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When my sister asked me for baby name ideas during her second trimester, I shared a running list stored in my notes app. She scrolled for a few seconds, smiled, and said, “Wow, you really love Greek names.” It’s true! As a Greek American named after my proyiayia (great grandma), I’ll admit that I’m partial to names like Kostas, Zoe, and Rhea. Heritage aside, Greek names also have unique meanings and fascinating stories from history and mythology. Plus, pop culture is putting Greek names in the spotlight like Atlas, Artemis, Daphne, Ophelia, and Penelope.
So if you’re in the process of picking a name (or daydreaming!), here are 70 Greek and Greece-inspired names I’ve curated over the years. From Greek gods and goddesses to pretty Mediterranean islands, there’s something meaningful for every moro(baby).
Just a note: This list breaks names into gender-neutral name ideas, names for boys, and names for girls. But, of course, it’s up to you which feels right for your baby, regardless of their sex.
More Baby Name Ideas to Consider:
- 85 Whimsical Baby Names That Feel Straight Out of a Fairytale
- This 400-Year-Old Baby Name Trend Is Popular Again—50+ Names to Consider
- Hawaiian Baby Names Are Trending: 70+ Adorable Picks
Greek Mythology Names for Girls
Anthea
Meaning: Pronounced “an-thee-uh,” Anthea is derived from the word “anthos,” meaning “flower” or “blossom.”
Athena
Meaning: No list of Greek names would be complete without including Athena, the goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology.
Ariadne
Meaning: “Most holy,” Ariadne (pronounced: ahr-ee-AD-nee) helped Theseus escape the Labyrinth in Greek mythology. Parents could shorten this pretty, but potentially hard-to-pronounce name to Ari or Aria.
Callista
Meaning: If looking for a girl’s name that’s both strong and beautiful, consider Callista. Meaning “fairest,” Callista was a mountain nymph and huntress in Greek mythology.
Daphne
Meaning: You may be familiar with this beautiful name from Bridgerton. But the origin is actually Greek, not British. It means “laurel tree,” based on a Greek myth about a nymph who was transformed into a tree.
Doris
Meaning: While the name has vintage vibes in the U.S., in ancient Greek mythology, Doris was a goddess of the sea.
Helena
Meaning: Classic with understated elegance, Helena is the Greek version of Eleanor and Helen. The name means “shining light,” and in Greek mythology, Helena is known as the most beautiful woman in the world.
Iris
Meaning: In Greek mythology, Iris personified the rainbow and was the messenger for the gods. It’s also thought to be the inspiration for the word “iridescent” in English.
Penelope
Meaning: Equally elegant and adorable, Penelope translates into “weaver.” It’s also the name of a character in Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, portrayed by Anne Hathaway in the 2026 movie.
Persephone
Meaning: Known as the goddess of spring in Greek mythology (and queen of the underworld after being kidnapped by Hades), the name Persephone recently made its way into pop culture thanks to Carley Fortune’s main character Persephone (nickname Percy) in the book and TV series Every Summer After.
Rhea
Meaning: Rhea comes from the Greek word “reo” which means “I flow.” Rhea is also the goddess of fertility and motherhood in Greek mythology.
Thalia
Meaning: Symbolizing growth and health, Thalia means “to flourish.” In Greek mythology, Thalia was one of the nine muses and a patron of comedy and poetry.
More Gorgeous Girl Names From Greek Mythology
- Aphrodite: goddess of love, creation, beauty, and desire
- Artemis: Greek goddess of the hunt and protector of women and children
- Cassandra: Trojan princess known for her prophecies and whose name means “shining upon man”
- Clio: The muse of history in Greek mythology, means “glory” or “fame”
- Dione: means “divine one,” and was the mother of Aphrodite
- Gaia: Greek mother goddess, “Earth”
- Harmonia: Goddess of happy marriages, means “unity”
- Hera: Meaning “queen,” Hera was queen of the gods
- Metis: wise goddess of counsel, swallowed by Zeus
- Selene: Greek goddess of the moon
Greek Mythology Names for Boys
Atlas
Meaning: Besides being a perfect choice for travel lovers and favored by celebrities (the name of Shay Mitchell’s firstborn), Atlas also has ties to Greek mythology. As a punishment from Zeus, Atlas was responsible for bearing the weight of the heavens on his shoulders, personifying endurance and strength. While Atlas may sound like a unique Greek name, it broke into the top 100 on the Social Security Administration (SSA) list of the most popular boy names last year at #75.
