Mythological Baby Names: 85+ Names From Gods, Heroes, and Legends
Mythological Baby Names: 85+ Names From Gods, Heroes, and Legends
Old Stories, Eternal Names
When I was pregnant with my son, my husband—who'd minored in classics—kept pushing for mythological names. 'These names have survived for thousands of years,' he argued. 'They've been tested. They come with stories. They mean something.'
I was skeptical at first. Names like Zeus and Aphrodite seemed too dramatic for an actual human baby who would eventually need to fill out tax forms. But then we found the middle ground: names that were mythological but wearable. Names that carried ancient stories but sounded like they belonged to real people.
We named him Alexander—after Alexander the Great, who was taught by Aristotle and named after the mythological Paris (also called Alexander). Not a god's name, but a name with mythological resonance. He'll learn the stories someday. For now, he's just Alex.
If you're drawn to mythology but worried about practicality, this guide will help you navigate. The gods have great names. Here's how to borrow their power without the drama.
Why Mythological Names Captivate Us
There's a reason mythological names keep coming back—they have qualities that invented names can't match.
Built-In Narratives
Every mythological name comes with a story. Name your daughter Athena, and she carries the goddess of wisdom's legacy. Name your son Apollo, and he has the god of music, poetry, and the sun behind him. These names aren't just sounds; they're entire mythologies.
Proven Longevity
Names from mythology have survived for millennia. They've been used by humans for thousands of years—as deity names, then as human names. A name that's lasted since ancient Greece will probably survive modern naming trends.
Meaning and Depth
Mythological names have rich meanings rooted in ancient languages and cultural beliefs. They're not invented from pleasing sounds; they're words that meant something to the people who first spoke them.
Cultural Sophistication
Using a mythological name suggests cultural knowledge and appreciation for ancient traditions. It's a subtle signal that you value history and storytelling—without being pretentious about it.
Greek Mythology Names
Greek mythology provides some of the most recognizable and usable mythological names. These are the gold standard.
Greek Goddesses
- Athena - Goddess of wisdom and war. Powerful and intellectual. Currently very popular.
- Artemis - Goddess of the hunt and moon. Strong and independent. Used for NASA's moon program.
- Selene - Goddess of the moon. Elegant and ethereal. Less common than Athena.
- Iris - Goddess of the rainbow. Bridge between heaven and earth. Simple and pretty.
- Clio - Muse of history. Short and unusual. Academic associations.
- Thalia - Muse of comedy. Joyful meaning. Pretty sound.
- Phoebe - Titan goddess, grandmother of Artemis. Friendly and approachable.
- Penelope - Odysseus's faithful wife. Clever and patient. Currently very popular.
- Helen - Most beautiful woman in Greek myth. Classic and timeless.
- Daphne - Nymph who became a laurel tree. Nature mythology combination.
- Cora - Another name for Persephone. Simple and wearable.
- Calliope - Muse of epic poetry. Musical and unusual.
Greek Gods and Heroes
- Apollo - God of sun, music, poetry. Dramatic but wearable. NASA program name.
- Atlas - Titan who holds up the sky. Strong and substantial.
- Jason - Leader of the Argonauts. Mainstream classic that's actually mythological.
- Ajax - Greek warrior. Strong but has cleaning product association.
- Hector - Trojan hero. Noble and brave. Vintage comeback.
- Achilles - Greatest Greek warrior. Heel joke potential, but strong name.
- Orion - Hunter constellation. Strong and celestial.
- Perseus - Hero who slew Medusa. Noble and adventurous.
- Damon - Loyal friend in Greek legend. Modern-sounding despite ancient roots.
- Leander - Swam the Hellespont for love. Romantic and unusual.
- Theseus - Slayer of the Minotaur. Heroic but less familiar.
- Odysseus - Clever hero of the Odyssey. Long and dramatic.
Greek Creatures and Concepts
- Phoenix - Bird that rises from ashes. Rebirth symbolism. Gender-neutral.
- Griffin - Lion-eagle creature. Strong and mythological.
- Siren - Beautiful dangerous singers. Bold choice.
Roman Mythology Names
Roman mythology often parallels Greek but has its own flavor—more military, more civic, more imperial.
Roman Goddesses
- Diana - Goddess of the hunt and moon (Greek Artemis). Classic and powerful.
- Venus - Goddess of love (Greek Aphrodite). Beautiful but bold.
- Aurora - Goddess of dawn. Beautiful light associations. Currently popular.
- Luna - Goddess of the moon. Currently very popular.
- Flora - Goddess of flowers. Sweet and natural.
- Juno - Queen of the gods (Greek Hera). Strong and regal.
- Victoria - Goddess of victory. Classic and powerful.
- Minerva - Goddess of wisdom (Greek Athena). Scholarly and strong.
- Ceres - Goddess of agriculture (Greek Demeter). Harvest associations.
- Vesta - Goddess of the hearth. Warm and domestic.
