117+ Ancient Mythology Names (With Meanings)

Instead of giving your child a brand-new name, reach into the past and use one of these beautiful mythology names.

Ancient mythology stories are fascinating. They are filled with intense adventures, unbelievable conquests, and strong characters. In order to honor these stories that have been passed down for hundreds of years, you should think about naming your child after one of them.

Here are some of the most underrated mythical names that still sound beautiful, even to this day. We’ve included a short description of the name and their significance in mythology, as well as the name meaning and origin(s).

Greek Mythology – Greek God Names For Boys

Zeus

Zeus is the sky god, the ruler of Mount Olympus, and the father of gods and humans. Not only did this Greek god govern people and the laws, but he regulated celestial phenomena, with his lightning bolt and scepter. He was also recognized as the type to transform himself into anything, so he could mingle with other goddesses — even though he was married. This name might be best for a pet, it’s still an epic name for a child. This name means “living.”

Hades

The brother of Zeus and Poison, Hades was the Greek god of the underworld and the realm of the dead. As the Greek legend goes, the three brothers took a draw to see who would rule each place (heavens, sea, and underworld). He is also referred to as Pluto, and in astrology, Pluto is the ruler of regeneration and transformation. This name means “the unseen.”

Apollo

Apollo is considered one of the most complex of the Greek gods. The son of Zeus and the twin brother of Artemis. He is the god of light, truth, and archery, and the master of poetry and music. He established the great Oracle of Delphi and the teacher of the nine Muses.

Ares

Ares is the Greek god of war. Although he was handsome, strong, young, and well-armed, he was often depicted as vicious, ruthless, and vain. He was hated by his father Zeus and his mother Hera and was even tried for his many war crimes. This name means “destroyer.” I

Poseidon

Poseidon was the Greek god of the sea and the brother of Zeus. He was also considered the god of earthquakes and identified as the “earth-shaker.” When angry, he made the oceans swell up and shake from end to end. This might be a better pet name than a baby name, but still a powerful one nonetheless. The name means “husband of the earth.”

Hermes

The son of Zeus, Hermes is the Greek god of wealth, trade, thieves, and travelers. He was clever and arrogant – a master thief. He was also known as the “soul-bearer”, the one who transports the dead from Earth to Hades. This name means “merchant” or “commerce.”

Greek Mythology – Greek Goddess Names For Girls

Aphrodite

The goddess of love, passion, beauty, and romance, Athena is sweet, delicate, and beautiful. She was worshipped all over Greece and was the principal cause of the Trojan War. She was married to Hephaestus, the god of fire and blacksmiths, but was in love with Ares, the god of war. The name means “foam”, after Aphrodite being born from the white foam produced by the severed genitals of Uranus.

Artemis

The daughter of Zeus and the twin sister of Apollo, she is the goddess of hunting, wild animals, and the wilderness. She’s normally good and just, as a virgin goddess and a protector of young girls, but during the Trojan War, she demanded a human sacrifice. She was sometimes associated as the goddess of the moon. This is a gender-neutral name meaning “butcher.”

Athena

She is a goddess of wisdom, reason, and purity. She emerged from Zeus’ head. She is associated with war just as much as she’s associated with cleverness and wit. She is often pictured armed and considered one of the most powerful Olympian Gods. This name meaning is “praise.”

Celeste

In Greek mythology, Celesta is the goddess of death. She is the sister of Hades, Poseidon, Zeus, and the sister of Hera, Hestia, and Demeter. Interestingly enough, in Latin, the word “caelestis” means “heavenly.”

Hera

She is Zeus’ wife and sister and the protector of the sacred institution of marriage. She was very powerful and strong, but also known for being jealous. Zeus’ infidelity makes her spiteful and vicious and when crossed, she can be cruel. This name means “queen.”

Chloe

This Greek name means “fertility” or “blooming.” In Greek mythology, Chloe was the goddess of harvest and fertility. She was the mother of Persephone, was the daughter of Kronos (the King of the Titans and the god of time), and Rhea (the goddess of female fertility and motherhood).

