Etymology of ancient Macedonian names

[Ptolemy]

A,a

AGIS (Άγις) m ancient Greek
General of Ptolemy I. His name derives from the verb Άγω (=lead). Agis means "the one who leads".

ADAMAS (Αδάμας) m ancient Greek
Ηe was a Macedonian from Aiane, known from an inscription found there. (S.E.G vol39, inscr. 567)
It derives from the noun Adamas (= untamed)

ADDAIOS (Αδδαίος) m ancient Greek
One of the Macedonians in Alexander's army. It derives from the adj. Αδαιος (= irresistable)

ADEIA or ADAIA(Αδαία ή Ανταία) f ancient Greek
Daughter of Amyntas, son of Perdiccas III and Cynane, daughter of Philip II. She was renamed later as Eurydice. Her name derives from Ηδύς - Ηδεία (=sweet, pleasant). In doric it becomes Adeia, Ady.

ADMETOS (Άδμητος) m Ancient Greek
It derives from the adj admetos and means unbeaten.

ADON (Άδων) m ancient Greek
Father of Archestratos and lived during 4th c. His name derives from the verb Άδω (= sing)

ADRASTOS(Άδραστος) m ancient Greek
Son of Nestor. His name was found on an inscription. It derives from the adj Adrastos (a + didrasko = escape)

ADYMOS (Άδυμος) m ancient Greek
Father of Menandros. His name was found on the base of a statue. It derives from adj. Hdymos (Ionic) Adymos (doric) and means "pleasant"/

ADYRA (Αδύρα) f ancient Greek
she was Daughter of Antigonos and she was known from an insciption (SEG, vol 38. insc.627). It derives from the stem of Doric dialect -Ady + the adj. ηδύς (= sweet). The full meaning of the name is "sweet/pleasant".

AEROPOS m Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Male form of Aerope who in Greek mythology was the wife of King Atreus of Mycenae. Aeropos was also the son of Aerope, daughter of Kepheus: ‘Ares, the Tegeans say, mated with Aerope, daughter of Kepheus (king of Tegea), the son of Aleos. She died in giving birth to a child, Aeropos, who clung to his mother even when she was dead, and sucked great abundance of milk from her breasts. Now this took place by the will of Ares.’ (Pausanias 8.44.) The name was borne by two kings of Macedon.

AGAKLES (Αγακλής) m ancient Greek
He was son of Simmihos and was from Pella. He is known from a resolution of Aetolians. His name derives from the adj. Αγακλεής (= too glorious)

AGGAREOS (Αγγάρεος) m ancient Greek
Son of Dalon from Amphipolis. He is known from an inscription of Amphipolis (S.E.G vol 31. ins. 616) It derives from the noun Αγγαρεία (= news)

AGAKLES (Αγακλής) m ancient Greek
Son of Simmichos from Pella. He is known from a resolution of Aetolians where he was given "proxenia". His name derives from the adj Agakleis (= too glorious) and the meaning of his name is the same.

AGASIKLES (Αγασικλής) m ancient Greek
Son of Mentor, from Dion of Macedonia. It derives from the verb άγαμαι (= admire) + Κλέος (=fame). Its full meaning is "the one who admires fame"

AGATHANOR (Αγαθάνωρ) m ancient Greek
Som of Thrasycles. He was priest of Asklepios for about 5 years. His origin was from Beroia as is attested from an inscription. His name derives from the adj. αγαθός (= virtuous) + ανήρ (= man). The full meaning of his name is "Virtuous man"

AGATHOKLEIA (Αγαθόκλεια) f ancient Greek
Wife of Ptolemy IV the philopator. Her name derives from the adj. αγαθός (= virtuous) + κλεος ( = fame).

AGATHOKLES (Αγαθοκλής) m ancient Greek
Father of Lysimachos. His name derives from the adj. αγαθός (= virtuous) + κλεος ( = fame).

