150+ Traditional Greek Dog Names

Situated in Southeast Europe, Greece is a country having thousands of islands scattered across the Ionian and Aegean seas. Officially called the Hellenic Republic, it has a vast contribution to the world, especially in the fields of philosophy, science, politics, arts, and literature.

The birth of democracy was first seen in Greece. The theater was also a concept that flourished in the country since ancient times.

You sure have heard about and watched the Olympic Games. All of these were invented by the Greeks. How amazing is that?

What is a unique name for a dog?

Coming up with the best name for your new canine friend can sometimes be challenging. Getting the perfect name for your dog means picking one that matches not just its breed, appearance, and character. Consider your dog’s personality also.

If you want a unique name for your dog, you may consider some Greek dog names. It is especially true if you have Greek heritage, or it could be that your new dog is as great as the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus.

There can be so many other reasons for considering Greek names for dogs. It could be that you fell in love with this beautiful country with a rich history on your tour, or you are a huge fan of famous Greek personalities, or Greek food is something that suits your palate. The list can be long, and it can be as simple as your obsession with Greek-sounding names.

So if you are looking at bringing home a new dog at home, just run through the list here of Greek dog names, and you will surely find one you would want to call your every single day.

Who is the Greek god of dogs?

The anagram of the word “dog” is obviously “god”. In the past, dogs were even worshipped in some cultures are gods and goddesses.

In Greek mythology, Hecate is regarded as the goddess of dogs and entryways. She was a three-headed deity. Sometimes, the heads would appear like the heads of dogs, cows, boars, horses, and even serpents.

Hecate’s entourage included howling and barking dogs. In some establishments, courts, and homes in Greece, dogs were often utilized as guards. So, why don’t you name your dog also after Hecate?

What was Zeus’s dog’s name?

Zeus had pets and among them was a golden hound named Laelaps. You might consider giving your new pup this Greek dog name. Laelaps had a vital mission to fulfill, and that was to guard the “future King of the Gods and Goddesses”.

Male Greek dog names

Here are some of the top Greek dog names for male dogs for you to choose from:

  • Alessandro – This is a variant of Alexander.
  • Alexander – If you know “Alexander the Great”, you sure know this name means defender of humanity. This can be a great Greek dog name for your brave pooch or if you have a big dog.
  • Ambrose – This means immortal.
  • Andronikos or Andronicus – This is a classical Greek name that means a victorious male or victorious warrior.
  • Angus – In Greek, this name means unique or exceptional.
  • Calix or Calyx – This means very handsome; thus, you can give this name to an overly cute dog.
  • Cole – This means people’s victory.
  • Damian or Damon – This means to conquer or to tame.
  • Demetrius – This refers to the male follower of the Greek goddess of the harvest, Demeter.
  • Dru – This means brave.
  • Egan – This means fire.
  • Evander – This dog name means a good man.
  • George – This means an earth worker or a farmer.
  • Jason – This means healer; it can be a perfect name for an emotional support dog.
  • Leon – This name will fit a male dog classified as a hunting breed since it means lion.
  • Kyon – Of all the Greek dog names, this is probably a no-brainer as this is simply the Greek term for a dog.
  • Leonidas – This means son of a lion.
  • Luke – This means bright.
  • Nico or Nicholas – This name is the derivative of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. Thus, it also means people’s victory.
  • Peter – You can give this name to a sturdy male dog as this means stone.
  • Rhodes – This Greek island is the largest and showcases medieval architecture and formerly housed the Colossus.
  • Sebastian – This means revered.
  • Tadd – This means courageous.
  • Thanos – This name is derived from Athanasios, which means immortal.
  • Theodore – This means God’s gift.

Female Greek dog names

Here are some of the top Greek dog names for female dogs for you to choose from:

