Names of Greek origin

Hades - God is the ruler of the kingdom of the dead.

Antey- hero of myths, giant, son of Poseidon and the Earth of Gaia. The earth gave its son strength, thanks to which no one could control him.

Apollo- God sunlight. The Greeks portrayed him as a beautiful young man.

Ares- god of treacherous war, son of Zeus and Hera

Asclepius- god of healing arts, son of Apollo and the nymph Coronis

Boreas- god of the north wind, son of the Titanides Astraeus (starry sky) and Eos (morning dawn), brother of Zephyr and Note. He was depicted as a winged, long-haired, bearded, powerful deity.

Bacchus- one of the names of Dionysus.

Helios (Helium ) - god of the Sun, brother of Selene (goddess of the Moon) and Eos (morning dawn). In late antiquity he was identified with Apollo, the god of sunlight.

Hermes- son of Zeus and Maya, one of the most significant greek gods. Patron of wanderers, crafts, trade, thieves. Possessing the gift of eloquence.

Hephaestus- son of Zeus and Hera, god of fire and blacksmithing. He was considered the patron of artisans.

Hypnos- deity of sleep, son of Nikta (Night). He was depicted as a winged youth.

Dionysus (Bacchus) - the god of viticulture and winemaking, the object of a number of cults and mysteries. He was depicted either as an obese elderly man or as a young man with a wreath of grape leaves on his head.

Zagreus- god of fertility, son of Zeus and Persephone.

Zeus- supreme god, king of gods and people.

Marshmallow- god of the west wind.

Iacchus- god of fertility.

Kronos - titan , younger son Gaia and Uranus, father of Zeus. He ruled the world of gods and people and was overthrown from the throne by Zeus...

Mom- son of the goddess of Night, god of slander.

Morpheus- one of the sons of Hypnos, god of dreams.

Nereus- son of Gaia and Pontus, meek sea god.

Note- the god of the south wind, depicted with a beard and wings.

Ocean is titanium , son of Gaia and Uranus, brother and husband of Tethys and father of all the rivers of the world.

Olympians- the supreme gods of the younger generation of Greek gods, led by Zeus, who lived on the top of Mount Olympus.

Pan- forest god, son of Hermes and Dryope, goat-footed man with horns. He was considered the patron saint of shepherds and small livestock.

Pluto- the god of the underworld, often identified with Hades, but unlike from him, who owned not the souls of the dead, but the riches of the underworld.

Plutos- son of Demeter, god who gives wealth to people.

Pont- one of the senior Greek deities, the offspring of Gaia, the god of the sea, the father of many titans and gods.

Poseidon- one of the Olympian gods, brother of Zeus and Hades, ruling over sea ​​elements. Poseidon was also subject to the bowels of the earth,
he commanded storms and earthquakes.

Proteus- sea deity, son of Poseidon, patron of seals. He had the gift of reincarnation and prophecy.

Satires- goat-footed creatures, demons of fertility.

Thanatos- personification of death, twin brother of Hypnos.

Titans- generation of Greek gods, ancestors of the Olympians.

Typhon- a hundred-headed dragon born of Gaia or Hera. During the battle of the Olympians and the Titans, he was defeated by Zeus and imprisoned under the volcano Etna in Sicily.

Triton- son of Poseidon, one of the sea deities, a man with a fish tail instead of legs, holding a trident and a twisted shell - a horn.

Chaos- endless empty space from which at the beginning of time arose ancient gods Greek religion - Nyx and Erebus.

Chthonic gods - deities of the underworld and fertility, relatives of the Olympians. These included Hades, Hecate, Hermes, Gaia, Demeter, Dionysus and Persephone.

Cyclops - giants with one eye in the middle of the forehead, children of Uranus and Gaia.

Eurus (Eur)- god of the southeast wind.

Aeolus- lord of the winds.

Erebus- personification of the darkness of the underworld, son of Chaos and brother of Night.

Eros (Eros)- god of love, son of Aphrodite and Ares. IN ancient myths- a self-emerging force that contributed to the ordering of the world. He was depicted as a winged youth (in the Hellenistic era - a boy) with arrows, accompanying his mother.

Ether- deity of the sky

Goddesses of ancient Greece

Artemis- goddess of hunting and nature.

Atropos- one of the three moiras, cutting the thread of fate and ending human life.

