What’s in a name? Names are the audible first impression you receive about a person in your life or a character in a story. Names have the ability to make a statement about a person or character using just one word.

Mythological names are strong, unique, and have a story to tell. When you hear the name Zeus, you may immediately think of power, strength, and status, as Zeus is the king of the gods who ruled alongside his wife, Hera, on Mount Olympus in Greek Mythology.

Mythological names have a story to tell behind the name. If you are responsible for naming a child, pet, or fictional character, you should consider using a mythological name, and we are going to tell you why.

Types of Mythology

Mythology can be Greek, Roman, Norse, or Chinese, just to name a few. These are the most popular types of mythology by region and era.

Below, we will list the best names based on mythology. These may be Greek, Roman, Norse, or Irish. We will include the origin of the name as well as who the name pertains to in mythology.

25 Best Mythological Names for Boys and Girls

You have probably heard some of these names, but there may be a few names on this list that you may have never heard before. Here are the 25 best mythological names for boys and girls in alphabetical order.

Mythological Boy Names

1. Apollo

The Greek god of music, poetry, healing, medicine, and archery, Apollo was one of the Twelve Olympians who lived on Mount Olympus, making him one of the strongest and popular gods in Greek mythology.

Apollo means “to destroy,” which is ironic considering Apollo in Greek mythology was the god of healing and medicine. In Greek mythology, Apollo has a twin sister named Artemis.

2. Ares

Ares is the Greek god of war and one of the least favored of the Twelve Olympians because of his quick temper. Ares means “to ruin, bane” because of its deep connection with the Greek god of war, but the name is also associated with great strength, courage, and willingness not to back down.

3. Atlas

Before the Twelve Olympians in Greek mythology, there were the Titans. Atlas was one of the Titans in Greek mythology whose punishment for helping the Titans fight the Olympians was to hold the earth for all eternity. Atlas means endurance or one who bears a heavy burden.

4. Conor/Connor

In Irish mythology, Connor was the king of Ulster. The spelling varies between Conor and Connor. In Irish, Conor means “lover of wolves, lover of hounds.”

5. Damon

Damon is mentioned in the Greek myth of Damon and Pythias, a story of friendship. Damon means “gentle, to tame.”

6. Dylan

In Welsh mythology, Dylan is a boy who takes to the sea. Dylan was baptized as soon as he was born to a maiden. Dylan is Welsh for “wave,” which shows its deep connection to the sea.

7. Evander

Evander was a hero in Roman mythology who brought Greek laws to Italy. He founded the city of Pallantium, which would eventually turn into Rome. Evander means “good man” or “strong man.”

8. Finn

In Irish mythology, Finn was an Irish warrior who was also mentioned in Scottish mythology as well. Finn means “white, bright, lustrous, fair, handsome, bright, and true.”

9. Hector

In both Greek and Roman mythology, Hector was a Trojan prince who lived in the city of Troy and fought against the Greeks during the Trojan War before he was killed by Achilles. Hector means “to check or restrain,” but it also has ties to bravery, courage, and competitiveness.

10. Jason

In the Greek myth Jason and the Argonauts, Jason is a Greek hero who is searching for a golden fleece. Jason is Greek and means “healer, to heal.”

11. Jasper

This may be one of the only names on this list that is not associated with a person, deity, hero, or antagonist. Jasper is actually a gemstone that is frequently mentioned throughout Greek literature. Jasper has a Persian origin and means “treasurer.”

12. Loki

In Norse mythology, Loki is the brother of Thor, the god of thunder. Loki is a trickster who could change his shape, identity, and gender. Loki means mischief, tangler, or air.

13. Odin

Continuing in Norse mythology, Odin is the father of both Thor and Loki, but he is also the father who presided over all of the Norse gods, as well as art, war, wisdom, and death. Odin means “frenzy, rage, and inspiration.”

