Greek Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

Theseus

Greek mythology name

The name of the Greek mythological hero famous for slaying the Minotaur is also heard in Chaucer and Shakespeare. While Theseus might have sounded pretentious for an American baby a decade ago, today…

Tygrys

Tygrys is a masculine name with Slavic origins, particularly connected to Polish language where 'tygrys' means 'tiger.' This powerful animal name carries obvious connotations of strength, ferocity,…

Tigris

Tigris is a masculine name derived from the famous Tigris River, one of the major rivers of Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). The river's name itself comes from the Old Persian word "tigra" meaning…

Tim

Diminutive of Timothy, Greek

"honoring God"

Tim is a boyish short form occasionally given on its own. There were 37 baby boys named Tim in the US last year, versus over 1700 named Timothy.

Timon

Greek

"reward, honor"

Kids would be more likely to associate this name with the hyperactive meercat in "The Lion King" than with the ancient Greek philosopher or Shakespearean character, which could cause playground…

Timotheos

Timotheos is the original Greek form of Timothy, derived from Greek elements meaning 'honoring God' or 'God's honor.' This classical version maintains the full richness of its ancient origins,…

Timun

Timun is a masculine name with several possible origins. It may be related to the Indonesian word for 'cucumber,' or it could be a variation of Timothy, which has Greek origins meaning 'honoring…

Titos

Titos is a masculine name with Greek origins, representing a variation of Titus. In ancient Rome, Titus was a common praenomen (personal name) and is famously known through Emperor Titus Flavius…

Vasos

Vasos is a masculine name with Greek origins, derived from 'Vassilios,' the Greek form of Basil, meaning 'royal' or 'kingly.' In Greek Cypriot communities, Vasos functions as both a standalone name…

Venedictos

Greek variation of Benedict

Though this one would be sure to inspire confusion, Ven- names can be an intriguing alternative to the Ben- group.

Xanthos

Greek

"golden-haired"

This alternate name for Apollo has a noble sound and can always be shortened to Xan.

Xenophon

Greek

"foreign voice"

This name of an ancient Greek historian sounds too long-ago and faraway to consider for a modern child.

Xenos

Greek

"hospitality, guest"

One of the more accessible X names, though Xeno or Zeno might sound more modern.

Zeno

Anglicized form of Greek Zenon, related to Zeus, king of the gods

Zeno, the name of two ancient philosophers, has a muscular dynamism that's lightened by its cheerful final vowel, resulting in a kind of offbeat sci-fi feel. Zeno of Citium was the founder of the…

Xylon

Greek

"the forest"

Sounds like the name of a new synthetic fabric.

Yannis

Greek variation of John

As common in Greece as John is here.

Zale

Greek

"sea-strength"

Appealing sound and meaning, but there is that discount-store association.

Zandy

Greek, meaning unknown

Like Gandy, a rarely heard name (there was a seventies movie called Zandy's Bride ) that has a lot more energy and charm than its commoner cousins Andy, Randy, and Sandy.

Zenon

Ancient Greek and Polish form of Zeno and Zeus

"sky, shine; gift of Zeus"

Zenon is a relative of Zeno, which is a form of Zeus, used in both ancient Greece and modern Poland. With the new rise of all names mythological, this one may deserve a fresh look.

Zenobios

Greek

"life of Zeus"

Zealous and noble, an unusual and strong choice -- and if the original is too much of a mouthful, you can always call him Zen.