Greek God Names

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.

Alastor is linked to several characters in Greek mythology. It is an epithet of Zeus, a prince of Pylos, and a fighter in the Trojan War. Alastor's less savory associations include a horse of Hades and a Christian demon. In the Harry Potter universe, it's the first name of Professor "Mad Eye" Moody.

The supreme Olympian god represents a mighty image for a little fella to live up to, but more and more parents are beginning to consider it seriously. The Roman equivalent Jupiter has also come down to earth. And Zeus wasn't just the supreme god, he was also the god of the sky, thunder, lightning, and fate, among other weighty responsibilities.

This name comes from Greek mythology, where the Titans were a band of immortal, powerful giants.

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 — especially since Cadmus Peverell is a human Harry Potter character, one of the three original owners of the Deathly Hallows.

Though it may not be as sweet and gentle as, say, Violet, the purple-hued Hyacinth still might hold some appeal for the parent seeking a truly unconventional flower name.

In Greek mythology, Eris was the goddess of strife and discord. It's also a planetary name — that of the second-largest dwarf planet in the Solar System.

A Titan in Greek mythology, would not work in the modern world.

In Greek mythology, Kairos is the personification of opportunity, luck and favorable moments.

A wise ruler of legend--his sage advice helped the Greeks win the Trojan War--whose name is a possibility for the adventurous, though related in sound to the dated Lester-Hester family.

In Greek mythology, Deimos was the twin brother of Phobos (fear), son of Ares and Aphrodite. A moon of Mars also bears the name.

The name of a divine immortal talking horse in Greek mythology – son of the gods Poseidon and Demeter. The name Arion was also borne by a Greek singer and poet, inventor of the dithyramb.

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.

This alternate name for Apollo has a noble sound and can always be shortened to Xan.

The name of the father of the sea nymphs -- or one of its shorter forms such as Nereo or Nerio -- would be somewhat easier for a child to carry than Neptune. The name Nereus is largely forgotten but it certainly could rise again along with Atticus and Cassius and other ancient Greek brethren.

Laertes, Ophelia's headstrong brother in Hamlet, has long been an intriguing namesake; Shakespeare got his name from the name of Odysseus' father in Greek mythology. But the ending "-es" feels a little too ancient for some. This shortened version might be more usable. Laert is another option that makes the Hamlet connection more explicit.

In Greek mythology, Hyperion is one of the twelve Titans: children of Gaia (Earth) and Uranus (Sky). Hyperion presides over heavenly light, and is the father of Helios (Sun), Selene (Moon), and Eos (Dawn).

An unusual but very accessible name from Greek mythology, with the same strong ending sound as stylish picks like Alexander and Evander. Isandro is the equally attractive Spanish version.

In Greek mythology this was an alternative name of the god Chronos, also used in English and a good candidate for baby name usage due to its good meaning and name-like sound.