Dion

According to Greek mythology, Dion(e) was a Titan goddess and an oracle. She was most likely the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys and possibly the first wife of Zeus. This is a pretty gender-neutral name that means “god of wine and revelry.”

Demeter / Demetra / Demetrius

Although Demeter was the sister of Zeus, she lived on earth as the goddess of corn and harvest. She made the earth fruitful and protected the trees, plants, and grains. She lived in mourning after Hades takes her daughter, Persephone. The name Demetra is a good variation for a girl and Demetrius (“devoted to goddess Demeter”) is a good variation for a boy!

Phoebe

The Titan goddess of bright intellect, she was the daughter of Uranus and Gaea. She was also well known for her prophetic powers at the Oracle of Delphi. She is also associated as the goddess of the moon because of her granddaughter Artemis, also considered as a moon goddess. Her name means “shining” or “bright.”

Astraea

In ancient Greek religion, Astrea is the daughter of Eros and Astraeus. She is a virgin and the goddess of purity and innocence. Her name means “star-maiden” or “starry night.”

Grace

In Greek mythology, Grace was one of the three (or more) goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, fertility, and human creativity. She is often depicted with the other goddesses as naked or almost naked, holding each other close. However, in Latin, the name means “of God’s grace.” It’s a very biblical name.

Harmony

In Greek mythology, Harmonia is an immortal goddess of harmony and concord. There is also the myth of the fatal necklace she received on her wedding day which brought misfortune to whoever possessed it. It is been said that her powers were in it, which was why it was cursed. Interestingly though, the name means “perfect unity.”

Irene

Irene was known as the Greek goddess of peace and the season of Spring. She was depicted as the personification of peace. The name is sometimes written as Irini, which means “peace” in Greek.

Maya

In Greek, this name means “good mother.” In Greek mythology, Maya was the mother of Greek god Hermes, and was also considered the earth’s mother and goddess of spring.

Melanie

This name, in Greek mythology, was given to Demeter, the goddess of fertility. It means “obscure, blackness, darkness.”

Persephone

The daughter of Demeter and Zeus, Persephone was also the goddess of the underworld and the wife of Hades. This Greek mythological name means “bringer of destruction.”

Greek Mythology Names for Boys

Adrastos

This is typically a boy’s name, meaning “inescapable.” In Greek myth, he is a legendary King of Argos.

Aeolus

This boy name is of Greek origin, meaning “variable, changeable.” In Greek myth, he is the god of winds. He also plays a key role in Homer’s Odyssey.

Andreas

This name derives from Greece, meaning “man.”

Atlas

Atlas was a mythical Titan of Greece who wore the weight of the world on his shoulders. The name is typically for a boy and it means “to carry.”

Eros

The son of Aphrodite, Eros has a bow and arrow that he targets at people for them to fall in love. He is also commonly identified as Cupid, a winged cherub. He sometimes performs romantic mischief. This name means “love.”

Damon

This Greek boy’s name means “to overpower, to conquer, to tame.” In Greek mythology, Damon was a part of the Damon and Pythias legend about the willingness to sacrifice oneself for a friend.

Kai

In Greek mythology, Kaikias was the god of the northeast wind. He is often depicted as a bearded man with a shield full of hail-stones. The name has various meanings: it means “sea” in Hawaiian; in Japanese, “forgiveness.” It also has origins of Welsh, Scandinavian, and Greek, meaning “keep of the keys, earth.” A cute name for your baby would be Kai!

Linus

Linus was, in Greek mythology, a well-known and well-loved musician and lyricist. There is the belief that he was also the Greek hero Heracles’s music master too. This name means “flax.”

Greek Myth Girl Names

Pandora

Pandora was a mortal woman, married to Epimetheus. She was trusted by the gods to never open a box, but she peeks anyway, thus releasing evil out onto the world. The name Pandora means “all-gifted” or “all-giving.”

Ariadne

She is the daughter of King Minos of Crete who falls in love with Theseus and uses a golden thread to help him defeat the Minotaur. This name means “most holy.”

