Greek Baby Names: Ancient, Exotic, and Beautiful

The long ancient history of Greek names makes them special. Giving your baby a Greek name is like giving him/her a link to mythical places, heroes, and Greco-Roman gods. If you’re looking for a Greek name for your baby boy or girl, you’ll find this page useful for understanding Greek names and choosing the right one for your baby.

Greek Names Are More Common Than You Think

Greek names reflect the richness of Greek history and culture. Aside from heroes and gods, names can be derived from early Christian traditions. Examples of these include John, Paul, and Timothy. They can even be derived from colors, plants, and other things in nature.

You might even know more Greek names than you think. Many Greek names have been anglicised over time, including: Andrew, Anthony, Constantine, Irene, Margaret, and Jacob. Their original spellings in the Greek alphabet have been changed to make them easier to pronounce in English.

Greek Surnames and Patronymic Suffixes

Traditionally, names are passed down through the family from one generation to the next. The baby is named after one of the grandparents instead of the parents. Greek surnames are commonly patronymics. Surnames derived from characteristics, occupations and places of origin are also very common. For example, surnames that are prefixed with papa- indicate ancestry from a priest. Mastro- and archi- signify “tradesman” and “boss” respectively. The prefixes makro- and konto- describe body characteristics, such as “long or tall” and “short.”

Greek Names and their Ancient Places of Origin

The amazing thing about Greek names is that you can link names to the ancient places where they came from. Here’s a list of common patronymic suffixes and their places of origin.

• poulos/-polou: from Peloponessus
• iadis/iadou and –idis/-idou: from ancient clans in the regions of Asia Minor and Pontus
• akis/-aki: Aegean Sea islands and Crete
• -atos/-atou: from Cephallonia
• <-as/-a: from Epirus and Macedonia
• -ellis/-elli: from Lesbos Island
• -akos/-akou: from Mani in the Laconia region
• -eas/-ea: from Mani in the Messinia region
• -oglou: This is a Turkish root ending commonly seen in immigrants from Asia Minor
• -ou: from Cyprus
• -idis: from Asia Minor

Choosing a Greek Name for Your Baby

Greek names may sound really beautiful to you, but keep in mind that it is your child who has to live with this name. Names with the above patronymic suffixes, such as Miltiades and Alcibiades, may sound exotic, but they are hard to pronounce. Your child may find his or her name embarrassing in school.

It’s best to choose a simpler Greek name for your baby. There are many beautiful-sounding Greek names to choose from. Female Greek names are often indicated by the suffixes “ae” and “a” as in Bacchae and Hera. They can also end in “is” and “e” as in Artemis and Persephone. Male names are often indicated by the suffixes “os” as in Eros, “es” as in Hermes, “as” as in Atlas or Midas, and “us” as in Dionysus.

Simple Greek Names and their Meanings

Here are some nice Greek names for boys with the corresponding meanings:

• Alexandro/Alexander/Sandro (defender of mankind; Alexander the Great was a famous conqueror)
• Jason (healer; Jason was the name of the hero who led the Argonauts in the quest for the Golden Fleece)
• Tyrone (sovereign)
• Nestor (traveler, wise)
• Darius (wealthy), Andreas (manly)
• Hector (steadfast; Hector was one of the heroes of the Trojan War in the “Iliad”).

If you have a baby girl, consider some of these beautiful Greek names for girls:

• Catherine (pure), Kassandra/Cassandra/Zandra (helper of men; Cassandra was an ancient prophetess)
• Tiana (princess)
• Zoe (life)
• Nyasia/Nyssa (beginning)
• Lyric (songlike)
• Eleanor/Elana/Helen (light; Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was a First Lady of the United States)
• Athena (wise; Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom).

Take your time in thinking of the Greek name that suits your child best.