World Culture names

Greek Name Generator

Greek names span thousands of years, from names preserved in ancient epics and inscriptions to forms used in Greece today.

Whitewashed houses step down toward a blue Aegean harbor, where fishing boats rock gently beside the quay

A few to start with

AthenaGoddess of Wisdom
ApolloGod of Music and Light
PenelopeWeaver
DionysusGod of Wine and Revelry
HermioneMessenger, Herald
AresGod of War

About Greek names

Understanding Greek names

Greek culture is known for its rich mythology, philosophy, and contributions to art and science. Greek names often have a timeless and legendary quality.

Many have clear roots in Greek words for qualities, nature, or the divine: Sophia means “wisdom,” while Stavros means “cross.” Others are tied to saints, historical figures, or familiar myths, and some have debated origins. Their rhythms often feature open vowel sounds and endings such as -os, -is, and -a, though naming patterns vary. For a story, choose a name that fits the character’s era and background, then use its sound, associations, or history to add a quiet layer of meaning.

A short guide

How to come up with the perfect Greek name

Traditional Greek names include given names and family names. They often honor gods, heroes, and virtues. Greek names have deep mythological and historical roots.

How Greek names are formed

Greek names have changed across ancient, Byzantine, and modern periods, so a name’s form can suggest its setting. Ancient names such as Perikles and Ifigeneia carry classical associations, while Nikolaos and Aikaterini are familiar in modern Greece. Many names also have everyday variants or diminutives. Decide whether your character needs a historically specific form, a contemporary Greek name, or a recognizable form suited to a fantasy setting.

Roots, meanings, and associations

Some Greek names draw on recognizable words: Sophia means “wisdom,” Petros means “rock,” and Niki means “victory.” Others honor a saint or echo a figure from literature and history. A name’s apparent meaning is not always its true origin; several famous ancient names have disputed etymologies. When certainty matters, use a well-established meaning, or describe the name through its cultural or historical association instead.

Choosing a name for a story

Start with the character’s time, place, and family background. A classical heroine’s name may feel out of place for a present-day Greek student, while a modern form can sound wrong in an archaic setting. Consider pronunciation and how the name sits beside other names in your cast. You can also use a meaning as a subtle motif, but avoid making every name an obvious clue to a character’s fate.

Names and meanings

Popular Greek names

Discover Greek names that evoke the spirit of ancient Greece's cultural heritage:

Popular Greek names
Name	Meaning	Gender
Athena	Goddess of Wisdom	Female
Apollo	God of Music and Light	Male
Penelope	Weaver	Female
Dionysus	God of Wine and Revelry	Male
Hermione	Messenger, Herald	Female
Ares	God of War	Male
Persephone	Bringer of Destruction	Female
Hades	God of the Underworld	Male
Calliope	Beautiful Voice	Female
Heracles	Glory of Hera	Male
Eirene	Peace	Female
Zeus	God of the Sky and Thunder	Male
Cassandra	Prophetess	Female
Hermes	Messenger of the Gods	Male
Thalia	Blooming, Joyful	Female
Pan	God of Nature	Male
Daphne	Laurel Tree	Female
Poseidon	God of the Sea	Male
Phoebe	Radiant, Bright	Female
Achilles	Pain	Male

60 more Greek names and meanings

Male Greek names

Male Greek names
Name	Meaning
Alexander	Defender of men.
Andreas	Manly; brave.
Nikolaos	Victory of the people.
Georgios	Farmer; earthworker.
Dimitrios	Of Demeter.
Ioannis	God is gracious.
Theodoros	Gift of God.
Vasileios	Royal; kingly.
Konstantinos	Steadfast; constant.
Leonidas	Ancient Spartan king; associated with lions.
Philippos	Lover of horses.
Stefanos	Crown; wreath.
Petros	Rock; stone.
Makarios	Blessed; fortunate.
Kyriakos	Of the Lord.
Stavros	Cross.
Spyridon	Traditional Greek name; origin uncertain.
Christos	Anointed.
Emmanouil	God is with us.
Athanasios	Immortal.
Panagiotis	All-holy.
Evangelos	Bearer of good news.
Charalambos	Shining with joy.
Aristides	Ancient Athenian statesman; linked with “best.”
Solon	Athenian lawgiver; name origin uncertain.
Perikles	Athenian statesman; commonly interpreted as “surrounded by glory.”
Xenophon	Athenian historian; often interpreted as “foreign voice.”
Lysander	Ancient Spartan commander.
Demosthenes	Athenian orator; “people’s strength.”
Socrates	Athenian philosopher; name origin uncertain.