Athena (Pallada, Parthenos) - daughter of Zeus, born from his head in full military armor. One of the most revered Greek goddesses, the goddess of just war and wisdom, the patroness of knowledge.

Aphrodite (Kytharea, Urania) - goddess of love and beauty. She was born from the marriage of Zeus and the goddess Dione (according to another legend, she came out of the sea foam)

Hebe- daughter of Zeus and Hera, goddess of youth. Sister of Ares and Ilithyia. She served the Olympian gods at feasts.

Hecate- goddess of darkness, night visions and sorcery, patroness of sorcerers.

Gemera- goddess of daylight, personification of the day, born of Nikta and Erebus. Often identified with Eos.

Hera- the supreme Olympian goddess, sister and third wife of Zeus, daughter of Rhea and Kronos, sister of Hades, Hestia, Demeter and Poseidon. Hera was considered the patroness of marriage.

Hestia- goddess of the hearth and fire.

Gaia- mother earth, foremother of all gods and people.

Demitra- goddess of fertility and agriculture.

Dryads- lower deities, nymphs who lived in trees.

Diana-goddess of the hunt

Ilithia- patron goddess of women in labor.

Iris - winged goddess, assistant of Hera, messenger of the gods.

Calliope- muse of epic poetry and science.

Kera- demonic creatures, children of the goddess Nikta, bringing troubles and death to people.

Clio- one of the nine muses, the muse of history.

Clotho ("spinner") - one of the moiras that spin the thread of human life.

Lachesis- one of the three Moira sisters, who determine the fate of every person even before birth.

Summer- Titanide, mother of Apollo and Artemis.

Mayan- a mountain nymph, the eldest of the seven Pleiades - the daughters of Atlas, the beloved of Zeus, from whom Hermes was born to her.

Melpomene- muse of tragedy.

Metis- goddess of wisdom, the first of the three wives of Zeus, who conceived Athena from him.

Mnemosyne- mother of nine muses, goddess of memory.

Moira- goddess of fate, daughter of Zeus and Themis.

Muses- patron goddess of the arts and sciences.

Naiads- nymphs-guardians of waters.

Nemesis- daughter of Nikta, a goddess who personified fate and retribution, punishing people in accordance with their sins.

Nereids- fifty daughters of Nereus and the oceanids Doris, sea deities.

Nika- personification of victory. She was often depicted wearing a wreath, a common symbol of triumph in Greece.

Nymphs- lower deities in the hierarchy of Greek gods. They personified the forces of nature.

Nikta- one of the first Greek deities, the goddess is the personification of the primordial Night

Orestiades- mountain nymphs.

Ory- goddess of the seasons, peace and order, daughter of Zeus and Themis.

Peyto- goddess of persuasion, companion of Aphrodite, often identified with her patroness.

Persephone- daughter of Demeter and Zeus, goddess of fertility. The wife of Hades and the queen of the underworld, who knew the secrets of life and death.

Polyhymnia- the muse of serious hymn poetry.

Tethys- daughter of Gaia and Uranus, wife of Ocean and mother of the Nereids and Oceanids.

Rhea- mother of the Olympian gods.

Sirens- female demons, half-woman, half-bird, capable of changing the weather at sea.

Waist- the muse of comedy.

Terpsichore- muse of dance art.

Tisiphone- one of the Erinyes.

Quiet- goddess of fate and chance among the Greeks, companion of Persephone. She was depicted as a winged woman standing on a wheel and holding a cornucopia and a ship's rudder in her hands.

Urania- one of the nine muses, patroness of astronomy.

Themis- Titanide, goddess of justice and law, second wife of Zeus, mother of mountains and moira.

Charites- goddess of female beauty, the embodiment of a kind, joyful and eternally young beginning of life.

Eumenides- another hypostasis of the Erinyes, revered as goddesses of benevolence, who prevented misfortunes.

Eris- daughter of Nyx, sister of Ares, goddess of discord.

Erinyes- goddesses of vengeance, creatures of the underworld, who punished injustice and crimes.

Erato- Muse of lyrical and erotic poetry.

Eos- goddess of the dawn, sister of Helios and Selene. The Greeks called it “rose-fingered.”

Euterpe- muse of lyrical chant. Depicted with a double flute in her hand.

Greece is a country with ancient culture, with which beautiful female and male Greek names of gods and mythological creatures are associated.