Medea

She is a sorceress who helps Jason – the hero and leader of the Argonauts – defeat her father to obtain the Golden Fleece. The Golden Fleece was a symbol of authority and kingship. This female-given name means “to ponder” or “cunning.”

Aria

This name has multiple meanings in different languages. In Italian, it means “song” or “melody,” but in Greek, it means “lioness.” In Greek mythology, she was a Crete woman who bore a son with Apollo.

Arianna

In Greek mythology, Arianna was the daughter of Minos, the King of Crete. This name means “most holy.”

Cynthia

This name could have a few relations to Greek mythology. Cynthia was originally an epithet of Artemis, who was born on Mount Cynthus/Kynthos. However, the Greek goddess Selene was sometimes called Cynthia too. The name means “from Mount Kynthos.”

Cassandra

In Greek mythology, Cassandra was the daughter of Priam, the last king of Troy. Therefore, she was one of the princesses of Troy, and one of the most beautiful. She was also gifted with the ability to foresee the future. The name “Cassandra” means “the one who shines and excels over men.”

Destiny

There isn’t a specific figure in mythology named Destiny, however, it could be attributed to the Greek mythology women (Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos) who spun the threads of human destiny. The name literally means “destiny” or “fate” or “to determine.”

Demi

While this name isn’t specific to any one in Greek mythology, it could be taken from the concept of a demigod. A demigod is a human and a deity in one body, with abilities more than what’s possible for a human, but less than the powers of a true deity.

Delia

This is a female Greek name meaning “person from Delos” and is also a short form of Cordelia. In Greek mythology, Delia was a festival held in honor of the Greek god Apollo.

Daphne

In Greek mythology, there was a tree known as laurel, with leaves that transformed into garlands and was often associated with Apollo. Apollo loved Daphne, the daughter of a river god, but she kept rejecting him. She prayed to the Earth to save her from him, and was transformed into a laurel tree. The name means “laurel.”

Iris

In Greek mythology, Iris was the personification of a rainbow and a messenger of the gods. She’s also been shown with wings, a staff, and a vase, serving wine to the gods. The name “Iris” means “rainbow.”

Larisa

This ancient Greek mythology name comes from a nymph who was a daughter of Pelasgus. The name also could’ve derived from the ancient city in Thessaly.

Morgan

In Greek mythology, there were three sisters of Fate (Birth, Life, and Death) known as the Moeragetes. The name means sea nymph or mermaid – creatures known for enticing men.

Melissa

In Greek mythology, there were 2 Melissas: one was a princess of Crete who was transformed into a bee to collect honey, and another was a nursemaid who took care of a young Zeus. This name means “bee” or “honey.”

Orion

Orion was a Greek hunter and the son of Poseidon. This unisex name means “rising in the sky, dawning.” In astronomy, it is a major constellation in the sky known as Orion’s belt.

Penelope

This name has Greek origin, meaning “weaver.” In Greek mythology, Penelope was known to spend her time weaving to fend off suitors while she waited for her husband’s return.

Rhea

In Greek mythology, Rhea was the mother of Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, and Demeter. This name means “flowing.”

Selene

Selene, in Greek and Roman mythology, was known to be worshipped at the new and full moons. As a goddess, she was the personification of the moon. In Latin, the name equivalent is Luna.

Greek Mythology: Heroes and Heroines

Odysseus

The king of Ithaca and a warrior in the Trojan War, Odysseus is best known for his trip home from the war, using his wits and brilliance to take him home safely. This Greek hero was the protagonist of Homer’s Odyssey. The name “Odysseus” means “son of pain.”

Paris

Paris unwillingly starts the Trojan War, judging Aphrodite, who then arranges for him to marry already-married Helen. He then kidnaps her, sparking the decade-long war. He is the son of King Priam of Troy. Derived from both the Greek myth and the Old French name Parrish, this name means “ecclesiastical loyalty.”

Jason

Jason was one of the – if not the only – least exciting Greek heroes. He’s notable for the Golden Fleece and having Medea fall in love with him. He ignores her and marries someone else and she lashes out by killing his new wife and her own children that she had with him. This name means “healer.”

