Mythology Names for Babies

Mythology names for babies are timeless, convey historical depth and significance and offer a more unusual choice among today’s popular name landscape. Greek mythology names and names from Roman mythology carry with them powerful stories, virtues such as strength, wisdom and beauty, and are associated with symbolism that has endured for centuries.

We explore mythological baby names for boys and girls, with popular and more unusual choices, as well as the origin and meaning of each mythology baby name.

Highlights

Choosing a mythology-inspired baby name is a way to give your child a name with history, symbolism and timeless appeal. From powerful Greek gods and goddesses to legendary Roman heroes, mythology names often represent strength, wisdom, beauty and courage.

In this guide, we explore:

• Popular Greek mythology names for boys and girls, including modern favourites like Athena, Leo and Penelope
• Roman mythology baby names inspired by ancient gods, emperors and legendary figures
• Rare and unusual mythology names for parents looking for something more distinctive

Popular Greek Mythology Names

Popular Greek Mythology Male Names:

Looking for mythology inspired names for your baby? Here are five baby boy names inspired by Greek mythology, plus the meaning, origin, story behind each name.

Alexander

Meaning: Defending men or protector of men.

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: Alexander the Great was the king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon who believed he was the son of Zeus and a descendant of Achilles and Heracles.

Modern Use: Alexander remains a timeless classic name for boys that is strongly associated with leadership. It is currently in the top 40 of baby names in the UK and US.

Atlas

Meaning: Bearer of the heavens, or to endure.

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: In Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan condemned by Zeus to hold up the celestial heavens on his shoulders as a punishment for fighting against him.

Modern Use: Once seen as a weighty name tied to the burden of holding up the world, Atlas is now rising in popularity as a modern baby name, currently ranking just outside the top 100 in the United States.

Jason

Meaning: Healer or to heal.

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: In Greek mythology, Jason was the leader of the Argonauts who sought the Golden Fleece. Jason also appears in the Bible as a helper to the apostle Paul.

Modern Use: Jason was a hugely popular 1970s baby name for boys. While it’s now strongly associated with men named in that generation, it’s still a familiar choice for modern babies and sits in the top 200 baby names in the UK and US.

Hector

Meaning: Holding fast or steadfast, and it signifies stability and strength.

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: Hector was a Trojan prince and noble warrior during the Trojan War. He is a major character in Homer's Iliad, where he lead the Trojans to defend Troy, before being killed by Achilles.

Modern Use: Hector is currently a top 50 name in Spain, and is growing in popularity globally.

Leo

Meaning: Lion.

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: In Greek mythology, Leo was the Nemean Lion, a fearsome beast slain by Hercules. Zeus later placed the lion in the sky to honour its strength, creating the constellation Leo.

Modern Use: Currently riding a wave of popularity, Leo is a top five name in the UK and top 25 name in the US.

Popular Greek Mythology Female Names:

If you like mythology inspired names for your baby, here are five top baby girl names inspired by Greek mythology, plus the meaning, origin, story and modern usage.

Athena

Meaning: Wise or goddess of wisdom, from Athena the Greek goddess of wisdom and war

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare, and handicrafts, known for her miraculous birth, fully grown, from Zeus's forehead.

Modern Use: One of the most popular goddess names of modern times, Athena is a top 100 baby name in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Daphne

Meaning: Laurel or laurel tree.

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: Daphne was a nymph and daughter of a river god, who transformed into a laurel tree to escape the unwanted pursuit of Apollo.

Modern Use: Daphne is currently undergoing a resurgence on baby name lists due to the character of Daphne Bridgerton, star of the recent Netflix Bridgerton series.

Helen

Meaning: Shining light.

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: Helen of Troy, the daughter of Zeus and Leda, was known as the most beautiful woman in the world, whose kidnapping caused the Trojan War.

Modern Use: While now considered a vintage choice, Helen remains a classic female name associated with beauty.

Iris

Meaning: Rainbow

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: Iris is the Greek goddess of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods. She personifies the rainbow connecting heaven and earth, often depicted with wings and a pitcher, traveling between worlds to deliver message

Modern Use: As both a vintage flower name as well as one rooted strongly in Greek mythology name, Iris is currently rising in baby name charts. This is in part because Iris is often used a tribute name for rainbow babies (children born following a previous baby loss).

Penelope      

Meaning: Weaver, or duck

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: Penelope was the loyal wife of Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey. As a child, Penelope was cared for by a duck, and was known for fending off would-be suitors by pretending to weave a garment.

Modern Use: The name Penelope represents intelligence, patience, and creativity. Since the 2000s, Penelope has rapidly gained in popularity and is now a top 40 name in the UK and US.

Popular Roman Mythology Names:

Popular Roman Mythology Male Names:

If you are looking for Roman mythology names for your baby, here are five baby boy names taken from Roman mythology, history and literature, plus the meaning, origin, story and modern usage.

Augustus

Meaning: Majestic, or the increaser

Origin: Roman

Story: Augustus was the first Roman emperor, who blended political power with religious ideology, positioning himself as the son of god.

Modern Use: The shortened form of Augustus, August, is a rising choice for boys names, due to recent picks as a baby name by royalty and celebrities.

Cassius

Meaning: Hollow

Origin: Roman

Story: Gaius Cassius Longinus was a Roman senator and a key conspirator in the Ides of March, the plot to assassinate Julius Ceasar.

Modern Use: While currently a less popular name on top name lists, Cassius is a strong, classic choice.

Felix

Meaning: Lucky or fortunate

Origin: Roman

Story: Marcus Antonius Felix was a Roman official appointed by Emperor Claudius, who also appeared in the New Testament. A former slave turned official, he was known for harsh, corrupt rule.