AGELAS (Αγέλας) m ancient Greek
Son of Alexander. He was born during the mid-5th BCE and was an ambassador of Macedonians during the treaty between Macedonians and Atheneans. This treaty exists in inscription 89.vol1 Fasc.1 Ed.3"Attic inscrip."
His name was common among Heraclides and Bacchiades. One Agelas was king of Corinth during the first quarter of 5 BCE. His name derives from the verb άγω (= lead) and the noun Λαός (= people or even soldiers (Homeric)). The full meaning is the "one who leads the people/soldiers".

AGELAEIA (Αγελαεία) f ancient Greek
Wife of Amyntas, from the city of Beroia (S.E.G vol 48. insc. 738)
It derives from the adj. Αγέλα-ος ( = the one who belongs to a herd)

AGENOR (Αγήνωρ) m ancient Greek
Father of Peithon. His name derives from the adj. agenor or aganor (doric) (=very brave).

AGESISTRATOS (Αγησίστρατος) m ancient greek
Father of Paramonos, a general of Antigonos Doson. His name derives from verb ηγήσομαι ( = lead in command) + στρατος (= army). "Hgisomai" in Doric dialect is "Agisomai". Its full meaning is "the one who leads the army"

AGERROS (Αγερρος) M ancient Greek
He was father of Andronikos, general of Alexander. His name derives from the verb αγέρρω (= the one who makes gatherings)

AGIPPOS (Άγιππος) m ancient Greek
He was from Beroia of Macedonia and lived during middle 3rd BCE. He is known from an inscription found in Beroia where his name appears as the witness in a slave-freeing. Another case bearing the name Agippos in the Greek world was the father of Timokratos from Zakynthos. The name Agippos derives from the verb άγω (= lead) + the word ίππος (= Horse). Its full meaning is "the one who leads the horse/calvary".

AGLAIANOS (Αγλαϊάνος) m ancient Greek
He was from Amphipolis of Macedonia (c. 4th BC) and he is known from an inscription S.E.G vol41., insc. 556
His name consists of aglai- from the verb αγλαϊζω (= honour) and the ending -anos.

AGNON (Άγνων) m ancient Greek
One of the Hetairoi of Alexander the Great. His name derives from adj Agnos (= pure) + ending -on.

AGNOTHEOS (Αγνόθεος) m ancient Greek
Macedonian, possibly from Pella. His name survived from an inscription found in Pella between 300-250 BCE. (SEG vol46.insc.799)
His name derives from Αγνός ( = pure) + Θεός (=God). The full meaning is "the one who has inside a pure god"

AIMON (Αίμων) m ancient Greek
Father of Lysistratos. His name appears in one stele (S.E.G vol1, inscr. 268)
It derives from the adj. Aimon (=skillful)

AINEIAS (Αινείας) m ancient Greek
Som of Demetrios who lived in Oreskeia. His name is from the mythical Aineias of the Trojan war.

AISYMNOS (Αίσυμνος) m ancient Greek
Son of Oxymenos. He was announced as proxenos of the city Oropus. His name also belongs to the mythical Greek heroe Aisymnos who took part in the Trojan war. His name derives from the verb ασυμν-άω (= govern). Its meaning is "the one who governs".

AISCHRION (Αισχρίων) m ancient Greek
Son of Amyntas from Aigae. His name derives from the name Aischros and the ending -ion, meaning "the descendant of Aischros"

AISCHYLINOS (Αισχυλίνος) m ancient Greek
Son of Aristokleidos from Beroia. He lived in 3rd c. bc His name derives from the name Aischyl-os + the ending -inos, meaning "the one who is the same with Aischylos".

AISCHYLION (Αισχυλίων) m ancient Greek
Son of Sosidemos from the city of Europos. His name derives from the name Aischyl-os + the ending -ion, meaning "the descendant of Aischylos".

AKISTOS (Άκιστος) m ancient Greek
Father of Adaios from Beroia. It derives from the adj. akestos (=the one who can cure) and has the same meaning.

AKMITOS (Άκμητος) m ancient Greek
Father of Alexander, general of Antigonos Doson. This Alexander took part in the battle of Sellasia. It derives from the adj. akmitos (=tireless) and has the same meaning.