Helen

Helen was considered the most beautiful woman ever lived. She was kidnapped by Paris for 10 years. She was often looked at as more of an object than a person. This name means “light” or “bright.”

Hector

The bravest and most famous of the Trojan warriors, Hector had great strength and courage. His brother is Paris. Not only is this name derived from this Trojan hero, but it is also derived from a Greek word meaning “restrain”

Oedipus

The son of the king of Thebes, this well-known Greek hero frees the city of Thebes from a Sphinx. He marries the widowed queen, not knowing it’s actually his mother. When he finds this out later, he blinds himself… as penance. This name means “swollen feet.”

Perseus

Perseus was known in Greek mythology as Zeus and Danaë’s son who set out to try and kill Medusa. If you were interested in this baby name, a cute nickname could be Percy! This male name is of Greek origin and means “avenger” or “destroyer.”

Hercules

Hercules is known in Greek mythology and in the Disney world, as the son of Zeus and a hero with incredible strength and bravery. He has no self-control and isn’t very smart, always causing problems for himself that he eventually has to fix. This name means “Hera’s glory” and is derived from this Greek myth hero.

Ajax

Ajax the Great was a Greek hero, the son of King Telamon, and is portrayed as a courageous warrior in Homer’s Illiad. He is sometimes referred to as Telamoninan Ajax, which distinguishes him from Ajax, the son of Oileus, who is also known as Ajax the Lesser. The name Ajax is primarily a male Greek name that means “of the Earth.”

Norse Mythology Names

Odin

Odin was known for trading one of his eyes in exchange for the insights of the Well of Wisdom. He is the counterpart of Zeus and is considered one of the oldest and wisest of the gods in Norse mythology. His name has two meanings: “raging” and “inspiration.”

Hela

She looks over the realm of the dead, a place called “Hel.” Ironically enough, this name means “hope.”

Gunnar

In the Nordic legend, Gunnar had his brother-in-law murdered based on a false accusation that he (the brother-in-law) had taken his wife’s virginity. This mythology name is derived from the elements “gunnr” meaning “war” and “arr” meaning “warrior,” so overall, this name means “warrior.”

Freya

Freya was an Old Norse goddess, the goddess of love and fertility. This name is of Scandinavian origin, meaning “noble lady.”

Loki

Loki is a Norse mythological god, the god of tricks and schemes that wreak havoc across the land. This name means “trickster god.”

Roman Mythology Names

Aurora

This name comes from Roman mythology, the Roman goddess of the morning. In Latin, this name means “dawn.”

Camilla

This name derived from the legendary warrior maiden who was known to run so fast that she could run through grass and it turn it into ash. It is of Latin origin and means “helper to the priest.” It’s a lovely, badass name, wouldn’t you say?

Diana

Diana was the Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, forests, and childbirth. She is often identified with the Greek goddess Artemis. This name means “heavenly” and “divine.”

Flora

Flora was the Roman goddess of flowers and spring. She was also the wife of Zephyr. The origin of this name comes from the Latin word “flos” meaning “flower.”

Fauna

Fauna was a Roman goddess of fertility, women, and healing. She was also the daughter of Faunus, which is where her name derived from. The name Faunus, or Fauna, means “to befriend.”

Felicity

The name means “luck” or “good fortune.” Fortuna was a Roman goddess and she shared a lot of characteristics with the goddess Felicitas. The name could encompass a woman’s fertility or just general good fortune in life.

Luna

Luna was the Roman goddess of the moon, often depicted flying through the night sky on a white chariot. The name means “the moon” in Latin. Ah, la lune.

Victoria

In Latin, this name means “victory” and is derived from the Roman goddess of victory.

Mark / Marcus

The names Mark and Marcus both derive from Mars, the Roman god of war. They mean “of Mars,” “warlike, warrior.”

Sylvia

In Roman mythology, Silvia is the goddess of the forest. The name means “spirit of the wood.”

Irish and Celtic Mythology Names

Ana / Dana

Ana – also known as Dana and Danu – is a name derived from the Celtic myth of the primordial goddess of nature. She is also known as Dana and Danu. She was the divine mother of the supernatural race of Celtic gods. She is associated with the spiritual essence of nature, as well as prosperity and regeneration. In ancient Irish, the name Ana means “radiance, brilliance” and the name Dana means “bold.”

