Ancient Greek Names

Pindar is the English name for the Ancient Greek lyrical poet Pindaros. It's uncertain where his name comes from, although it may be related to the Pindus (Pindos) mountains in Northern Greece and Southern Albania, or the ancient city of Pindos.

An obscure name from Greek mythology, where Mynias was the ancestor of the Mynians, a group of legendary people from Ochromenus, Beoetia, considered an important centre of civilisation in Mycenaean Greece. In modern times, Ochromenus is a rich archaeological site. Although the name is relatively unheard of, it has an approachable sound and could be a great choice for parents who love unconventional and unique ancient names, or names ending in -s.

Deriving from the Greek word phos meaning "light", Photina is a variation of Photine, a rare choice with a Biblical link. The name of the Samaritan woman in "Jesus and the Woman at the Well" (John 4), Photine is associated with Jesus's mercy and love, and with spreading the word of God.

The Greek form of Menelaus, and the name of a central character in Homer's Iliad. Menelaos was a king of Sparta and the husband of Helen, and he started the Trojan War when she was taken from him by Paris. While both Menelaus and Menelaos remain obscure outside of Greece, Menelaos is a well-used name in its native country.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Deriving from the Greek word phos meaning "light", Photine is a rare choice with a Biblical link. The name of the Samaritan woman in "Jesus and the Woman at the Well" (John 4), Photine is associated with Jesus's mercy and love, and with spreading the word of God.

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. 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.

While this may seem like a modern spelling, Korinna is actually the Ancient Greek form of Corinna, originating from the word "kore" meaning "maiden". Most notably, Korinna was the name of an ancient Greek lyrical poet from Boetia.

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.

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".

The name of a Naiad-nymph in Greek mythology, named after the Ancient Greek city of Thespiae. Thespia is an undiscovered gem of a name: unique but familiar, with easy access to trendy nicknames like Thea, Tess and Pia.

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 the more obscure names from the Iliad, but one with potential, with its energetic ending reminiscent of Phoebe and the possibility for the cute nickname Bea.

A handsome name of Greek origin, Artemon derives from Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and the moon. It was borne by a number of Ancient Greek painters, writers, and sculptors, by an early Christian teacher, and more recently, by tennis player Artemon Apostu-Efremov.

The name of a Greek hero who played a central role in Homer's Iliad. Menelaus was a king of Sparta and the husband of Helen, and he started the Trojan War when she was taken from him by Paris. A dramatic mythological name, Menelaus could be a brave and unexpected choice for lovers of Ancient Greek myth and literature.

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

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".

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.