History of the origin of Greek names

The origin of most modern Greek male names is closely related to either ancient mythology, or with Christianity.

Before distribution in the territory modern Greece Christianity, this country was an empire with a centuries-old history and developed mythology. Therefore, Greek names carry a special meaning, often associated with ancient legends. This is Aphrodite, Penelope, Odysseus.

Most ancient Greek names had two forms: masculine and feminine. Some of these divisions (for example, Anastasia and Anastasius) have been lost over the centuries, others have survived to this day: Alexander is adjacent to the name of Alexander, Vasily is adjacent to Vasilisa.

A large layer of Greek names are associated with populated areas. After the fifth century AD, Christianity began to spread in Greece. In Greece, Christian names of both Greek and Hebrew origin, as well as those derived from Latin, began to be found: George, Constantine, Vasily, Anna.

As a rule, the meaning of the name was very important for the ancient Greeks. Therefore, most names of Greek origin mean something positive: Artemy and its derivative Artem mean “healthy,” Sebastian means “highly revered,” Elena means “saint,” Parfeniy means “chaste.”

But Greek culture was not without borrowings. With the advent of the twentieth century, a fashion for English and American borrowings began in the country. But to foreign names did not stand out too much among the Greek ones, they were modified, and as a result, the American Robert became a resident of Athens, Robertos.

List of beautiful names for boys

Unusual to the ear, but no less beautiful, Greek names are borrowed from all corners of the world.

The most euphonious names for boys:

• Aristarchus - “leader”.
• Arseny is a “courageous defender.”
• Georgy – “farmer”.
• Evsei - “moral”, “resistant to temptations”.
• Elisha - “reliable”, “fair”.
• Leonid - “brave winner”.
• Rodion is a “liberator”.
• Felix - “prosperous”, “firm in intentions”, “purposeful”.
• Philip – “courageous”, “powerful”.

The beautiful sound of Greek names has led to their gaining popularity in all corners of the globe. Even the seemingly native Russians Alexey, Luka, Yegor and Kirill have Greek roots.

The most popular Greek names

Many names familiar to our ears, which have long come to the territory of Rus', actually originated in Greece.

From all the diversity we can highlight the following popular names:

• Alexis, Alexander – “protector”.
• Anatoly – “invaluable.”
• Ares - "warrior".
• Diomedes - “cunning Zeus”.
• Isos – “Lord”.
• Linos – “bitter”.
• Paris – “risk”.
• Ptolemy - "aggression".
• Philo - “loving”.
• Anton is “independent”.
• Victor is the “winner”.
• Nikolai – “steady.

Also popular are such beautiful Greek names as Matvey and Valentin, but their popularity has noticeably waned in recent years.

Ancient and forgotten names

Because of the tendency of the Greeks to call their children borrowed European and American names some original Greek ones are gradually forgotten.

Eg:

• Agap - “beloved” from ancient Greek.
• Anastasius - “resurrected”, on this moment the male form of the name Anastasia has been forgotten and is not used.
• Efim - “kind”.
• Luka – “light”.
• Potap - “wanderer”.
• Pavlos – “small”.
• Priamos - "redemption".
• Titos – “clay”.

It is worth noting that ancient Greek names are popular among creative people. They are sonorous, easy to remember and pleasant to the ear.

Names with religious meaning

Greek names are often used in Russia as baptismal names.

The following can be distinguished:

1. Stepan. The heavenly patron of a boy with such church name Great Martyr Stephen will become, as well as St. Stephen the Blind.
2. Kirill. This name was mentioned more than once in the Bible, including Cyril of Jerusalem.
3. Plato. The patron can be the martyr Plato of Antioch.

Most Greek names that appeared after the spread of Christianity in Greece have religious significance.

How to choose a name for a boy depending on his date of birth

A name cannot determine a person’s fate, but it can leave a visible imprint on his character. Every parent wants their child’s character to help him achieve his goals in the future. In order for the baby to have the most advantageous features, some advise choosing a name in accordance with the zodiac sign. This way you can reduce the influence of negative character traits and enhance positive ones.