Angus

The youthful god of love was Angus. He was diety of love, youth, and poetry. He had an illicit affair resulting in a pregnancy, and to try and cover it up, he made the sun stand still for nine months. (Ah, get it?) This name means “true vigor.”

Aidan

This name meaning “little fire” comes from Irish mythology and the Gaelic language. Aodh is the name of the Celtic god of sun and fire, and the name Aidan is derived from this name.

Bridget

Bridget was the daughter of the chief of the gods and the goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a supernatural race in Irish mythology. She was known as a goddess of healers, poets, childbirth, and inspiration. Her name means “exalted one” and is still very popular as a name for an Irish baby girl.

Conner

This Irish-Gaelic name comes from a word meaning “lover of hounds.” It also could have derived from the Irish mythological king of Ulster, Conchobar mac Nessa.

Dagda

Often depicted as “the Good God,” the Irish Dagda was associated with fertility, wisdom, knowledge, strength. He has similarities to Odin, the Norse mythological god. This name means “the good god.”

Fiona / Finn

These two names have Celtic and Irish (Gaelic) origin meaning “white” or “fair.” In Irish and Scottish mythology, Finn was a hunter-warrior. The name Fiona is derived from this name.

Lorelei

This name has Old German and Celtic origin, meaning “siren” or “lure to the rocks.” There is a mythological story of a woman who threw herself off a rocky cliff – named Lorelei – in despair over a faithless lover. Cute nicknames could be Lore, Lei, or Rory.

Nia

In Irish mythology, goddess Niamh was the daughter of the god of the sea. The name Nia means “bright, radiant.”

Rhiannon

Rhiannon is believed to be derived from the old Celtic name Rigantona meaning “great queen.” The name might have been taken from the Celtic goddess of fertility.

Sabrina

In Celtic mythology, Sabrina was an illegitimate daughter of a Welsh king, who was ordered to be drowned by the king’s wife. The name means “legendary princess.”

Egyptian Mythology Names

Amon

Amon was worshipped in the city of Thebes and known as the god of the air. He is symbolized by a ram and a goose and was often represented as a man wearing a crown with two plumes. He became the most powerful deity in Egypt. This name means “the hidden one.”

Anubis

Usually represented as a jackal in Egyptian myth, or a man with the head of a jackal, Anubis was the god of the dead. He was also the patron god for embalmers. This name means “royal child.”

Osiris

Osiris was one of Egypt’s most important deities and was also the god of the underworld. He symbolized death and resurrection. According to the legend, he was murdered by his brother Seth and resurrected by his wife Isis. This name means “god of the dead.”

Seth

Seth was known in Egyptian myth as the god of chaos and violence. He murdered his brother Osiris by tricking him into a coffin and sealing it shut. His true appearance is up for debate but is typically identified as a human with the head of a dog. This Egyptian name means “pillar.”

Ptah

Ptah was the head of a triad of gods, alongside Sekhmet and Nefertem, and who held the emblems of life and power and often associated with being a craftsman. The name means “chief controller of craftsman.”

Re

Known as the god of the sun, the god Re was often represented with a human body and the head of a hawk. The myth believes that he sailed across the sky and made a passage through the underworld in the night.

Hathor

Hathor was a goddess, embodying motherhood and fertility. She often protected women in childbirth. She was depicted as a cow or a woman with cow ears. The name means “house of Horus.”

Thoth

As the god of writing and wisdom, Thoth was believed to have invented the hieroglyphic script. He also served as a scribe advisor for the gods and possessed knowledge of magic and secrets unavailable to other gods. This name means “he who is like the Ibis”, the Ibis being a sacred Egyptian bird associated with wisdom.

Bastet

Bastet was a cat goddess, represented as a woman with the head of a wild cat. She was depicted wearing rings in her ears and nose. She also came to be associated with Artemis, the Greek goddess. This name means “she of the ointment jar.”

