What makes Greek culture great, is that it illuminated the path to wisdom and understanding of the human spirit. Thinking of choosing a Greek boy name for your little one? Let's see why it's a smart choice!
Ancient Greeks didn't just build majestic structures or create stunning works of art; they also bestowed upon us a legacy of beautiful names, as magnificent and timeless as their accomplishments.
From the radiant 'Eleni' to the strong and evergreen 'Alexander', or the melodious 'Penelope' there are various options for your boy!
Each of these names effusively reflects the rich hues of Greek culture and history.
Bathed in sheer Greek beauty, some of the most popular European names, like 'Andrew', 'Nicholas', and 'Mike' have, also, been derived from popular Greek monikers!
The chance to honor your heritage or celebrate a famous Greek hero or god is just a short walk away!
In this article:
Our grand amphitheater of the top Greek baby boy names and their meanings is a treasury of precious gems - from traditional to contemporary, from unique to ancient, there is a name for everyone!
Greek boy names
Achilles - Hero from the Iliad, meaning "the one who wanders sorrowful," or "the one who causes pain or sorrow to the people (the enemies)"
Adonis - "Lord"
Aegeus - The name Aegeus is said to come from the ancient Greek word αἴξ (goat) or from the plural form of αἴξ, "αίγες"(high waves); It is also a theory that the name comes from the ancient Greek word "αἰγίς," which means "goatskin." and "apparel or armor made from goatskin" - thus referencing to Zeus' or Athina's and Apollo's shield, which was made from goatskin. "Aegeus" either means "goat-man" from "αίγειος"(of a goat) or "Protection" or "shield (often) made from goatskin" - the word "αιγίς" in modern Greek means also "protection."
Aeneas - "To praise"
Agapios - "Love"
Agathon - "Good"
Agathoklis - "The one who carries good fame"
Ajax - "Eagle"
Alekos - Form of Alexander, meaning "defender"
Alexis - "Defender"
Alkaios - "Strong," "Courageous"
Anastasios - "Resurrection"
Andreas - "Manly" or "brave"
Andronikos - "Victory of a man"
Angelis - "Messenger"
Angelos - "Messenger" or "angel"
Aniketos - "Unconquerable"
Antonios - "Priceless" or "inestimable"
Apollo - God of light and music
Apostolos - "Messenger, apostle"
Archimedes - "Master thinker" or "Master Planner"
Argyros - "Silver"
Aristarchus - "Best ruler"
Aristophanes - "Best appearance"
Aristos - "Best" or "excellent"
Aristotle - "The best purpose"
Artemios - Related to the goddess Artemis
Basilios - "King"
Byron - "Barn for cows"
Calix - "Very handsome"
Callias - "Beauty"
Charalampos - "Shining happiness"
Christophoros - "Bearer of Christ"
Christos - "Anointed" or "bearer of Christ"
Chrysanthos - "Golden flower"
Chrysostomos - "Golden-mouthed"
Cleisthenes - "Glorious strength"
Cleon - "Famous"
Costas - Short for Konstantinos, "constant"
Damon - "To tame" or "subdue"
Demos - "Of the people"
Dimitrios - "Devoted or belonging to Demeter"
Dimitris - Probably coming from the ancient words "δά"(earth) and μήτηρ (mother), which refers to Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, and metaphorically means "earth."
Diogenes - "Born of Zeus"
Dionysios - "Of Dionysus (god of wine)"
Dorkon - "Gazelle"
Dorus - "Gift"
Efstathios - "Steadfast"
Eleftherios - "Free"
Elias - "The Lord is my God"
Ephraim - "Fruitful, productive"
Epictetus - "Acquired"
Erebus - "Darkness"
Ermis - Another name for the god Hermes
Eros - God of love
Eusebios - "Pious"
Eustace - "Steadfast"
Evangelos - "Bearer of good news"
Evangelos - "Good news" or "messenger"
Evripidis - "Goodly voice"
Fanourios - "Reveal"
Filippos - "Lover of horses"
Fotis - "Light"
Galinos - "Calm"
Gennadios - "Noble, generous"
George - "Farmer"
Gerasimos - "Honorable elder"
Giannis - Form of John, "God is gracious"
Gregorios - "Watchful, alert"
Haris - "Grace"
Helios - "Sun"
Herakles - "Glory of Hera"
Hermes - Messenger of the gods
Hesiod - "To throw song"
Hieronymus - "Sacred name"
Hippocrates - "Horse power"
Hyacinth - "Blue larkspur" or "precious stone"
Iason - "Healer"
Icarus - Son of Daedalus, "follower"
Ieroklis - Combining the elements "ιερός," which means holy or sacred, and "κλέος," which means glory or fame.