Damon
Known in Greek legend for his loyalty and friendship, this masculine name is the perfect mix of strong and soft. It means “one who tames” and is coincidentally the surname of actor Matt Damon, playing Odysseus in the new 2026 action movie, The Odyssey.
Helios
Meaning: For a name that exudes brightness and power, Helios is a perfect pick. The name means “sun” in Greek, and Helios was known in Greek mythology as the personification of the sun whose radiance lit up the sky.
Jason
Meaning: With Greek and Hebrew origins, Jason means “to heal.” It’s also linked to the ancient Greek mythological hero Jason the Argonaut, who was famous for his quest to obtain the Golden Fleece.
Orion
Meaning: In Greek mythology, Orion was a hunter turned into a constellation by Zeus. It means “rising in the sky.” Today, Orion is one of the brightest constellations, making it a fitting name for a radiant little one.
Troy
Meaning: In Greek mythology, Troy is the location of the Trojan War. In millennial lore, it’s also the name of Zac Efron’s iconic High School Musical Character, Troy Bolton. The moniker also has Irish origins with the meaning of “foot soldier.”
More Unique Boy Names From Greek Mythology
- Apollo: Greek god of music and light
- Ares: The god of war; the name Ares evokes strength
- Evander: means “strong man” and was a hero in Greek mythology
- Hercules: demigod son of Zeus, famous for his strength and courage
- Hermes: the clever, speedy messenger of the gods
- Perseus: demigod son of Zeus who slays Medusa
Gender-Neutral Greek Mythology Names
Cal
Meaning: Cal (or Cali) is an abbreviation of the Greek word “kalos.” This usually means”good.” It’s also short for Calliope, a goddess in Greek mythology known for her beautiful voice and eloquence.
Echo
Meaning: Translating to reflected sound, Echo is also the name of a mountain nymph in Greek mythology. This name carries a reminder of the importance of using one’s voice.
Phoenix
Meaning: From Egyptian and Greek mythology, the Phoenix is a bird that rose from the ashes, symbolizing fierceness and renewal.
Zephyr
Meaning: Zephyr is associated with a “gentle or west wind.” It’s a shortened version of the ancient god Zephyrus, who was the wind god and known as the messenger of spring. A special nod if your baby is born between March and May.
More Greek Baby Names for Boys or Girls
Beyond names found in Greek mythology, Greek baby names are steeped in meaning and tradition. Here are some of the most popular baby names in Greece, names inspired by the beautiful country, and picks with special meanings. Read on for more Greek baby girl and boy names to consider for a new little history-maker.
Alex
Meaning: The shortened version of Alexandra, Alexandros, and Alexis, Alex is also a lovely standalone name. It means “protector of man” or “defender of humankind.”
Aster
Meaning: A sweet celestial name, Aster, comes from the Greek word for star, “asteri.” Aster is also the name of the star-like flower, which is the birth month flower of September.
Georgie
Meaning: Georgie is a nickname for Georgia and George (the latter is the most popular name in Greece for men). In fact, more than 10 percent of Greeks have the name in honor of Saint George. It derives from the Greek word for “farmer” (georgos) and “earth” (geo).
Johnnie
Meaning: John is such a popular name in Greece that there’s even a saying along the lines of “a house without a John doesn’t make progress.” Consider putting a twist on the classic Biblical name by adding “ie” at the end for a sweet unisex moniker.
Kyrie
Meaning: Stemming from a religious refrain, Kyrie eleison, which means “Lord have mercy,” Kyrie refers to “Lord.”
Nikki
Meaning: Nikki and Nicos are abbreviations of Nicholas, another very popular name in Greece (Enter: the infamous scene from My Big Fat Greek Wedding). This name also has ties to Greek mythology, as Nike was the goddess of victory.
Rhodes
Meaning: While Rhodes is a common English surname, it’s also the name of one of the biggest Greek islands. Nicknamed “The Island of the Knights,” Rhodes is known as one of the best islands to visit for history buffs.
Sandy
Meaning: Similar to Alex, Sandy is a diminutive of Alexander and Sandra. It’s associated with the meaning “defender of man.”
Stevie
Meaning: An adorable and royal-inspired name, Stevie is shortened from Stefanos, which means “wreath” or “crown” and is a rising traditional boy name for girls.
Greek Baby Girl Names
Some of the most popular girl names in the U.S. are Greek. For example, the Greek girl names Sophia, Penelope, Chloe, Elena, and Zoe all fall within the top 50 most popular girl names, according to the SSA. Here are some more Greek girl names with meanings.
Anastasia
Meaning: While Anastasia might feel most connected to the legendary Russian Romanovs, this long girl’s name is actually Greek and means “resurrection.”
