Male and female Ancient Greek names. The Significance and Origin of Ancient Greek Names

The ancient world did not know the saints, and people of that time knew nothing of guardian angels and intercessors. But this does not mean that they did not believe in heavenly patrons. Newborn boys and girls were entrusted to the care of the gods who live on Olympus. On the other hand, like our Slavic pagan ancestors, the ancient Greeks endowed their children with nicknames that reflected real or desirable qualities. For example, Aoid - "singing", or Aniketos, which means "invincible."

As in many cultures of antiquity, ancient Greek names glorify the forces of nature or compare a person to a flower, plant, or animal. Examples include: Astreia (Star), Iolanta (purple flower), Leonid (son of Leo). Some names smoothly "migrated" in our time, took root in the modern Greek culture and we, those Slavs, who came under the influence of the Christianity of the Eastern rite.

It should be said that the ancient Romans lent their Pantheon from the Greeks, giving their gods their names. Therefore, in Western Europe and in the Slavic lands, where the Catholic religion is widespread, there are ancient Greek names derived from the same pagan gods, only with the Latin name. For example, Marsilius (the god of war), Diana (the goddess of the moon and the hunt).

Old-new names

Do you love the culture of Ancient Greece, but do not want to break off ties with Christianity? Then we can advise you on the names that went to Orthodox saints. And then your child can be called sonorous and beautiful. His name will be rooted in the distant past. He can celebrate birthdays and be protected by a heavenly patron.

And this is not surprising. After all, the first apostles, among whom were also Hellenes, wore ancient Greek male names. Let's remember, at least Filippos. The beautiful name of this apostle means "horse lover". The girl, named Helen, will grow, perhaps, as beautiful as the Greek wife of King Menelaus, abducted by Paris. What does Ἑλένη mean (Helena)? "Light-bearing", "torch". A man's analog of this ancient Greek name is Gehlen. In addition to Elena, Philip and already mentioned Leonid, from the ancient world, a dozen more names were transferred from the ancient world: Vasily, Dmitry, Ippolit, Zeno, Eirena (later turned into Irina) and others.

Fans of the Olympic cult

And why, in fact, not to call the child a beautiful and original name, giving him patrons not some holy saints and apostolors, but one of the gods? Moreover, there are so many of them in the Greek Pantheon. Now, in the cultural elite of the world, fashion for the ancient Greek women's names has gone, as well as for men's. Let's recall at least Eros Ramazotti or Penelope Cruz. The famous singer has the name of the god of love, the companion of Aphrodite.

The girlfriend of the young wizard Harry Potter from the book of J. Rowling also has an old name. This girl is clearly patronized by Hermes - the son of Zeus and Maya, the patron of artisans, traders, thieves and pilgrims. Hermione is also mentioned in Homer's poem "Illyada": this is the daughter of the beautiful Helen and Menelaus.

There are still a lot of names whose bearers are "dedicated" to some Olympic god: Apollo ("art", "sun"), Nika ("victory"), Irida ("rainbow"). However, be careful. The names of the ancient Greek gods are beautiful, but the inhabitants of Olympus have never been famous for their soft and complaisant morals. In this they differ from the Christian God of love. Together with the positive qualities of his patron, the child can inherit and its negative features: vindictiveness, cunning, jealousy.

Connoisseurs of Ancient Greece

He who is in love with the tragedy of Aeschylus and Euripides, in the comedy of Aristophanes, who reads Homer, will easily find beautiful and sonorous names in these works. Of these, you can choose those that do not break the language of the Russian-speaking environment. For example, Aeneas is "praised", "approved." Not a bad name Phoenix, which means "purple" - the color that was allowed to wear only aristocrats. The boy Odysseus will inherit from his famous namesake, glorified by Homer, courage, ingenuity and a passion for travel.

In the myths and works of that civilization you can find very beautiful ancient Greek women's names. For example, Electra - which means "bright", "shining". Or the muse of astronomy Urania - her name means "heavenly". You can call a girl just a Muse or devote her to one of them, for example, Talia or Calliope. In the myths of ancient Greece, there are many beautiful nymphs whose beauty fascinated even the gods: Maya, Adrastei, Daphne, and others.

Love saves the world

Very well lay on the tongue and caress the ear of ancient Greek names, beginning or ending with a fragment of "phylo". This prefix means "Love." It can be applied not only to enthusiasm for horses, as in Philip, but also to singing - Philomena. The Greeks appreciated this quality - to be able to love. They also wanted everyone around to appreciate their son or daughter. Therefore, the names of Philo, Theophilus, Philemon ("gentle") and others like them, were distributed in the same way as we have with the prefix "glory" and "peace."

