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 ancient name with a beautiful meaning, but the sound may be a bit too grand for a modern child to wear. Pausanias was a 2nd-century writer famous for his Description of Greece, a work recounting his observations while travelling in classical Greece. Another historical namesake, Pausanias the Regent, was a significant Spartan regent and a general.

A mystical name with a sleek sound, although the pronunciation of the "Oe" beginning may be confusing at first glance. In Greek myth, Oenone was a fountain nymph of Mount Ida, the daughter of the River Cebren, and the beloved of Paris of Troy before he went after Helen. Lord Alfred Tennyson also wrote a poem titled Oenone.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

Theano was a 6th century Greek philosopher, who has been called both the wife and student of Pythagoras, though not enough is known about her life to say which was true. Her surviving writings focus on how to deal with children, physicians, philosophers, servants, and unfaithful husbands.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.