Other Mythology Names

Anne

This Hebrew name means “graciousness” or “queen.” Although this name isn’t specific to a certain mythology story, it’s an elegant name that can honor any goddess or queen who was gracious.

Corbin

In an Arthurian (medieval British) legend, there was a castle named Corbenic that held the Fisher King, or the Grail keeper. The name transferred from the Anglo-Norman word “corb” meaning “crow” or “raven.” This is a name that is often given to a baby born with dark-colored hair.

Claudia

Claudia was known as the Vestal Virgin, a matron, and an important figure in Roman mythology. She dedicated her life to chastity and being a goddess of the hearth. The name means “lame.”

Elaine

There are several women in Arthurian mythology named Elaine. However, the most notable Elaines are of Astolat and Corbenic. Elaine of Astolat had an unrequited love for Sir Lancelot and died due to heartbreak. Elaine of Corbenic was known as the “Grail Maiden”, due to her connection with the Holy Grail. No matter which Elaine you feel connected to, the name means “sun ray” or “shining light.”

Guinevere / Gwen

In Arthurian mythology, Guinevere was a queen and the wife of King Arthur. She fell in love with Lancelot, and because of that and her betrayal, the Knights of the Round Table were destroyed. Her name means “fair one.” A cute nickname could be Gwen, which means “white, holy.” The name Gwen could also be related to the Celtic goddess of happiness. She was, according to the legend, so beautiful that no one could live if they looked at her too long.

Lance

From the Arthurian legend, Sir Lancelot was one of the greatest knights. He was one of the Knights of the Round Table and the love interest of King Arthur’s queen. This English-originated name means ‘land.”

Maximus

Maximus the Great, also known as Maximus The Hagiorite, was a Greek orthodox Munk. While this name isn’t necessarily mythological, it still has a powerful meaning behind it: “the greatest.”

Makena

This ancient Hawaiian mythology name is in reference to the Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanos. It means “many gathered.”

Tristan

In Arthurian mythology, Tristan was a tragic hero and a knight of the Round Table. The name means “outcry.”

Troy

This name derives from the ancient Greek city. It means “foot soldier.”

Mythological Creature Names

Aubrey

In German mythology, Aubrey was the name of the king of the elves. The name means “elf” or “magical being, power.” This is a pretty common gender-neutral name.

Agave

Agave was a Greek mythological sea-nymph and a daughter of Nereus. She was one of the 50 Nereids. This female name means “noble.”

Dillon / Dylan

In Celtic mythology, Dillion/Dylan is a sea-god who was killed by his uncle. As the legend goes, the sound of waves crashing along the shore of a beach is the longing for vengeance. Interestingly enough, the name Dillon means “great flood” or Dylan, “son of the wave.”

Doris

In Greek mythology, Doris is the name of the Greek sea goddess. She was the ocean-nymph wife of sea-god Nereus and the mother of 50 Nereids. The name means “gift” or “gift of the ocean.”

Griffin

Griffins were known to guard treasures and priceless possessions. In medieval heraldry, it became a symbol of divine power and the guardian of the divine power. This is typically a boys name, of Latin origin, meaning “fierce or dangerous person.”

Phoenix

A phoenix was known to be a long-lived, immortal bird. It burns to death and is reborn from its own ashes. This bird is often associated with Greek mythology and is in Harry Potter! In the Harry Potter series, Dumbledore had a phoenix named Fawkes who was his companion and defender. This name means “legendary bird of the sun.” Makes sense.

Lycan

Originating from Translyvania, Lycans were “wolf men.” Different from werewolves, they could actually choose when to shift into wolf wit the help of the moon cycles. It’s a dope name to give your son!

Elvis

In Norse mythology, Alvis was a dwarf. He was promised to marry Thor’s daughter, but Thor tricked him and turned him into stone instead. In Old Norse, the name means “nobleman.” Whether you’re into Norse mythology or the King of Rock and Roll, this could be an epic name for a baby!

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Which Greek and Roman baby names were your favorites? Did you have a favorite Egyptian or Irish name? Would you consider any of these mythological names – like after a Greek god – for your newborn?