Nowadays, there are so many types of baby names to choose from. Will you pick something quirky, something traditional, or something trendy? If you’re looking for a little bit of everything in your baby name, why not choose one of these truly legendary names – no, literally, these names are the stuff of legends. These 23 names are inspired by the epic gods and goddesses of Greek mythology, and they embody everything elegant, classic, and unique all at once. Which mythological name is your favorite?

1. Athena

   The Greek goddess of wisdom and courage, a major Greek city (Athens, capitol of Greece) was named after her. Athena was the daughter of Zeus and one of the fiercest warriors in the Greek mythology. She was truly unique in many ways, first and foremost being she was born without a mother; the legend goes she sprang, fully clothed in armor, from Zeus’ forehead.

2. Daphne

   This lovely name translates literally to “laurel” and represents chastity; Daphne was a beautiful nymph who was pursued by the lustful god Apollo. Daphne is a naiad, a type of Greek nymph which is associated with freshwater bodies, including fountains, streams, rivers, and lakes.

3. Jason

   A strong and still modern name for a baby boy, you might be surprised to hear that the popular name Jason originated in Greek mythology. Jason was the leader of the fearsome band called the Argonauts. He led the Argonautic Expedition to claim the legendary Golden Fleece, which gave the owner extraordinary powers of strength. Jason was married to sorceress Medea, who he abandons in Euripides famous tragedy, Medea.

4. Phoebe

   Before there were gods in Greek mythology, there were great and power Titans. Phoebe was one of the original Titans, the daughter of Uranus (the Sky) and Gaea (the Earth). She was the mother of Leto, Asteria, and Hecate, and the grandmother of twins Apollo and Artemis. Phoebe was considered the Titan of prophecy, making this the perfect, quirky name for an intuitive baby.

5. Griffin

   Although this name doesn’t necessarily relate back to a person in Greek mythology, the griffin was an all-powerful mythological creature. The griffin (or griffon, gryphon) was a lion-eagle hybrid that was considered one of the most regal and majestic creatures in mythology. Because both the lion and eagle are symbols of royalty, this powerful name symbolizes a beast which was considered the king of all creatures.

6. Cassandra

   In mythology, Cassandra was both a gifted and cursed woman; she was a prophet, able to see the future. The daughter of Priam, King of Troy, Cassandra was considered the most intelligent, thoughtful, and curious of her siblings (her sister was Helen of Troy, otherwise known as the “face that launched a thousand ships”.) This is the perfect name for a naturally curious baby!

7. Juno

   Before the modern-day movie, the name Juno was associated with intensity and power. Juno was the Queen of the Gods in Roman mythology, formerly known Hera in Greek mythology. Juno was known for her temper and intense relationship with her husband Zeus, as well as her own legendary powers. If you have a sense your baby is going to have a fiery disposition, this is the perfect name.

8. Diana

   Another common, modern day name with a mythological background! Diana (also known as Artemis) was the chaste hunter, who lived in the forest to protect the animals with her magical bow and arrow. Although she was a peaceful friend of the forest and took a vow of chastity, Diana was anything but weak. She was well-known for punishing men who pursued her. Diana was the goddess of the moon and also had an ability to speak to the forest creatures she protected. For animal lovers, this is a beautiful baby name.

9. Alexander

   A truly royal name, Alexander was the prince who began the legendary Trojan War. He’s also known as prince Paris in some versions of the story. Although he may not have been the hero of that story (he essentially stole Queen Helen of Sparta and provoke the Spartans into a long and brutal battle), his regal name is still an elegant choice for a baby boy or girl.

10. Chloe

    This name is typically associated with a gentle, earthy-crunchy personality, which makes perfect sense when it comes to Greek mythology. Chloe was the goddess of fertility and harvest, her name even translates directly to “green shoots.” She is also known as Demeter in many myths and was responsible for the changing of the seasons as well as the seasonal harvests.

11. Penelope

    A unique name that truly reflects passion and love, Penelope is the beautiful wife that the hero Odysseus is fighting to get home to in the epic, The Odyssey. The name has become extremely popular in recent years after Kourtney Kardashian gave her daughter this romantic, fun moniker.