  • Agnes – This means pure.
  • Agora – This pertains to the central public space utilized for religious, social, civic, and commercial purposes. Mainly, it has been used as an assembly area, and every ancient city-state in Greece had an agora.
  • Alanis – This means precious and can be a perfect name for your overly sweet female dog.
  • Alexa or Alexandra – This is the female counterpart of Alexander.
  • Alexis – This is a variant of Alexa.
  • Anastasia – This means resurrection.
  • Ariadne – This means holy and chaste.
  • Callie – This means pretty and is fit for a beautiful female dog.
  • Cassandra or Kassandra – This means shining.
  • Chloe – This simply means fertility.
  • Cora – This means daughter.
  • Danaë – In Greek culture, this means she judges.
  • Daphne – This refers to a laurel tree.
  • Demi or Demetria – This name is derived from Demeter, the goddess of the harvest.
  • Dorothy – This means God’s gift.
  • Electra – This means bright or shining.
  • Helena – This means torch.
  • Hermione – This means stone. If your dog’s personality is strong, you can give this name.
  • Kal – This is a variant of Callie and means most beautiful.
  • Lydia – This means noble one.
  • Maya – This name is very feminine as it means good mother.
  • Meg – This means pearl.
  • Melanie – If you have a black or dark-colored dog, you can give this name as this literally means dark or black.
  • Melody – This means song.
  • Olympia – This refers to Mt. Olympus, which is well-known to be the home of the Greek gods. Almost three thousand years ago, this has been the venue of the original Olympic Games.
  • Opa – This refers to an expression, which, in Greek culture translates to “Whoops!”.
  • Penelope – This means weaver.
  • Phoebe – This means bright or shining.
  • Sophia or Sophie – This means wisdom, and the name fits well for a very smart dog.
  • Tansy – This refers to immortality and is the female counterpart of Thanos.
  • Tessa – This means summer harvest.
  • Thalia – This means rich or abundant.
  • Thelma – This means will or volition.
  • Toula – This name means light.
  • Venus – This is the Roman counterpart of the Greek goddess of beauty, Aphrodite.
  • Zelda – This is of German origin, which means strong woman.
  • Zoe – This means life.

Names for dogs based on Greek mythology

Here is a list of Greek mythology names for your dogs. Most of these characters are intriguing. The list includes heroes, deities, and even beasts and monsters:

  • Achilles – The greatest of all the Greek heroes and warriors who triumphed in the Trojan War.
  • Aeneas – In Roman and Greek myth, this Trojan hero is the son of Aphrodite and Aeneas.
  • Agamemnon – In The Iliad, he was portrayed as the head of the Greek army during the Trojan War. He was also the king of Mycenae.
  • Ajax – This Greek hero is better known as “Ajax the Great” during the Trojan War. However, he committed suicide when the armor of Achilles was surrendered to Odysseus.
  • Andromeda – This princess was Queen Cassiopeia and King Cepheus’ daughter. She was saved by the hero Perseus from her sacrifice to Cetus, the sea monster.
  • Argos or Argus – This guardian and giant has 100 eyes around his body. He was slain later by Hermes. His eyes were said to be transferred to the tails of the peacock. In Homer’s Odyssey, he was portrayed as Odysseus’ faithful dog.
  • Atlas – According to Greek mythology, this Titan leader revolted against Zeus. As a result, after the Titanomachy, he was condemned to hold up the sky or heavens for eternity.
  • Cadmus – He built the city of Thebes and had the ability to carefully follow the instructions given to him by various deities, oracles, and kings. This can be an ideal Greek dog name for your obedient canine pal.
  • Centaur – This Greek mythical creature is a combination of a human (upper body) and a horse (lower body and legs) that dwells in the mountains of Arcadia and Thessaly.
  • Cerberus – The giant and ferocious, three-headed dog of Hades that acted as a guard of the gates of the underworld. This creature had the claws of a lion, a skin of a snake, and the tail of a serpent.
  • Charon or Kharon – In Greek mythology, this boatman ferried the souls of the dead over the Acheron and Styx rivers to Hades.
  • Chiron – This Centaur is the wisest of his kind.
  • Circe – She is a minor goddess of sorcery and magic. She is also the daughter of Helios, the sun god.
  • Cronos or Kronos – This Titan god dethroned his father, Uranus, and ruled the universe. The same fate befell him when he was dethroned by his son, Zeus.
  • Cyclopes or Cyclops – These one-eyed giants aided Zeus in defeating the Titans.
  • Delphi – This refers to the ancient city that hosts the oracle of Apollo and the most important Greek temple.
  • Echo – In Greek mythology, this nymph could only “echo” what others said after she was given a speech impediment by Hera. This can be a perfect name for dogs who love to bark after you talk as if repeating what you have said.
  • Gemini – brightest star constellation
  • Gorgon – This refers to the Greek monsters of the underworld.
  • Griffin – This Greek mythical creature served as a guard on the mountains of Scythia over its rich gold deposits. This beast had a body of a lion, but its head and wings were that of an eagle.
  • Harpy – Mysterious disappearances were attributed to these Greek monsters who snatch away both people and things. They are half-man and half-bird.
  • Hector – This refers to the great Trojan warrior during the Trojan War.
  • Hellen – The Hellenes were so-named in his honor.
  • Hippolyta – This Queen of the Amazons traces its roots to Greece as she is the daughter of Ares, the Greek god of war.
  • Hydra – The Lake of Lerna is guarded by this dragon with nine heads.
  • Medusa – One of the three Gorgons in the underworld.
  • Menelaus – The King of Sparta whose wife was abducted and, in turn, sparked the Trojan War.
  • Minos – He was the first King of Crete.
  • Minotaur – This is the half-man, half-bull creature found in Crete.
  • Notus – He is referred to as the god of the stormy south wind.
  • Odysseus – Was known as the protagonist in Homer’s Odyssey.
  • Olympus – In Greek mythology, this refers to Mount Olympus, where the Gods reside.
  • Oracle – There were many of them throughout Greece’s ancient history. These are prophecies that also served as intermediaries between gods and humans. To arrive at better and more important life decisions, ancient Greek people relied on the Oracles before arriving at sound decisions.
  • Orion – Refers to the constellation. He was a huntsman which Zeus placed among the stars.
  • Orthus – This is a two-headed dog with the tail of a serpent that guarded Geryon’s cattle.
  • Paris – This young Prince of Troy fell in love with Helen during the war.
  • Patroclus – He has been referred to as the best friend of Achilles and were both Helen’s suitors.
  • Pegasus – He was the immortal pure white, winged horse. It was said that after Medusa was beheaded, Pegasus was born from her blood. This Greek dog name is ideal if you have a dog with pure white fur.
  • Perseus – He rescued Andromeda and slew Medusa.
  • Phoenix – This immortal bird, with red-gold feathers, is associated with the sun. As it rises from the ashes of its predecessor, a new one is born.
  • Priam – He was Troy’s last king who was then abducted by the Greeks after the former has fallen.
  • Satyr – He was also known as Selinus, the horse-like nature spirit who accompanied Dionysos. They were said to be playing the flute, drinking, and dancing.
  • Scylla – This sea monster lived on one side of the narrow strait opposite Charybdis and munched on a few of Odysseus’ crews when they cruised on the narrow strait where she dwells.
  • Siren – This half-maiden, half-bird creature has an enchanting singing voice that lured sailors (who passed by the island) to death.
  • Sirius – This god of the Dog Star is also Canis Major’s brightest star.
  • Sparta – As one of the prominent ancient Greek city-states, this was prominent for its militaristic government.
  • Spartacus – This gladiator was described as both barbaric and uncivilized. He led the slave revolution. This name can be given to a big dog.
  • Sphinx – This lady beast had it all! She had the head and breast of a woman, a body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and the tail of a serpent. She terrorized the people by having them answer the riddle she learned from the Muses.
  • Tartaros or Tartarus – He is a primordial god that ruled the underworld.
  • Titan – Collectively, Titans refer to gods before the Olympian deities.
  • Thanatos – The twin of Hypnos, he was the personification of death.
  • Triton – This merman is a demi-god. He is the son of Amphitrite, the goddess of the sea, and Poseidon, the god of the sea.
  • Ulysses – In Homer’s Odyssey, he was particularly described as a hero.

