Discover and Shortlist Your Perfect Baby Names!
Greek names are steeped in ancient history and mythology, often symbolizing virtues, wisdom, or heroism. Names like Alexander and Sophia trace back to classical Greece, drawing inspiration from gods, philosophers, and epic tales. These names continue to carry cultural weight and are celebrated for their timeless significance in Greek heritage.
| Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelagia | Pelagia: Greek name meaning "of the sea," rich cultural significance. | Greek | Girl | |
| Peleus | Peleus: Greek name meaning "dark blue," father of Achilles, hero. | Greek | Boy | |
| Pellanor | Pellanor: a unique, gender-neutral name with unclear origins and meaning. | Greek, Latin | Unisex | |
| Pelops | Pelops: Greek name meaning "dark eyes," linked to Olympic founder. | Greek | Boy | |
| Pemphredo | Pemphredo: Greek name meaning "alarm," linked to prophetic Graeae sisters. | Greek, Mythology | Girl | |
| Pen | Pen is a unisex name derived from Penelope, meaning "weaver." | Greek | Unisex | |
| Penka | Penka is a Bulgarian name meaning "little feather" or "wing." | Bulgarian, Greek | Girl | |
| Penthea | Penthea: Greek name meaning "grief," linked to tragic mythology. | Greek | Girl | |
| Penthia | Penthia: Unique Greek name meaning grief, linked to mythology. | Greek | Girl | |
| Peoni | Peoni: Unique name, possibly derived from Greek word for healing. | Greek | Unisex | |
| Peonie | Peonie: a unique name symbolizing healing, prosperity, and happiness. | Greek | Girl | |
| Peony | Peony: a unique, floral name symbolizing beauty, prosperity, and healing. | Greek | Girl | |
| Pep | Pep originates from Latin "pippa," meaning lively or energetic person. | Greek | Unisex | |
| Per | Per means "rock" in Old Norse; derived from Peter. | Greek | Unisex | |
| Perdix | Perdix: Greek name meaning "partridge," linked to mythology and invention. | Greek | Unisex | |
| Periklis | Periklis means "surrounded by glory," originating from ancient Greek culture. | Ancient Greek, Greek | Boy | |
| Perkins | Perkins: English surname meaning "son of little Peter," rich history. | Greek | Unisex | |
| Perkyns | Perkyns: Diminutive medieval English name meaning "little Peter," charming history. | Greek | Unisex | |
| Persilla | Persilla: rare Greek name meaning "destroyer," unique feminine choice. | Greek | Girl | |
| Petar | Petar, a Slavic name meaning "rock," honors Saint Peter's legacy. | Greek | Boy | |
| Pete | Pete, an English name meaning "rock," is a timeless choice. | Greek | Unisex | |
| Peter | Peter is a timeless masculine name meaning "rock" in Greek. | Greek | Boy | |
| Petera | Petera is a variant of Peter, meaning "rock" in Greek. | Armenian, Biblical, English, Greek, Latin | Either | |
| Peteras | Peteras means "rock" in Lithuanian; it's a strong, historical name. | Greek, Lithuanian | Unisex | |
| Peterus | Peterus means "rock" in Latin, derived from Greek Petros. | Greek | Boy | |
| Petey | Petey is a diminutive of Peter, meaning "rock" in Greek. | English, Greek | Boy | |
| Petko | Petko is a Bulgarian name meaning "rock" or "stone." | Bulgarian, Greek | Boy | |
| Petr | Petr is a strong, classic Slavic name meaning "rock" or "stone." | Greek, Slavic | Boy | |
| Petras | Petras: Lithuanian name meaning "rock," symbolizing strength and stability. | Greek | Boy | |
| Petrelis | Petrelis: Greek surname meaning "rock," symbolizing strength and stability. | Greek | Boy |
The term 'Greek' originates from the Latin word 'Graecus,' which was used by the Romans. The Greeks called themselves 'Hellenes,' but the Romans referred to them as 'Graeci.' Over time, the Latin term became the root for the nation and language's name in many languages.
The Romans called the Greeks 'Graeci' after the Graeci tribe, whom they first encountered. The Graeci were one of the Hellenic tribes living in the region of Epirus in northwestern Greece. As the Romans expanded their territory, they generalized the term to refer to all Hellenic people.
The name 'Hellenes' refers to the ancient inhabitants of Greece, who were descendants of the mythological figure Hellen. Hellen was considered the patriarch of the Hellenes, and his sons and their descendants were the progenitors of the main Greek tribes. The term 'Hellenes' became synonymous with the people of Greece and their culture.
The word 'Greek' is not directly related to the ancient Greek language as the Greeks referred to their language as 'Hellenika.' However, 'Greek' is the English term for the language, derived from the Latin 'Graecus.' The term has been adopted internationally to refer to the language and culture of Greece.
The term 'Greek' became common in English through the use of Latin as a scholarly language in medieval Europe. Latin was the language of education and communication among scholars, and 'Graecus' was the term used for the people of Greece. As English evolved, it borrowed many words from Latin, including 'Greek.'
The word 'Hellas' is derived from Ancient Greek and is the native term for Greece. It is believed to have roots in the name of the mythological figure Hellen, the supposed ancestor of the Hellenes. 'Hellas' and 'Hellenes' are terms still used by Greeks today to refer to their country and themselves, respectively.
Yes, there are variations of the name 'Greek' in other languages, often tracing back to the Latin 'Graecus.' For example, in French, it is 'Grec,' in German, it is 'Grieche,' and in Italian, it is 'Greco.' These variations reflect the influence of Latin on European languages.
The historical significance of the name 'Greek' lies in its association with the rich cultural and philosophical heritage of Greece. The Greeks have made significant contributions to Western civilization in areas such as philosophy, science, and art. The name 'Greek' has become synonymous with this legacy and the ancient civilization that produced it.
The terms 'Greek' and 'Hellenic' differ in their origin and usage; 'Greek' is derived from Latin and is used internationally, while 'Hellenic' is of Greek origin and used to refer to things specifically related to Greek culture and heritage. 'Hellenic' is often used to emphasize a direct connection to ancient Greek traditions. In modern usage, 'Hellenic' can also be seen in academic and cultural contexts, whereas 'Greek' is more commonly used in everyday language.
The name 'Greek' had a significant impact on the naming of the Greek language in many foreign languages. Due to the influence of Latin and the spread of Roman culture, the term 'Greek' became the standard reference for the language of Greece. Consequently, the language is known as 'Greek' in English and many other languages, despite the native term being 'Hellenika.'