Ilias - Form of Elijah, "Yahweh is my God"
Ioannis - Greek form of "John"
Iosif - "He will add"
Ippolitos - "Freed horse"
Isidoros - "Gift of Isis"
Kallias - "Beauty"
Kallistos - "Most beautiful"
Konstantinos - "Constant, steadfast"
Kosmas - "Order, beauty"
Kostas - "Constant" or "steadfast"
Kyriakos - "Of the Lord"
Kyrillos - "Lordly"
Laertes - "Stone" or "rafter"
Leandros - "Lion man"
Lefteris - "Free"
Leonidas - "Lion's son"
Lykos - "Wolf"
Lysander - "Liberator"
Lysimachos - "A release from battle"
Makarios - "Blessed"
Markos - "Warlike"
Manolis - "God is with us"
Manolis - "God is with us"
Menas - "Enduring"
Menelaus - "Withstanding the people"
Miltiades - "red or having the color of blood"
Mpampis - "Short form of Charalambos"
Myron - "Sweet oil" or "Perfume"
Nektarios - "Of nectar"
Nereus - "Water"
Nestor - "Homecoming"
Niketas - "Victorious"
Nikiforos - "Bringer of victory"
Nikolaos - "Victory of the people"
Nikos - "Short form of Nikolaos"
Odysseus - "Angry man"
Olympios - "From Olympus"
Orestes - "Mountain man"
Orion - A hunter in Greek mythology
Panagiotis - "All holy"
Panos - Short for Panagiotis, "all holy"
Panteleimon - "All compassionate"
Pelagios - "Of the sea"
Perseus - "Destroyer"
Petros - "Rock" or "stone"
Phaedrus - "Bright"
Philemon - "Affectionate"
Philippos - "Friend of horses"
Photios - "Of the light"
Platon - "Broad"
Plutarch - "Rich in life"
Polydeuces - "Very sweet"
Prokopios - "Progress"
Pyrrhus - "Flame-colored, red"
Sabbas - "Old man"
Sarantos - "Forty"
Severus - "Stern"
Socrates - "Whole power"
Solon - "Wise"
Sotiris - "Salvation"
Spyridon - "Spirit"
Spyros - Short for Spyridon, "spirit"
Stamatios - "Stop"
Stavros - "Cross"
Stelios - "Pillar"
Stephanos - "Crown" or "garland"
Stratos - "Army"
Stylianos - "Pillar" or "column"
Takis - Short for Panagiotakis, meaning "all holy"
Tasos - Short for Anastasios, meaning "resurrection"
Telemachos - "Distant fighter"
Thales - "To blossom"
Thanos - Short for Athanasios, "immortal"
Themistoklis - "Glory of the law"
Theo - Short for Theodore, "God's gift"
Theodosios - "God's gift"
Theophilos - "Friend of God"
Theron - "Hunter"
Thucydides - "Desiring glory"
Timon - "Honor"
Titos - "Honorable"
Triantafillos - "Rose"
Triton - "Third"
Tryphon - "Soft, delicate"
Vangelis - Short for Evangelos, "bearer of good news"
Vasilis - "King"
Xanthos - "Blond-haired"
Xenophon - "Strange voice"
Xenos - "Stranger"
Yiannis - Another form of "John"
Yiorgos - Greek form of George, "farmer"
Zacharias - "Remembered by God"
Zenon - "Gift of Zeus"
Zephyros - "West wind"
Zois - "Life"
Zoticus - "Full of life"
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Greek name for a boy?
In the course of riveting Greek history, several names have been associated with famed Greek warriors and other historical figures.