• Aries: Amon, Kondrat, Jerome.
• Taurus: Argos, Cyril, Dorotheus.
• Gemini: Ariston, Nikon, Nestor.
• Cancer: Dorius, Giannis, Hermes.
• Leo: Nicholas, Luke, Constantine, Zeus.
• Virgo: Andrey, Artemy, Cyrus.
• Libra: Egor, Radium, Oles, Nikita.
• Scorpio: Gordey, Ilian, Ionos.
• Sagittarius: Bogdan, Jerome, Klaus, Miron.
• Capricorn: Sevastian, Arthur, Demid.
• Aquarius: Demyan, Plato, Jason.
• Pisces: Demid, Pankrat, Creon.

The name can be selected not only by zodiac sign, but also by the season of birth. The tactics remain the same: the child’s character flaws are neutralized, and his strengths are enhanced.

Winter

Men and women born in winter are very talented. They are wise individuals who are not easy to communicate with: they are contradictory, narcissistic and irritable. Therefore, “winter children” are suitable for names that will soften their desire to argue with loved ones over trifles.

Suitable: Kirill, Nikita, Georgy, Sebastian.

Spring

Spring people are mentally gifted, but do not always find the courage to show their abilities. Therefore, they should be given names that are militant and confident. This will give pliable and cautious children some amount of courage. After this, the grown-up “spring boys” will not be afraid to show their leadership qualities and will definitely achieve their goals.

Names that will give courage: Victor, Alexander, Konstantin, Afanasy, Ariston.

Summer

These are hardworking and mentally gifted, but very impulsive people. They are ready to do a lot for the sake of their loved one, but this does not stop them from lashing out at their loved ones over trifles. If a “summer” man is irritated, with his emotionality he can bring the most persistent ladies to tears. Also, some consider the excessive impulsiveness of such people to be feigned, and do not take them seriously.

These names will bring a little peace and stability: Vasily, Gregory, Irenaeus.

Autumn

The two most striking features of “autumn people” are wisdom and a constant feeling of sadness. Even when everything in life is stable and good for the “autumn” person, he sometimes falls into melancholy, from which it is very difficult to get out.

These people are smart and unhurried, so they often do not have time to complete their work and study assignments on time. Slowness also becomes the reason for their constant lateness. “Autumn” people spend their entire lives learning to trust people, and if they are unlucky with a partner once, they never reveal their souls completely.

To save the child from attacks of depression in the future, parents should give the child born in the fall one of the following names: Emelyan, Luka, Dmitry, Egor.

A person bearing the name Alexander can be found in many countries of the world, and many know that this is a male name of Greek origin and was borne by the famous commander of antiquity - Alexander the Great. This name has survived to this day without modification. Was this the case with all Greek male names? Which names have survived to our times, and which have disappeared in time? What do astrologers and historians think about Greek names, how do names reflect on their owners and how are they characterized?

Greek male names are, without a doubt, part of the ancient Hellenistic culture, and a very important part, a kind of egregor of the culture of Greece. Many of these names became sacred already in the ancient Greek tradition, and received consecration a second time with the advent of Christianity. In this sense, Greek male names are twice sacralized, twice sanctified, which makes them unique. In Greece, it is customary to name the first son in the family after his paternal grandfather, and the second son after his mother. It is very rare to give a father's name to a son, as it is considered a bad omen.

Greek names most often had two options: male and female. This division has reached our times. For example, Evgeny-Evgenia, Alexander-Alexandra, Vasily-Vasilisa. However, many names have lost their analogy in another way. Let's say, in ancient times, there were names such as Helen and Anastasius, which today cannot be found even in Greece itself.

The ancient Greeks fully corresponded to the archetype of the sign Gemini. Therefore, the names used in this country have the stamp of duality.

Bearers of Greek names can be prone to mysticism and pessimism, and at the same time, at any moment ready to confront fate and to intensify passions.

According to astrologers, men with Greek names are characterized by a contrast in behavior: manifestations of love for life are replaced by loss of strength and depression.

Under the sign of Gemini

Names of Hellenic origin seem to force a person to constantly make metaphysical choices: between good and evil, immortality and death. The choice is made at the level of information, thoughts, knowledge about the world. Astrologers say that bearers of such names need to carefully monitor the purity of their thoughts. A man with a Greek name should be sociable, strive to understand the world and gain new knowledge and sensations. After all, the sign of Gemini is ruled by Mercury, which determines such traits as curiosity, mobility, and sociability.

