Greek Names for Boys

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.

Orestes

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. 

Orpheus

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 meaning leaf or feather.

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

Panos

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

Parthenios

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

Pelagios

Pello

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." 

Philadelphia

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

Philander

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 Phoenix, Felix, or Phineas.
 
The name was used by Victor Hugo in his 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, borne by the vain and caddish character of Capitaine Phœbus de Châteaupers. It subsequently appeared in the Disney animated adaptation of the book, though Disney's Captain Phoebus is much more likable and moral character.

Phoebus

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 here as the nickname of the memorable character played by Sal Mineo in the classic film "Rebel Without a Cause."
 And speaking of Greek philosophers, Germaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords named his little boy Sophocles.

Plato

Rihardos is a masculine name that represents a Greek variation of the Germanic name Richard. The original name combines the elements 'ric' meaning 'power, rule, leader' and 'hard' meaning 'brave, hardy'. This Hellenized form emerged as Greek-speaking communities adapted foreign names to fit their phonetic patterns. While uncommon even in Greece, it provides an interesting Mediterranean twist on the widely recognized Richard. Rihardos maintains the strength and authoritative quality of its root name while offering a distinctive international flair. The name might be encountered occasionally in Greek communities or diaspora populations, but remains a rare choice globally.

Rihardos

Samouel is a masculine name representing a variation of Samuel, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'heard by God' or 'name of God'. This particular spelling reflects transliteration from languages like Greek or French. Samuel appears in the Old Testament as an important prophet and judge. While the Samouel spelling is less common than the traditional Samuel, it provides a distinctive alternative that maintains the name's biblical connections and meaning. The name carries the same rich historical significance as its more common variant while offering a slightly different phonetic quality depending on pronunciation conventions.

Samouel

One of the most severely punished characters in Greek mythology, and the first two syllables don't help. 

Sisyphus

Associated with the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates (often spelled Sokratis) is quite common in traditional Greek families, but for others, we think Plato (the name of his pupil) might be easier to handle for those wanting a philosopher-inspired choice. 
 
Derived from the Greek elements Sos meaning "safe, whole, unharmed" and kratos meaning "power", the over all meaning of Socrates will be an interpretation of the two. Some sources translate it as "healthy and strong" while the more literal meaning could be "safe power".

Socrates

Has a dark, brooding image, thanks in large part to actor John Stamos. 

Stamos

Terentino is a masculine name that appears to be an elaboration of Terente or Terentius, the ancient Roman family name that gave us the more common Terence. The addition of the Italian diminutive suffix '-ino' gives the name a distinctly Italian flair. The name may also draw associations with the renowned film director Quentin Tarantino, though with a different spelling. Terentino remains extremely rare as a given name, offering an uncommon option for parents seeking something with Mediterranean sophistication. The name carries a rhythmic quality with its four syllables and has an artistic, creative resonance. Despite its rarity, Terentino feels both substantial and stylish, with the familiar nickname options of Tino or Teren available to make it more casual for everyday use.

Terentino

Terentilo is a masculine name with possible Latin or Italian influences, though it's quite uncommon. It may be a creative variation of the Roman name Terentius (which gave us Terence), potentially combined with a diminutive suffix. The root 'Terent-' is believed to have derived from the Latin word 'terens,' meaning 'rubbing' or 'polishing.' Terentilo has an exotic, melodic quality with its flowing syllables. The name remains exceedingly rare in contemporary usage, making it a highly distinctive choice. Its unusual nature gives it an air of uniqueness and distinction, potentially appealing to parents seeking an exceptionally uncommon name with classical undertones.

Terentilo

Tarantino is a masculine name derived from an Italian surname that gained prominence through filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. The surname originates from place names in southern Italy, particularly in Calabria and Sicily, with roots possibly connecting to the city of Taranto. As a first name, Tarantino is extremely uncommon, chosen primarily by parents who admire the director's work or who have Italian heritage they wish to honor. The name carries a bold, artistic quality with its rhythmic syllables and distinctive sound. While rare as a given name, Tarantino offers a strong cultural connection to Italian heritage and modern cinema, appealing to parents seeking something unconventional yet grounded in recognizable cultural references.

Tarantino

Theodosios is a masculine name with ancient Greek origins, meaning 'gift of God' from the elements 'theos' (god) and 'dosis' (giving). It carries significant historical weight as the name of several Byzantine emperors and Christian saints, including Theodosius the Great who made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire. The name has remained in consistent though modest use in Greece and among Greek Orthodox communities. Theodosios offers the potential for friendly nicknames like Theo while maintaining its distinguished classical roots. With its rhythmic syllables and meaningful etymology, the name conveys both scholarly dignity and spiritual significance, embodying a connection to classical civilization and religious heritage.

Theodosios

 as Phillip and George, Nicholas and Andrew, Peter and Stephen, all common in the US for most of its history. These traditional Greek boys’ names and their variations have been widely used in the western world for decades.

The latest favorite Greek name for boys is Theodore, which made a rapid ascent into the 

. That's an all-time high for this classic, presidential name. Short form Theo is also rising as a stand-alone name.

 in the US Top 500 today include Alexander, Atticus, Elias, Jonas, Lucas, Nico, Sebastian, and Tobias. Baby boy names popular in Greece include Yiorgos — the Greek form of George — Yiannis, Constantine, and Dimitris.

 with a contemporary appeal include Lazarus, Linus, Ozias, and Phoenix.

Other unique Greek boy names trending for modern babies are 

. You might consider naming your son Apollo or Atlas, Orion or Perseus.

This list gathers all the Greek names for boys on Nameberry, ordered by their current popularity among visitors to the site.

Greek boy names with meanings, origins, and popularity, include top and classic Greek names for boys, as well as unusual Greek male names. (Page 17)

315+ Greek Boy Names (with Meanings)