Greek boy names have shaped Western naming for more than 2,000 years. Alexander, Nicholas, Theodore and Sebastian all trace back to ancient Greece, and mythology adds powerful names like Atlas, Apollo and Orion. Below are 150+ Greek names for boys with their meanings, grouped into popular classics, mythology names (with links to the full myths), names from ancient Greek history, modern names used in Greece today, and unique picks.
In this guide:
- Popular Greek Boy Names
- Greek Mythology Boy Names
- Ancient Greek Boy Names
- Modern Greek Boy Names
- Unique Greek Boy Names
- Tips for Choosing a Greek Name
- FAQ
Popular Greek Boy Names
These Greek names for boys are so widely used you may not realize they are Greek at all.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Alexander | Defender of the people |
| Theodore | Gift of God |
| Sebastian | Venerable, revered |
| Nicholas | Victory of the people |
| Christopher | Bearer of Christ |
| Elias | The Lord is my God (Greek form) |
| Andrew | Manly, brave |
| Philip | Lover of horses |
| Stephen | Crown, garland |
| George | Farmer, earth-worker |
| Leander | Lion-man |
| Zander | Defender of the people |
| Damian | To tame, subdue |
| Jason | Healer |
| Peter | Rock, stone |
| Timothy | Honoring God |
| Dennis | Of Dionysus |
| Gregory | Watchful, alert |
| Lucas | From Lucania; light |
| Xander | Defender of the people |
Greek Mythology Boy Names
Names of gods, Titans and heroes are bold and full of story. Click any linked name to read the myth behind it on Kidsgraphy, great for sharing with your child one day. Learn more about the elder generation in Titans in Greek mythology.
| Name | Who He Was | Story |
|---|---|---|
| Achilles | Hero of the Trojan War, nearly invincible | – |
| Apollo | God of light, music and healing | Read the myth |
| Ares | God of war | Read the myth |
| Atlas | Titan who holds up the sky | Read the myth |
| Adonis | Youth of great beauty, loved by Aphrodite | Read the myth |
| Cronus | Titan of time, father of Zeus | Read the myth |
| Diomedes | Brave hero of the Trojan War | Read the myth |
| Dionysus | God of wine, festivals and joy | Read the myth |
| Ganymede | Handsome cupbearer of the gods | Read the myth |
| Helios | God who drove the sun across the sky | Read the myth |
| Heracles | Hero of the 12 Labors | Read the myth |
| Hermes | Messenger of the gods | Read the myth |
| Hyperion | Titan of heavenly light | Read the myth |
| Jason | Leader of the Argonauts | Read the myth |
| Prometheus | Titan who gave fire to humans | Read the myth |
| Argus | Many-eyed watchful giant | Read the myth |
| Uranus | Primordial god of the sky | Read the myth |
| Orion | Great hunter placed among the stars | – |
| Perseus | Hero who defeated Medusa | – |
| Theseus | Hero who slew the Minotaur | – |
| Ajax | Mighty warrior of Troy | – |
| Castor | One of the twin Dioscuri | – |
| Icarus | Boy who flew too close to the sun | – |
| Hector | Noble prince and defender of Troy | – |
| Odysseus | Clever hero of the Odyssey | – |
| Eros | God of love | – |
| Kratos | Personification of strength | Read the myth |
| Zeus | King of the gods | – |
| Poseidon | God of the sea | – |
| Hades | Ruler of the underworld | – |
Tip: names of the major gods (Zeus, Hades, Ares) are very bold. Heroes and Titans such as Atlas, Orion, Jason and Hector are easier to wear every day.
Ancient Greek Boy Names
Philosophers, kings and mathematicians inspired these classic names. Leonidas and Evander are especially popular with modern parents.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aristotle | The best purpose |
| Plato | Broad-shouldered |
| Socrates | Whole power |
| Homer | Hostage, pledge |
| Pericles | Far-famed |
| Leonidas | Son of a lion |
| Solon | Wise man |
| Thales | Flourishing |
| Archimedes | Master of thought |
| Pythagoras | Spoken by Pythia |
| Euclid | Good glory |
| Demetrius | Devoted to Demeter |
| Lysander | Liberator |
| Evander | Good man |
| Cyprian | From Cyprus |
| Aeson | Of the earth |
| Isidore | Gift of Isis |
| Cosmo | Order, beauty |
| Ambrose | Immortal |
| Xenon | Guest, stranger |
Modern Greek Boy Names
These are names you will actually hear in Greece today. Many are Greek forms of saints’ names and are celebrated on their “name day”.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Giorgos | Farmer |
| Yiannis | God is gracious |
| Kostas | Steadfast |
| Dimitris | Devoted to Demeter |
| Nikos | Victory of the people |
| Christos | Anointed one |
| Panagiotis | All-holy |
| Vasilis | Kingly, royal |
| Thanasis | Immortal |
| Stavros | Cross |
| Spyros | Spirit; basket |
| Manolis | God is with us |
| Petros | Rock |
| Michalis | Who is like God? |
| Stelios | Pillar |
| Lefteris | Free |
| Alexios | Defender |
| Antonis | Priceless |
| Ilias | The Lord is my God |
| Marios | Male, virile |
Unique Greek Boy Names
Want a Greek name that few other boys will have? Try one of these rare picks. Find even more ideas in our big list of unique boy names.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Anatole | Sunrise, east |
| Callias | Beauty |
| Doran | Gift |
| Eneas | Praised |
| Florian | Flowering |
| Galen | Calm, healer |
| Kosmas | Order, decency |
| Linus | Flax |
| Myron | Myrrh, fragrant oil |
| Nestor | Homecoming |
| Orestes | Mountain dweller |
| Philo | Loving |
| Ptolemy | Warlike |
| Silas | Of the forest |
| Stavros | Cross |
| Thaddeus | Courageous heart |
| Timon | Honor, worth |
| Zeno | Gift of Zeus |
| Kyros | Lord |
| Elias | The Lord is my God |
| Phoenix | Dark red; mythical bird |
| Leon | Lion |
| Nico | Victory |
Tips for Choosing a Greek Boy Name
- Check the story. Mythology names come with tales. Icarus and Narcissus, for example, have cautionary stories, while Perseus and Jason are heroic.
- Think about pronunciation. Some names (Odysseus, Ptolemy) can be tricky; nicknames like Odie or Tolly can help.
- Consider name days. In Greek families, a saint’s name gives your son a second celebration every year.
- Pair with a simple middle name. Leonidas James or Atlas Reid balance a long or bold first name.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular Greek boy name?
In Greece, Giorgos (George), Dimitris and Konstantinos are traditionally among the most common names. In English-speaking countries, Greek-origin names like Alexander, Theodore and Sebastian are among the most popular.
What Greek boy name means strong?
Kratos means ‘strength’, Andreas/Andrew means ‘manly, brave’ and Leonidas means ‘son of a lion’.
What are good Greek mythology names for boys?
Atlas, Apollo, Orion, Jason, Hector, Helios, Perseus and Castor are popular Greek mythology names for boys that are easy to wear today.
What is a unique Greek name for a boy?
Anatole (sunrise), Nestor (homecoming), Zeno (gift of Zeus), Galen (calm) and Evander (good man) are unique Greek boy names.
What Greek name means gift of God?
Theodore means ‘gift of God’. Dorotheos and Theodosios carry similar meanings.
