Greek mythology is filled with a wide variety of fascinating figures—gods, goddesses, titans, heroes, and more—each with their own stories that have shaped ancient Greek culture. Whether you’re creating a fantasy novel (you can find inspiration in medieval names as well), naming a character in a game, or just looking into the myths themselves, this list of Greek mythology names is a great starting point.
Here, I’ve broken the names into categories to help you navigate through the different types of mythological figures. From mighty gods to tragic heroes, Greek mythology offers an incredible range of inspiration.
Major Olympian Gods and Goddesses
These are the key deities who ruled over the heavens, earth, and the underworld, each with distinct domains and powers.
Zeus
The king of the gods and ruler of Mount Olympus. He is the god of the sky, thunder, and lightning.
Hera
The queen of the gods and goddess of marriage and family. She is the wife and sister of Zeus.
Poseidon
The god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He is one of the three Olympian brothers, along with Zeus and Hades.
Demeter
The goddess of agriculture, harvest, and fertility. She is the mother of Persephone.
Athena
The goddess of wisdom, courage, and warfare. Born from the head of Zeus, she is one of the most important deities in Greek mythology.
Apollo
The god of the sun, music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine. He is often depicted with a lyre or a bow.
Artemis
The goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and the moon. She is Apollo’s twin sister and protector of women and children.
Ares
The god of war, violence, and bloodshed. Ares is known for his brutal and aggressive nature in battle.
Aphrodite
The goddess of love, beauty, and desire. She was born from the sea foam and is often depicted as the ideal of beauty.
Hermes
The god of commerce, thieves, travelers, and messengers. He is also known as the guide to the Underworld.
Hephaestus
The god of fire, metalworking, and craftsmanship. He is the blacksmith of the gods, creating their weapons and armor.
Hestia
The goddess of the hearth, home, and family. She represents the warmth and safety of the household.
Titans and Primordial Deities
The Titans were the powerful deities who ruled before the Olympians, while the Primordials are the earliest gods who personified fundamental elements of the world.
Kronos (Cronus)
The leader of the Titans and father of Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, and Hestia. He is associated with time and often depicted as a destructive force.
Rhea
The Titaness and mother of the first generation of Olympians. She was the wife of Kronos and saved her children by tricking him.
Gaia
The primordial goddess of the Earth. She is the personification of the Earth and mother of the Titans.
Uranus
The primordial god of the sky. He was the father of the Titans and the husband of Gaia.
Oceanus
A Titan god who personifies the ocean. He was said to encircle the world in a vast river.
Hyperion
A Titan associated with the sun, light, and the heavens. He is the father of Helios (the Sun), Selene (the Moon), and Eos (the Dawn).
Selene
The goddess of the moon, often depicted driving a chariot across the night sky.
Eros
The god of love and desire, often depicted as a young winged figure with a bow and arrow. He is sometimes considered a primordial god, representing love’s power over all things.
Heroes and Mortals
Greek mythology is filled with human heroes and heroines who are often blessed or cursed by the gods. These figures undertake epic journeys or face impossible odds.
Heracles (Hercules)
One of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology, known for his strength and the Twelve Labors he undertook to atone for a terrible mistake.
Perseus
The hero who slayed Medusa and rescued Andromeda. Perseus is known for his bravery and cunning.
Theseus
The legendary hero of Athens who defeated the Minotaur and played a major role in the unification of the city-state.
Achilles
A hero of the Trojan War and the central character in Homer's Iliad. Known for his near invincibility, except for his heel.
Odysseus
The king of Ithaca and hero of The Odyssey. Odysseus is known for his cunning, resourcefulness, and long journey home after the Trojan War.
Jason
The leader of the Argonauts and the hero who sought the Golden Fleece. His quest was filled with perilous challenges.
Atalanta
A skilled huntress and one of the few female heroes. She was known for her speed and strength and participated in the Calydonian Boar Hunt.
Orpheus
A legendary musician and poet who could charm anyone (even inanimate objects) with his music. He traveled to the Underworld to retrieve his wife, Eurydice.
Bellerophon
A hero who tamed the winged horse Pegasus and defeated the Chimera, a monstrous creature.
Monsters and Creatures
These names represent some of the most fearsome and fantastical creatures in Greek mythology, often challenging heroes and gods alike.
Medusa
One of the three Gorgons, Medusa had snakes for hair, and anyone who looked at her would turn to stone. Perseus famously slayed her.
Minotaur
A half-man, half-bull monster that lived in the labyrinth built by Daedalus. Theseus defeated the Minotaur with the help of Ariadne.
Cyclops
One-eyed giants known for their incredible strength. The most famous is Polyphemus, who was blinded by Odysseus.
Cerberus
The three-headed dog who guards the gates of the Underworld, preventing the dead from escaping.
Hydra
A multi-headed serpent-like creature that grew two heads for every one that was cut off. Heracles famously defeated the Hydra as one of his Twelve Labors.
Chimera
A fire-breathing creature with the head of a lion, body of a goat, and tail of a serpent. It was defeated by Bellerophon.
Harpies
Winged female creatures known for their foulness and the ability to steal food. They often act as agents of punishment for the gods.
Sirens
Beautiful but dangerous creatures that lured sailors to their deaths with their enchanting songs. They appear in The Odyssey.
Other Mythological Figures
These names don’t fit neatly into the above categories but still play crucial roles in the stories of Greek mythology.
Hades
The god of the Underworld. He rules over the dead and is the brother of Zeus and Poseidon.
Persephone
The goddess of spring and queen of the Underworld, she is the daughter of Demeter and the wife of Hades.
Prometheus
A Titan who defied Zeus and gave fire to humanity, thus enabling progress. He was punished by being bound to a rock where an eagle ate his liver every day.
Pandora
The first woman created by the gods. She opened a jar (often miscalled a box) that released all the evils of the world but left hope inside.
Nike
The goddess of victory, often depicted with wings. She was a companion of Athena and personified success in war and competition.
The Fates (Moirae)
Three sisters who controlled the destiny of gods and mortals alike. They spun, measured, and cut the thread of life.
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