Greek Names

While Andrea — without the accent) — is still currently the favored spelling in France for boys, Andréa is an up-and-coming star, that ranked just outside the French Top 100 in a recent year. Notable bearers include footballer Andréa Dacourt and politician Andréa Kotarac. 


Andréa

Andromache is a name found scattered throughout ancient literature. She was Hector's long-suffering wife in The Iliad and The Odyssey, featured in The Trojan Women and Andromache by Euripides, then later appeared in Shakepeare's Troilus and Cressida, and Jean Racine's 1667 play Andromaque. It has not made many appearances in the modern world, but now Charlize Theron's character in The Old Guard 2 is named Andromache, nickname Andy.

Andromache

Also appearing as Andronikos, this Latinized Ancient Greek name is reminiscent of more popular choices such as Andrew, Andreas, Nickolas, and Atticus. Made up of the elements aner (meaning "man") and nike (meaning "victory"), it's a strong, albeit heavy choice.
 
Appearing in the New Testament and borne by a number of emperors, saints, poets, and scholars, the name is also associated with the Shakespeare play Titus Andronicus. A bloodthirsty revenge play, loved in its time but rejected by the Victorians, it involves sacrifices, murder, executions, and being baked in a pie. 
 
Pronounced as ahn-drawn-NEE-kus in Latin, it is also heard as an-drawn-ih-kus in English.

Andronicus

More familiar in its Latinized form, Andronicus (likely thanks to Shakespeare's gory revenge play), Andronikos is the Greek variation. Associated with a number of saints and Roman emperors, this form is also borne by contemporary football player, Andronikos Kakoullis.

Andronikos

If you want to move beyond Maya, you might consider this distinctive last name of poet Maya Angelou. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, Angelou was given the nickname Maya by her brother and adopted Angelou from her first husband, whose last name was Angelos.

Angelou

A floral Greek name that may appeal to those who enjoy Anthea, Athena, and Ianthe, but were also hoping for something more concise. It appears in Greek mythology as one of the Alcyonides, a nymph of fair weather who throws herself into the sea after the death of her father. She is transformed into a kingfisher, meaning this name has a double nature connection.
 
It is also the name of one of Saturn's moons and derives from athos, meaning "flower" or "blossom"

Anthe

A floral and saintly choice, Anthusa derives from the Greek word athos meaning "flower", in turn connecting it to more familiar choices such Anthea and Xanthe. Also written as Anthousa, this Latinized form is associated with a number of saints, including Saint Anthusa of Constantinople (the patroness of convents and abbeys), and the earlier Saint Anthusa of Mantinea, for whom the former was named.

Anthusa

An alternative transcription of the floral Greek name Anthe, this spelling is notably used in the popular anime series, Revolutionary Girl Utena. Also associated with a Greek nymph of fair weather, with blossoming flowers, and a moon of Saturn, it could make a subtle pop-culture-inspired choice, for fans of the anime.

Anthy

Borne by the mother of Odysseus in Greek mythology, Anticlea (also spelled as Anticleia or Antikleia) could be an interesting alternative to Cleo, Antigone, and Anthea. Meaning "against fame" or "compared to glory". In Homer's Odyssey, she appears to her son in the underworld.

Anticlea

A less floral form of Anthimos, Antim is a Bulgarian and Romanian variation of the Greek name. Derived from the element anthos, meaning "flower, blossom", this variant feels closer to Artem or Anton and may therefore feel more practical for every day usage.
 
Borne by the 17th century saint, Anthim the Iberian (known for both his language skills and founding on the first Georgian printing press), he gives his name to a Rugby Cup, contested whenever Romania and Georgia play against each other.
 
The name is also used in India, possibly as a form of Anthony or the Sanskrit antima meaning "last, final", often using in phrases such as "at last I've succeeded".

Antim

Sometimes written as Antinoos, this name was borne by a lover of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd Century. After his early death, the emperor had him venerated and worshipped as a god. 
 
Literally translating to "against the mind" or "against thought" and interpreted as meaning "opposite in character" or "resistant", the name appears in Greek mythology, worn by a particularly violent and deceitful suitor of Penelope, wife of Odysseus. Played by Robert Pattinson in the 2026 movie adaptation of Homer's Odyssey, this mythological choice has yet to appear in the US stats.

Antinous

A melodic name with ties to mythology, Antiope was borne by a daughter of Ares and a sister to Melanippe, Orithyia, and Hippolyta, Queens of the Amazons. In some variations of the myth, she falls (willingly and freely) in love of with Theseus, who then abandons her, which leads to the Amazons attacking Athens; in other versions, she is abducted by Theseus and the Amazons attack Athens to rescue her.
 
