With Percy Jackson on Disney+ and Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster adaptation of The Odyssey raking in a billion dollars, it’s safe to say Greek mythology baby names may be top of mind right now. And for good reason—not only are they names borne by heroes, but they’re also unique and beautiful. From Helen, Persephone and Antigone to Telemachus, Orpheus and Priam, here are 48 names, organized by Greek gods and popular myths.
48 Greek Mythology Baby Names That Promise Epic Destinies
From Athena to Daphnis
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Published Sep 8, 2026
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1. Zeus
King of the Gods and most powerful among them, known for wielding a lightning bolt. He plays a key role in many Greek heroes’ stories, from aiding in Odysseus’ journey home to being the father of Heracles. Zeus is also a famed womanizer, so expect your child to be suave.
2. Poseidon
Admittedly, this is a less conventional pick and nicknames might be tricky. But your kid will be representing the god of the sea, earthquakes and horses. Son of Titans Cronus and Rhea, Poseidon is the brother of Zeus and Hades and together, they make up the main, most powerful trio of the Greek deities.
3. Hera
Meaning “lady” or “protector” in Greek, Hera is the goddess of marriage and queen of the gods. She is the mother of Ares, Hebe and Eileithyia and the daughter of Titans Cronus and Rhea. Hera is also the wife of Zeus. She’s a girl who knows what she wants and has been known for her vengeance against her husband’s lovers. In other words, don’t expect your baby girl to take anything lying down.
4. Demeter
Goddess of agriculture, daughter of Titans Cronus and Rhea, mother to Persephone. Demeter is the goddess of health, birth and marriage. She is also, arguably, a master manipulator. After her daughter was abducted by Hades, she allowed the earth’s agriculture to wither. The situation got so bad, Zeus ordered Hades to release Persephone and allow her to divide her time between the Underworld and the living. Should you choose this name, your daughter will know how to play her cards to get what she wants.
5. Hestia
Hestia is another descendant of the Titans and the goddess of the hearth. She never marries, spending her time tending the hearth of Olympus and taking the first cut from all offerings. An emblem for independent spirit, responsibility and duty.
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6. Athena
The daughter of Zeus who emerged from his head after Zeus swallowed her mother, Metis, Athena is the goddess of wisdom, counsel and deep thought. A name for a baby girl who has a love of learning in her future. Who knows, maybe she’ll get a Ph.D. at Harvard someday.
7. Artemis
Artemis is the goddess of transitions (coming-of-age), hunting and the wild. She’s also known for being the protector of children, in particular, girls. Along with Athena and Hestia, she rounds out the trio of virgin goddesses. Like Athena, she plays a heavy hand in Odysseus’ homeward journey. This is a great name for a girl who’s going to get stuff done.
8. Apollo
Artemis’ twin brother, known for healing, music, archery and prophecy. This is for the boy who’s going to turn into a good-looking guy; Apollo has been considered the most beautiful of the gods and the prime example of the athletic youth.
9. Ares
If your baby is already showing signs of hot-headedness in utero (those stomach kicks can be brutal), then Ares could be a fitting name. Ares is the god of war, called upon to exert force, so the name could also be viewed as a sign of strength.
10. Hephaestus
Son of Hera, god of fire and metalworking—Hephaestus is a great name for a baby boy destined to forge his own path.
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11. Aphrodite
You want to surround your daughter with love and cultivate an inner beauty that’s as abundant as her outward appearance, so why not name her after the goddess of those very things? (Also worth noting: She’s the daughter of Zeus and nymph goddess Dione, andAphrodite’s feud with Hera and Athena was one of the causes of the Trojan war.)
12. Hermes
Not the maker of the bag, but the god of boundaries and crossings. In addition to being the messenger and herald of the gods, Hermes is a trickster deity, so this is a name for a kid who’s bound to have a great sense of humor. And maybe more than a little mischievousness, if I’m being honest.
13. Dionysus (Bacchus)
Son of Zeus and a mortal, Semele, but, more importantly, the god of wine, intoxication and ecstasy. Dionysus is most associated with theater, eroticism, masks and madness—in other words, this is a name that destines a child to being the life of the party.
14. Persephone
Daughter of Demeter and Zeus; Persephone is the wife of Hades and queen of the underworld. Expect real leadership potential from a kid baring this name.
15. Calypso
Nymph who rescues Odysseus from his ship’s wreckage and with whom he has a seven-year-long affair. She tries to convince Odysseus to allow her to make him immortal. The root of her name means “to conceal.”
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16. Circe
Circe is a name for a girl who’s going to chart her own path. The daughter of the sun god Helios and ocean nymph Perse, Circe is a goddess who teaches herself sorcery and turns her adversaries into animals; notably, she transforms Odysseus’ men into pigs.
17. Odysseus
Titular hero of The Odyssey who masterminds the Trojan horse and then journeys ten years back to Ithaca. A name for the daring and for those who will wander for glory.
18. Telemachus
Odysseus’ son who goes in search of his father, Telemachus exhibits courage, determination and persistence as he tries to defend Ithaca from his mother’s numerous suitors.
19. Penelope
The wife of Odysseus who waits 20 years for his return from the Trojan war. Penelope is the epitome of loyalty, patience and hospitality, enduring years of having suitors feast on her husband’s food and believing in his own triumphant return.
20. Nestor
King of Pylos and the oldest, wisest Greek commander in The Iliad. He advises in the Trojan war and provides aid to Telemachus—a true, welcoming host.
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21. Helen
Reputed to have been the most beautiful woman in the world—otherwise said to have had the face that launched a thousand ships. She is the wife of Menelaus; her elopement with Paris of Troy launches the Trojan War.
