Greek Mythology Baby Names for Girls and Boys (With Meanings)

Greek mythology is the richest name source in the Western world. Its gods and heroes have been inspiring parents for more than two thousand years, and they are having a real moment right now. Athena, Atlas, Apollo and Penelope have all climbed the US charts in recent years, helped by fantasy novels and video games that put the old myths back in the spotlight.

This guide gathers the best Greek mythology baby names for girls and boys, with the meaning of each name and a simple pronunciation guide. When the origin of a name is genuinely debated among scholars, we say so rather than repeat a pretty legend.

Why choose a Greek mythology name?
Greek goddess names for girls
Greek god names for boys
Hero and heroine names
Trending Greek mythology names in 2026
Unique Greek mythology names
Names with a dramatic backstory
FAQ

Why Choose a Greek Mythology Name?

They come with a story. Every name on this list is attached to a myth your child can read about one day. Iris carries messages across the rainbow while Atlas holds up the sky.

They sound familiar without being common. Most English speakers already know Athena or Apollo, so nobody stumbles over them, yet they remain far less frequent than Olivia or Liam.

They travel well. Greek names are used across Europe and the Americas, and many have Latin forms (Diana for Artemis, Ulysses for Odysseus) that give you even more options.

They pair nicely with simple surnames. A long name like Calliope or Persephone shines next to a short last name, while a crisp Nyx or Leo works with anything.

If you love this style, our article on Norse mythology baby names covers the Viking pantheon, from Freya to Thor.

Greek Goddess Names for Girls

These are the goddesses and Muses whose names work beautifully for a baby girl today.

Name	In the myths	Meaning	Pronunciation
Athena	Goddess of wisdom and strategy, patron of Athens	Origin uncertain, possibly pre-Greek	uh-THEE-nuh
Artemis	Goddess of the hunt, the wilderness and the moon	Origin uncertain	AR-tuh-mis
Iris	Messenger goddess of the rainbow	Rainbow	EYE-ris
Selene	Titaness of the moon	Moon	seh-LEE-nee
Phoebe	Titaness linked to brightness and prophecy	Bright, radiant	FEE-bee
Thea	Titaness of sight and shining light (Theia)	Goddess, divine	THEE-uh
Rhea	Titaness, mother of Zeus	Origin debated	REE-uh
Gaia	Primordial goddess of the earth	Earth	GY-uh
Hestia	Goddess of the hearth and home	Hearth	HES-tee-uh
Hebe	Goddess of youth	Youth	HEE-bee
Nike	Winged goddess of victory	Victory	NY-kee
Eos	Goddess of the dawn	Dawn	EE-os
Nyx	Primordial goddess of the night	Night	nix
Themis	Titaness of justice and divine order	Divine law, order	THEE-mis
Harmonia	Goddess of harmony and concord	Harmony	har-MOH-nee-uh
Irene	Goddess of peace (Eirene)	Peace	eye-REEN
Maia	Eldest of the Pleiades, mother of Hermes	Mother, nurse	MY-uh
Calliope	Muse of epic poetry	Beautiful voice	kuh-LY-uh-pee
Clio	Muse of history	To make famous	KLEE-oh
Thalia	Muse of comedy	To flourish, to bloom	THAY-lee-uh
Urania	Muse of astronomy	Heavenly	yoo-RAY-nee-uh
Psyche	Mortal who became the wife of Eros	Soul, breath	SY-kee

Our favorite goddess names

Athena is the clear leader. It is strong and easy to spell, with the image of a wise protector behind it. Nicknames include Thea and Nina.

Iris is short and sunny. As the messenger of the gods she travels on the rainbow, and the name doubles as a flower.

Calliope is the romantic pick. It means "beautiful voice", fits a musical family and shortens nicely to Callie.

Thea gives you a mythological name that feels completely everyday. It also works as a nickname for Dorothea or Theodora.

Greek God Names for Boys

Many Olympians carry heavy symbolism, so parents tend to choose gods of light and wind rather than gods of war or the underworld.

Name	In the myths	Meaning	Pronunciation
Apollo	God of music, poetry, light and healing	Origin uncertain	uh-POL-oh
Atlas	Titan condemned to hold up the sky	To endure, to bear	AT-lus
Orion	Giant hunter placed among the stars	Origin uncertain	oh-RY-un
Helios	Titan god of the sun	Sun	HEE-lee-os
Hyperion	Titan of heavenly light, father of Helios	The one above	hy-PEER-ee-un
Eros	God of love and desire	Desire, love	EER-os
Zephyr	Zephyrus, gentle god of the west wind	West wind	ZEF-er
Boreas	God of the north wind	North wind	BOR-ee-us
Aeolus	Keeper of the winds	Quick-moving, changeful	EE-oh-lus
Morpheus	God of dreams	Shape, form	MOR-fee-us
Hermes	Messenger god, patron of travelers	Origin debated	HUR-meez
Pan	Rustic god of shepherds and wild places	Possibly "to pasture"	pan
Zeus	King of the gods, god of the sky	Sky, bright	zoos

Our favorite god names

Atlas has become one of the most fashionable mythological names for boys. It is short and modern, and it evokes both strength and travel (an atlas is a book of maps).

Apollo feels joyful and bright. He rules music and healing, which gives the name a creative, gentle side that balances its grandeur.

Orion pairs a hunter's energy with a starry image, since the constellation is visible all winter long.

Zephyr is the soft option. The west wind brings spring in Greek myth, and the name sounds as light as a breeze.

