Ancient Greek Names

Derived from the Greek myrtos, Myrto appears a number of times throughout Greek mythology. It is the name of one of the Maenads (followers of Dionysus), the sister of Patroclus, and an Amazon woman.
 
With its cool -o ending, it could make an interesting twist on vintage-feeling Myrtle.

Myrto

In Greek mythology, Nyctimene was pursued by her own father, and therefore fled to find safety in the shadows of the woods. She was later transformed into an owl by the goddess Athena, out of punishment or pity, depending on which variation of the myth you read. 
 
Combining the Greek elements nyx and meno, Nyctimene means "to withstand or last the night", making it a name that is symbolic of strength and survival. 
 
Nyctimene is also a genus of bats, commonly known as tube-nosed fruit bats, in which case the name is translated less poetically as "who stays up at night" to reflect the nocturnal habits of the bat.

Nyctimene

In Greek mythology, Hylas was a companion, servant, and/or lover to Heracles, who was kidnapped by water nymphs. There are multiple versions of the myth, some in which Hylas falls in love with the nymphs and others in which he is silenced underwater or turned into an echo.
 
As a name, Hylas likely derives from the Greek hyle, meaning "wood, timber" or "trees, forest", though it has also been translated to mean"matter" (as in, of the material kind).
 
Currently rarely used as a given name, Hylas has been a significant figure in the arts, appearing in Edmund Spencer's The Faerie Queene, a number of works by Oscar Wilde, in a painting by John William Waterhouse, and in the 1963 movie, Jason and the Argonauts.

Hylas

In Greek mythology, Eleos was the personification of pity, mercy, and clemency. It is equally a virtuous Greek word name, albeit rarely used.


Eleos

A rare choice from Greek mythology, Herse was the name of several figures including a daughter of Zeus and Selene and a consort of Danaus. Also borne by one of the Jupiter's moons, Herse may now be more familiar in its modern form, Ersi.  

Herse

A rare and mystical sounding name, but with the familiar element of Dora, this name has been borne by a 4th century saint and by the 19th century Russian opera singer, Nymphodora Semenova. Derived from Ancient Greek, it is made up of doron meaning "gift" and 'númphē meaning "nymph" or less literally, "bride, young wife, girl".
 
Some may associate Nymphodora with the Harry Potter character — whose name is spelled Nymphadora — while others may be reminded of the (now dated) term nymphomaniac. which could result in some less than fun Google searches for a child with the name. 
 
Nymphodora could have the nicknames Nym, Dodie, Dora, and Nora.

Nymphodora

This bold, poetic name appears in Greek mythology as the hero who tamed Pegasus and slayed the Chimera, but displeased the gods by trying to fly to Olympus. The subject of a play by Euripides and an opera Jean-Baptiste Lully, Bellerophon is also the name of an antidote in the film Mission: Impossible 2 and the nickname of a planet outside of our solar system.

Bellerophon

In Greek mythology, Lykidas was the name of a centaur, however, in its Latin form, it is associated with the 17th century pastoral poem by John Milton who wrote, written in memory of his friend, Edward King. The name combines the name Lykos meaning "wolf" with a patronymic suffix, so it translates to "son of Lykos" or "son of the wolf". It could appeal to those who like a literary or animal reference in a name.

Lycidas

A rare Ancient Greek name, derived from timao and andros meaning "to honor, respect" and "of man". It may be more familiar in its feminine form Timandra.

Timandros

A rare Greek name, reminiscent of Leander, Timothy, and Alexander. Derived from timao and andros meaning "to honor, respect" and "of man", it could be an interesting honor name for a Tim and an Andrew.

Timander

A rare name from Ancient Greece, Timandra appears in Greek mythology and the works of Shakespeare. Reminiscent of Amanda, Tiana, and Alexandra, Timandra could be an unexpected way to honor a Tim or an Andrew.
 
Derived from the elements timao and andros meaning "to honor, respect" and "of man", it has more recently been borne by comedian and writer Timandra Harkness, and is also the name of a genus of moths.

Timandra

Famously the name of Odysseus and Penelope's son in Homer's Odyssey, Telemachus derives from the Greek elements tele meaning "far off" and mache meaning "battle". A rare and weighty choice, Telemachus was played by Tom Holland in the 2026 movie adaptation of Homer's epic. 
 
Along with the Odyssey, Telemachus also appears in James Joyce's novel Ulyssess, Madeline Miller's Circe and in EPIC: the musical Beyond Greek mythology, Telemachus is the name of a 4th century saint and monk, remembered for his attempt to stop a gladiatorial fight in a Roman amphitheatre which resulted in him being stoned to death by the crowd. The Christian emperor Honorius was impressed however, and subsequently banned gladiatorial fights. 
 