Men who have Greek names have business acumen and are successful in business and trade. It is believed that Hellenic names have a beneficial effect on the opening creative talents. The ancients believed that a person’s future depended on their name. Therefore, by calling a boy a Greek name, you can believe that he will achieve a lot in life.

In general, the whole culture Ancient Greece is based on the idea of ​​fate, the dictates of fate. At the same time, heroes who dared to challenge fate were extolled to the skies in this country. Male Greek names reflect not only the history of Greece, but are also a link between the great past of this amazing state and its present. Alas, but in last decades, many Greek families violate historical traditions and give children names that are sometimes not even Hellenistic.

Modern beautiful male names in Greece

Modern Greek male names can be divided into two groups: ancient (or mythological) and Orthodox. Antique, these are names such as Sophocles, Odysseas, Socrates; Orthodox - Georgios, Vasilios. A third group can be distinguished - names of Jewish or Latin origin, for example, Ioannis or Konstantinos. In the twentieth century, Western European names such as Robertos and Eduardos also came into Greek use.

Greek names are used both formally and colloquially. The boy Georgios in the yard will most likely be called Yorgus, Ioannis - Yannis, Emmanuel - Manolis. At the request of the owner, the passport may contain the colloquial form of the name. In general, the Greeks are very democratic about this issue. A person can be officially called one way, but go through life under a completely different nickname, including indicating it on business cards, signing books, articles, etc.

In modern Greece, the most common names are: Georgios, Konstantinos, Ioannis, Dimitrios, Nikolaos, Vasilios, Christos, Evangelos, Panagiotis. This list is based on a survey of one hundred thousand people and claims to be accurate. Accents in Greek names are mandatory: IoAnnis, Nikolaos, Christos. So, before communicating with a Greek, you should clarify which syllable the stress falls on in his name.

Meaning of male Greek names

In Greek names, both male and female, several groups can be distinguished, based on how the name arose. Most names are determined by some positive external data or character traits. These names arose because parents wanted the child to have only the best traits. Hence the choice of name.

Such Greek male names as Alexander, Vasily, Alexey, Nikolay, Gennady, Evgeny. These names are very common in Russia, so let’s take a closer look at some of them.

Name Alexander was formed from two Greek words meaning “man” and “protector”. The main qualities of the Alexandrovs were assumed to be courage, sharp mind, determination, but at the same time, greater sensitivity. Alexander can be quick-tempered and even impudent, but he is always the life of the party. Agree, this description is very reminiscent of the surviving descriptions of Alexander the Great.

Alexei translated from Greek as “helper”. A person bearing this name must have seriousness, assertiveness, desire to know the truth and achieve perfection. At the same time, Alexey is calm and respectful. According to astrologers, people with this name always know what they need from life. You may not believe in the “magic of a name,” but numerous examples from history confirm that most often Alexey is a person ready to help.

Basil- “royal”. It is implied that Vasily is a powerful, stubborn person who can stand up for himself. Vasily strives for power, for glory. Hardworking, optimistic. But sometimes he has selfish traits.

Names derived from the names of pagan gods and plant names

As is known, the ancient Greeks were pagans and they worshiped a whole host of all kinds of deities. In addition, they were held in high esteem mythological characters, many of whom were deified. The meaning of some Greek names is semantically related to the names of the “inhabitants of Olympus”. For example, these are names such as Denis, Dmitry, Artem.

Name Dmitry translated means “fruit of the earth.” This word is an indirect interpretation the name Demetris, semantically related to the name Demeter. As is known from ancient Greek myths, she is the goddess of fertility. Parents who name their child Demetriss (Dmitry) hope that their son will be businesslike, thorough and talented.

Name Artem (Artemy), translated as “unharmed.” Formed based on the naming of the goddess, the patroness of hunters. Artem knows what he wants from life, but he will never “go over his head” for the sake of a career. Flexible and loyal.

There are male Greek names that come from the names of plants, animals, some objects or concepts, for example, Peter and Nikon. Peter means "stone". The boy was expected to have a strong character. Nikon - “victory”. Parents who called their son this name believed that he would be successful in any field.

Many names that seem originally Russian are actually Greek: Stepan, Timofey, Fedor, Makar, Vasily, Alexey. The list of famous Greek male names can be continued for a long time. People like Greek names because they mean positive characteristics person: wisdom, kindness, reliability, courage, masculinity. But these are precisely the qualities that society expects from a man.