The Greeks were very devout people. In the Hellenistic period, names appeared that signified the patronage of God, without specifying which. Timothy is "the one who honors God." Theodora - "His gift." There are also names that indicate the king of the gods - Zeus. Zinovia is life from Jupiter the Thunderer, and Zephaniah is his manifestation on earth. Zeno means "dedicated", "belonging to Zeus".

Nicknames

These ancient Greek names are the most numerous. Having conducted their scientific analysis, one can understand what qualities were valued in this civilization. After all, the parents called Atreus ("fearless") or Aella ("fast as a whirlwind") baby, who has not yet risen on the legs. One thing is clear: like in all cultures of the ancient world, the ancient Greeks wished their sons to grow up brave (Adrastos), strong (Menander), persistent (Menelaus), defenders of the weak (Alexei, Alexander), brave (Alkina).

Ironically, in women, the Greeks valued not so much beauty, as the quality of the hostess, guarding the home. Therefore, the parents named the newborn defender (Alexa), the spicy (Klaso), the soothing (Amalzeya), the good (Agatha) and simply the housewife (Despoin). Maternity, the ability to give birth to children was also appreciated (Metrofanes).

State of Warriors

The ancient Greek names of boys indicate that parents would like to become owners of large livestock. Archippos means "having horses," and Archilosus is a "slaveholder." A rich harvest in life was promised to Atamus and Yustachis.

Male names give reason to believe that the Greeks often fought, and all young men were to take part in the campaigns. Wishing to save the offspring from death, their mother was called Amon ("hidden from danger"), Andreas ("good warrior"), Ambrozaios ("immortal") and Azarias ("having help from God"). At the same time, the boy could be named after Apollonios, which means "destroyer".

Ancient Greek man's names, symbolizing the forces of nature

This is the oldest group, originating from the totemic society. Men were hunters, and therefore they needed accuracy, skill and strength in the fight against the beast. To provide their sons with these necessary qualities for life, their parents were called by their Zopiros ("blazing", "aspiring"), Gregorios ("cautious"), Achilleus ("hurting"), Andronikos ("winner of people") and Gerasimos (" Lived to old age "). And that his son safely returned home safe and sound, he was called Nestor.

Ancient people spiritualized the forces of nature. Aeolus was protected by the wind, Anatolayos - east and dawn, Alkmenu - the moon, Kyrosu - the sun, and Castor - beaver. There are many names in which the word "lion" is present: Panteleion, Leonidas and so on. Another symbol of totemism was the horse: Hippocles means "horse power". Parents gave their sons under the protection of the mountains (Origen), the ocean (Okinos) and even the night (Orpheus).

Recluse Gynechea

The Society of Ancient Greece was deeply sexist. Nobody doubted the supremacy of the man. Women were deprived of all political and civil rights and, marrying, moved from the father's house to the spouse's home as the property of the latter. The whole life of the so-called "decent woman" was held in the gynecome - the female half of the house. Only the hetaera appeared on the streets of the cities.

Naturally, mothers wished their daughters happiness. So, as they understood it: to marry an easy-going husband, to give him more children and not to die at the same time from childbirth. Therefore, the ancient Greek names for girls fully reflected the aspirations of their mothers. Amaranthus means "not disappearing," Altai - "quick healing," Agipe and Agapayos - "impossible to stop loving." A Zozima - just "survived." Arcadia wished to live among peaceful bucolic. Glyceria is "the sweetest" (of course, implied, joy for the husband). And Aspasia meant "greeting".

Ancient Greek female names, symbolizing elements, flowers and animals

At the same time, parents dedicated to the forces of nature and their newborn daughters. Arethusu - the water element, Anemone - the wind in general, and Zephyr - the western trade wind, Iris - the rainbow. Animals, in honor of which girls were called, are very graceful and beautiful. For example, Holkion is a small bird of the kingfisher, Dorsey is a gazelle, and Dapna is a laurel. There are a lot of names that mean flowers (Anzeya, Antusa): violet (Iolanta), golden (Khriseid), dark (Melantha). But, of course, among the female sex was always appreciated a quality such as beauty. She corresponds to the name Aglaya.

Choose wisely

If you want to call your child an ancient name, you need to think carefully and analyze the ancient Greek names and their meanings. After all, it may be that behind the beautiful name of Apollonia lies the unseemly meaning "destructive". But the word "kind" in the language of the ancient Hellenes does not sound very nice - Akakayos. We also need to remember that now Glaucus is not a name, but a post. The names of the ancient Greeks were sometimes very tricky - Agazandzhelos, for example. So do not break the language.