The modern form of the name, Tilemachos, is familiar in Greece, and though this variation remains rare for now, nicknames Mac, Lemmie, and Tez could help it appeal to those looking for truly distinctive options from mythology.

Telemachus

There once was a moralizing fabulist who tried to make it as a baby name...and failed. 

Aesop

Aikaterine is a feminine name representing the original Greek form of Katherine. It derives from the Greek 'Aikaterinē,' though its exact etymology remains debated. Some scholars connect it to the Greek word 'katharos' meaning 'pure,' while others suggest links to the goddess Hecate or the Greek 'aikia' (torture), referring to St. Catherine's martyrdom on the wheel. This traditional form maintains the authentic Greek spelling and pronunciation (eye-kah-teh-REE-neh), offering historical depth compared to the more common Katherine variants. While rare in English-speaking countries, it remains closer to forms still used in Greece. The name carries an air of classical elegance and learned sophistication, appealing to parents drawn to names with historical authenticity and cultural significance rather than modernized adaptations.

Aikaterine

In Greek mythology, Alcestis is a princess who sacrifices herself to save the life of her husband, King Admetus. Heracles later rescues her from the underworld and she is reunited with her husband. Euripides' famous play "Alcestis" was based on the same myth. More difficult than Penelope or Artemis, Alcestis still has a soft and sweet sound that could make it appealing to parents interested in mythology or theatre.

Alcestis

Ambrosius is a masculine name of Greek and Latin origin, derived from the Greek word "ambrosios," meaning "immortal" or "divine." It is the original Latin form of the more common Ambrose. The name carries significant historical weight, having been borne by Saint Ambrosius of Milan, an important 4th-century theologian and one of the four original doctors of the Catholic Church. Throughout European history, the name appeared among clergy, nobility, and scholars, maintaining associations with learning and spiritual devotion. While Ambrosius has never been widely popular in modern English-speaking countries, it retains appeal for parents drawn to names with classical roots and substantial historical significance. The name projects dignity and intellectual seriousness, with potential nicknames including Ambrose, Brose, or even Sio.

Ambrosius

A dramatic classical name connected to the god of medicine and archery, we think just Apollo is a more wearable choice for a modern boy — though this longer form does fit in with the likes of Aurelius, Augustine, Persephone, and Leonidas if you did want a big name for your baby.
 
Significant namesakes include Apollonius of Tyana, the 1st-century Greek philosopher and religious leader, Apollonius of Perga, an ancient Greek geometer and astronomer known for his work on conic sections, and Apollonius of Rhodes, the ancient Greek author of the Argonautica, an epic poem about Jason and the Argonauts. Apollonius is the Latinised form of the name, while the Greek original is Apollonios.

Apollonius

The original Ancient Greek form of Aristotle. This variant could help separate the name from its heavy namesake, while still having a clear connection to it. Good for lovers of philosophy, Ancient Greece, or dramatic boy names. In Greece, this name is still in common use with the Aristotelis spelling.

Aristoteles

The masculine form of Arsinoe. In Greek mythology, Arsinoos of Mysia & Arsinoos of Tenedos are both minor characters associated with the Trojan War. The name derives from the Greek arsis "rise, lift" and nous "mind, intellect".

Arsinoos

Also written Arsinoë, this name appears both in Ancient Egyptian mythology and history, belonging to several queens of the Ptolemaic dynasty. It derives from Greek arsis "rise, lift" and nous "mind, intellect".

Arsinoe

Ancient Greek names are trending for modern babies. The revival of Greek mythology as a fresh naming influence has led to thousands of babies being born with once-unusual names like Penelope, Atlas, and Calliope.

 include Athena, Alexandra, Chloe, Paris, Sophia, and Zoe.

For boys, the Ancient Greek name influence is even stronger. Along with Atlas, 

Ancient Greek boy names ranking in the Top 1000

 include Alexander, Theodore, Orion, Leon, and Sebastian. More unusual Ancient Greek male names include Erastus, Tryphone, and Zeno.

names that were used in Ancient Greek culture

. There is some crossover between these categories, although Greek children were usually given variations of the names of gods and goddesses, rather than the actual divine name.

 include Anastasia, Chloe, and Irene. Boy baby names ranking highly include Alexander, Damon, Leonidas, Orion, and Theodore.

 include Athanasios, Eirene, Nicholas, and Sophia. Along with familiar choices like Jason, Gregory, and Melissa, you'll find many intriguing names from Ancient Greece that are waiting to be discovered.

Ancient Greek names include popular and unusual Ancient Greek name ideas for boys and girls, with meanings, origins, and popularity. (Page 7)