Greek Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

Olympos

Greek

"from Mount Olympus"

Mythical, yet limp.

Orestes

Greek

"from the mountain"

A figure in Greek drama who murdered his mother makes for an unconventional choice for a baby name, but it has appeared on the US extended list several dozen times since records began.

Orpheus

Greek mythology name

"the darkness of the night"

Name of the legendary ancient Greek poet and musician — whose music was so beautiful it made trees dance and rivers stop to listen — would provide a child with a challenging but indelible identity.

Osias

Greek

"salvation"

Osias has a Latinate and biblical feel without making an appearance in the Bible. The related Ozias, on the other hand, is a form of Uzziah, found in the Greek and Latin Old Testament, and could make…

Pan

Greek

"all or shepherd"

Pan is the Greek god with the legs of a goat and the body of a pipes-playing man known for his mischievousness. Pan is also the god of shepherds, pastures, and fertility. Pan is also a Hindi name…

Panos

Greek variation of Panagiotis

"all holy"

This is a straightforward choice for parents looking to honor their Greek ancestry.

Parthenios

Greek mythology name

Parthenios, the name of a Greek river god, is draped in a toga.

Piers

Greek

"rock"

Piers was the first version of Peter to reach the English-speaking world, via the Normans, but it's never made it in the US, despite its large measure of understated panache. This might change due to…

Pelagios

Greek

"from the sea"

Pelagios is one of the more outre of the sea-related names. But Pel could work as a short form -- or Gus.

Pello

Greek and Basque

"stone"

Creative variation on Peter.

Pericles

Greek

"far-famed"

Ancient Athenian statesman whose name was once used in the US mostly for enslaved people, following a trend for names of ancient figures.

Perseus

Greek mythology name

"to destroy"

Perseus is a godly Greek hero (he was a son of Zeus) whose ancient name just might have modern possibilities along with other so-old-they're-new-again names such as Atticus and Orion.

Philadelphia

Greek place-name

"brotherly love"

Not nearly as popular as neighbors Trenton and Camden, but occasionally used for girls. Shirley Temple played a Philadelphia in the old western movie "Fort Apache."

Philander

Greek

"loving mankind"

A Greek name with a charming meaning and mythological ties, Philander has long been too close to "philanderer" for English speakers to consider.

Philemon

Greek

"kiss"

Rarely heard New Testament name -- he was a friend of Saint Paul -- that might conceivably stand up to modern usage.

Phoebus

Greek

"shining, brilliant"

One of the names of the sun god Apollo, this is better known in its feminine form, Phoebe. Rarely used as a given name, perhaps owing to the clunky end sound, it might work as a unique alternative to…

Plato

Greek

"broad-shouldered"

The name of one of the greatest Western philosophers is often used as a first name in its land of origin, Greece, and would make a really interesting, thought-provoking choice here. It is remembered…

Pluto

Greek

"rich"

The Roman god of the underworld, the former ninth planet, a cartoon dog...but not a baby.

Pollux

Greek

"crown"

Castor's twin in the constellation Gemini. That final x makes this name modern and cool.

Poseidon

Greek mythology name

This version of the sea god's name may be more ready for prime time than the Roman version, Neptune -- slightly.