Roman Gods and Figures
- Mars - God of war. Strong and direct. Bruno Mars familiarity helps.
- Marcus - From Mars. Classic Latin name that's actually mythologically connected.
- Julius - From Jupiter. Julius Caesar associations. Classic and strong.
- Augustus - 'Revered one.' Imperial name. Substantial and historical.
- Felix - 'Lucky.' Roman name that's mythologically adjacent. Happy associations.
- Cassius - Roman family name. Strong and literary (Ali).
- Aurelius - 'Golden.' Marcus Aurelius philosopher-emperor.
- Maximus - 'Greatest.' Gladiator associations. Bold choice.
- Atticus - 'From Athens.' To Kill a Mockingbird made it famous.
- Romulus - Founder of Rome. Bold classical choice.
Norse Mythology Names
Norse mythology brings Viking energy—dramatic, powerful, and increasingly popular thanks to modern media.
Norse Goddesses
- Freya - Goddess of love, beauty, and war. Currently very trendy. Strong and beautiful.
- Astrid - 'Divine beauty.' Norse name with mythological flavor.
- Ingrid - 'Beautiful goddess.' Bergman elegance.
- Sigrid - 'Beautiful victory.' Strong Norse name.
- Saga - Goddess of storytelling. Nordic and narrative.
- Sif - Thor's wife, goddess with golden hair. Short and unusual.
- Idunn - Goddess of spring and immortality. Unusual and meaningful.
Norse Gods and Heroes
- Thor - God of thunder. Marvel made it mainstream. Strong and simple.
- Odin - All-father of the gods. Bold and powerful.
- Leif - 'Heir, descendant.' Leif Erikson explorer associations.
- Eric/Erik - 'Eternal ruler.' Viking name that's completely mainstream.
- Magnus - 'Great.' Viking kings carried this name.
- Bjorn - 'Bear.' Strong Scandinavian name.
- Soren - 'Stern.' Danish philosopher Kierkegaard.
- Axel - Scandinavian form of Absalom. Strong with X appeal.
- Gunnar - 'Warrior.' Strong Norse hero name.
- Ragnar - 'Warrior.' Vikings TV show familiarity.
- Baldur - God of light. Beautiful and tragic.
- Loki - Trickster god. Marvel villain makes it bold.
Celtic Mythology Names
Celtic mythology—from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Britain—offers musical, lyrical names with ancient roots.
Celtic Goddesses and Heroines
- Bridget/Brigid - Goddess of fire, poetry, wisdom. Irish classic.
- Rhiannon - Welsh goddess. Fleetwood Mac song familiarity. Magical and musical.
- Niamh - 'Bright.' Irish goddess. Pronounced NEEV. Beautiful but spelling challenges.
- Aisling - 'Dream, vision.' Irish poetic tradition. Pronounced ASH-ling.
- Deirdre - 'Sorrowful.' Tragic Irish heroine. Literary and melodic.
- Isolde - Tristan's tragic love. Romantic and literary.
- Grainne - Irish warrior queen. Pronounced GRAWN-ya. Bold choice.
- Maeve - Warrior queen of Connacht. Strong and currently popular.
- Fionnuala - 'Fair shoulders.' Children of Lir legend. Nuala is the nickname.
Celtic Gods and Heroes
- Finn/Fionn - Legendary Irish warrior. Simple and strong.
- Cormac - Irish high king. Strong and regal.
- Lugh - God of sun and skill. Short and mythological.
- Dylan - Welsh sea god. Became mainstream; mythological roots forgotten.
- Tristan - Tragic lover. Arthurian and Celtic. Romantic.
- Bran - 'Raven.' Welsh giant and Irish hero. Short and strong.
- Cian - 'Ancient.' Irish god. Pronounced KEE-an.
- Oisin - 'Little deer.' Finn's son. Pronounced oh-SHEEN.
- Ronan - 'Little seal.' Irish mythology. Currently popular.
- Declan - Irish saint but mythology-adjacent. Very popular.
Names From Other World Mythologies
Beyond Greek, Roman, Norse, and Celtic, world mythologies offer rich naming traditions.
Egyptian Mythology
- Isis - Goddess of magic and wisdom. Unfortunately has other associations now.
- Osiris - God of the underworld. Strong and unusual.
- Nile - The sacred river. Geographic and mythological.
- Thoth - God of wisdom and writing. Unusual pronunciation.
- Horus - Sky god with falcon head. Strong and mythological.
- Anubis - God of mummification. Dark and unusual.
Hindu Mythology
- Maya - Illusion; Buddha's mother. Beautiful and mainstream.
- Kira - 'Light.' Sanskrit origin. Simple and pretty.
- Devi - 'Goddess.' Generic term for divine feminine.
- Indra - King of gods. Powerful and unusual.
- Arjuna - Great warrior. Epic hero of Mahabharata.
- Uma - Goddess, form of Parvati. Short and strong.