Similar in sound to Calliope, Ianthe, and Xanthe, Antiope combines the Greek elements anti meaning "like" or "against" and ops meaning "voice", though other sources suggest the latter element is in fact opsis meaning "eye" or "looking". As such, the name could mean "like the voice", "against speech", "against look" or "looking at the other side".
 
In popular culture, Antiope appears in DC Comics as the aunt of Wonder Woman, and also features in the 2017 Wonder Woman movie, portrayed by Robin Wright. Antiope is additionally associated with a species of butterfly, better known as the Camberwell beauty of the mourning cloak.

Antiope

A long name with plenty of grandeur and plenty of grounding nicknames, Apollodora could make an interesting alternative to Apolline and Apollinia, and to Isadora, Theodora, and Dorothea. Meaning "gift of Apollo", Apollo being the Ancient Greek god of the sun, music, prophecy, and art, it is a feminine form of the masculine Apollodorus.
 
While it would make a rare and daring choice, with Apollo, Aurora, and Athena becoming familiar, it doesn't seem as out there as it might once have done. Add into that the nicknames Polly, Alora, Dollie, Dora, Rory, Lolo, Lola, Allie, Ollie, and Lora, it could be one to consider.

Apollodora

A variation of the Ancient Greek Apollodorus, this French form may appeal to those looking for something truly unexpected, but who also enjoy the likes of Theodore, Isidore, Apollo, Atticus, and Atlas. Blending the name of the Greek god of the sun, music, and prophecy with the element doron, meaning "gift", it could offer the nicknames Pol, Pollo, Rory, Ollie, Odie, and Lorie.

Apollodore

A long and ancient feeling choice, Apollodorus blends the name of the Greek god of the sun with the element dorons, meaning "gift". Also written as Apollodoros, it was historically borne by several Greek scholars and historians, along with an artist and sculptor.

Apollodorus

A phonetically attractive place-name that can be used for babies but rarely is.

Arabia

In Greek mythology, Arethusa is a nymph who is transformed into a fresh water fountain. The name is also used for a type of orchid and featured in Bleak House by Charles Dickens.

Arethusa

Tasoula is a feminine name of Greek origin, functioning primarily as an affectionate diminutive of Anastasia, though it can sometimes stand as an independent name. The suffix '-oula' in Greek adds an endearing quality, making Tasoula a warm, familiar form used among family and friends. The root name Anastasia means 'resurrection' or 'rebirth,' giving Tasoula connections to themes of renewal and hope. Most common in Greece and Greek diaspora communities, Tasoula carries a melodic quality with its flowing vowels. While rare outside Greek communities, it represents the rich tradition of Greek diminutives that often become standalone names. Tasoula offers both cultural authenticity and a distinctive sound for those seeking a uniquely Greek feminine name.

Tasoula

Also appearing as Ariadna, Ariana, and Ariane across the globe, Ariadni is a the modern Greek form of the myhtological name. Meaning "most holy", Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos who helped Theseus escape the Minotaur, and later married the god Dionysus. 
 
This form is notably borne by Ariadni Adamopoulou, a Greek pole-vaulter, and by Ariadni Kidonis (Aria), a music artist, DJ, and social media influencer.

Ariadni

The mythological Ares has been on the rise in the US in recent years, while in Lithuania, this variant of war god's name ranked in the Top 20 in the latest stats. Ultimately from the Greek Ares and via the Latinized Arius, Arijus means "bane" or "ruin", though others may suggest it is a short form of Aristoteles, meaning "the best purpose", or a variation of Aris, a Dutch diminutive of Adriaan.


Arijus

Greek names include choices from ancient mythology along with modern Greek names both familiar to English speakers and those used mainly in Greece. As 

 become more popular, Greek baby names are found more often in nurseries and on playgrounds around the world.

 for girls include Alexandra, Chloe, Katherine, Sophia, and Zoe. For boys, Greek names in the US Top 300 include Alexander, Andrew, Elias, Lucas, and Phoenix. In 

 include Constantine, Nicholas, Eleni, and Vasiliki.

today include Atalanta, Kassia, Timon, and Xan. Baby names drawn from ancient Greek myth include Pandora, Calypso, and Zephyr.



Many Greek baby names have traveled far and wide from their origins in Greece. But there are other Greek names that are attracting new interest that are more distinctly Greek: Cassia and Ione for girls, for instance, and Homer and Linus for boys.



If you’re interested in Greek names for your baby, here is our full range, ordered by current popularity on Nameberry.

Greek baby names for girls and boys with meanings and popularity, including top Greek names such as Theodore and Ophelia along with hundreds of unique Greek names. (Page 30)

Greek Names (with Meanings & Popularity)