Greek Names: 40+ Beautiful Greek Baby Names & Meanings
Great Greek names for boys include Alexander (defender of men), Theodore (gift of God), and Leonidas (lion-like); for girls, Sophia (wisdom), Penelope (weaver), and Chloe (blooming). Mythology lovers can choose Apollo, Athena, or Orion. Below are 40+ Greek baby names with meanings to help you pick.
Greek names have been beloved for over 3,000 years — and they are still going strong. From the philosophy of Athens to the myths of Mount Olympus, these names carry beauty, strength, and stories that never get old. Many Greek baby names traveled into English centuries ago (Alexander, Sophia, Nicholas), so they feel familiar at home while still sounding elegant and timeless.
In this guide you will find 40+ Greek names for boys and girls with meanings and origins, organized into popular picks, ancient mythology names, and rare gems. Every meaning below is one we are confident about — when a name’s origin is debated, we say so honestly. Whether you want a classic like George or something mythic like Selene, your perfect name is in this list.
Popular Greek Boy Names
These are the Greek boy names that have stood the test of time. Many are saints’ names in the Greek Orthodox tradition, which is why they remain popular in Greece today — and their strong, clear sounds have made them favorites far beyond Greece too.
| Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander | Defender of men | From Alexandros; carried by Alexander the Great |
| Theodore | Gift of God | Classic saint’s name; Theo is a popular nickname |
| Nicholas | Victory of the people | From Nikolaos; one of the most enduring Greek names |
| George | Farmer | From Georgios; honored in both East and West |
| Andreas | Manly | Greek form of Andrew; strong and simple |
| Yannis | God is gracious | Short form of Ioannis, the Greek form of John |
| Christos | Anointed | Deeply traditional in Greece; festive and warm |
| Nikos | Victory of the people | Affectionate short form of Nikolaos |
| Petros | Rock | Greek form of Peter; solid and dependable |
| Stavros | Cross | Distinctive Greek choice, rare outside Greece |
| Leonidas | Lion-like | Famous from the Spartan king at Thermopylae |
| Stefanos | Crown | Greek form of Stephen; regal and underused |
Popular Greek Girl Names
Greek girl names are famous for their musical endings and graceful meanings — wisdom, light, life, and blooming. Names like Sophia and Chloe have been global favorites for decades, while Eleni and Vasiliki keep their distinctly Greek charm.
| Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sophia | Wisdom | One of the most loved Greek names worldwide |
| Elena | Bright light | Greek form of Helen; radiant and elegant |
| Maria | Uncertain | A timeless classic across Greece and beyond |
| Eleni | Bright light | The everyday Greek form of Helen |
| Penelope | Weaver | Odysseus’s clever and faithful wife in the Odyssey |
| Daphne | Laurel | Nymph turned into a laurel tree in myth |
| Chloe | Blooming | Fresh and springlike; also a name in ancient texts |
| Zoe | Life | Short, bright, and full of energy |
| Iris | Rainbow | The messenger goddess; also a flower name |
| Athena | Wise | Goddess of wisdom — bold and powerful |
| Artemis | Uncertain | Goddess of the hunt and the moon |
| Evangeline | Good news | From euangelion; graceful with a happy meaning |
Greek Mythology Names
If you want a name with an epic story behind it, Greek mythology names are hard to beat. Gods, heroes, and Titans give these names instant character — and they pair beautifully with fantasy worlds too, so try our fantasy name generator if you want even more mythic inspiration.
| Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo | Uncertain | God of the sun, music, and prophecy |
| Atlas | Bearer of the heavens | The Titan condemned to hold up the sky |
| Orion | Hunter | The great hunter placed among the stars |
| Perseus | Uncertain | Hero who slew Medusa |
| Theseus | Uncertain | Hero who defeated the Minotaur |
| Helen | Light | The most beautiful woman of myth; also a classic girl name |
| Gaia | Earth | The primordial earth goddess |
| Nyx | Night | Goddess of the night; short and striking |
| Eos | Dawn | Goddess of the dawn; lovely and rare |
| Rhea | Uncertain | Titan mother of Zeus |
| Andromeda | Uncertain | Princess rescued by Perseus; now a constellation |
| Cassiopeia | Uncertain | Queen of myth; a beautiful constellation name |
Unique Greek Names
Want something less common? These unique Greek names are authentic and rich in meaning, but you will not hear them on every playground. If you like rare finds, also browse our lists of unique boy names and unique girl names for even more ideas.
| Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dimitrios | Devoted to Demeter | Goddess-linked and melodic; Jimmy is a nickname |
| Konstantinos | Steadfast | Imperial and grand; Kostas is the everyday form |
| Evangelos | Bringer of good news | Masculine counterpart of Evangeline |
| Vasiliki | Royal | Feminine and regal; very Greek in feel |
| Calliope | Beautiful voice | Muse of epic poetry; unforgettable |
| Thalia | Flourishing | Muse of comedy; joyful and lively |
| Selene | Moon | The moon goddess herself; luminous and rare |
| Alexandra | Defender of men | Feminine form of Alexander; strong and classic |
| Ariadne | Uncertain | Heroine who helped Theseus escape the labyrinth |
| Cassandra | Uncertain | The Trojan prophetess; dramatic and memorable |
How to Choose the Perfect Greek Baby Name
Start with the meaning. Greek names are prized for their transparent, beautiful meanings — wisdom, light, life, victory. Say the meaning out loud as if you are explaining it to your child one day. If it makes you smile, you are on the right track. For extra confidence in an etymology, check a trusted reference like Behind the Name.
Say it out loud with your last name. Greek names often have three or four syllables (Konstantinos, Evangeline), so test the full combination. A shorter nickname — Theo, Elena, Zoe — can give a long formal name everyday ease.
Decide how traditional you want to go. Names like George, Maria, and Nicholas blend into any culture, while Calliope, Leonidas, and Nyx make a bolder statement. Neither is wrong; it depends on the story you want the name to tell.
Check popularity if it matters to you. Some parents love a familiar favorite; others want to avoid the top charts. You can look up how often a name is actually used in the United States through the Social Security Administration’s baby names database before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular Greek names for babies?
Long-standing favorites include Alexander, Theodore, Nicholas, and George for boys, and Sophia, Elena, Maria, and Chloe for girls. These names have been cherished for centuries in Greece and remain widely used internationally, though exact popularity varies by country and year.
What Greek name means “gift from God”?
Theodore means “gift of God” and is the classic Greek boy name with this meaning. For girls, Dorothea (and its English form Dorothy) carries the same meaning with the word order reversed. Both have been beloved saints’ names for centuries.
What are good ancient Greek names from mythology?
For boys, Apollo, Orion, Perseus, and Atlas carry heroic energy. For girls, Athena, Artemis, Selene, and Penelope are powerful and graceful. Mythology names work best when you love the story behind the figure — pick the hero or goddess whose tale resonates with you.
What Greek girl name means wisdom?
Sophia means wisdom and is one of the most internationally beloved Greek names. Its meaning comes from the Greek word sophia, and it has been used by royalty, saints, and philosophers’ admirers for over a thousand years.
Are Greek names hard to pronounce in English?
Most popular Greek names — Alexander, Sophia, Nicholas, Chloe, Zoe — are completely familiar to English speakers. Longer names like Konstantinos or Evangelos may need a little practice, but their natural nicknames (Kostas, Eva) make daily use easy.
What Greek name means light or bright?
Elena, Eleni, and Helen all connect to the Greek word for bright light or torch. They are radiant choices for a daughter. For a related celestial feel, Selene (moon) and Eos (dawn) are beautiful, rarer alternatives.
Choosing a Greek name means giving your child a name with thousands of years of beauty behind it — whether it is the wisdom of Sophia, the courage of Leonidas, or the magic of Selene. Take your time, say your favorites out loud, and trust the one that feels right. For more inspiration across every style and origin, keep exploring our Name category.