Greek god names for male dogs

Here is a list of Greek god names for your male dogs:

  • Adonis – The male counterpart of Aphrodite. In Greek mythology, he was hailed as the god of beauty and attraction.
  • Apollo – As the Greek god of the sun, light, truth and prophecy, dance and music, as well as healing, Apollo made people aware of their own guilt. He also cleansed them with it. He communicated to humans the plans and desires of his father, Zeus, and warned them about the future.
  • Ares – In Greek mythology, he is referred to as the god of war, courage, and bloodlust. He is the personification of destruction, brutality, and violence.
  • Dionysus – This Greek god of wine and fertility who later on became the god of theater and arts.
  • Eros – He is the Greek god of sex and love. Cupid is his Roman counterpart.
  • Hades – He is called the king of the underworld and the god of the dead. After humans die, their souls go to the underworld.
  • Helios – Also called a Titan, he is also referred to as the god of the sun.
  • Hephaestus – Known as the Greek god of fire, he also ruled the blacksmiths, carpenters, metalworking, craftsmen, sculptors, artisans, and metallurgy.
  • Hercules – In Greek mythology, Hercules is considered, a half-god. His father was Zeus, while his mother was a human. He was known for his courage, strength, and endurance.
  • Hermes – He is the most mischievous and the cleverest of all the gods in Olympia. He is likewise known as the god of wealth, trade, fertility, luck, sleep, travel, language, thieves, and animal husbandry.
  • Hypnos – In the dark underworld, where neither any ray of light from the sun nor the moon has been cast on, there lived Hypnos. He dwelled along with his twin, Thanatos. Hypnos is known as the god of sleep.
  • Morpheus – In Greek mythology, he was known as the god of dreams who had the ability to imitate any human form, and then he would appear in everyone’s dreams.
  • Pan – He is known as the god of nature, the patron of shepherds, flocks, and the wild.
  • Poseidon – He is the ancient Greek god of the sea, drought, rain, storms, horses, and earthquakes.
  • Uranus – He is the god of the sky and the heavens.
  • Zeus – The chief deity and god of the weather and sky, he ruled over all other gods in Olympia. Zeus transformed himself into anything he wanted to fulfill whatever he wished. This name can be perfectly given to fast and agile dogs.