14. Odysseus

Perhaps the most popular, well-known, and most admired Greek hero, Odysseus was a hero in Greek mythology who fought the Trojans during the Trojan War. While the name Odysseus means “to hate,” Odysseus had many relationships with Greek gods and goddesses who helped him during his journey back to his wife, Penelope, after the Trojan War.

15. Orion

Orion was the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. He was a huntsman who was often depicted with a bow and arrow. Orion has a Greek origin that means “rising in the sky, dawning.”

16. Paris

In Greek mythology, Paris is a Trojan hero who fights the Greeks in the Trojan War. Achilles, a Greek warrior in the Trojan War, killed Hector, Paris’s best friend. Therefore, Paris kills Achilles in retaliation. Paris is of Greek origin and means “defender.”

17. Thor

The Norse god of thunder is Thor, but Thor also has other powers, including the god of rain, strength, storms, and fertility. Thor means “thunder” but is also associated with great strength, beauty, and love.

18. Zeus

Perhaps the most well-known Greek god of all is Zeus. Zeus is one of the Twelve Olympians, the kind of the gods, and the god of the sky and thunder. Zeus means “sky” or “shine.”

Mythological Girl Names

19. Aphrodite

The Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite’s name means “foam.” This is because there is one myth associated with Aphrodite being born from the foam of the sea.

20. Athena

Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, crafts, and mathematics. Athena is Greek for wisdom and skill and is associated with knowledge, justice, and intellect.

21. Aurora

The Roman goddess of the dawn, Aurora, appears in both Greek and Roman myths. Her Greek counterpart is Eos. Aurora is Latin for “dawn.”

22. Brigid (Bridget)

This Irish name is associated with Irish mythology from the goddess of fire. Brigid means “power, strength, vigor, or virtue.”

23. Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia is the mother of Andromeda, whom she boasted was the most beautiful Greek woman on earth. Cassiopeia became a constellation in the sky, which is the origin behind this popular name today.

24. Luna

There is a reason the moon is often referred to as “lunar.” Luna is the Roman goddess of the moon. Luna is Latin for “moon.”

25. Penelope

Penelope is the wife of the Greek hero Odysseus. Penelope is whom Odysseus is attempting to return home to after defeating the Trojans during the Trojan War. Penelope means “weaver” or “thread of a bobbin.”

Honorable Mentions

There are many powerful and popular names related to the mythology that we wanted to include on this list. While we have listed the 25 best mythological names and characters, we felt like we would be doing a disservice to mythology if we did not include the following names and their stories:

Adonis

Adonis is the Greek god of beauty and desire in Greek mythology. Adonis is associated with handsomeness, beauty, and good looks.

Ajax

A Greek hero in Greek mythology, Ajax is also known as Ajax the Great. He is associated with bravery, strength, and courage.

Alvis

Alvis was a dwarf in Norse mythology whose name means “all-wise.” Thor’s daughter was promised to marry Alvis, so Thor made Alvis prove his wisdom in order to marry Thor’s daughter.

Castor

One of the twins in the Gemini constellation, Castor is named in Greek mythology and means “to shine, to excel.” 

Hera

Hera is the wife of Zeus and one of the Twelve Olympians who live on Mount Olympus in Greece. Hera was the Greek goddess of women, marriage, family, and childbirth. Hera means “queen,” which is symbolic of her rule as the goddess of women and queen of the goddesses.

Hermione

While this name became popular during the Harry Potter series, Hermione actually has ties to Greek mythology. Hermione was the daughter of King Melenaus of Sparta and Helen of Troy. This Greek name means “earthly, messenger, or well-born.”

Nike

Nike is the Greek goddess of victory in Greek mythology. Her name also means “winged goddess” in addition to “victory.”

Pandora

Hephaestus was the Greek god of fire, and Pandora was the first woman he created on Zeus’s instruction. Pandora means “all gifts.”

Conclusion

We hope you have enjoyed this list of the best mythological names and gained a better understanding of how these names gained their popularity and notoriety. If you are planning to name a baby, pet, or character, we suggest using one of these mythological names to tell their story.