In Greece, names that lavishly reflect the country’s history and religious traditions are highly revered.
The Greeks have treasured their traditions over the years. That's why Greek names that retain the peculiarities of these traditions, such as Constantine, and Theodoros, breed warm feelings of pride in their heritage.
Moreover, there are also some popular Greek names for boys that are widely used and have a strong presence in modern Greece.
Anyhow, either traditional or trendy, these are some “Greek” names for boys:
Popular Greek boy names:
Andreas (Ανδρέας): Derived from the Greek word "andros," meaning "manly" or "strong."
Georgios (Γεώργιος): Derived from the Greek word "georgos," meaning "farmer" or "worker of the land."
Nikolaos (Νικόλαος): Derived from the Greek words "nikē" (victory) and "laos" (people). It means "victory of the people."
Panagiotis (Παναγιώτης): Derived from the Greek word "Panagia," meaning "all-holy."
Dimitrios (Δημήτριος): Derived from the Greek name Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and fertility.
Traditional Greek boy names:
Pericles: Derived from the Greek name "Perikles," it means "surrounded by glory" or "exceedingly famous."
Socrates: Derived from the Greek name "Sōkratēs," it is often interpreted as "power of the whole" or "wisdom of the army."
Leonidas: Derived from the Greek words "leon" (lion) and "demos" (people), it means "lion-like" or "lion of the people."
Aristotle: Derived from the Greek name "Aristoteles," it combines "aristos" (best) and "telos" (purpose), meaning "the best purpose" or "excellence of purpose."
Alexander: Derived from the Greek name "Alexandros," it combines "alexō" (to defend) and "anēr" (man), meaning "defender of men" or "protector of mankind."
What is a unique name for a Greek boy?
Looking for a unique Greek name for your little god? Our list spans the gamut from mythological names to those that belong to famous ancient Greek philosophers.
Check out some Greek names that are unequivocally unique:
Alexander - meaning "defender of people's victory"
Kostas - meaning "constant" or "steadfast"
Leandros - meaning "lion man" or "manly"
Odysseus - the name of the legendary Greek hero and king, meaning "pain" or "anger"
Ptolemy - meaning "warlike" or "aggressive"
Socrates - meaning "power of the whole"
Theron - meaning "hunter" or "chaser"
Xander - a shortened version of Alexander, meaning "defender of the people"
Zenon - meaning "gift of Zeus"
What is the Greek boy name for beautiful?
Derived from the Greek word "kalos" which means "beautiful" or "good" and the suffix "-istos" signifying "the best" or "most excellent," the name "Kallistos" is stuffed with boatloads of charm.
Capturing the essence of both Narcissus' beauty and Aristotelian virtuous perfection, it magnificently mirrors the rich tapestry of ancient Greek philosophy.
Although not so common, it’s still a beautiful choice for your kiddo.
What is the most beautiful boy name in Greek?
Providing only one choice looks not a little like wishful thinking. Since people don’t see eye to eye on the essence of beauty, there are many names that can earn a spot on this list.
Therefore, our list not only includes some popular Greek names but also unique choices imbued with beautiful meanings.
Without further ado let’s get a closer look at our list:
Greek names for boys:
Alexander: Defender of Men
Theodoros: Gift of God
Sebastian: Venerable or Revered
Elias: Yahweh is My God
Gabriel: God is My Strength
Dimitris: Follower of Demeter (Greek goddess of agriculture)
Andreas: Man or Manly
Damianos: To Tame or Subdue
Nicos: Victorious People
Leonidas: Lion
What is a popular ancient Greek boy name?
"Daphnis" is a popular ancient Greek name that means "laurel." It was first encountered in Stēsikhoros of Sicely's piece of work. Later on, it was used by other bucolic poets, but it is widely known from Loggos' novel "Daphnis and Chloe."
Daphnis is depicted as a shepherd known for his love songs, who falls in love with Chloe. Chloe was also a popular ancient Greek baby girl name, which comes from the word "χλόη" and means "green shoot" in Greek - the name remains popular today.
Final thoughts
Although finding the perfect name might be a tough issue, our list wastes no time offering you a plethora of choices!
If you are still undecided check out our list of the top Greek baby names and their meanings.
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