Greek Names — Origins, Meanings & History

Laertes Masculine Greek Greek

Laertes is a name of ancient Greek origin, meaning "gatherer of the people". It appears most famously in Greek mythology as the father of Odysseus, the hero of Homer's Odyssey. While Odysseus himself is celebrated for hi...

Laios Masculine Greek Greek

Laios is the Greek form of Laius, a name of unknown meaning. In Greek mythology, Laios (or Latinized Laius) was a king of Thebes, best known as the father of Oedipus and the husband of Jocasta. The name is traditionally...

Laius Masculine Greek Greek

Laius is the Latinized form of the Greek name Laios (Λάϊος), whose meaning is unknown. In Greek mythology, Laius was a king of Thebes, a central figure in the city's foundation myths. He was the husband of Jocasta and fa...

Lakedaimon Masculine Greek Greek

Lakedaimon is the original Greek form of Lacedaemon, the name of the ancient Greek city-state more commonly known as Sparta. In Greek mythology, Lakedaimon was a son of Zeus and the heroine Taygete (a daughter of the Tit...

Lamia 2 Feminine Greek Greek

Lamia is a feminine given name of uncertain etymology, possibly stemming from the Greek word λαιμός (laimos), meaning "throat." This origin is fitting given the monstrous nature of its mythological namesake.Mythological...

Lampros Masculine Greek Greek +1 Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Lampros is a Greek masculine given name meaning "bright, shining, brilliant", derived from the Greek adjective λαμπρός (lampros). The name appears in Greek mythology as the father of Leukippos, a mythological figure whos...

Laocoön Masculine Greek Greek

Laocoön is a figure from Greek and Roman mythology, best known as the Trojan priest who warned his people against the Trojan horse. The name derives from the Greek Λαοκόων (Laokoon), composed of λαός (laos) meaning "peop...

Laodice Feminine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

EtymologyLaodice is the Latinized form of the ancient Greek name Λαοδίκη (Laodike), which means "justice of the people." The name is derived from the Greek elements λαός (laos), meaning "people," and δίκη (dike), meaning...

Laodike Feminine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Laodike is the original Greek form of Laodice, derived from the Greek elements λαός (laos) meaning "people" and δίκη (dike) meaning "justice, custom, order", giving it the sense of "justice of the people". This name has...

Laokoon Masculine Greek Greek

Etymology and Origins Laokoon is the Greek form of Laocoön, derived from the Greek elements λαός (laos) meaning "people" and ἀκούω (akouo) meaning "to hear". Thus, the name can be interpreted as "one who listens to the p...

Larisa Feminine Latvian Lithuanian +5 Latvian Lithuanian Romanian Russian Slovene +2

Larisa is a feminine given name with deep roots in ancient Greek mythology and history. The name is possibly derived from the ancient city of Larisa in Thessaly, Greece, which meant "citadel". In Greek legends, the nymph...

Larissa Feminine English German +2 English German Portuguese Greek

Larissa is a feminine given name used in English, German, Portuguese, and Greek, among other languages. It is a variant of Larisa, which may derive from the name of the ancient city of Larisa in Thessaly, meaning "citade...

Leander Masculine Greek Greek

Etymology Leander is the Latinized form of the Greek name Leandros (Λέανδρος), which is derived from the Greek elements leon (λέων) meaning "lion" and aner (ἀνήρ) meaning "man" (genitive andros). Thus, the name means "li...

Leandros Masculine Greek Greek

Leandros is a Greek given name, the direct Greek form of Leander. The name derives from the ancient Greek elements leon meaning "lion" and aner meaning "man" (genitive andros), thus signifying "lion man." This etymology...

Leda Feminine Italian Greek Italian Greek

Leda is a feminine given name of Greek origin, best known from mythology, where she was a Spartan queen. Her story is central to the myth of Zeus's seduction in the form of a swan, a tale that has inspired countless work...

Leto Feminine Greek Greek

Leto is a name of Greek origin, borne in Greek mythology by a Titaness who was the mother of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis by Zeus. Her name may derive from the Lycian word lada meaning "wife", or alternatively from t...

Leucippus Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Leucippus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Leukippos, meaning "white horse" (from leukos "white, bright" and hippos "horse"). This name was borne by the 5th-century BC pre-Socratic philosopher traditionally credit...

Leukippos Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Leukippos is a Greek name meaning "white horse" (leukos meaning "white, bright" and hippos meaning "horse"). This name appears in both mythology and history, with several notable bearers in ancient Greece.EtymologyThe na...

Libya Feminine Greek Greek

Libya is a female given name of Greek origin, derived as a Latinized form of the Greek Λιβύη (Libye). In ancient Greek geography, Libye referred to the region of North Africa west of Egypt, corresponding roughly to moder...

Libye Feminine Greek Greek

Libye is the original Greek form of the name Libya. In Greek mythology, Libye was the daughter of Epaphus, king of Egypt, who was himself the son of Zeus and Io. According to legend, she became the eponym of the ancient...

