God Names from Myth and Legend

Hesperos

Greek

"evening, evening star"

Hesperos or Hesperus is the personification of the evening star in Greek mythology; in Roman myth, that role is held by Venus. There's a Longfellow poem called "The Wreck of the Hesperus" about a…

Hippolyte

French from Greek

"releaser of horses"

Hippolyte is the name of an Amazonian princess AND her son, both unfortunate mythical figures. The name Hippolyte, later borne by several saints, is a not an uncommon boys' name in France, but has…

Eryx

Greek mythology name

"to keep in, to curb"

Eryx has a sci-fi sound and deep roots. In Greek mythology, Eryx was the son of Poseidon and Aphrodite and a king in Sicily. He was a great boxer, but was eventually beaten by Heracles. He probably…

Geb

Egyptian

"earth"

In Egyptian mythology, Geb is the god of the Earth, also related to snakes, earthquakes, and growing crops. With a similar sound to the familiar nickname name Gabe, Geb could work on a baby born in…

Jumis

Latvian deity

God of fertility in Latvian mythology. Jumis is responsible for ensuring a good harvest — he lives in the fields and the last of the crop would be left for him to live in.

Kirin

Chinese mythological name

Kirin is a mythical Chinese figure that is a flying horse with elements of a dragon. The creature combines elements of the male -- Ki -- and the female -- Rin -- to make a gender neutral name that…

Khonsu

Egyptian

"traveller"

This alluring -u name belonged to the god of the moon in Ancient Egyptian mythology, meaning "traveller" in relation to how the moon travels across the sky. Khonsu represented the passage of time and…

Kiwa

Maori

"Pacific ocean"

Kiwa, one of the most popular Maori names for boys in New Zealand, is the name of several ocean guardians in Maori mythology. It's part of a poetic name for the Pacific ocean. Some sources cite a…

Lir

Irish mythological name

Lir is the Irish god of the sea, the equivalent of the Welsh Llyr which some equate with Shakespeare's King Lear. This is one of those rare names that is simple and has a deep history with an…

Loki

Norse mythological name

"lock"

Loki is the shape-shifting, gender-bending god of mischief in Norse mythology. Taking several animal forms, from a salmon to a seal to a fly, Loki is alternately friend and foe of the gods.

Lugh

Irish mythology name

Lugh is the Irish god of the harvest, who also rules over truth, the law, and the arts. His magic includes a fiery spear and a boat that sails itself (dubbed the "wave sweeper") and his inventions…

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…

Ajax

Greek mythology name

"mourner, earth land"

Ajax is the name of two Greek heroes, both who fought in the Trojan war and feature in Homer's "Iliad". Distinctive yet familiar in sound, thanks to similar choices like Jack, Asa, and Ajay, Ajax is…

Auster

German surname

"oyster"

Fans of writer Paul Auster might consider this a worthy alternative to the trendy Austin.

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…

Castor

Greek; Latin

"beaver; pious one"

Forget the oil. It's one of the twins that make up the constellation Gemini, and a mythological name on the cutting-edge of fashion; used by Metallica's James Hetfield.

Eros

Greek

"desire, love"

The name of the Greek winged god of love (usually romantic and sexual love) may seem a lot to live up to, but like other deity names, it's on the rise. In a recent year, it was given to more than 130…

Helios

Greek

"sun"

The name of the young Greek sun god, brother to the moon goddess Selene, who rode across the sky each day in a chariot pulled by four horses.