Greek Names for Boys

Borne by a now little known Greek comic-poet from the 4th century, Ophelion may be recognizable thanks to its similarity to the Shakespearean favorite, Ophelia. Both come from the Greek element opheleia meaning "help, aid" or "benefit". 
 
Also transcribed as Ofelion in modern Greek, it seems unlikely that Ophelion will ever catch on as its sister name has. However, it may make a cool (middle?) name for those who really, really love Ophelia but are naming a boy.

Ophelion

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

Rare for girls and rarer still for boys, Topaz is a gemstone name with a cool -Z ending, reminiscent of stylish options such as Azriel, Azariah, and Azai, along with the more classic Christopher, Thomas, and Tobias. Associated with healing, protection, fidelity, and good fortune, the golden gemstone is also the birthstone of November, which could make it a distinctive option for babies born in the month.
 
While the exact etymology of the name is unknown, one theory is that it comes from the Greek Topázios, the ancient name for what is now St. John's Island in the Red Sea. A yellow stone was originally mined from there, and while it believed to have been chrysolite and not topaz, the name may have became attached to the yellow gemstone anyway. A second theory is that it emerged from the Sanskrit word tapas meaning "heat" or "fire", likely in reference to its color.
 
While Topaz has never appeared in the US stats for boys, it has seen some use in Israel, India, and Canada as a masculine name. Thanks to its rarity however, it could work for any gender, especially as an unexpected middle name or a bold but familiar first.

Topaz

Majestic and poetic at the same time, Calidore appears in Edmund Spenser's 16th century epic poem, The Faerie Queene, in which Sir Calidore is a courteous and heroic knight. It may intrigue those looking for rare alternatives to Callum, Caleb, Callan, and Calvin, or those seeking unique options that still remind them of Theodore. 
 
Likely made up of the Greek elements kallos and doron meaning "beauty" and "gift" respectively, it comes from a piece of literature that has been fairly influential on naming, introducing Arlo, Amoret, Briana, and Claribel.

Calidore

Derived from the floral Hyacinthus, this is the French form of a mythological Greek name. Considered unisex in France, it ranked in the French Top 400 for both sexes in the early 20th century, though was notably more popular for boys. 
 
While it did fall out of fashion in the 50s, it remains associated with the 17th century painter Hyacinthe Rigaud, noted for his portraits of King Louis XIV and other French nobility. Other bearers have included several archbishops, cardinals and priests, along with composer Hyacinthe Jadin and hockey player Hyacinthe Henri Boncourt "Hy".

Hyacinthe

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

An unusual name form Greek mythology, Pyrrhus is an alternative name for Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles. In this case, Pyrrha was the name of the woman Achilles once disguised himself as, and so it was passed on to his son. 
 
Borne by a king of Greece in the third century BC, Pyrrhus is associated with the idea of a Pyrrhic victory, that is, one that is achieved by too greater loss to the winner for it really to be considered successful. Still, with its cool, blazing meaning and mythological ties, Pyrrhus might appeal, and it could make an edgy yet playful choice for a cat (similar in sound to puss and in appearance to purr).

Pyrrhus

An undiscovered nature name, Delonix is a distinctive choice that could make an intriguing middle name or a daring first. A type of flowering tree or plant with striking red petals, its name is taken from the Greek elements delos and onyx meaning "evident, obvious" and "claw" respectively. 
 
Offering a range of nicknames from Lonnie, Lox, Nix, Dex, Del, and Donnie, it might appeal to those who enjoy Onyx, Sequoia, Dexter, and Calix.

Delonix

Sleek and poetic, Alisander is a Medieval form of Alexander, notably appearing in Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur. An appealing choice to those who like the strength of Alexander, the literary feel of Lysander, and the sounds of Alistair and Cassander, it gets bonus points for also being a botanical name for boys. Used as a common name for the plant Smyrnium olusatrum, it has never appeared in the US stats.

Alisander

Ultimately derived from the Greek Alexius, Aliocha is the French form of the Russian name Alyosha. In Russia, it is used as a diminutive of Aleksey (meaning "defender, helper"), while in French, it might be used for Alexis. A notable bearer is actor Aliocha Schneider.

Aliocha

Derived from Yuriy, the Russian and Ukrainian form of George, Youri is a Dutch and French equivalent of the name. Gentle yet hardy, it has an international feel and was saw some popularity in France and the Netherlands during the 2000s. Pronounced as yoo-ree, in France, both syllables would be emphasized, while in Dutch, only the first would be.
 
