Greek Boy Names

By the Names.Contact Editorial Team · Updated September 2026 · 110 names

Greek boy names come in two flavors. There are the names Greek families actually use, mostly saints’ names passed from grandfather to grandson (Georgios, Nikolaos, Dimitrios), and the names English speakers borrow from Greek myth and history (Atlas, Leonidas, Apollo). Both are here, along with the many everyday English names — Theodore, Alexander, Sebastian — that are Greek at heart.

We’ve gathered more than 110 Greek boy names with meanings, plus pronunciation for the modern Greek forms. For girls, see Greek girl names; for the bigger picture, including name days and naming customs, visit our Greek names hub. Fans of the gods should also browse Greek god names.

Our top picks: Theo, Leonidas, Nikos, Atlas, Alexandros, Elias, Kostas, Orion, Stavros, Damon, Lysander, Yannis

Popular boy names in Greece

Traditional names that fill Greek classrooms. Because children are named after grandparents, the list changes slowly from generation to generation.

Name	Pronunciation	Meaning
Georgios	YOR-yee-os	“Farmer, earth-worker”
Dimitrios	dee-MEE-tree-os	“Devoted to Demeter”
Konstantinos	kon-stan-DEE-nos	“Steadfast, constant”
Ioannis	ee-oh-AH-nees	Hebrew, “God is gracious”
Nikolaos	nee-KOH-lah-os	“Victory of the people”
Panagiotis	pa-na-YO-tees	“All-holy,” honoring the Virgin Mary
Vasilios	va-SEE-lee-os	“Kingly, royal”
Christos	HREE-stos	“Anointed one”
Athanasios	a-tha-NA-see-os	“Immortal”
Michail	mee-ha-EEL	Hebrew, “who is like God?”
Evangelos	e-VAN-ye-los	“Bringer of good news”
Spyridon	spee-REE-thon	Possibly “basket” or “round loaf”
Antonios	an-DOH-nee-os	From the Roman name Antonius
Emmanouil	em-ma-noo-EEL	Hebrew, “God is with us”
Charalampos	ha-RA-lam-bos	“Shining with joy”
Stylianos	stee-lee-A-nos	“Pillar”
Anastasios	a-na-STA-see-os	“Resurrection”
Theodoros	the-oh-THOH-ros	“Gift of God”
Stavros	STAV-ros	“Cross”
Eleftherios	e-lef-THE-ree-os	“Free”

Greek boy names popular in English

These names are Greek in origin but thoroughly at home in the US. Many rank among the most popular boy names in America (SSA data).

Name	Greek root	Meaning
Theodore	Theodoros	“Gift of God”
Alexander	Alexandros	“Defender of the people”
Sebastian	Sebastos	“Venerable, revered”
Nicholas	Nikolaos	“Victory of the people”
Christopher	Christophoros	“Bearing Christ”
Stephen	Stephanos	“Crown, wreath”
Philip	Philippos	“Lover of horses”
Andrew	Andreas	“Manly, brave”
Peter	Petros	“Rock, stone”
Timothy	Timotheos	“Honoring God”
George	Georgios	“Farmer”
Dennis	Dionysios	“Of Dionysus”
Jason	Iason	“Healer”
Elias	Elias	Greek form of Elijah, “my God is Yahweh”
Leander	Leandros	“Lion-man”
Jerome	Hieronymos	“Sacred name”
Eugene	Eugenios	“Well-born”
Gregory	Gregorios	“Watchful”
Phoenix	Phoinix	“Crimson”; the mythical firebird
Ambrose	Ambrosios	“Immortal”
Xander	Alexandros	“Defender of the people”

Greek boy names from mythology

Gods, heroes and legendary figures — bold choices that are increasingly popular in the US. More in mythology boy names.

Name	Who he was	Vibe
Apollo	God of music, light and prophecy	Bright, artistic
Atlas	Titan who holds up the heavens	Strong, steady
Achilles	Hero of the Trojan War	Warrior
Orion	Legendary hunter and constellation	Starry, outdoorsy
Hermes	Messenger god	Quick, clever
Perseus	Hero who slew Medusa	Brave
Ares	God of war	Fierce
Hector	Trojan prince, defender of Troy	Noble
Ajax	Mighty warrior at Troy	Tough
Odysseus	Cunning hero of the <em>Odyssey</em>	Adventurous
Theseus	Slayer of the Minotaur	Heroic
Castor	Horse-taming twin of Pollux	Twin names
Hyperion	Titan of heavenly light	Grand
Adonis	Youth loved by Aphrodite	Handsome
Evander	Arcadian hero who founded a city in Italy	Classic
Priam	King of Troy	Regal
Zephyr	God of the west wind	Breezy, gentle
Eros	God of love	Romantic
Helios	Personification of the sun	Sunny, radiant

Ancient Greek boy names from history

Kings, generals, philosophers and poets of the classical world. Some, like Leonidas and Xander, are rising fast. See also Spartan names and ancient names.

