Aristotle

A-rih-stoht-ul

Greek

"superior; the best purpose"

Aristotle Origin and Meaning

The name Aristotle is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "superior; the best purpose".

The great philosopher's name is commonly used in Greek families, and is one that could work for daring, philosophical American ones. With user friendly nicknames such as Ari, Aris, Artie, and Ris, Aristotle is a ambitious choice, associated with morality, ethics, literature, and psychology.

Derived from the longer Greek name, Aristoteles, it is made up of the elements aristos meaning "best" and telos meaning "purpose, completion". Borne by a Greek tyrant (Aristotle of Athens), a 19th poet (Aristotelis Valaoritis), and a shipping magnate (Aristotle Onassis), it was given to just 19 boys in the US in a recent year.

More contemporary bearers include comedian and actor Aristotle Athari and rapper Aristotle Pollisco, also known as Gloc-9. It is also the (ironic) full name of a character in the long-running British comic strip, The Bash Street Kids who feature in The Beano. Known as Smiffy, his actual name is Aristotle John Smith.

Other forms of the name include the Greek Aris and Aristotelis and the Persian Arastoo, while Aristotelia is a rare feminine variant.

Popularity of the name Aristotle

• 1506 Nameberry 2025

20 Names Similar to Aristotle

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Aristotle.

• Galileo
• Socrates
• Septimus
• Oceanus
• Decimus
• Archimedes
• Cosimo
• Pan
• Cicero
• Haruki
• Faust
• Plato
• Dionysius
• Hideki
• Theseus
• Beowulf
• Janus
• Ramses
• Phoebus
• Merlin

Famous People Named Aristotle

• Aristotle Greek Philosopher
• Aristotle of Cyrene philosopher of the Cyrenaic school
• Aristotle the Dialectician philosopher who killed the tyrant Abantidas of Sicyon
• Aristotle of Argos rebel who led a revolt against the rule of Cleomenes III in Argos
• Aristotle of Mytilene Peripatetic philosopher in the time of Galen
• Aristotle Socrates Onassis Greek shipping magnate; second husband of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

The name Aristotle in Pop Culture

• (Angel) Aristotle "Ari" Mendoza Character in "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe", by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.
• Aristotle Means character in video game 'Ace Attorney'
• Aristotle Twelvetrees character in J.K. Rowling's "History of Magic in North America"
• Aristotle Nostradamus "Bull" Shannon Bailiff on the NBC Sitcom "Night Court" played by Richard Moll