Ligeia Feminine Greek Greek

Ligeia is a feminine given name derived from the Ancient Greek λιγύς (ligys), meaning "clear-voiced, shrill, or whistling." In Greek mythology, Ligeia was one of the Sirens — creatures whose enchanting songs lured sailor...

Linos Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Linos is the Greek form of Linus, derived from the Greek name Λίνος (Linos) meaning "flax".Etymology and OriginsThe name Linos is directly taken from the Ancient Greek Λίνος, which refers to the flax plant, a fiber used...

Linus Masculine Danish German +4 Danish German Norwegian Swedish Greek +1

Etymology Linus is a masculine given name derived from the Latin form of the Ancient Greek name Linos (Λίνος). The name's meaning is linked to the Greek word linon (λίνον), meaning flax. Flax was used in antiquity for ma...

Lycurgus Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Lycurgus is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek name Lykourgos (Λυκοῦργος), which is composed of the elements λύκος (lykos) meaning "wolf" and ἔργον (ergon) meaning "work, deed." Thus, the name can be interpreted as...

Lycus Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Lycus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Lykos (Λύκος), which means "wolf". In Greek mythology, Lycus was a name borne by several figures, including a legendary ruler of Thebes, a son of Poseidon, and a Bythinian ki...

Lykos Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Lykos is the original Greek form of the name Latinized as Lycus, derived from the Ancient Greek word λῠ́κος (lykos) meaning “wolf.”Etymology and Mythological SignificanceThe wolf held strong symbolic value in ancient Gre...

Lykourgos Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Lykourgos is the Greek form of Lycurgus, a name borne by legendary figures from Spartan history and Greek mythology. The name derives from the Ancient Greek elements λύκος (lykos) meaning "wolf" and ἔργον (ergon) meaning...

Lynceus Masculine Greek Greek

Lynceus is a Latinized form of the Greek name Λυγκεύς (Lynkeus), which is possibly derived from λύγξ (lynx), the wild cat renowned for its sharp eyesight. In Greek mythology, the name is borne by several figures, most no...

Lynkeus Masculine Greek Greek

Etymology and OriginLynkeus is the original Greek form of the name Lynceus. The name is derived from the Greek word λύγξ meaning 'lynx', a wild cat known for its keen eyesight. This etymology directly informs the mytholo...

Lysithea Feminine Greek Greek

Lysithea is a feminine name of Greek origin, derived from the ancient Greek elements λύσις (lysis), meaning "a release, loosening," and θεά (thea), meaning "goddess." Thus, the name can be interpreted as "she who loosens...

Lyssa 2 Feminine Greek Greek

Lyssa is a name derived from the Greek word lyssa (λύσσα), meaning "rage, fury, anger." In Greek mythology, Lyssa is a goddess who personifies uncontrollable rage, madness, and frenzy. She is often depicted as a female f...

Maera Feminine Greek Greek

Maera is a Latinized form of Maira, a name of Greek origin. The root Maira derives from the Greek verb μαρμαίρω (marmairo), meaning "sparkle, gleam, flash." This etymology evokes brightness and radiance, qualities often...

Maia 1 Feminine Georgian Portuguese +2 Georgian Portuguese Greek Roman

Maia is a feminine given name with deep roots in Greek and Roman mythology, as well as continued use in modern languages such as Portuguese and Georgian. In Greek, the name derives from the word μαῖα (maia), meaning "goo...

Maira Feminine Greek Greek

Maira is a female given name with roots in ancient Greek mythology. It derives from the Greek verb μαρμαίρω (marmairo), meaning "to sparkle, gleam, or flash," evoking luminous imagery. The name is most famously associate...

Medea Feminine Georgian Greek Georgian Greek

Medea is a feminine given name derived from the Greek Μήδεια (Medeia), which comes from μήδεα (medea) meaning "plans, counsel, cunning". In Greek mythology, Medea was a sorceress from Colchis (modern Georgia) who helped...

Medeia Feminine Greek Greek

Medeia is a Greek form of Medea. The name derives from the Ancient Greek Μήδεια (Mēdeia), which itself stems from the word μήδεα (mēdea) meaning "plans, counsel, cunning." This etymology aligns perfectly with the charact...

Medousa Feminine Greek Greek

Etymology and OriginMedousa is the Greek form of Medusa. The name is derived from the Greek Μέδουσα (Medousa), which comes from the verb μέδω (medo) meaning "to protect, to rule over". Thus, the name carries connotations...

Medusa Feminine Greek Greek

Medusa is a feminine name of Greek origin, derived from the Ancient Greek Μέδουσα (Medousa), which comes from μέδω (medo) meaning "to protect" or "to rule over." Despite its peaceful etymology, the name is inextricably l...

Megaera Feminine Greek Greek

Megaera is the Latinized form of the Greek name Μέγαιρα (Megaira), derived from the verb μεγαίρω (megairo) meaning "to grudge." In Greek mythology, Megaera was one of the Erinyes (or Furies), the chthonic female deities...