Chloe
Meaning: A charming nature-inspired name, Chloe means “grass” or a “small green shoot of a plant.”.
Cora
Meaning: Cora derives from the Greek word “kori.” This fittingly translates to “daughter” in Greek.
Eleni/Elena
Meaning: One of the most popular girl names in Greece and in the U.S., Eleni means “shining light.”
Irene
Meaning: Channel goodness with the name Irene. It comes from the Greek word “irini,” which means “peace.”
Ophelia
Meaning: While Ophelia is best known as the main character in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it also means “to aid” and “to help” in Greek. Not to mention it’s now a Taylor Swift-inspired baby name, too, thanks to her hit bop, The Fate of Ophelia.
Phoebe
Meaning: Beyond the name of the beloved character in Friends, Phoebe translates to “shining” and “bright one.”
Sophia
Meaning: This popular girl’s name means “wisdom” and is known to be derived from the word “philosophy.” Sophia was the most popular name for girls in the United States last year (if using the playground philosophy combining the spellings Sophia and Sofia).
Thea
Meaning: If you pronounce the name “thay-ah,” it translates into “view” or “scenery.” But if you pronounce it “thee-uh,” it means “goddess.” Can’t go wrong! This is also a common abbreviation for names like Dorothea, Anthea, and Cynthia.
Zoe
Meaning: Concise and powerful, Zoe translates to “life” in Greek.
Greek Baby Boy Names
Greek names are also top picks for boys in the United States. Alexander, Theodore, Sebastian, and Lucas are all in the top 50 most popular boy names in the U.S., according to the SSA, and have Greek roots. Here, find more male Greek names to consider for a new baby.
Andreas
Meaning: The Greek variant of Andrew, Andreas, means “man” and is often associated with bravery and strength.
Athan
Meaning: Short for Athanasios, which means “immortal” in Greek, Athan is a strong pick for a new baby boy.
Atticus
Meaning: Atticus means “from Attica”—another name for Athens—and it’s the name of a famous Greek rhetorician. It’s also a popular choice for literature lovers as a nod to Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird.
Kairos
Meaning: Pronounced “kai ruhs”, Kairos means “right opportune moment” or “serendipity.” How lovely is that?
Kostas
Meaning: Kostas is a popular name in Greece and has meanings associated with being steadfast, stable, and constant. Plus, it’s also known as the name of the fisherman and swoon-worthy heartthrob in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Leon
Meaning: Intentional and powerful, Leon means “lion.” It can also be shortened as Leo, a popular name that means “I say” in Greek when pronounced as “ley-oh.”
Linus
Meaning: Linus means “flax” or “flax colored.” It’s also well-known as the name of the thoughtful and wise character in Peanuts who loved his comfort blanket.
Peter
Meaning: A popular pick in Greece, Peter comes from petra, meaning “rock” or “stone,” making it a “solid” Greek baby name pick.
Sebastian
Meaning: Sebastian was a common name in Ancient Greece and associated with “people from Sebastia.” It is derived from the Greek word “sebastos” which means “venerable” or “revered.”
Theodore
Meaning: In Greek, theos means “god” and doro means “gift.” When combined, it becomes Theodore, “gift of god” or “divine.”
Timon
Meaning: Timon is derived from the Greek word “timao,” meaning “to honour, to esteem.” It’s also the name of the main character in Shakespeare’s tragedy, Timon of Athens.
Tinos
Meaning: Similar to the popular Italian name Tino (short for Valentino), Tinos is the name of a small picturesque Greek island. You’ll have a perfect reason to visit to show your little one their namesake.
Tobias
Meaning: The Greek form of the Hebrew biblical name Toviyah, Tobias translates to “god is good.”
FAQs About Greek Baby Names
What is the most popular boy’s name in Greece?
More than 10 percent of Greeks have the name in honor of Saint George, and Giorgos (George) is the top pick for boys in Greece. Other popular male names include Yiannis or Giannis, Kostas, and Nicos.
What is the most popular girl’s name in Greece?
Maria is the most popular female name in Greece, followed by Eleni and Katerina.
What Greek names mean light?
Greek names that mean “sun” and “light” include Apollo, Helios, and Orion for boys and Helen/Helena and Phoebe for girls.
Marika Price Spitulski, Contributing Writer
Pivoting from true crime and investigative journalism, Marika turned her love of good news into a career writing for mission-centered companies and nonprofits. Now, as a mom of one, she’s thrilled to contribute to The Everymom and share stories about motherhood and things to look forward to.
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This article was originally published on The Everymom