12. Callisto

    Callisto was a beautiful (the original Greek name translates to “most beautiful”) nymph who was courted by Zeus and consequently transformed into a bear and then a constellation by the goddess Artemis. This nymph may have had a tragic story, but she was considered one of the most beautiful characters in all of Greek mythology. Also, Cal is just about the cutest nickname for a baby.

13. Troy

    We’re sure we don’t have to tell you the meaning of Troy…but we’re going to anyways. Troy was a great and proud city, home of the great war against the Spartans to reclaim their queen, Helen. The defense of Troy was a strong one; as legend has it, the Greeks had to build a wooden horse as a gift just to infiltrate the city. For a name that exudes strength and loyalty, Troy is the perfect baby moniker.

14. Lorelei

    We were already in love with this name for Gilmore Girls-related reasons. But mythology tells of a beautiful and clever mermaid named Lorelei, who had great fun tricking sailors into smashing onto the rocks, using her legendary siren call. The tale says she was wronged by her true love and took to avenging herself by punishing all of mankind. Scary? Perhaps. Despite it’s horror-story origins, this passionate and beautiful name is a unique one for a baby girl.

15. Zeus

    If you really want to make a statement, this kingly name takes the cake. We all know Zeus as the King of the Greek Gods, and he is the controlling power in almost all of the major mythological stories. All-powerful and inhumanly strong, Zeus is about as strong of a moniker as you can dream up for your baby boy.

16. Damon

    This kind name is representative of the Greek character Damon, who is the perfect example of true friendship and loyalty. In the story of Damon and Pythias, Pythias is sentenced to death by king Dionysus, but asks to settle his affairs before death. The king allows it, on the condition that his best friend, Damon, stay as a hostage. If Pythias does not return, Damon will be killed. Damon agrees but Pythias does eventually return to save his friend from death, to the astonishment of the king. Both characters’ names are now synonymous with friendship in mythology.

17. Maia

    Maia, or Maya, is a variation of the Gaia, who was the original Titan of Earth. She is essentially the mythological version of “Mother Earth.” This peaceful, caring name is associated with spring and new life, and is a beautifully unique name for a baby girl.

18. Cora

    This name is a translation from Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. While this may sound a little doom and gloom, Cora is responsible for the revival of spring each year. Her retreat to the Underworld brings about fall and winter; her mother is Demeter, goddess of the harvest, which would account for her impact on the seasonal changes. If you can look past the idea of the Underworld, this is a lovely name that you won’t hear very often.

19. Castor

    This bold, quirky name originates from the story of Castor and his twin brother of Pollux in Greek mythology. It is said that when he died, Pollux appealed to Zeus to let him remain with his brother forever. They were then transformed into the constellation. For a twin, or for any child with a sibling, this is a powerful name representing sibling love and loyalty.

20. Hector

    Brave, smart, and fierce, Hector was notable for being the greatest fighter for Troy in the Trojan War. He was the son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba. This fairly popular name has both quirky and traditional qualities to it, and is a powerful name for any little boy.

21. Atlas

    If you really want your child to have a one-of-a-kind name, it doesn’t get more intensely unique than the name Atlas. As the famous story goes, Atlas is the Titan who was forced to hold the world upon his shoulders forever. For strength, persistence, and patience, this is the perfect moniker.

22. Evander

    Honestly, we’re obsessed with this name. It is both strange (in the best way) and powerful, all at once. In Greek mythology, Evander was an Arcadian hero of the Trojan War who later founded the city of Pallantium. The translation literally means “good man,” making this a perfectly positive name for a future leader (your kid, of course!)

23. Clio

    This daughter of Zeus was quiet and intensely smart. In fact, Clio was the Muse of history across almost all of Greek mythology. If you get the sense that your daughter (or son, as this name could easily be androgynous) is going to be an ever-curious bookworm, this is a perfectly out-of-the-norm name for them to call their own.

Is there a mythological name you love? Share your favorite names in the comments section below.