God Names from Myth and Legend
- Oengus
Origin:
Irish mythology name, variation of AngusMeaning:
"one choice"Description:
Oengus is the old Irish form of the name most commonly found in the modern world as Angus, typically Scottish.
In Irish mythology, Oengus is the god of youth, love, and poetry.
- Uku
Origin:
Estonian deityDescription:
God of the sky, weather, thunder, and the harvest in Estonian mythology. His names in Finnish mythology include Ukko, Äijä, and Äijö.
- Cador
Origin:
Cornish mythological nameDescription:
Cador is said to be one of the ancient rulers of Cornwall who, according to Arthurian legend, was the guardian of Guinevere. The name Cadbury is said to come from his four hill-forts.
- Vahagn
Origin:
Armenian mythology, "victory over resistance"Meaning:
"victory over resistance"Description:
In Armenian mythology, Vahagn is a god of war, bravery and victory, as well as representing the sun, fire and thunder. His name originated as an Armenian variant of Verethragna, the name of a similar but different Zoroastrian deity, and in the old Armenian Calendar, Vahagn was also used as the name of the 27th day of the month. It last made an appearance in the Armenian boys' Top 50 in 2022.
- Hennil
Origin:
Proto-Slavic deityDescription:
The god of agriculture and fertility worshipped in Slavic areas. Hennil was depicted by a staff crowned by a hand holding a ring.
- Feargus
Description:
Feargus is a masculine name of Irish Gaelic origin, derived from 'fear' meaning 'man' and 'gus' meaning 'vigor' or 'strength,' combining to mean 'strong man' or 'man of vigor.' This powerful name was borne by several kings and heroes in Irish mythology and history, including Feargus mac Róich, a legendary warrior in the Ulster Cycle. Though relatively uncommon in modern usage outside of Ireland and Scottish Gaelic-speaking regions, the name carries deep cultural significance and represents Celtic heritage. Feargus offers a distinctive alternative to the more common Fergus spelling, maintaining its authentic Gaelic roots while providing a strong, masculine option with historical depth.
- Alaz
Origin:
TurkishMeaning:
"flame, blaze"Description:
A bright name of Turkish origin, Alaz (or Alaz Khan) is the god of fire in Turkic mythology. He is associated with both protection and destruction, as fire is seen to both purify and punish in Turkic traditions.
- Taranis
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"thunder"Description:
Taranis was the Celtic god of thunder, the equivalent of the Norse god Thor. With Thor along with a legion of mythological choices back in use as baby names, Taranis just may have a chance to rise from the recesses of history to make the modern baby name rosters.
- Lugh
Origin:
Irish mythology nameDescription:
Lugh is the Irish god of the harvest, who also rules over truth, the law, and the arts. His magic includes a fiery spear and a boat that sails itself (dubbed the "wave sweeper") and his inventions include horse racing.
- Narfi
Origin:
Norse MythologyDescription:
The name of two figures in Norse mythology: one the father of Nótt, the personification of the night; the other a son of Loki and Sigyn, who is transformed into a wolf (or killed by one, depending on your source). The name may mean "narrow", or possibly "demon of the dead".
- Jumis
Origin:
Latvian deityDescription:
God of fertility in Latvian mythology. Jumis is responsible for ensuring a good harvest — he lives in the fields and the last of the crop would be left for him to live in.
- Thoth
Origin:
Egyptian, GreekMeaning:
"like the ibis"Description:
An Egyptian mythology name, Thoth was a god of the moon, science, art, judgement, writing, magic and science, among others. The Egyptian form of his name is theorised to have been Djehuti, but he is most well-known as the Hellenised form, Thoth.
- Lir
Origin:
Irish mythological nameDescription:
Lir is the Irish god of the sea, the equivalent of the Welsh Llyr which some equate with Shakespeare's King Lear. This is one of those rare names that is simple and has a deep history with an appealing meeting and yet is completely unused in the modern world -- no baby boys were recorded as receiving the name Lir in the US last year. Maybe because it sounds like the unappealing leer?
- Teotl
Origin:
Nahuatl, AztecMeaning:
"divinity, sacredness"Description:
Also written as Teōtl, this name comes from a Nahuatl term meaning "divinity", which the Aztecs used to describe the omnipresent force and active power in the universe. Teotl manifested in the supreme god Ometeotl, and a number of lesser gods, many of which represented natural phenomena, such as fire and running water.
- Gbenga
Origin:
YorubaMeaning:
"lift up, elevate"Description:
Occasionally found in the Anglicized Benga spelling, this strong Yoruba name is a popular choice in Nigeria. American actor Gbenga Akinnagbe was born Olugbenga, which is a longer form of the name, meaning "God lifted me".
- Geb
Origin:
EgyptianMeaning:
"earth"Description:
In Egyptian mythology, Geb is the god of the Earth, also related to snakes, earthquakes, and growing crops. With a similar sound to the familiar nickname name Gabe, Geb could work on a baby born in the modern era.
- Perun
Origin:
Proto-Slavic mythology nameMeaning:
"thunder; to strike"Description:
God of the sky, thunder, lightning, rain and war, Perun is the highest-ranking deity in Slavic mythology. Also associated with eagles, mountains, fire, the law, and oak trees, the name may come from the Proto-Slavic element per- meaning "to slay, to strike".
