🔥Achilles

uh-KIL-eez; a-KEEL-lehs

Greek, meaning unknown

Achilles Origin and Meaning

The name Achilles is a boy's name of Greek origin.

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.

In Greek Mythology, Achilles was the name of a warrior, who fought against the Trojans, making it a strong feeling choice. Borne by several early saints, its exact meaning is unknown, though it might derive from the Greek achos, giving it the meaning "he whose people have distress and pain". Other theories suggest that it's a name with a double meaning - combining kleos "glory" with the idea of pain and distress.

Madeline Miller's popular novel, The Song of Achilles, which focuses on the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, has likely shone the name in a new light and may account for some of its increased popularity.

The 'KIL' syllable might put people off, but that hasn't been a problem for Killian in recent years.

Achilles Rank in US Top 1000

# 857 in the US

Achilles Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 982 on Nameberry

Achilles Popularity

• 857 US 2018
• 982 Nameberry 2024
• 229 Unique 2023
• 562 Future 2028

20 Names Similar to Achilles

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Achilles.

• Odysseus
• Perseus
• Hermes
• Adonis
• Eros
• Nickolas
• Icarus
• Helios
• Zeus
• Apollo
• Alexios
• Orpheus
• Ajax
• Majesty
• Aeneas
• Aristotle
• Osiris
• Cedric
• Aries
• Ocean

Famous People Named Achilles

• Saint Achilles Roman martyr along with Nereus
• Saint Achillius or Achilles Bishop of Larissa
• Achilles Liarmakopoulos Canadian trombone player
• Achilles or Achilleus Hungarian noble who served as Judge Royal
• Achilles Tatius Roman,era Greek writer
• Achilles Nikolayevich Alferaki Russian composer and politician
• Frederick Achilles Duke of Württemberg,Neuenstadt
• Józef Achilles Puchała Polish martyr
• Theodore Carter Achilles American diplomat

Achilles in Pop Culture

• Achilles Greek mythological hero of the Trojan War
• Achilles Davenport character in the game Assassin's Creed III
• Achilles de Flandres villain in Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game series