Name	Meaning	Famous bearer
Leonidas	“Son of the lion”	Spartan king at Thermopylae
Pericles	“Surrounded by glory”	Athenian statesman
Plato	“Broad-shouldered”	Philosopher
Socrates	“Whole power”	Philosopher
Aristotle	“The best purpose”	Philosopher
Homer	Possibly “hostage”	Epic poet
Archimedes	“Master of thought”	Mathematician
Themistocles	“Glory of the law”	Athenian general
Solon	Possibly “iron lump”	Lawgiver of Athens
Demosthenes	“Strength of the people”	Orator
Lysander	“Liberator of men”	Spartan admiral
Diogenes	“Born of Zeus”	Cynic philosopher
Pythagoras	“Spoken by the Pythian (oracle)”	Mathematician
Herodotus	“Gift of Hera”	Historian
Xenophon	“Strange voice”	Soldier and writer
Damon	“To tame”	Of the friends Damon and Pythias
Euclid	“Good glory”	Mathematician
Hippocrates	“Horse tamer” or “horse power”	Physician
Epictetus	“Acquired”	Stoic philosopher

Short forms and modern Greek boy names

In Greece, nearly everyone goes by a short or familiar form. These names are easy to use in English, too — and fit our list of short boy names.

Name	Short for	Pronunciation
Nikos	Nikolaos	NEE-kos
Kostas	Konstantinos	KOH-stas
Yannis	Ioannis	YAH-nees
Theo	Theodoros	THEH-oh
Takis	Panagiotis	TAH-kees
Thanos	Athanasios	THAH-nos
Manolis	Emmanouil	ma-NOH-lees
Babis	Charalampos	BAH-bees
Stelios	Stylianos	STEH-lee-os
Lefteris	Eleftherios	lef-TEH-rees
Vangelis	Evangelos	van-YEH-lees
Tasos	Anastasios	TAH-sos
Dimitri	Dimitrios	dee-MEE-tree
Spiros	Spyridon	SPEE-ros
Nico	Nikolaos	NEE-koh
Aris	Aristotelis or Aristeidis	AH-rees

Unique Greek boy names

Rare, meaningful Greek names that stand out without being hard to say. Browse unique boy names for even more.

Name	Meaning	Why we like it
Kyros	“Lord, master”	Short and strong
Zenon	“Of Zeus”	Philosopher Zeno of Citium
Isidoros	“Gift of Isis”	Nickname Isidore or Izzy
Kosmas	“Order, beauty, world”	A saint and a cosmos
Linos	“Flax”; a mythical musician	Soft and rare
Myron	“Myrrh, sweet oil”	Vintage in the US, classic in Greece
Nestor	“Homecoming”	Wise old king in the <em>Iliad</em>
Philemon	“Affectionate”	New Testament name
Dorian	“From Doris,” a Greek region	Literary and cool
Alexios	“Defender”	Byzantine emperors
Iakovos	Greek form of Jacob	Nickname Jake
Photios	“Light”	Great for a winter baby
Kallias	“Beauty”	A classical Athenian name
Stratos	“Army”; short for Efstratios	Crisp and modern
Panos	Short for Panagiotis	Friendly and easy

Tips for choosing a Greek boy name

Pick the form you want. Many names exist as a formal Greek form (Nikolaos), a short Greek form (Nikos) and an English form (Nicholas). Choose based on how you want it to sound day to day.
Honor a grandfather creatively. If Georgios feels too formal, George, Yorgos or Jory keep the connection.
Remember the name day. Saints’ names like Dimitrios (October 26) or Nikolaos (December 6) come with an extra celebration every year. Our saint names list has more.
Balance a big mythology name. Names like Achilles or Hyperion are memorable; pair them with a classic middle name for balance. See boy middle names.
Check the spelling. Greek letters can be transliterated several ways: Giannis/Yiannis, Dimitris/Demetrius, Christos/Hristos.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular boy name in Greece?

Georgios (George) is traditionally the most common male name in Greece, followed by Dimitrios, Konstantinos, Ioannis and Nikolaos.

What are strong Greek boy names?

Leonidas (“son of the lion”), Achilles, Alexander (“defender of the people”), Andreas (“manly, brave”), Atlas and Hector all carry a sense of strength and heroism.

Is Theo a Greek name?

Yes. Theo is short for Theodore (Theodoros, “gift of God”) or related names like Theophilus, all built on the Greek theos, “god.”

What Greek boy names come from mythology?

Popular mythological choices include Apollo, Atlas, Orion, Hermes, Perseus, Achilles, Hector and Castor.

Why do so many Greek men have the same few names?

Because children are traditionally named after their grandparents, the same saints’ names — George, Dimitrios, John, Nicholas — repeat through generations of a family.