Female Greek names

Female Greek names
Name	Meaning
Alexandra	Defender of people.
Anastasia	Resurrection.
Sophia	Wisdom.
Zoe	Life.
Eleni	Greek form of Helen; exact origin debated.
Despoina	Lady; mistress.
Agapi	Love; affection.
Chrysanthi	Golden flower.
Aikaterini	Traditional Greek form of Catherine; meaning uncertain.
Maria	Greek form of Mary; meaning debated.
Ifigeneia	Greek mythological heroine; name etymology debated.
Antigoni	Heroine of Sophocles’ tragedy; name meaning debated.
Ismene	Theban heroine in Greek tragedy; origin uncertain.
Elektra	Amber; also a heroine in Greek tragedy.
Andromache	Hector’s wife in the Iliad; traditionally read as “battle of men.”
Ariadne	Cretan princess in myth; traditional meaning is disputed.
Myrto	Myrtle.
Theodora	Gift of God.
Vasiliki	Royal; kingly.
Dimitra	Of Demeter.
Evangelia	Good news.
Fotini	Bright; luminous.
Paraskevi	Preparation; also the Greek name for Friday.
Melina	Modern Greek given name; its origin is uncertain.
Niki	Victory.
Eftychia	Good fortune; happiness.
Ourania	Heavenly.
Galini	Calm; serenity.
Kleio	Glory; name of the Greek Muse of history.
Rhea	Titan in Greek mythology; name origin uncertain.

Greek last names

Greek last names
Name	Meaning
Papadopoulos	A common family name meaning “son of a priest.”
Papadakis	Priest-related family name; -akis is a common Cretan diminutive suffix.
Theodoropoulos	Descendant of Theodoros.
Dimitriadis	Descendant of Dimitrios.
Konstantinidis	Descendant of Konstantinos.
Nikolaou	Of Nikolaos; formed from the name’s genitive form.
Georgiou	Of Georgios; formed from the name’s genitive form.
Ioannidis	Descendant of Ioannis.
Christodoulou	Servant of Christ.
Alexiou	Of Alexios; formed from the name’s genitive form.
Papageorgiou	Family name combining papas, “priest,” and Georgios.
Papakonstantinou	Family name combining papas, “priest,” and Konstantinos.
Makris	Tall or long.
Kontos	Short.
Mavros	Black; dark.
Lykos	Wolf.
Argyros	Silver.
Sideris	Iron.
Pappas	Priest.
Vlachos	Historically associated with a Vlach or Aromanian person.

Good to know

Greek names: frequently asked questions

What are common Greek names?

Common Greek given names include Georgios, Dimitrios, Ioannis, and Nikolaos for men, and Maria, Eleni, Aikaterini, and Sophia for women. Usage varies by generation and region. Some names also have familiar everyday forms: Giorgos is a common form of Georgios, and Yannis is commonly used for Ioannis.

What does the name Sophia mean in Greek?

Sophia comes from the Greek word sophia, meaning “wisdom.” It has been used as a personal name across Greek-speaking communities and beyond. Writers may choose it for a thoughtful character, but the name itself does not determine personality; its meaning can work as a subtle thematic echo rather than a literal character description.

Are Greek names from mythology still used today?

Some names with ancient or mythological associations remain in use, though familiarity differs by name and generation. Alexandra and Ariadne are recognizable given names, while names such as Persephone are more strongly marked by myth. Historical and biblical traditions also shape modern Greek naming, so not every Greek name comes from mythology.

How can I tell whether a Greek name is male or female?

Many Greek names have recognizable gendered endings, such as masculine -os in Nikolaos and feminine -a in Theodora, but endings alone are not a reliable rule. Family names may also change form by gender: Papadopoulos is commonly masculine, while Papadopoulou is a common feminine form. Check the specific name and context.