Greek goddess names for female dogs

Here is a list of Greek goddess names for your female dogs:

  • Aphrodite – In Greek mythology, she is known as Olympia’s goddess of beauty, love, fertility, and pleasure.
  • Artemis – She is the goddess of nature, wild animals, the hunt, archery, vegetation, young women, chastity and fertility, and sudden death and disease. She is Apollo’s twin sister. If you have a dog that is classified as a hunting breed, you can name her after this goddess.
  • Athena – The wise, brave, and beautiful Athena is the Greek goddess of art, intelligence, literature, mental alertness, weaving, cool-tempered strategy, and many other skills. She was Zeus’ favorite child. Athens was named after her. She was not born out of a mother’s womb but merely sprang from Zeus’ head.
  • Cynthia – She was not only Artemis’ epithet but also the goddess of the moon.
  • Demeter – This ancient Greek goddess is one of the oldest. To many, especially those engaged in agriculture, she played a vital role in being the goddess of the harvest. She guaranteed the earth’s fertility and protected both vegetation and farming.
  • Gaea or Gia – The goddess of the earth or what Greeks refer to as mother earth and was responsible for the formation of the starry heaven, rivers, seas, plains, and mountains.
  • Hera – Known as the “Queen of the Olympian deities” or “supreme goddess”, Hera is the sister-wife of Zeus. She is the goddess of marriage, the family, and the protector of women and children. However, according to Greek mythology, she was not only the most jealous but the most vengeful for becoming so unhappy. Her grief and anger were a result of Zeus’ numerous affairs.
  • Hestia – Referred to as the goddess of the hearth, Hestia swore to remain a virgin. She was in charge of the family and domesticity.
  • Iris – Messenger of the gods and the same time, the Greek goddess of the rainbow who can move at supersonic speeds.
  • Nike – Triumph, speed, and strength are what this winged goddess of victory represents. The “swoosh logo” of the leading shoe manufacturer, “Nike”, represents movement, power, and speed. The luxury car brand Rolls-Royce also features her on its hood ornament.
  • Nyx – In Greek mythology, she was the only goddess of whom Zeus was so afraid. Nyx is also known as the goddess of the night. She is older and more powerful than Zeus.
  • Ophelia – She was Zeus’s daughter, who was known as the goddess of the rain.
  • Persephone – She was Demeter’s daughter and is known as the goddess of innocence and spring. She also became the queen of the underworld following her abduction by Hades.
  • Rhea – She was Zeus’ mother and was named the mother of all the gods.
  • Selene – Known as the goddess of the moon. Selene was worshipped during full and new moons.
  • Thea or Thia or Theia – She was called the goddess of light and sight in Greek mythology.

Best Greek dog names inspired by Greek foods

Are you aware that Greek food is one of the best in the world? Yes, you read that right. Apart from being one of the healthiest, it is also one of the finest as it blends mostly the flavors of both the east and the west. Check these dog names inspired by Greek cuisine:

  • Arni – This means “lamb” for which Greek cuisine is famous. Greek food is never complete without lamb as an ingredient.
  • Baklava – This traditional Greek dessert is known for its flaky texture and sweet, rich flavor. It is made up of filo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened honey syrup.
  • Basil – Also called Vassilikos, this herb is all over Greece.
  • Briam or Briami – This is Greece’s version of ratatouille. Roasted vegetables are layered and drizzled with olive oil.
  • Falafel – Made of parsley, spring onions, herbs, and chickpeas, these fried patties or balls are stuffed into pita bread. Pickled onions, cucumber, and tomatoes are added and then topped with spicy sauce, tahini, or hummus.
  • Fava – This very flavorful purée is served alongside vegetable dishes, fish, or meat. But do you know that there are no fava beans in it? This is instead a combination of onion, garlic, yellow split peas, lemon, and extra virgin olive oil.
  • Feta – You sure are familiar with white and soft to semi-soft feta cheese. In olden times, the feta was exclusively made from goat’s milk. However, later on, it allowed cow’s milk.
  • Filo or Phyllo – This refers to an unleavened break that is very thin.
  • Frappé – When you go to a coffee shop, you probably want your favorite foamy iced coffee drink. That’s a frappé.
  • Gemista – This Greek food is a stuffed vegetable (either eggplant, bell pepper, zucchini, or tomato). The stuffing can include rice or, at times, ground meat is added.
  • Gyro – This refers to roasted meat, which is then wrapped in pita bread along with tzatziki, fried potatoes, tomato, and onion.
  • Horiatiki or Xoriatiki – Its translation literally means village salad. This rustic dish is a combination of onions, olives, cucumber, feta cheese, and tomatoes.
  • Horta – This is a staple in every Greek household. In Greek, the term means “wild greens”. Leafy green vegetables are boiled or steamed and served as a side dish.
  • Hummus – In Greece, the most popular hummus is fava.
  • Kalamata – This refers to Greek olives, which are a staple in Greek cuisine. It has an intense flavor, is dark purple in color, and is oval in shape.
  • Mastika – This liquor is best paired with grilled Greek foods. It contains a resin called mastic, which comes from the mastic tree. It is not just an ordinary liquor but one with healing effects on the body. It has been known as an effective cure for stomach upset and bad breath.
  • Moussaka – This traditional Greek recipe is similar to a lasagna. However, instead of using pasta sheets, they use potato or eggplant. This potato or eggplant is layered and alternated with tomato sauce plus lamb or beef and then topped with béchamel sauce.
  • Olive – When you think of Greek food, you have to think of olives also because this has become a vital ingredient in most Greek food.
  • Ouzo – This anise-flavored liquor is unique to Greece and is considered the country’s national alcoholic beverage.
  • Pita – This flat and round flour bread is neutral in taste and is a staple in many Greek dishes.
  • Sagani or Saganaki – Collectively, this refers to appetizers prepared by searing Greek cheese in a small pan.
  • Tarama – This famous Greek dip comes from grey, cod, carp, or mullet roe that is either cured or salted. It uses potato or bread as its starchy base, and lemon juice, including olive oil, is added. Sometimes, walnuts or almonds are also added to the mixture.
  • Tzatziki – This is also called cacık or tarator, which is usually a sauce or dip and is a classic appetizer made of yogurt, garlic, cucumber sauce, and herbs.

Popular Greek dog names inspired by famous Greek philosophers and artists

What better way to honor these great Greek philosophers and artists than by giving their names to a dog with a strong personality? Here are a few of them whose contributions remain relevant in today’s world:

  • Aesop – You sure have heard of Aesop’s fables. This legendary Greek storyteller and fabulist had a great collection of fables that tells us about Greek history.
  • Aristophanes – One of the greatest writers of Greek comedy, Aristophanes has been named the “Father of Comedy”.
  • Aristotle – This famous Greek philosopher is known as the “Father of Biology” and the “Father of Zoology.
  • Cicero – Another famous Greek philosopher, Cicero was hailed as the “Great Orator”.
  • Euripides – In classical Greek culture, this playwright was one of the most influential and best-known authors of Greek tragedy.
  • Herodotus – This great geographer and historian in ancient Greece has written the accounts of the Greco-Persian wars in detail, thus, earning him the title “Father of History”.
  • Hesiod – A known poet in ancient Greece, Hesiod was known as Greece’s “Father of Dicdadic Poetry”.
  • Homer – Known for his two world-famous masterpieces, “The Iliad” and “The Oddysey”, this Greek poet has been regarded as one of the most influential and probably the greatest authors of all time.
  • Pericles – As a known statesman in ancient Greece, particularly in Athens, he promoted democracy, and his rule was known as the Golden Era for Greece.
  • Plato – This famous Greek philosopher was known for his concept of idealism or realism and founded the Academy, which became Europe’s first institution of higher learning.
  • Sappho – This lady lyric poet whom they called “The Poetess” is the female counterpart of Homer.
  • Socrates – Hailed as the “Father of Philosophy”, he postulated the “Socratic method”, which remains relevant to date. He is considered one of the most influential throughout human history in the field of philosophy.

Conclusion

So there you have it – a list of Greek dog names for you to choose in case you still have not decided on the name you will call your precious four-legged friend. All these are not only unique but traditional.

Run through the list, pick your favorites, and then choose the best one. Try to call your dog using the short-listed names and verify its reaction.

If any of these do not work well, sleep on it first and repeat the selection the following day. While you need not put unnecessary pressure on yourself, you must not be too lax about it. After all, giving the perfect names for dogs is foremost, every responsible pet owner’s responsibility.

Related topic: Goddess names for dogs

*photo by EsinDeniz – depositphotos