Mythological Names for Boys

Magni

Nordic

"great"

Magni is a powerful name from Norse mythology: he’s the son of Thor and the giant Járnsaxa. A more modern variant is Magne, which is currently climbing fast in Denmark.

Crius

Greek mythology name

"ram"

A Titan and, according to some sources, the god of the constellations. It also means "ram" in Ancient Greek, though it not etymologically related to Aries.

Coeus

Greek mythology name

The Greek god of intellect, Coeus is one mythological figure whose name has not been revived in modern times...but should be.

Minos

Greek

"king"

In Greek Mythology, Minos was the first king of Crete. The Minotaur was born to his wife after Minos refused to sacrifice his bull to Poseidon.

Montu

Ancient Egyptian

"nomad"

The name of the falcon-headed god of war in Ancient Egyptian mythology, Montu means "nomad", associating it with travel and movement. The god emerged as a manifestation of the scorching effect of the…

Morpheus

Greek mythology name, god of sleep and dreams

Though you may pray to the god of sleep for your baby to slumber through the night, a drowsy image is not the greatest one to inflict on your little boy.

Narfi

Norse Mythology

The name of two figures in Norse mythology: one the father of Nótt, the personification of the night; the other a son of Loki and Sigyn, who is transformed into a wolf (or killed by one, depending on…

Narvi

Norse Mythology

A variant spelling of Narfi. The Narvi spelling also belongs to a moon of Saturn and a dwarf in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium.

Nebo

Babylonian mythology name

Sounds like a name from an old science fiction movie -- but this god of letters invented writing, and so might interest parents who are writers or professors.

Nereus

Greek mythology name

"water"

The name of the father of the sea nymphs -- or one of its shorter forms such as Nereo or Nerio -- would be somewhat easier for a child to carry than Neptune. The name Nereus is largely forgotten but…

Neso

Greek

"island"

The name of one of the Nereids – daughters of the sea god Nereus – in Greek mythology. A moon of Neptune is named in her honor. In modern times, works just as well (or perhaps even better) for a son.

Chronos

Greek mythology name

Chronos, related to the word chronicle, is the Greek god of empirical time.

Notus

Greek

"south wind"

The name of the god of the south wind in Greek mythology.

Oceanus

Mythological name

"ocean"

Oceanus was the Titan in ancient Greek mythology who rules what they thought was the body of water that surrounded the Earth. Oceanus was, appropriately enough, the name of the baby born on the…

Charon

Greek Mythology

"of keen gaze"

The name of the ferrymen of dead souls to the Greek underworld and the name of Pluto's desolate moon, Charon makes an interesting, if somewhat macabre, choice for a baby. There are two pronunciations…

Oengus

Irish mythology name, variation of Angus

"one choice"

Oengus is the old Irish form of the name most commonly found in the modern world as Angus, typically Scottish. In Irish mythology, Oengus is the god of youth, love, and poetry.

Cador

Cornish mythological name

Cador is said to be one of the ancient rulers of Cornwall who, according to Arthurian legend, was the guardian of Guinevere. The name Cadbury is said to come from his four hill-forts.

Olimpio

Greek

"pertaining to the Mount Olympus of Greek mythology"

One way to reference mythology without naming your son after a god.

Orcus

Latin from Greek

"oath"

Orcus is the Roman equivalent of the Greek Hades, god of the underworld. His name is ultimately derived from the Greek word hórkos , meaning "oath,"

Cadmus

Greek

"one who excels"

Cadmus is the name of the serpent-slaying hero of Greek mythology who also founded the city of Thebes and is credited with inventing the alphabet. Its ancient feel might appeal to modern parents…