Alternative Dutch forms include Joeri and Yoeri, along with Joris and Jurriaan, while in France, the alternative would be Georges.

Youri

A modern variation of Phoibus — more familiar in its Latinized form of Phoebus — this is one of the names of the sun god Apollo. Occasionally used in Greece, it has been notably borne by songwriter Evangelos-Phoebus Tassopoulos, who sometimes uses Foivos as a professional name, by politician and lawyer Foivos Ioannidis, and by musician Foivos Delivorias. 
 
Fivos and Phivos are spelling variations.

Foivos

Blending the name of the goddess of the moon and hunting with doron meaning "gift", this rare Greek name was borne by a 2nd century author and diviner, famous for his work the Oneirocritica, or "The Interpretation of Dreams". 
 
Appearing multiple times in Ancient Greek history, it was also the name of various philosophers, early Olympians, painters and physicians. Today, it could be a bold choice and an interesting way to nicknames Teddy, Artie, Artem, Ross, Ari, and Aris.

Artemidoros

Light and lilting, Lyrian has a number of different roots, including: the ancient place name of Illyria (fictionalized in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night); the Portuguese Líria and Lírio meaning "lily"; the musical Greek Lyra, relating to the instrument; or the Albanian Lirija, Liri, or Liridon, meaning "freedom". Other sources suggest it may also be connected to Llyr, Ler, or Lir, legendary Welsh and Irish names, all meaning "of the sea".

Lyrian

An interesting, palindromic name, Sabas may appeal to those who like Silas and Sebastian but want something rarer (in the US at least). Derived from the Greek Sabbas, ultimately from the Aramaic sava, the name means "old man, grandfather" making it a name for an "old soul" or perhaps as a subtle honor to a grandparent figure. 
 
Borne by a number of saints, bishops, and martyrs, alternative transcriptions of the name include Sabbas (Greek), Savvas (modern Greek), and Sava (Slavic).

Sabas

The modern Greek transcription of the ancient Sabbas, this name is historically associated with the Patron saint of Serbia, a 4th century Christian martyr, and a 5th Cappadocian monk and priest. It has the cool appeal of being a palindrome and having a savvy sound, slightly reminiscent of Sasha, Sebastian, and Sylvan.
 Derived from the Greek Sabbas, ultimately from the Aramaic sava, the name means "old man, grandfather" making it a subtle way to honor a paternal, grandfather figure or for someone with an "old soul" or wisdom. 
 
Alternative transcriptions of the name include Sabas (Spanish) and Sava (Slavic).

Savvas

Borne by a variety of early Christian martyrs, saints, and bishops, including Sabbas the Goth and Sabbas the Sanctified, Sabbas is a palindromic name with similar sounds to Sebastian, Silas, and Sasha. A rare choice, it may make an interesting ancient revival.
 
Derived from the Greek Sabbas, ultimately from the Aramaic sava, the name means "old man, grandfather" giving it an "old soul" feel. Alternative transcriptions of the name include Sabas (Spanish), Savvas (modern Greek), and Sava (Slavic).

Sabbas

The classic Helen is typically used for girls, connected as it is to Helen of Troy, often described as the most beautiful woman in Greece and the Ancient World. However, it has in fact featured in the US Top 1000 in the early 20th century, peaking in 1927, when it was given to more than 90 boys.  Given to more than 700 girls in a recent year, it last appeared in the stats for boys back in 2004, when it was given to 5. 

Helen

Used in ancient Greek pastoral poems and later in European Renaissance works too, Corydon is a stock name for shepherds and herdsman. It is believed to come from korydos meaning "lark". 
 
An intriguing way to nickname Cory perhaps, the name also appears in Edmund Spenser's epic poem, The Faerie Queene, but spelled as Coridon. In the US, it may be associated with places in Indiana and Iowa.

Corydon

Edgy and cool but ancient too, Tyro fits in with the likes of Kyro and Mylo. It appeared on the US stats for the first time on 2024 when it was given to 5 boys.
 
In Greek mythology, Tyro featured as a feminine name, borne by a princess whose name was given in reference to her pale, "goat's cheese" complexion. The similar Tyros also appears, worn by a nymph and lover of Heracles, whose name comes from the city of Tyre in Lebanon, which means "rock".
 
Additionally, as a modern, masculine name, it could be a spin on Tyrone, literally meaning "Land of Eoghan" or more figuratively, "land of the Yew tree", or even a word name, meaning rookie, novice, or beginning.

Tyro

 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 20)

315+ Greek Boy Names (with Meanings)