Boy Names From Classical Mythology
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Masculine names from Greek and Roman mythology. Perfect for fantasy characters or an ancient name for your baby.
- Achilles
Origin:
Greek, meaning unknownDescription:
The name of the great Homeric hero with the vulnerable heel, Achilles is more popular in its international form, Achille, which is popular in France, Italy, and Belgium. This variation did however appear briefly on the US Top 1000 list in 2015, perhaps owing to its similarity to the likes of Atticus, Adonis, and Apollo. It has declined in use since then, but is nevertheless chosen for around 160 babies each year.
- Adonis
Origin:
Greek, from Semitic AdonaiMeaning:
"lord"Description:
The name of a figure from Greek mythology, Adonis is a high-pressure name often synonymous with masculine beauty. Nonetheless, many mythological names that would have previously been deemed off limits have made their way up the popularity charts—for instance, Penelope currently ranks highly for girls. And indeed, Adonis was one of the fastest-rising boys' names of 2016, moving up 307 spots on the U.S. popularity chart in just one year.
- Aether
Origin:
Greek mythology nameDescription:
Aether, who might be equated with the word ether, is a primeval Greek god who is light itself. He embodies the brightness between the dome of heaven and the air surrounding the earth.
- Alexandros
- Apollo
Origin:
Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"destroyer"Description:
With mythological names rising, the handsome son of Zeus and god of medicine, music, and poetry among many other things might offer an interesting, if high-pressure, option.
- Ares
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"ruin, bane"Description:
Rooted in Greek mythology, Ares entered the US Top 1000 in 2013, when it was one of the year's fastest rising names. Similar in style to Atticus, Atlas, and Ari, it has continued to climb up the charts, and now ranks in the Top 500, given to around 770 babies each year .
- Asterion
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"little star"Description:
In Greek mythology Asterion is the name of the Minotaur — also called the Minoan Bull — who lived in the Labyrinth in Crete. Asterion was the child of Poseidon and the queen of Crete.
- Atreus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"fearless"Description:
This unusual name from Greek mythology is gaining traction along with others in its class, such as Atlas, Artemis, and Apollo. The King of Mycenae (to where he'd been banished, after murdering his half-brother) , Atreus was also the father of King Agamemnon, an important commander in the Trojan War.
- Bacchus
Origin:
Roman mythology nameDescription:
Only if you're hoping for your son to become a wine-besotted poet. To the ancient Romans, Bacchus was the god of agriculture, wine and fertility.
- Castor
Origin:
Greek; LatinMeaning:
"beaver; pious one"Description:
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.
- Cupid
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"desire"Description:
The name of the Roman god of love, the son of Venus, considered so romantic as to be unfit for mere mortals. Yet now that Romeo and Venus herself are fair game for modern babies, why not Cupid?
- Dionysus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"god of Nysa"
- Diomedes
- Eros
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"desire"Description:
The name of the Greek winged god of sexual love may seem a lot to live up to, but like other deity names, it's on the rise. He appears in DC comics as an ally of Wonder Woman, and is the alias of Marvel's Starfox character. Eros is also the name of an asteroid in our solar system. The name is more popular in Italy, where it's been in the Top 200 in recent years,
- Hades
Origin:
Greek mythological nameDescription:
The name of the god of death and the underworld in Greek mythology is definitely a dark and daring choice. The Roman version Pluto is more associated with the used-to-be planet or Mickey Mouse's side-kick dog.
- Hector
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"holding fast"Description:
Previously used primarily by Latino families, this name of the great hero of the Trojan War as related in Homer's Iliad is beginning to be considered more seriously by others seeking noble ancient hero names as well--it was also the name of the knight who raised King Arthur as his own son.
- Helios
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"sun"Description:
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.
- Herakles
- Hercules
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"glory of Hera"Description:
Any boy with this name, a synonym for power via the Greek mythology figure, better be strong of body, and of psyche.
- Hermes
Origin:
Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"cairn, pile of stones, boundary marker"Description:
These days, some may think of Hermes as an upscale brand name like Chanel and Porsche, or a strange choice thanks to the parcel delivery company. However, with names from Greek mythology very much in style, it is possible there will be plenty who link it to the Green messenger god.