History of the origin of Greek male names

How did male names of Greek origin come to us? Partly through mythology, but mainly from religion. The Greeks generally provided colossal influence on world culture and everyday life

With the spread of Christianity, ancient Greek words entered our everyday life and became intertwined with it so closely that it is difficult to immediately determine where the word is Slavic origin, and where is the Greek.

The Gospels and Epistles of the Apostles were distributed to Greek. Russian Orthodox Church At one time it was called the “Greek Catholic” or “Greek Rite Church.” The Greek names themselves (before they came to us) came from ancient Greek and Latin.

Interesting information: among the Greeks, when a woman gets married, she takes not only her surname, but also her husband’s patronymic.

List of beautiful names for a boy

All of them are beautiful, just some are unusual to the ear, but others are especially sonorous:

• Aristarchus translated means “best leader.” Life credo: “If you hurry, you will make people laugh”;
• Arkady. The name comes from the name of the region of Arcadia (Greek territory);
• Artemy is interpreted as “healthy”;
• Arseny - “mature”, “courageous”, which are the most valuable qualities for a man;
• Georgy - “farmer”;
• Evsey is translated as “pious,” that is, highly moral, resistant to temptation;
• Elisha is a variant of the name Odysseus ("angry"). Yes, the translation is formidable, but it sounds beautiful and such a person has a good character: he is reliable, smart, fair;
• Leonidas is “son of the lion” both in translation and in personal qualities;
• Rodion was formed from the ancient Greek Herodion (“hero”, “heroic”);
• Sevastyan - “highly revered”;
• Felix is ​​translated from Greek as “prosperous.” This is the case when appearances are deceiving: people may consider Felix careless, but in fact he is firm in his intentions, sets goals for himself and goes towards them;
• Philip - “horse lover”. For the Greeks, the horse represents courage and power.

Rare male names of Greek origin

We will consider rare names that are found in 10 or fewer newborns per month in the registry office statistics:

• Gerasim - “respected”;
• Demyan - “submissive”;
• Demid is interpreted as “the care of God”;
• Eustachius means “fertile”;
• Heraclius consists of two words: "Hera" (the name of the goddess) and "kleos" ("glory");
• Orestes - "mountain";
• Plato translated from Greek means “broad-shouldered”;
• Prokhor means “choir manager”;
• Pankrat - “omnipotent”;
• Trofim is translated as “breadwinner”.

Their rarity may be due to their outdated sound. However, each name meaning is quite pleasant.

Modern popular names and their meanings

Despite the tendency to call children difficult rare names, the usual ones don’t give up their positions either.

Modern Greek names are as follows:

• Artem. He stands firmly on his own, knows exactly what he wants from life, and is extremely hardworking. Respects authorities, but does not subservient to them;
• Alexander. Strives to do everything perfectly the first time. Rarely allows himself to show emotions in public. Will not engage in idle chatter, but will competently support a substantive conversation;
• Anton is a solid, independent and at the same time quite shy person;
• It is not for nothing that Alexey is translated as “defender”; he fully corresponds to this characteristic;
• Andrey is the life of the party, and therefore a well-connected person. Representative creative profession;
• Victor means "winner". An adventurer, but by no means frivolous, because he has developed sense responsibility;
• Vasily is distinguished by limitless patience and balance. Strong intuitive, but bases judgments on logic and facts;
• Gregory - from the Greek “awake”. Sensitive nature and capable “techie”. A faithful family man who values ​​home comfort;
• Denis is an active and curious boy. Growing up, he becomes neat and diligent;
• Evgeniy is a born diplomat: non-conflict, knows how to negotiate and find a compromise;
• Egor is a Russian variation of the Greek name Georgiy ("tiller of the earth");
• Nikolai is translated as “people's winner.” Nothing can set him off, he is extremely resilient;
• Nikita. A key character trait is charm, which attracts many people to him.

Interesting fact: there are Greek names that everyone knows, but Last year their popularity plummeted. For example, such names include Anatoly, Valentin, Gennady, Valery.

