Classic Baby Names · Historic and Vintage Names
Ancient Greek Names
Across 10 pages
of 10
Eugenia
Feminine variation of Eugene, Greek
"wellborn, noble"
Eugenia, a name scarcely used at all since the 1980's, is another that flourished a century ago and could be due for a revival. Eugenia has some interesting literary references, including the…
Eugenios
Eugenios is a masculine name of Greek origin, representing the traditional Greek form of Eugene. The name derives from the Greek words "eu" meaning "good" or "well" and "genos" meaning "born" or…
Eulalia
Greek
"sweetly speaking"
Eulalia is a melodious name with a southern drawl, thanks to those lilting double L s and similarity to similar Eudora and Eula. Familiar in the US in the early 20th century, it was also a popular…
Eunike
Eunike is a feminine name with ancient Greek origins, derived from 'Eunice' meaning 'good victory' or 'happy victory' from the elements 'eu' (good) and 'nike' (victory). The name has biblical…
Euphemia
Greek
"fair speech"
Ancient martyr's name that, though not especially appealing, might still be mildly possible, especially for Anglophiles. It was widely used in early Scotland, but was overtaken by its nickname, Effie.
Eupraxia
Greek
"good conduct"
This rare name, used by a Byzantine saint, is not as attractive as other Greek "Eu" name like Eugenia, Eulalie and Eudora. This probably belongs in the footnotes of the history books.
Eustace
English from Greek
"stable"
Eustace was originally popularized by St. Eustace, who was born a Norman nobleman and is said to have been converted to Christianity by seeing a crucifix between the antlers of the deer he was…
Galen
Greek
"calm, healer"
Many will associate this name with Galen of Pergamon, the second-century physician considered to be the founding father of medicine. A more recent reference is Star Wars character Galen Erso. The…
Giles
Greek
"young goat"
One of those names that most Americans find just too too tea-sippingly British to consider; its meaning has led to occasional use for Capricorn boys.
Gregor
Scottish form of Gregory
"vigilant, a watchman"
Two prominent literary namesakes make Gregor a somewhat risky choice. On the highbrow side, there's Gregor Samsa, the Kafka character who woke up one day to find himself turned into a cockroach. And…
Hagne
Hagne is a feminine name with ancient Greek origins, pronounced approximately as 'HAG-nee.' In classical Greek, it means 'pure' or 'holy' and was an epithet associated with several Greek goddesses,…
Hecabe
Greek, literary name
Hecabe (or Hekabe) is an alternate form of Hecuba, a character from Homer's Iliad. In the story, she is the wife of King Priam of Troy and the mother of Hector, Paris, Cassandra and others. One of…
Helene
French variation of Helen
"bright, shining one"
Whether it's pronounced with an "een" or an "aine" or an "enn" sound at the end, Helene doesn't feel as current the more forthright Helen or the airier Helena. Helene reached a high of Number 228 in…
Hermes
Greek mythology name
"cairn, pile of stones, boundary marker"
These days, some may think of Hermes as an upscale brand name like Chanel and Porsche (spelled as Hermès), or a strange choice thanks to the parcel delivery company. However, with names from Greek…
Hero
Greek
"demi-god"
Despite the possibility of gender confusion, the Hero in Greek myth was a woman. Myleene Klass got that when she chose Hero for her daughter, and Sam Taylor-Wood and Aaron Johnson used it as their…
Heron
Nature name or Greek
"hero"
Heron may feel like a very usable nature name -- the heron is a long-legged wading bird -- but it was also the name of a 1st century Greek inventor and of an Egyptian saint. Highly unusual yet easy…
Hieronymus
German variation of Jerome
"sacred name"
This cognate of Jerome (of all things), familiar via the Dutch painter of fantastical scenes, H. Bosch, would appeal only to the most audacious, intrepid, attention-seeking baby namer. It is,…
Hilarion
Hilarion is a masculine name with ancient Greek origins, derived from the word 'hilaros,' meaning 'cheerful' or 'joyful.' This historical name was popularized primarily through St. Hilarion, a…
Hippolytos
Hippolytos is a masculine name with ancient Greek origins, derived from the elements 'hippos' meaning 'horse' and 'lyo' meaning 'to loosen' or 'to release,' roughly translating to 'freer of horses.'…
Homer
Greek
"security, hostage, pledge"
Homer is a name of two halves, associated with the ancient Greek poet of the epic Odyssey and with the (often) doltish patriarch of The Simpsons . So does that make Homer a classic and scholarly…