22. Achilles
The hero of Homer’s Iliad had the title of the “greatest of the Greeks.” According to myth, Achilles was invincible except for the heel by which his mother held him to dip him into the Styx.
23. Agamemnon
Brother of Menelaus and commander in the Trojan war who is slain by his wife, Clytemnsetra, upon his return. His name means “very steadfast” and “resolute,” two qualities he exhibits during the decade-long siege of Troy.
24. Ajax
When it came to Greek heroes, Ajax was only second to Achilles. A powerful, fearless warrior who aids in reclaiming Achilles’ body after the latter is killed by Paris. His name is said to mean, by some interpretations, “vital energy” and “life.”
25. Arete
This is a name for a woman whose quiet strength will command a room. Arete is the queen of Scheria and is incredibly influential. After all, it is she whom Odysseus supplicates for aid instead of her husband, King Alcinous.
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26. Scylla
The name sounds cool, the backstory even cooler: Scylla is a man-eating sea monster Odysseus and his men must evade on their route to Ithaca. World, watch out.
27. Demodocus
Demodocus is a blind singer and poet in the court of King Alcinous who moves Odysseus to tears with his recount of the Trojan War. This is a fitting name for a future poet, and in the meantime, “Demo” could be an endearing nickname.
28. Oedipus
Greek king of Thebes and the titular character of Sophocles' tragedy who fulfills the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. Probably not the destiny you want your own baby to have, but I do admire Oedipus’ fight against his fate to the very end.
29. Jocasta
Mother (and wife…) of Oedipus. She is a woman who makes great sacrifices, and despite her tragic end, it is admirable. Her name translates to “shining moon/violet” and “the one who is pure.”
30. Antigone
Daughter of Jocasta and Oedipus who attempts to secure an honorable burial for her brother, Polynices, after he is killed leading a revolt. She is loyal to her family, daring to defy her uncle the King’s orders for what she thinks is right.
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31. Ismene
Antigone’s sister who appears in Sophocles’ plays, Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone. She’s a girl who isn’t afraid to stand up to someone when she thinks they’re wrong.
32. Haimon
Antigone’s fiancé and son of King Creon of Thebes. He is loyal to the end, killing himself upon learning that Antigone, sentenced to death, has also taken her own life.
33. Creon
Creon is the king of Thebes who ascends the throne after Oedipus and his sons. He also attempts to deny Antigone’s brother, Plynices, a proper burial, so there’s that to reconcile when considering this baby name.
34. Polynices
The brother of Antigone, Polynices leads a revolt against their other brother, Eteocles, who goes back on his word that the two would rule Thebes jointly. Meaning “much strife,” Polynices isn’t afraid to stand on business.
35. Eurydice
Wife of Creon in Antigone, alternately the wife of Orpheus whom the bard and poet attempts to rescue from Hades. Her name translates to “wide justice,” “true judgement” and “the one who judges with breadth.”
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36. Priam
Last king of Troy and father to Paris, Hector and Cassandra, Priam means “exceptionally courageous.” Not a bad quality to be known for, honestly.
37. Hecuba
Some say the name is derived from words meaning “distant” or “far off,” but in mythology, Hecuba is best known as the queen of Troy (and wife of King Priam).
38. Cassandra
As the eldest daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, Cassandra is a priestess and prophet who becomes a concubine of Agamemnon following the Trojan War.
39. Andromache
Often considered to mean “fighter of men” or “man battler,” anyone named Andromache can be counted on to stand up for what they believe in, no matter the cost. She was Cassandra’s sister, who was consigned to be the concubine of Neoptolemus, son of the slain Greek hero Achilles.
40. Clytemnestra
OK, “celebrated schemer” isn’t the most flattering meaning for a name to have—though several on this list are also less than glowing—Clytemnestra is certainly a powerful (and unforgettable) moniker. In Greek mythology, she’s the wife of Agamemnon, King of Mycenae, and is the half-sister of Helen.
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41. Orpheus
Bard, poet and prophet who tries to bring his wife, Eurydice, back from the dead. The legend goes that his music was so moving it caused those who heard it to weep—making this the perfect baby name for one who will be musically inclined.
42. Lysistrata
She’s the main character of Aristophanes’ comedy who tries to end the Greek Peloponnesian War by denying sex to the warriors. Lysistrata is bold, plucky and not afraid to give the guys a taste of their own medicine.
43. Calonice
Lysistrata’s friend and neighbor who participates in the sex strike. May we all have a friend so loyally devoted to our causes.
44. Jason
Leader of the Argonauts who set out on a quest for the Golden Fleece, which will help him attain his rightful throne. He is adventurous and determined, but also gentle and a gentleman; he helps Hera, disguised as an old woman, cross the river Anauros.
45. Medea
Medea is a sorceress and niece of Circe, who aids Jason in his quest and eventually becomes his wife. Her name means “planner, schemer.”
46. Daphnis
Daphnis is the son of Hermes and a nymph, and he’s abandoned at birth. (He’s also one half of the couple in Hellenistic romance writer Longus’ second-century novel, Daphnis and Chloe.) But don’t let that tragic beginning deter you: He is, throughout the novel, a gentleman.
47. Chloe
Chloe is known to mean “blooming” or “young green shoot” in Greek, a reference to new growth and new beginnings. In mythology, Chloe is Daphnis’ love interest, who grows up herding sheep alongside him.
48. Electra
Princess of Mycenae and daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, Electra and her brother, Orestes, kill their mother to avenge the death of their father at the latter’s hands. Her name translates to “shining” and “incandescent.”