- Ganesha - Elephant-headed god. Very bold choice.
Japanese Mythology
- Sakura - Cherry blossom, nature spirit associations.
- Hana - 'Flower.' Simple and meaningful.
- Akira - 'Bright.' Not explicitly mythological but culturally deep.
- Ren - 'Lotus.' Spiritual associations.
- Yuki - 'Snow.' Nature spirit associations.
Choosing Wisely: Mythological Naming Guidelines
Not every mythological name works equally well. Here's how to choose wisely.
Know the Full Story
Before choosing a mythological name, read the entire mythology. Some gods and heroes have complicated stories—affairs, violence, tragic endings. You don't want to name your child after someone and then discover the awkward mythology later. Research thoroughly.
Consider Pronunciation
Many mythological names come from ancient languages with different pronunciation rules. Persephone is per-SEF-oh-nee, not PER-seh-phone. Niamh is NEEV. If you choose a name with non-obvious pronunciation, be prepared to correct people constantly.
Check Modern Associations
Some mythological names have acquired modern associations that overshadow the mythology. Isis (the goddess) is unfortunately associated with the terrorist group. Ajax (the warrior) is associated with cleaning products. Check what else shares your mythological name.
Balance Drama With Wearability
Zeus, Poseidon, and Hera are dramatic—maybe too dramatic for daily use. Athena, Apollo, and Diana are mythological but wearable. Find names that carry mythological weight without crushing your child under it.
Fun Facts & Legendary Lore
Every great name comes with a story. Here are some fascinating tidbits about popular mythology-inspired names that will make you love them even more.
✨ Hazel (Girl)
Origin: English | Meaning: Hazelnut tree
Medieval Europeans believed hazel branches could find hidden treasure! Dowsers would use forked hazel sticks to locate precious metals and water underground. A name with magical, treasure-hunting vibes.
✨ Aurora (Girl)
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Dawn goddess
Aurora literally paints the sky with rosy fingers every dawn! In Roman mythology, she would rise each morning to announce the arrival of the sun, spreading pink and gold light across the horizon. The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are named after her.
✨ Poppy (Girl)
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Red flower
Romans thought poppy seeds made you invisible! Ancient mythology connected poppies with sleep, dreams, and the underworld. The bright red flower was sacred to Demeter and symbolized both remembrance and the thin veil between worlds.
✨ Griffin (Boy)
Origin: Welsh | Meaning: Mythical creature
Griffins guard treasures in legends! These majestic creatures—with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle—were believed to protect gold mines and hidden riches. A name for a fierce little protector.
✨ Leo (Boy)
Origin: Latin | Meaning: Lion
Every Leo gets at least one Lion King themed birthday party! But beyond Simba, this name connects to the constellation Leo, the Nemean Lion of Greek mythology, and thirteen popes. A name with serious star power—literally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is it weird to name a baby after a god?
Not inherently. Humans have been naming children after gods for millennia—it's one of the oldest naming traditions. Diana, Apollo, and Athena are increasingly common. The key is choosing names that have become accepted as human names, not names that still feel exclusively divine (Zeus, Poseidon, Aphrodite).
Q2: What about naming after villainous mythological characters?
Be careful. Medusa, Circe, and Loki are interesting characters but have negative associations. Some parents find this adds complexity and interest; others worry about the implications. If you choose a morally ambiguous mythological name, be prepared to explain your reasoning.
Q3: Do mythological names work in modern everyday life?
The established ones do. Diana, Helen, Jason, and Marcus are completely normal names that happen to have mythological origins. Even more obviously mythological names like Athena and Apollo are becoming mainstream. The key is that people need to be able to say the name without struggling.
Q4: How do I match a mythological first name with a modern surname?
Mythological names often have strong, dramatic sounds that can overwhelm short, simple surnames or clash with long, complicated ones. Say the full name out loud many times. 'Persephone Smith' works; 'Persephone Pappadopoulos' might be a lot. Test the combination thoroughly.
Q5: What if my partner thinks mythological names are too weird?
Start with the names that have become completely normalized: Diana, Helen, Marcus, Jason, Aurora. These are mythological without screaming 'mythology.' Once your partner sees how normal these names are, you can introduce slightly bolder options.
Stories to Grow Into
Mythological names are gifts of narrative. They come with built-in stories, moral lessons, and cultural richness that your child can explore as they grow. They're not just sounds; they're invitations to learn about human history and imagination.
My Alexander is five now. Last year, I read him a simplified version of the Iliad, and he was fascinated to learn that his name connected to that story. 'I'm like that old king?' he asked, eyes wide. 'Sort of,' I said. 'You're Alexander. You get to decide what that means.'
That's the gift of a mythological name—not a predetermined destiny, but a connection to stories that have mattered to humans for thousands of years. A name with depth your child can explore, question, and ultimately make their own.
Find your mythological name on SoulSeed, where you can search by mythology tradition and discover the perfect legendary name for your own little hero.
