100 Unique Greek And Roman Inspired Character Names

When developing strong characters, names are incredibly powerful.

They create first impressions, embody personality, and transmit with them subtext such as symbolism.

Mythologies and histories from ancient Greece and Rome offer a rich reservoir of timeless, evocative names with built-in symbolism.

This is from lofty gods on Mount Olympus to fabled heroes and even members of Roman history; these cultures have provided us with a wealth of symbolism and meaning over thousands of years, which can be incorporated into any narrative.

Whether you’re constructing a fantasy epic; historical fiction; or a modern narrative, names inspired by ancient Greek and Roman culture can add depth, dignity, and intrigue to your character.

In this post, we will look at some powerful, elegant, and mythologically inspired names and the stories behind them to help your characters come to life.

greek and roman inspired character names

Acastus – “Unwavering,” a hero in Greek mythology.

Adrasteia – “Inescapable,” a goddess associated with justice and fate.

Aeneas – “Praised,” a Trojan hero and central figure in Roman mythology.

Alethea – “Truth,” symbolizing honesty and clarity.

Andromeda – “Ruler of men,” a princess saved by Perseus.

Anthea – “Blossom” or “flower,” associated with spring and rebirth.

Apollo – God of the sun, music, and prophecy.

Ariadne – “Most holy,” known for aiding Theseus in escaping the labyrinth.

Artemis – Goddess of the hunt and the moon.

Athena – Goddess of wisdom, strategy, and warfare.

Bellerophon – A hero known for taming the winged horse Pegasus.

Calliope – “Beautiful voice,” the muse of epic poetry.

Castor – One of the twin brothers (Castor and Pollux), associated with horsemanship.

Chloe – “Blooming” or “fertility,” associated with Demeter.

Circe – A powerful enchantress known for turning men into animals.

Clio – “Fame” or “glory,” the muse of history.

Daphne – “Laurel,” a nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree.

Dionysius – God of wine, revelry, and theater.

Electra – “Amber” or “shining,” a key figure in Greek tragedy.

Eos – Goddess of the dawn.

Eros – God of love and desire.

Eurydice – “Wide justice,” the ill-fated wife of Orpheus.

Gaia – Primordial goddess of the Earth.

Hades – God of the underworld and the dead.

Harmonia – Goddess of harmony and concord.

Helios – God of the sun.

Hera – Queen of the gods and goddess of marriage.

Heracles – A hero known for his immense strength and the Twelve Labors.

Hermes – God of travelers, thieves, and messages.

Hestia – Goddess of the hearth and home.

Icarus – A figure known for flying too close to the sun.

Iris – Goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods.

Leto – Mother of Apollo and Artemis.

Lyra – “Lyre,” symbolizing music and poetry.

Melpomene – Muse of tragedy.

Morpheus – God of dreams.

Narcissus – A beautiful youth who fell in love with his own reflection.

Nike – Goddess of victory.

Nyx – Primordial goddess of the night.

Orion – A giant hunter turned into a constellation.

Pandora – “All-gifted,” the first woman in Greek mythology.

Persephone – Goddess of spring and queen of the underworld.

Phaedra – “Bright,” known for her tragic love story.

Phoebe – “Radiant” or “bright,” associated with the moon.

Pollux – Twin brother of Castor, known for his strength.

Selene – Goddess of the moon.

Thanatos – Personification of death.

Theia – Goddess of sight and heavenly light.

Theseus – A hero known for defeating the Minotaur.

Zephyros – God of the west wind.

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Aquila – “Eagle,” symbol of power in Roman mythology.

Augusta – “Majestic” or “venerable.”

Aurelius – “Golden” or “radiant.”

Cassius – “Hollow,” a prominent Roman family name.

Cicero – A Roman philosopher and statesman.

Cornelia – “Horn,” a noble Roman matron’s name.

Decimus – “Tenth,” a common Roman praenomen.

Drusus – A Roman general’s name, meaning “strong.”

Fabia – “Bean grower,” from a distinguished Roman family.

Faustina – “Fortunate” or “lucky.”

Flavia – “Golden-haired.”

Gaius – “To rejoice,” a common Roman name.

Horatius – A Roman hero known for defending a bridge.

Julius – “Youthful,” famously associated with Julius Caesar.

Livia – “Envious” or “blue.”

Lucius – “Light,” a popular Roman given name.

Marcellus – “Little warrior.”

Marcus – “Dedicated to Mars,” the Roman god of war.

Maximus – “Greatest” or “largest.”

Nero – “Strong” or “vigorous.”

Octavia – “Eighth,” from the noble Octavian family.

Ovidius – A Roman poet, meaning “shepherd.”

Pompeia – “Five,” from the ancient Roman gens Pompeia.

Praetorius – Related to leadership or command.

Quintus – “Fifth,” a common Roman praenomen.

Regulus – “Little king.”

Rufus – “Red-haired.”

Sabina – Refers to the ancient Sabine tribe.

Scipio – “Staff” or “walking stick,” name of a Roman general.

Secunda – “Second,” a Roman feminine name.

Seneca – A Roman philosopher and playwright.

Severus – “Stern” or “serious.”

Silvanus – God of forests and fields.

Tacitus – “Silent,” a famous Roman historian.

Tiberius – “Of the Tiber River.”

Tullia – A Roman family name, derived from “Tullius.”

Valeria – “Strong” or “healthy.”

Vespasian – A Roman emperor’s name, meaning “wasp.”

Vesta – Goddess of the hearth and home.

Virgil – A Roman poet, meaning “staff-bearer.”

Vitellius – A Roman family name, possibly meaning “calf.”

Volumnia – “To wish” or “to be willing.”

Zenobia – “Life of Zeus,” a powerful queen of Palmyra.

Tarquin – A Roman king’s name, meaning “strong.”

Nerva – “Strength” or “vigor,” a Roman emperor’s name.

Claudia – “Lame,” from the Roman gens Claudia.

Minerva – Goddess of wisdom, war, and strategy.

Juno – Queen of the Roman gods, goddess of marriage and childbirth.

Venus – Goddess of love and beauty.

Mars – God of war, strength, and courage.