Greek Names for Boys

Timaeus is an ancient name that appears in both Plato's Dialogues and in the New Testament. Might make a so-old-it's-new-again version of Timothy. The feminine variation is Timea.

Timaeus

The name of two Biblical figures, one a supporter of St. Paul and the other a Corinthian ruler.  Virtually unknown in the U.S. but used in the form Sosthene in modern France.

Sosthenes

This male relative of the Emily family was borne by two Greek saints, one a fourth century martyr who destroyed pagan images and the other a ninth century bishop.  Variations include Emilios and Aemilios.  The Latin Aemilius, from the ancient family name, may be unrelated.

Aimilios

Phyllon, the male version of Phyllis (which gives you a clue to its pronunciation), was introduced as a baby name by Dutch model Doutzen Kroes and her husband DJ Sunnery James. Phyllon is one of those <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/329/nature-baby-names">nature names</a> that hides its true, well, nature.

Phyllon

Timeo is a Top 100 name in France but is virtually unknown in the English-speaking world.  Appearing briefly in the New Testament and related to Timon, a Shakespearean name, Timeo is a valid possibility for parents looking for an unusual name with cross-cultural cred.

Timeo

The positive-meaning name of a seventh century saint.

Alipio

Kora

With the new fashion in the US for S-ending surname-names, Saunders could see some use.

Saunders

This cool, sauntering boy's name would fit in and stand out in a classroom today. Other similar diminutives more distinct than Xander or Zander include Saunders, Sander, and Sanders. 

Saunder

Feodore is a masculine name with noble Russian roots, serving as a variant of the more common Theodore. Derived from Greek elements meaning 'gift of God,' Feodore carries the same profound meaning but with a distinctly Slavic character. 

The name was borne by several Russian nobles and royals, including Grand Duke Feodor Alexandrovich of Russia. While Theodore remains widely used internationally, Feodore offers a more uncommon alternative with historical depth. The name experienced limited popularity in Imperial Russia but has remained rare elsewhere. 

Feodore

This Dutch form of the ancient Greek saints' name Tycho is in the Top 100 in The Netherlands.  While largely unknown in the English-speaking world, it's got a cool sound and ancient roots, which equals a winning choice.

Tygo

Cassander is the masculine form of Cassandra, and the name of an ancient king of Macedon from the 3rd century BC. It could make a nice alternative to Alexander or a refreshing way to honour a female relative named Cassie/Cassandra/Sandra.
 
Despite its familiar sounds and elegance, Cassander didn't appear in the US stats for boys until 2024, when the rise of Cassius, Caspian, Evander, and Leander has likely allowed parents to separate it from its feminine form and worry less about it only ever being heard as Cassandra. Six boys were given the name in 2024, though we could see that number rise in coming years.

Cassander

A daring choice with a sweet and sea-inspired meaning, Deucalion appears in Greek mythology multiple times. Most noteworthy perhaps are Deucalion the son of Prometheus, who, along with his wife Pyrrha, survives a great flood sent by Zeus, and Deucalion the soldier, killed by Achilles to avenge Patroclus.
 
Some sources suggest the name is a blending of the elements deukos meaning "sweet, sweet wine" and haliéus meaning "sailor, fisherman", while others suggest it stems from deuo meaning "drenched, wet" — both of which could work in regards to the mythology.
 
The name has appeared sporadically in the US stats since 2014, given to a very small handful of boys.

Deucalion

Famously the name of Odysseus and Penelope's son in Homer's Odyssey, Telemachus derives from the Greek elements tele meaning "far off" and mache meaning "battle". A rare and weighty choice, Telemachus was played by Tom Holland in the 2026 movie adaptation of Homer's epic. 
 
Along with the Odyssey, Telemachus also appears in James Joyce's novel Ulyssess, Madeline Miller's Circe and in EPIC: the musical Beyond Greek mythology, Telemachus is the name of a 4th century saint and monk, remembered for his attempt to stop a gladiatorial fight in a Roman amphitheatre which resulted in him being stoned to death by the crowd. The Christian emperor Honorius was impressed however, and subsequently banned gladiatorial fights. 
 
The modern form of the name, Tilemachos, is familiar in Greece, and though this variation remains rare for now, nicknames Mac, Lemmie, and Tez could help it appeal to those looking for truly distinctive options from mythology.

Telemachus

Appearing several times in Greek mythology, Pallas is an epithet of Athena, the goddess or wisdom, and, depending on which version of the legends you follow, is also borne by a (female) childhood friend of Athena; by a giant son of Gaia, whom Athena slays; a Titan war god; a teacher of Athena; and a grandson of the King Evander, who features in Virgil's Aeneid.
 
Pronounced PAHL-LAHS in Classical Greek and PAL-uhs in English, it could mean "to brandish" or it could mean "youth".

Pallas

With the rise of other S-ending surname names — Brooks, Hollis — we see a future for Perris. This unusual unisex name could make a modern honor name for an ancestral Peter.
 
It may also be related to the Biblical Perez, meaning "burst forth" and the Greek Pericles (or Perikles), meaning "surrounded by glory" or "exceedingly famous".

Perris

The French version of Helios, the ancient Greek sun god, depicted as riding across the sky each day in a chariot drawn by four horses. An approachable mythological name with a bright meaning, Hélios ranks in the Top 350 in France. 

Hélios

Most famously the name of the ancient Greek tragedian, who wrote the plays Electra, Antigone, and Oedipus Rex, among others. The name is still used in Greece today, in its modern form of Sofoklis. Sophocles is a unique and dramatic ancient choice for lovers of theatre.

Kiwi actors Jemaine Clement, of Flight of the Conchords and Alice and Steve, and Miranda Manasiadis have a son named Sophocles.

Sophocles

Iphis is a unisex ancient Greek name that appears a number of times throughout Greek mythology, as a King of Argos, one of the Argonauts, and a Thespian princess. Most notably, however, it features in Ovid's Metamorphoses, in the tale of Iphis and Ianthe.
 
According to Ovid, Iphis is born a girl, however, to save them from being put to death by the father (who can't afford a woman's dowry), Iphis's mother conceals their sex and raises them as a boy. Iphis goes on to fall in love with Ianthe, but realizes they cannot wed as they are. While Iphis laments to Juno about the problem, their mother goes to a temple of Isis to ask for guidance, and, Just before the wedding is set to take place, Iphis is transformed into a man. 
 
Possibly derived from the Greek iphios meaning "strong, stout" or "force", Iphis can be said as EYE-fis, IF-fiss or EE-fees. A rare choice, it may appeal to those who like Iris, Idris, Ira, or Paris, or for those looking for a unisex name with mythological ties and and LGBTQ+ connections.

Iphis

Zephyr is one of the most popular Z names for boys on Nameberry, but this Spanish variation may be less familiar. Ultimately derived from Zephyros, the Greek god of the west wind, Cerefino is pronounced as theh-feh-REE-no in Spain and as seh-feh-REE-no in Latin America. 
 
Popular in its native Spain in the first half of the 20th century, it has occasionally and sporadically made the US stats over the last century.

Ceferino

 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 19)

315+ Greek Boy Names (with Meanings)