Hero and Heroine Names

Mythology is not only about gods. Mortal heroes and heroines gave us some of the most wearable names of all.

Heroine names for girls

Name	Who she is	Meaning
Penelope	Faithful and clever wife of Odysseus	Origin debated
Ariadne	Cretan princess who helped Theseus escape the labyrinth	Most holy
Daphne	Nymph turned into a laurel tree	Laurel
Cassandra	Prophetess of Troy whom nobody believed	Origin debated
Helen	Helen of Troy, famed for her beauty	Origin debated, often linked to "torch"
Electra	Daughter of Agamemnon, and also one of the Pleiades	Amber, shining
Andromeda	Princess rescued by Perseus, now a constellation	Ruler of men
Calypso	Sea nymph who hosted Odysseus	She who conceals
Callisto	Nymph turned into the Great Bear constellation	Most beautiful
Chloe	An epithet of Demeter, goddess of the harvest	Young green shoot
Hermione	Daughter of Helen and Menelaus	From Hermes
Echo	Mountain nymph who could only repeat others	Echo

Hero names for boys

Name	Who he is	Meaning
Jason	Leader of the Argonauts, seeker of the Golden Fleece	To heal
Hector	Noble prince and defender of Troy	Holding fast
Castor	One of the twin Dioscuri, a skilled horseman	Beaver
Leander	Young man who swam the Hellespont each night for love	Lion man
Achilles	Greatest warrior of the Trojan War	Origin uncertain
Theseus	Hero who defeated the Minotaur	Origin uncertain
Perseus	Hero who defeated Medusa	Origin uncertain
Ulysses	Latin form of Odysseus, hero of the Odyssey	Latin form of a Greek name
Evander	Arcadian hero in Roman legend	Good man
Damon	Friend in the legend of Damon and Pythias	To tame
Phoenix	Mythical firebird reborn from its ashes, and Achilles' tutor in the Iliad	Crimson, deep red
Adonis	Youth loved by Aphrodite	Lord (from a Semitic word)

Trending Greek Mythology Names in 2026

A handful of names lead the trend. These are the ones we see most often on shortlists today:

Girls: Athena, Penelope, Iris, Daphne, Phoebe, Calliope, Thea, Selene
Boys: Atlas, Apollo, Orion, Hector, Jason, Castor, Zephyr, Leander

Athena and Penelope are now well established in the US, so they no longer feel rare. Atlas and Apollo rose quickly over the past decade and are on their way to becoming mainstream. If you want to see how a name ranks today, check our popular baby names tool.

Unique Greek Mythology Names

If you want something your child will not share with three classmates, look at the minor goddesses and nymphs. They have the same mythological depth with far fewer namesakes.

For girls: Eos, Nyx, Hebe, Themis, Urania, Clio, Ianthe (violet flower), Ione (violet), Alcyone (kingfisher), Thetis (sea nymph and mother of Achilles), Larissa (a nymph whose name means citadel), Mnemosyne (memory, mother of the Muses)

For boys: Helios, Hyperion, Boreas, Aeolus, Morpheus, Evander, Damon, Linus (flax, a legendary musician), Philemon (affectionate, from the tale of Baucis and Philemon), Prometheus (forethought)

Several of these, like Clio or Linus, are short and easy to spell, which makes them unusual without being a daily burden. For more ideas in the same spirit, browse our list of unique baby names.

Names With a Dramatic Backstory

Greek myths are full of jealousy and revenge. That does not have to rule a name out, but it is worth knowing the story before you commit.

Persephone was carried off to the underworld by Hades. Her myth is also the story of spring returning every year, so many parents read it as a tale of renewal. The nickname Percy makes it easy to wear.

Pandora opened the jar that released the world's troubles, but hope remained inside. The name itself means "all-gifted".

Medusa and Narcissus are best avoided. The first is a monster in most tellings, the second a byword for vanity.

Ares and Hades are striking, but the gods of war and the dead may feel heavy on a baby. Atlas or Orion give a similar strong sound with gentler associations.

A good rule: say the full name out loud, then imagine your child explaining it to a curious teacher. If you are happy with the story they would tell, the name works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular Greek mythology name for a girl?

Athena and Penelope are the most popular Greek mythology names for girls in the US today. Both have climbed steadily over the past decade. Iris, Daphne, Phoebe and Selene are also widely used while still feeling a little less common.

What is the best Greek god name for a boy?

Atlas and Apollo are the favorites of many parents right now. Atlas means "to endure" and evokes strength, while Apollo is the god of music and light. Orion and Zephyr are excellent alternatives if you want something a bit rarer.

Is Persephone too unusual for a baby name?

Persephone is long and rare, but it is easy to read and comes with the friendly nickname Percy. Her myth explains the return of spring, so many parents see it as a symbol of renewal. It works especially well with a short surname.

Can I use a Greek mythology name if I am not Greek?

Yes. Greek mythology belongs to the shared heritage of Western culture, and names like Helen or Jason have been used in English for centuries. In Greece itself, names such as Athena or Penelope are ordinary first names.

What is the difference between Greek and Roman god names?

The Romans adopted most Greek gods under new names. Zeus became Jupiter, Artemis became Diana, Aphrodite became Venus and Odysseus became Ulysses. Apollo is one of the few who kept the same name in both traditions.

Let Your Family Vote on Your Shortlist

Torn between Athena and Iris, or Atlas and Orion? Share your favorites with our free baby name vote poll and see which name your loved ones prefer.

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