What was the importance of names in ancient Greece?

In ancient Greece, the naming system was unique and was used for much more than just identification. Even though an individual was only assigned a single name officially, they sometimes had one or two added-on names. These names were usually associated with their family and the region from which they hailed. Therefore, a name was also utilized to symbolize the individuals status. These names also had links to religious rituals and prophecies, as the ancient Greeks considered names a means of establishing a connection between mortals and the gods (3).

How do ancient Greek names add a sense of tradition and legacy to a family's history?

In Ancient Greek, the naming practices were based on a strong foundation of legacy and traditions. The naming process usually involves selecting a name from within the family. The first-born son was named after his paternal grandfather, and the first-born daughter after the paternal grandmother. This naming tradition added value to the legacy of a familys history and ensured that it was carried forward to future generations (3).

Why did ancient Greeks only have one name?

According to the traditions of earlier times, Greeks were assigned one name because this was the Indo-European naming tradition followed throughout the continent then. Though the Greeks were officially only given a single name, they were sometimes given semi-formal names that assisted with identification, such as their father’s name or place of origin (3).

Home • Baby Names

1 Ancient Greek Boy Names Meaning, Starting With B

Written by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Edited by Siddharth Kesiraju, MA, Certification in Relationship Coaching Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 7 years

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Fact-checked by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 2 years

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

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Last Updated on Oct 3, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

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Name	Gender	Meaning
Benjamin	Boy	Son of the right hand; Son of the south
Brooks	Boy	Stream; Brook; Marsh
Beau	Boy	Beautiful; Handsome
Bryson	Boy	Son of a nobleman; Freckled
Brayden	Boy	Broad valley; Wise; Brave
Braxton	Boy	Bracca's settlement
Brandon	Boy	Prince; Chieftain; Gorse hill
Beckett	Boy	Beehive
Beckham	Boy	From the Becca homestead
Bryce	Boy	Freckled; Strength; Swift

Brantley	Boy	Fire; Steep meadow
Brady	Boy	Spirited
Bodhi	Boy	One who is awakened and enlightened
Bryan	Boy	Strong; Virtuous; Noble
Brian	Boy	High; Noble; Hill
Bradley	Boy	A broad clearing or field
Bowen	Boy	Son of Owen; Noble; Victorious
Briggs	Boy	One whose village is near the bridge
Baylor	Boy	Goods deliverer; Bailiff
Braylen	Boy	From a broad or wide hillside

Braylon	Boy	Broad valley; Wise; Strong as a lion; Supplanter
Bodie	Boy	Command; Messenger
Bruce	Boy	Willowlands
Brixton	Boy	Place name in South England
Boone	Boy	A blessing
Benson	Boy	Son of Ben; Blessed
Bellamy	Boy	Good friend
Bruno	Boy	Armor; Protection; Burnished; Polished; Brown
Brycen	Boy	A speckled man's son
Bridger	Boy	He who lives near the bridge

Byron	Boy	Barn; From the cottage
Brendan	Boy	Fiery hill; Prince; King
Ben	Boy	Son
Bjorn	Boy	Bear
Brock	Boy	Badger
Benicio	Boy	Blessed
Bryant	Boy	He who ascends to heights
Brodie	Boy	Muddy place; Ditch; Second son
Bode	Boy	Order, command
Bear	Boy	Produce; To give birth

Boden	Boy	One who takes shelter
Bronson	Boy	Son of Brown; Burnish
Brennan	Boy	Rain; Moisture; Drop
Braden	Boy	Broad valley; Brave
Brayan	Boy	Hill; Noble; Power
Brecken	Boy	Freckled; Speckled
Branson	Boy	A burning sword; A fiery sword
Bowie	Boy	Yellow-haired Boy; Blond-haired boy
Benedict	Boy	Blessed
Bishop	Boy	A Bishop

Benny	Boy	Son of the South; Son Of the Right Hand; Favorite; A diminutive of the name Benjamin; A variant of Ben
Boaz	Boy	Swift; Strong; A variant of the name Boas
Billy	Boy	Nickname for William
Beck	Boy	The brook
Brett	Boy	Britons from Britain and France
Braydon	Boy	A wide hillside
Benito	Boy	Blessed; Well-spoken; A variant of Benedict
Benaiah	Boy	Son of the Lord
Booker	Boy	One who makes books
Brent	Boy	Holy one; From a steep hill; Sword; Warrior

Benton	Boy	Settlement in a grassy place; Town in the bent grass; One who is from the place where the bear grass grows
Bilal	Boy	The Prophet's person; Calling prayer
Brentley	Boy	A hilltop; A mountain top
Brayson	Boy	One who is the son of Bray
Bernard	Boy	Brave bear; Strong
Brexton	Boy	Freckle-faced boy
Barron	Boy	Warrior; The title of nobility used as a first name; From the land that was burned
Bastian	Boy	From Sebastia; Revered
Brysen	Boy	A son of a freckled man
Barry	Boy	Fair-headed; Spear; Sharp

Bernardo	Boy	Bold as a bear
Baron	Boy	Noble man
Boyd	Boy	One with yellow hair
Brenden	Boy	Prince; King; Outstanding
Brice	Boy	Freckled
Brigham	Boy	From the small village near the bridge
Braeden	Boy	Broad hill
Brendon	Boy	The king's heir; Prince
Benji	Boy	Son of the right hand; Son of the south; A short form of Benjamin
Breck	Boy	Person having a spotted skin or a freckled skin

Brenton	Boy	A hilltop or the top of a mountain
Branch	Boy	Paw; Extension
Brewer	Boy	One who brews; A surname
Bruin	Boy	One whose hair is brown like a bear
Beauden	Boy	Beautiful
Broderick	Boy	To be like a brother to someone
Bryer	Boy	A strong man
Basil	Boy	Like a king
Burke	Boy	He who came from the fortress
Bennet	Boy	Blessed; A variant of Benedict

Britton	Boy	A man of British heritage
Banner	Boy	A colonial origin, banner; Flag
Braulio	Boy	Meadow on a hillside
Brogan	Boy	Little shoe; Son of Brogan
Branden	Boy	Hill covered with gorse
Bayron	Boy	Barn for cows; From the bear's den
Brennon	Boy	Prince; A variant of name Brendan
Buck	Boy	One who is like a deer, a male deer
Brandt	Boy	Fire; Torch; Sword
Blaize	Boy	One who lisps or stutters

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