Greek names are associated with a rich history and heritage. This list of Greek boy names contains historical names like Adonis, Dimitri, and Xander along with their meanings. Their origins are either based on Greek mythology or historical figures. This list will help you see what the names mean and who or what they represent. When choosing a name you can use the ancient version or the modern version. Spelling can also be changed to reflect your own individual style. In today’s society, popular names can become overused and with Greek names you can give your child a unique name all his own. Here is a list of Greek boy names:
15 Recommended Greek Names for Your Boy
1. Phillipos
This name means “lover of horses.” In ancient Greece, you were very wealthy if you could afford a horse and considered very affluent in society. The other variation of this name is, Phillip. One prominent character is, Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great.
2. Lukas
Means bringer of light. Another popular variation is Lucas or Luke. It is also known to be a variation of Loukas. One notable Lukas is one of the authors of the Gospels of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Luke.
3. Morpheus
Meaning god of dreams. Morpheus could turn himself into other human forms and show up in someone’s dreams, hence the term “morphing.” In modern times, Morpheus portrayed the god of dreams in the comic series The Sandman.
4. Adonis
Adonis in Greek mythology was the god of beauty and was worshipped by women. He was also revered as the god of vegetation and signified life, death, and rebirth. Adonis is also a form of “Adonai” the Hebrew word for Lord. The actual myth states that when Adonis was born, Aphrodite was taken by his beauty and Persephone stole him away.
5. Xander
This name is a short form of the name Alexander. It means “defender of men” and “he who wards off other men.” One famous reference is, Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia in 356 BC. An alternate spelling is Zander.
6. Dimitri
This is the male form of Demeter. Demeter was the Greek name for
mother earth.” Dimitri stands for follower of Demeter, who presided over the harvest, life and death, and sacred law. Another form is Demetrius. One famous character is Demetrius of Alopece, a Greek Sculpter.
7. Hermes
Hermes means interpreter. In Greek mythology, he was an Olympian god and the son of Zeus and Maia. He is the messenger of the gods, protector of travelers, and sometimes a trickster. One famous myth was that Hermes stole cattle from Apollo as a young child. When Apollo took Hermes to his father, Zeus he merely laughed about his son’s antics.
8. Achilles
Achilles means warrior. Achilles was the Greek hero of the Trojan War. Achilles was noted for slaying Hector outside the city of Troy. Achilles died from a heel wound so that part of the human foot was named after him. Broken down, the name Achilles stands for grief, tribe, and people.
9. Thaddeus
This name means “courageous heart.” Common variants are Tad or Thad. In later years, the name evolved into Theodore or Ted. This name was listed in the Christian Bible as one of the Twelve Apostles. A notable person with this name is Thaddeus Stevens in the American Civil War.
10. Dionysios
This was a very common name among ancient Greeks and the modern form is either Dion or Dennis. Dionysios was the god of the grape harvest, wine making and fertility. He also represents the theater and there is a theater in Greece named after him.
11. Damien/ Damon
Meaning to tame. Saint Damian was the patron saint of physicians and was martyred in the 4th century. Another spelling is Damon and Greek legend talks about Damon being a very good friend of Pythias. When Pythias was sentenced to death, Damon offered to take his place. The meaning of the name can also mean “true friendship” because of this act of kindness.
12. Hades
Hades was the Greek god of the Underworld. Hades and his brothers, Titus and Poseidon won war over the Titans and become gods over the air, sea, underworld, mother earth (Gaia), and the cosmos. Hades was portrayed in popular movies; The Clash of the Titans, Hercules, and God of War video games.
13. Sirius
Meaning glowing, scorcher. This is the name of one of the brightest stars in the sky. Greek astronomers believed that when Sirius rose in the sky, it had effects on people and plants. They called this being “star struck.” One modern use of the name was Sirius Black the fictional character in the Harry Potter series.
14. Yanni
Greek name meaning “God is generous.” An early variation of the name, John. One notable famous person is Greek music artist Yanni Chrysomallis, or just known as Yanni. Other variations include Johan, Jan, Yianni, and Sean.
15. Socrates
Means wise one. The most famous Socrates was a Greek philosopher and noted to be a founder of Western Philosophy. He also developed the “Socratic Method” which is used today in the scientific method and justice system. It is a system for question and answer.
16. Other Recommended Greek Boy Names
- Thomas
- Aero
- Zeus
- Hector
- Atlas
- Troy
- Griffin
- Jason
- Apollo
- Castor
- Ulysses
- Pollux
- Leander
- Ajax
- Ares
- Pan
- Alex
- Milo
- Cletus
- Stavros