Megaira Feminine Greek Greek

Megaira is the original Greek form of the Latinized name Megaera, derived from the Greek verb μεγαίρω (megairo) meaning "to grudge." In Greek mythology, Megaira was one of the three Erinyes, or Furies, along with Tisipho...

Megara Feminine Greek Greek

Megara is a female name of ancient Greek origin whose meaning remains uncertain. It may derive from the Greek verb μεγαίρω (megairo), meaning 'to grudge' or 'begrudge', or else from the city of Megara in Attica, which it...

Melaina Feminine Greek Greek

Melaina is a name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word μέλαινα (melaina), meaning "black, dark." In Greek mythology, Melaina (also spelled Melaena or Melena) was a nymph associated with the prophetic springs of D...

Melanthios Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Melanthios (also Latinized as Melanthius) is a masculine given name of ancient Greek origin. It derives from the Greek elements melas (), meaning "black" or "dark", and anthos (), meaning "flower"—thus, "black flower" or...

Meleager Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Meleager is the Latinized form of the Greek name Μελέαγρος (Meleagros), a heroic figure from Greek mythology. The name's etymology is uncertain, but it may derive from μέλεος (meleos) meaning "unhappy, useless" or μέλας...

Meleagros Masculine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Meleagros is the Greek form of the name Meleager. In ancient Greek, it is written as Μελέαγρος.EtymologyThe etymology of Meleagros is uncertain but may derive from μέλεος (meleos) meaning "unhappy" or "useless", or from...

Melete Feminine Greek Greek

Melete (Ancient Greek: Μελέτη) is the name of one of the three original Muses in early Boeotian tradition, long before the canonical Nine Olympian Muses were established. Her name derives from the Greek word "meletē" mea...

Melia Feminine Greek Greek

Melia is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "ash tree," derived from the ancient Greek word μελία (melia). The name is also connected to μέλι (meli), meaning "honey," but the primary sense is botanical. In Gr...

Melinoe Feminine Greek Greek

Melinoe is a figure from Greek mythology, a chthonic nymph or goddess associated with nightmares and madness. Her name is likely derived from Greek melinos (μήλινος) meaning "quince-coloured, yellow," itself from melon (...

Melissa Feminine Dutch English +2 Dutch English Greek Ancient Greek

Melissa is a feminine given name derived from the Greek word μέλισσα (mélissa), meaning "bee", which in turn comes from μέλι (meli), "honey". The name is deeply rooted in Greek culture, with origins possibly reaching bac...

Melita Feminine Greek Greek

Melita is a feminine given name with layered origins. Primarily, it is a Latinized form of the Ancient Greek name Melite, which derives from the Greek word meli meaning "honey." In Greek mythology, Melite was a nymph, th...

Melite Feminine Greek Ancient Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Melite is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the ancient Greek word μέλι (meli), meaning "honey". The name thus carries the sweetness and preciousness associated with honey, a substance highly valued in...

Melpomene Feminine Greek Greek

Melpomene is the name of one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology, known as the Muse of tragedy. Derived from the Greek verb μέλπω (melpo), meaning "to sing, to celebrate with song," her name signifies "songstress" or "t...

Menelaos Masculine Greek Greek +1 Greek Greek Ancient Greek

Etymology Menelaos is the Greek form of Menelaus, a name of Ancient Greek origin. Its first element is derived from either μένω (meno) meaning "to stay, to last" or μένος (menos) meaning "mind, strength, force", combined...

Menelaus Masculine Greek Greek

Menelaus is a figure from Greek mythology, best known as the king of Sparta and the husband of Helen. His name derives from the Greek Μενέλαος (Menelaos), which may be composed of μένω (meno) meaning "to stay, to last" o...

Mentor Masculine Greek Greek

Mentor is a masculine given name of Greek origin. Its meaning is possibly related to the Greek word μένος (menos), meaning "mind, strength, force." In Greek mythology, Mentor was the son of Alkimos. When the legendary he...

Merope Feminine Greek Greek

Merope is a female name of Greek origin, derived from the elements μέρος (meros) meaning "share, part" and ὄψ (ops) meaning "face, eye", collectively signifying maybe "with a turned face" or "destined share". The name ap...

Metis Feminine Greek Greek

Metis is a figure from Greek mythology, known as a Titan personifying wisdom, skill, and cunning. Her name derives from the Greek word mētis, meaning "wisdom, skill, cunning." In the mythological tradition, Metis was amo...

Midas Masculine Greek Greek

Midas is a name of uncertain meaning, known primarily from Greek mythology as a Phrygian king whose story has been passed down through ancient texts and cultural traditions. The name's etymology is obscure, with no clear...

Minos Masculine Greek Greek

Minos is a legendary king of Crete in Greek mythology, possibly derived from a Cretan word or title meaning "king". This etymology underscores his role as the supreme ruler of the Minoan civilization, a name coined by ar...

Minotaur Masculine Greek Greek

Minotaur is an anglicized form of the Greek name Μινώταυρος (Minotauros), meaning “bull of Minos,” derived from Minos and the tauros element meaning “bull.” In Greek legend, the Minotaur is a mythical creature with the h...