Ancient and forgotten names

Some names are outdated due to the desire to name children in a European way, and some for historical reasons or because of their interpretation, for example:

• Nicodemus is translated as “the conquering people.” It has never been popular with the population because it sounds unfriendly;
• Agathon - “kind”. Used only in the lower classes;
• Anfim means "flower", which by modern standards does not sound very masculine;
• Agap, Agapit. Translation from Greek is “beloved”, now the word is forgotten;
• Anastasy - “resurrected”, turned into the female name Anastasia;
• Efim - “who foretells good.” This was the name of the clergy, but was not used by the people;
• Evdokim - “honorable”. This name was given when becoming a monk;
• Luke means "light." It has fallen out of use because it is associated with the word “cunning” (insincerity, cunning);
• Macarius - “blessed”, but also translated as “blessed”, which in modern society understood as “strange”, “eccentric”;
• Potap means “wanderer”. Lost popularity due to its old-fashioned sound.

Have you noticed that pop stars often take such names as their pseudonyms? The words are rare, that is, they add uniqueness to the speaker; At the same time, they are sonorous and well remembered.

How to choose a Greek name for a boy

Believers follow the custom of naming in honor of a saint based on their date of birth or adjacent numbers. Name options for a boy church calendar there are many, several names of revered elders and martyrs. For example, a son was born on January 31st. We open the calendar and see that on this day Kirill, Dmitry, Emelyan are venerated. There will be other options, not Greek.

You can also start from the desired meaning, a certain image that is meaningful to parents. For example, a woman who has not been able to get pregnant for a long time may name her son Fedot (“ given by God", "gifted") or Chariton ("grace").

It happens that parents want to name their son after a character from the myths of Ancient Greece, so that he would be just as respected and significant. For example, Zeno (“belonging to Zeus”), Zinovy ​​(“the power of Zeus”), Isidore (“the gift of Isis”), Taras (the son of Poseidon in mythology), Tikhon (in honor of the goddess of luck Tyukhe).

The name should sound consistent with the patronymic. Say it out loud and cut off incompatible, absurd, difficult-to-pronounce pairs: for example, Nestor Alexandrovich is less harmonious than Pyotr Alexandrovich. But combinations sound harmonious where the first name and patronymic begin with the same letter (Vasily Vitalievich) or the same consonant is repeated (Kuzma Mikhailovich).

When choosing a name, remember that a person will have to wear it all his life. How cute does that sound to little boy, but it will create discomfort and will not cause the best associations for an adult man.

After the Christianization of Rus' in 988, every Eastern Slav received a baptismal name from a priest. Baptismal names corresponded to the names of saints and were therefore common Christian names. However, these names are not of Slavic, but of Greek origin. TO Eastern Slavs they came from Byzantium through Bulgaria, where Christianity was adopted even earlier, in 865. This article discusses the meanings of names with Greek origin.

MALE NAMES

ADRIAN - "Coming from Adria." Adria is a port on the Adriatic Sea.

AKAKIY - "Good-hearted."

AXENTIY - "Growing".

ALEXANDER - "Defender of people."

ALEXEY - "Defender".

ANATOLY - "Eastern". Coming from the east, from Asia Minor

ANDREY - "Courageous, brave man." Derived from the ancient Greek "andros" - "man".

ANDRON - Short form from the canonical name Andronik - “conqueror of men.”

ANISIM - "Useful."

APOLLO - Ancient Greek god Sun and patron of the arts.

APOLLINARIUS - "Dedicated to Apollo."

ARKADY - "Coming from Arcadia." Arcadia is a region in southern Greece, on the Peloponnese peninsula.

ARISTARCH - "Head of the best."

ARSENY - "Courageous".

ARTEM, ARTEMY - "Unharmed."

ARKHIP - Compound name, means "senior, chief over horses, chief of cavalry."

Athanasius - "Undying"

ATHINOGENES - "Born of the goddess Athena."

VASILY - "Lord, master."

VISSARION - "Forest".

VUKOL - "Shepherd, boot-herder."

GALACTION - "Milk".

HELIUM - Derived from the Greek "helios" - sun.

GENNADY - "Noble"

GEORGE - "Farmer".

GERASIM - "Dear."

GREGORY - "Wakeful, awakened."

DEMENTIUS - "Taming".

DENIS - The ancient Greek name Dionysus was the name of the god of viticulture and winemaking.

DMITRY - “Dedicated to Demeter” (goddess of fertility).

EUGENE - "Noble".

YERMOLAI - Compound name. "Hermes" is the god of trade and "Laos" is the people.

