60 Greek Mythology Names for Your Baby Boy or Girl

Here are some great boy names from Greek mythology:

• Damon. Coming from the Greek verb meaning ‘to tame’, this name is also symbolic of trust, friendship and loyalty. Legend has it that Damon risked his life for his friend Pythias.

• Hector. This name is derived from the Greek for ‘to hold’ or ‘possess’. In mythology, Hector was a noble warrior who fought against the Greeks during the Trojan War.

• Jason. You may have heard of Jason and his famous quest to find the golden fleece with his band of mighty warriors, the Argonauts. The name itself originates from the Greek word for ‘healer’.

• Zeus. A stand-out name in Greek mythology, Zeus was the god of thunder and the sky and he ruled over all the other gods as well as humankind. He controlled the weather, too – while there’s no guarantee your little one will have the same ability, he’s still sure to bring plenty of sunshine into your life!

• Hermes. Probably derived from a Greek word meaning ‘cairn’ (a carefully laid pile of stones used to mark out a boundary), this was the name of a Greek god who served as a messenger between Zeus and the other gods. Besides being associated with swiftness and good fortune, Hermes was the patron of travellers, athletes, orators and thieves.

• Adonis. This name originates from a Phoenician word meaning ‘lord’. In Greek mythology, Adonis was a handsome young shepherd loved by Aphrodite (the goddess of love and beauty). Knowing this, it’s hardly surprising that Adonis is associated with male beauty. Could this be the perfect name for your handsome little boy?

• Atlas. This name might come from a Greek word that means ‘to endure’. Atlas was a Titan (an early Greek deity) who was forced to carry the heavens on his shoulders as a punishment for his role in the war of the Titans.

• Paris. In Greek mythology, Paris started the Trojan War by eloping with Helen of Troy, so this is a name steeped in romance. It’s also customarily given to boys and girls alike, so it might be a good choice if you don’t know your baby’s gender yet or you’re looking for a gender-neutral name.

• Apollo. Apollo was the Greek god of music, art, prophecy, medicine, knowledge, law, beauty and wisdom. He was eventually also the god of sun and light. Experts aren’t sure where the name comes from, but one theory is that it might be rooted in a word that means ‘strength’.

• Ajax. This unusual name could be derived from a Greek word meaning ‘mourner’ or possibly from another that means ‘earth’ or ‘land’. Ajax was a hero – famed for his strength and bravery – who fought in the Trojan War.

• Argus. This name comes from a word that means ‘shining’. Several characters from Greek mythology had this name, including the man who built the ship – the Argo – that carried Jason and his Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece.

• Linus. This name means ‘flax’ (a plant that’s cultivated for its seed, the linseed). In Greek mythology, Linus was the son of the god Apollo. It’s also said he was a great musician – what better name to choose if you’re keen for your little one to learn an instrument when he’s older?

• Helios. From the Greek for ‘sun’, Helios was a young god who rode across the sky in a chariot. He was also the brother of the moon goddess Selene. The two together, Helios and Selene, could even make a great pair of twin baby names.

• Mentor. Odysseus left Mentor – a wise and trusted guide – to guard his palace and his son when he went off to fight in the Trojan War. Mentor may be derived from the Greek for ‘mind’, ‘strength’ and ‘force’.

• Midas. Midas was a king who – legend has it – was granted a wish by the god Dionysus: Everything Midas touched would turn to gold – hence the expression: to have the ‘Midas touch’.

• Nestor. Legend has it that this was the name of the mythological king of Pylos, who lived to a ripe old age and was famed for his wisdom. He was also one of the Argonauts who accompanied Jason on his voyage of adventure. It comes from the Greek word meaning ‘homecoming’.

• Achilles. The meaning of this name is uncertain, but Achilles was renowned as one of the bravest warries in the Trojan War. He was killed by an arrow that shot the only vulnerable part of his body: his heel. This is where the Achilles tendon – which connects the calf muscles to the heel – gets its name.

• Alexander. From the Greek word meaning ‘defender of the people’. In Greek mythology, the hero Paris was also sometimes called by the name Alexander. Plenty of real-life kings throughout history have had this name too – the most famous is probably Alexander the Great, who ruled over a vast empire in the 4th century BC.

• Eros. This name means ‘love’. The Greek god Eros was the son of Aphrodite. Just like Cupid (his counterpart from Roman mythology), he was armed with arrows that caused those they pierced to fall in love. Don’t be surprised if one of those magic arrows hits you when you cradle your adorable newborn baby boy in your arms!

• Hyperion. A Titan who ruled over the sun and light, Hyperion was the father of Helios the sun god, Eos the goddess of dawn and Selene the moon goddess. Hyperion was one of the original 12 Titans, although his name isn’t as widely known as the other Titans or gods. Zeus’s father, Cronus, was Hyperion’s brother.

• Leander. Derived from a combination of the words meaning ‘lion’ and ‘man’. Leander was not only brave, but a true romantic who loved the priestess Hero so much that he swam to her across the Hellespont every night.

• Theseus. The origins of this name are uncertain, but it could bey derived from a Greek verb meaning ‘to place’ or ‘to set’. In mythology, Theseus was a heroic king of Athens. Legend has it that the Cretan king Minos demanded that Theseus sacrifice seven boys and seven girls to the Minotaur monster every seven years. Theseus went in place of one of the children to slay the Minotaur. With the help of Ariadne, he succeeded.

• Simon. A popular name whose meaning is derived from a Greek word meaning ‘flat-nosed’. Simon was a demigod who was one of the first inhabitants of Rhodes.

• Patroclus. This unusual but classic-sounding name comes from a Greek word meaning ‘glory of the father’. Patroclus was a hero who fought against the Trojans.

• Prometheus. This name comes for the Greek for ‘foresight’ or ‘forethought’. In mythology, Prometheus was a Titan who gave the knowledge of fire to humankind.

• Neilos. This is the Greek name of the Nile River, and the mythological Neilos was the god of the Nile. The Nile was a bustling corridor of life and commerce, so this would be a mighty and powerful name for your lively little boy.

• Lykos. Meaning ‘wolf’, this name was given to several characters in Greek myths.

• Myles. Probably derived from a word that means ‘mill’, Myles was the name of the king of Laconia according to Greek mythology.

• Priam. This name may come from the Greek word meaning ‘redeemed’. Priam was the king of Troy during the Trojan War. He had many children, including Hector and Paris.

• Xanthos. This bright name means ‘yellow’, like the sun – and what better name for the sunshine of your life? Your little boy’s face is sure to light up when he hears you calling it out to him.

• Zephyr. This Greek god was the ruler of the west wind, which brought early spring and summer breezes. This could be an inspired name to choose for a little boy who will bring you warmth and smiles.

• Diomedes. From a combination of Greek words meaning ‘of Zeus’ and ‘to think’ or ‘to plan’, this name has a strong and noble ring to it. Diomedes was one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology, fighting the Trojans alongside Odysseus.