Modern Use: Felix is considered a fresh vintage choice and is currently a top 100 name in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Germany.

Julius

Meaning: Youthful

Origin: Roman

Story: Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general who was the dictator of the Roman Republic. He claimed to bridge the gap between mortal and divine by claiming descent from the goddess Venus.

Modern Use: A common name in Roman times, Julius is yet to regain popularity due to its weighty associations. Short form Julian, a top 30 name in the US, is a more popular alternative.

Tiberius

Meaning: Of the Tiber, referring to the Tiber River in Rome

Origin: Roman

Story: Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus was Roman emperor from AD 14 until 37. He was known for his military prowess and expansion of the Roman Empire.

Modern Use: While Tiberius is a heavy-sounding name for a baby, it could be an unusual choice for parents seeking historically rich names, with nickname potential.

Popular Roman Mythology Female Names

If you like Roman mythology names for your baby girl, here are five names, plus the meaning and origin or each name, plus the story behind the name and current modern usage.

Aurora

Meaning: Dawn

Origin: Roman mythology

Story: Aurora is the Roman goddess of the dawn, depicted as a beautiful, winged goddess who flies across the sky in a chariot to announce the morning sun.

Modern Use: An increasingly popular choice for girls, in modern usage Aurora is associated with the term for the Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis. It’s also the name of Disney's Sleeping Beauty.

Diana

Meaning: Divine, or heavenly.

Origin: Roman mythology

Story: Diana is the Roman goddess of the hunt, the moon, nature, and childbirth, and was considered a protector of the wilderness, wildlife, and women. She is often depicted with a bow, quiver, and deer.

Modern Use: Despite being a classic name and name of a prominent royal family member, Diana remains an underused choice for girls.

Flora

Meaning: Flower or blossoming

Origin: Roman mythology

Story: Flora is the Roman goddess of flowers, spring, and fertility, embodying the blossoming of nature. Her festival, the Floralia, held in late April, celebrated life and nature.

Modern Use: Flora is not currently as popular as other roman mythology name for girls, so is a good option for a classic, floral name that’s underused.

Luna

Meaning: Moon

Origin: Roman mythology

Story: Luna is the Roman goddess of the moon, often represented as driving a chariot across the night sky, symbolizing the moon's journey.

Modern Use: Luna is currently a top 15 name choice in the US and top 50 name choice in the UK, and   recent increase in popularity is due in part to the Harry Potter character Luna Lovegood.

Victoria

Meaning: Victory

Origin: Roman mythology

Story: Victoria is the Roman goddess and personification of victory, representing triumph in war and

Modern Use: Victoria is a name strongly associated with royalty, and, although not as popular as it was in the 1990s, it remains a strong and classic name choice.

Rare mythological names

Leander

Meaning: Lion man

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: Leander was famous for his tragic love affair with Hero, a priestess of Aphrodite. He swam across the water every night to visit her in her tower, guided by a lamp she lit. He drowned during a storm one night, prompting Hero to throw herself into the sea.

Modern Use: Only 22 boys were named Leander in the UK in the last recorded year, so it’s a strong option for a rare mythological name.

Odysseus

Meaning: Son of pain

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: Odysseus is a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. He is symbolised as a crafty, enduring hero who causes and suffers pain during his 10-year journey home from Troy

Modern Use: In the UK, only four baby boys were named Odysseus in the last recorded year, making it an incredibly unusual choice.

Thalia

Meaning:

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: Thalia most commonly refers to one of the three muses of comedy and idyllic poetry.

Modern Use: Only 71 baby girls were named Thalia in the UK in that last recorded year, making it a rare choice for parents looking for mythological names.

Unique mythology baby names in 2026

Aeneas

Meaning: Praise or terrible grief

Origin: Greek and Roman mythology

Story: Aeneas was a Trojan hero in Greek and Roman mythology, known for his piety and fighting skills. In Virgil's Aeneid, he leads survivors from fallen Troy to Italy to become the ancestor of the Roman people.

Modern Use: Aeneas does not appear on the latest UK baby name list for boys, meaning it was given to two or fewer babies in the last recorded year.

Castor

Meaning: To excel, or beaver

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: Castor was one of the Dioscuri twins, alongside brother Pollux, who appears in the constellation Gemini. It is said to symbolise horsemanship, brotherly love, and protection for sailors

Modern Use: Castor is another name that does not appear at all on the UK baby name list for boys, meaning it was given to two – or fewer – babies in the last recorded year of names.

Evadne

Meaning: Well adorned

Origin: Greek mythology

Story: Evadne was the daughter of Posiden. Her husband was killed by a lightning bolt in the war of the Seven against Thebes, and she threw herself on his funeral pyre and died

Modern Use: If you want a rare choice, Evadne does not appear on the latest UK baby name list, meaning it was given to two or fewer babies in the last recorded year.

FAQs on Mythology Names

What are the most popular Greek mythology names?

The most popular Greek mythology names for babies include Alexander and Leo for boys, and Iris, Helen and Penelope for girls.

What mythology names are good for baby girls?

Mythology names for girls are classic names with strong meanings and mythology names good for baby girls include classic names choices Helen and Diana, with currently popular Luna, Iris and Daphne.

What mythology names are good for baby boys?

Mythology names are good for baby boys and make excellent choices due to strong meanings and associations. Examples of popular mythology names for boys include Alexander, Jason and Leo.

Are mythological names modern and usable?

Yes, mythological names are modern and usable. Mythology names are classic names that are enduringly popular for good reasons – they have strong meanings and fascinating stories.

What are unique mythology baby names?

Examples of unique mythology baby names – ones that don’t appear on the current UK baby name lists - are Aeneas, Castor and Evadne.

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