EFIM - "Blessed".

ZINOVY - "The Power of Zeus".

ILLARION - "Merry".

HIPPOLYTUS - "Unharnesser of Horses."

KIRILL - "Mr."

CLIMENT - "Meek, soft."

KUZMA - There are two interpretations: the first is “peace, order”, the second is “decoration”.

LION - "Lion, the mighty brave man."

LEONID - "Son of a lion, from the lion family, lion-like."

LEONTY - "Lion".

MAKAR - "Happy".

NESTOR - "Reminiscent."

NIKANOR - The same as Nikita - “winner”.

NIKITA - "Winner".

NIKIFOR - "Victorious".

NIKODIM - "The Victorious People."

NICHOLAY - "Conqueror of Nations."

ORESTES - "Highlander, savage."

PANKRATIY - "All-Powerful".

PANTELEMON - "All-Merciful."

PARAMON - "Reliable".

PAKHOM - "Broad-shouldered".

PETER - "Stone".

PLATO - "Shouldered".

POLYCARP - "Fertile".

PROCOPIUS - "Prosperous". Russian pronunciation of the name Prokofy.

PROKHOR - "Singing singer, choir director."

RODION - "Pink".

SEVASTIAN - "Sacred".

SPARTAK - “trampling”, “trampling”

STEPAN - "Ring, crown, wreath", canonical form- Stefan.

TARAS - "Exciter, rebel."

TIMOTHY - "He who worships God."

TIKHON - "Successful".

TRIFON - "Luxurious".

TROFIM - "Well-fed, pet."

FEDOR - "God's gift."

FEDOT - "Given by the Gods."

THEODOSIY - "God granted."

PHILIP - "Horse Lover".

ERNEST - "Diligent, diligent."

FEMALE NAMES

AGATA, AGAFIA - From the Greek "agathe" - "good".

AKULINA - "Eagle".

ALEVTINA - Yes different interpretations: “taken away, cut off”, “rubbing with incense, anointing”, and also “alien from evil”.

ALEXANDRA - The feminine form of the name Alexander is “protector of people.”

ANASTASIA - "Resurrected".

ANGELINA - "Angelic".

ANGELA - From "angelos" - "angel", and also has the meaning - "messenger".

ANISYA - "Successfully accomplished."

ANTONINA - Feminine form of the name Anton (ancient Roman generic name - Antony).

ANFISA - "Flower".

APPOLINARY - Feminine form from the ancient Greek name Appolinarius - “worshipper of Apollo”. Nowadays the diminutive form is used as an independent name - Polina.

ARIADNE - "Very revered."

VARVARA - Comes from the ancient Greek “barbarian” - “not a Greek”.

VASILISA - "Ruler, Queen".

VERONIKA - Possibly from the Greek-Macedonian "Pherenike" - "victorious".

GALATEA - IN ancient greek mythology the name of one of the sea nymphs.

GALINA - "Calm, quiet."

GLAFYRA - "Graceful, slender."

DOROTHEA - Female form from male name Dorofey - "gift of the gods."

EVGENIYA - The feminine form of the male name Evgeny is “noble”.

EVDOKIA - "Gratitude, good wish."

EUPHROSYNE - "Joyful".

EKATERINA - "Immaculate".

ELENA - "Light".

ELIZABETH - "God's oath, vow to God."

ZINAIDA - "Born by Zeus, from the family of Zeus."

ZOYA - "Life".

KIRA - "Mistress".

KSENIA - "Guest".

LARISSA - From the name of the city of Larissa in northern Greece. Another interpretation: “pleasant, sweet” (from the Greek “laros”). Third: "seagull" (from the Latin "larus").

LYDIA - "Coming from Lydia" or "resident of Lydia."

NELLY - Variant of the name from "Neonilla", meaning "young"

OLYMPICS - Derived from the name of Mount Olympus - the seat of Zeus and many other Greek gods.

OPHELIA - "Support, help."

PELAGEIA - The same meaning as the name Marina - “sea”.

POLINA - Short form of the ancient Greek name Appolinaria - "worshipper of Apollo." IN Lately quite often used as an independent name.

RAISA - "Submissive, compliant, easy."

SOFIA - "Wisdom".

TATYANA - "Organizer, founder."

TERESA - "The Reaper".

KHARITINA - "Beautiful, graceful."