonidas:** "Son of the lion" - King of Sparta, known for his heroic stand against the Persians at Thermopylae.
33. **Lysander:** "Liberator" - An Athenian general known for his victories against the Spartans.
34. **Marcus:** "Warlike" - A common Roman name, but with Greek origins.
35. **Melchior:** "King of light" - One of the Three Wise Men who visited baby Jesus.
36. **Menelaus:** "Lion-like" or "Of the lion" - King of Sparta and the husband of Helen, whose abduction sparked the Trojan War.
37. **Nestor:** "Coming back" - A wise old king of Pylos, known for his long life and sage advice.
38. **Odysseus:** "Wrathful" or "Hateful" - King of Ithica and the hero of Homer's epic Odyssey.
39. **Orpheus:** "Dark" or "Darkness" - A musician and poet in Greek mythology, known for his ability to charm both humans and animals with his music.
40. **Pan:** "All" - The Greek god of the wild, shepherds, and flocks, known for his mischievous nature and for playing the pipes.
41. **Pericles:** "Surrounded by glory" - A prominent Athenian statesman, orator, and general, considered the "Golden Age of Athens."
42. **Plato:** "Wide" or "Broad" - A celebrated Athenian philosopher and student of Socrates.
43. **Plutarch:** "Rich in glory" - A Greek biographer and essayist, known for his Parallel Lives.
44. **Prometheus:** "Forethought" - A Titan in Greek mythology who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans.
45. **Pythagoras:** "One who announces the oracle" - A Greek philosopher and mathematician, known for his theorem relating the sides of a right triangle.
46. **Socrates:** "Saving" or "To help" - A Classical Greek philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy.
47. **Solon:** "Wise" - An Athenian statesman, lawmaker, and poet, known for his reforms.
48. **Sophocles:** "Wisely" or "Wise" - A celebrated Athenian playwright, known for his tragedies.
49. **Thales:** "Flowering" or "Green" - A Greek philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer, considered the "father of Western philosophy."
50. **Theodoros:** "Gift of God" - A popular name with a strong religious connotation.
51. **Theseus:** "Placed" or "Put" - A mythical king of Athens, known for slaying the Minotaur and navigating the Labyrinth.
52. **Timotheus:** "Honoring God" - A Greek general and statesman, considered one of the most successful Athenian commanders.
53. **Xenophon:** "Hospitality" - A Greek philosopher, historian, and soldier, known for his writings on military strategy and history.
54. **Zeno:** "Zeus is host" - A Greek philosopher, founder of Stoicism, known for his paradoxes.
55. **Zeus:** "Sky" or "Shining" - The king of the gods in Greek mythology.