AKYLOS (Άκυλος) m ancient Greek
Son of Cleonymos from Aegai. It derives from the noun akylos (= oak-gall)

ALEXANDROS m Ancient Greek (ALEXANDER Latinized)
Pronounced: al-eg-ZAN-dur
From the Greek name Alexandros, which meant ‘defending men’ from Greek alexein ‘to defend, protect, help’ and aner ‘man’ (genitive andros). Alexander the Great, King of Macedon, is the most famous bearer of this name. In the 4th century BC he built a huge empire out of Greece, Egypt, Persia, and parts of India. The name was borne by five kings of Macedon.

ALEXARCHOS (Αλέξαρχος) m, ancient Greek
Derives from Greek "Αλέξω" (=defend, protect, help) + "Αρχος " (= master). Alexarchos was brother of Cassand

ALEXIPPOS (Αλέξιππος) m ancient Greek
He was a doctor and took part in Alexander's campaign. It derives from the word "alexein" (= to defend, protect, help) + ippos (=horse). The full meaning is "the one who protects horses.

ALEXIS (Αλέξις) m ancient Greek
Son of Archelaos, known from an inscription (S.E.G. vol47, 1997, inscr. 870)
ALKETAS m Ancient Greek (ALCAEUS Latinized)
Pronounced: al-SEE-us
Derived from Greek alke meaning ‘strength’. This was the name of a 7th-century BC lyric poet from the island of Lesbos.

AMYNTAS m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek amyntor meaning ‘defender’. The name was borne by three kings of Macedon.

ANDROTIMOS (Ανδρότιμος) m Ancient Greek
Father of Nearchos. Even if he had Cretan origins during Philip's reign he settled in Macedon and was considered a Macedonian. It derives from the words andreios (brave, courageous) and timitis(honest, upright )

ANTIGONOS m Ancient Greek (ANTIGONUS Latinized)
Pronounced: an-TIG-o-nus
Means ‘like the ancestor’ from Greek anti ‘like’ and goneus ‘ancestor’. This was the name of one of Alexander the Great's generals. After Alexander died, he took control of most of Asia Minor. He was known as Antigonus ‘Monophthalmos’ ('the One-Eyed'). Antigonos II (ruled 277-239 BC) was known as ‘Gonatos’ (‘knee, kneel’).

ANTIGONE f ancient Greek
Usage: Greek Mythology
Pronounced: an-TIG-o-nee
Means ‘against birth’ from Greek anti ‘against’ and gone ‘birth’. In Greek legend Antigone was the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta. King Creon of Thebes declared that her slain brother Polynices was to remain unburied, a great dishonour. She disobeyed and gave him a proper burial, and for this she was sealed alive in a cave. Antigone of Pydna was the mistress of Philotas, the son of Parmenion and commander of Alexander the Great’s Companion cavalry (Plutarch, Alexander, ‘The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans’).

ANTIPATROS m Ancient Greek (ANTIPATER Latinized)
Pronounced: an-TI-pa-tur
From the Greek name Antipatros, which meant ‘like the father’ from Greek anti ‘like’ and pater ‘father’. This was the name of an officer of Alexander the Great, who became the regent of Macedon during Alexander's absence.

APOLLOPHANES (Απολλοφάνης) m ancient greek.
His name derives from the greek verb "απολλυμι" (=to destroy) and φαίνομαι (= appear to be). Apollophanes was a prominent Macedonian who was appointed Satrap of Oreitae.

ARCHELAOS m Ancient Greek (ARCHELAUS Latinized)
Pronounced: ar-kee-LAY-us
Latinized form of the Greek name Archelaos, which meant ‘master of the people’ from arche ‘master’ and laos ‘people’. It was also the name of the 7th Spartan king who came in the throne of Sparti in 886 BC, long before the establishment of the Macedonian state.

ARCHESILAOS (Αρχεσίλαος) m ancient Greek
His name derive from greek verb Άρχω (=head or be in command) + Λαος (= people). Archesilaos was a Macedonian that received the satrapy of Mesopotamia in the settlement of 323.

ARCHIAS (Αρχίας) m ancient Greek
His name derive from greek verb Άρχω (=head or be in command). Archias was one of the Macedonian trierarchs in Hydaspes river.

ARETAS (Αρετας) m ancient Greek
Derives from the greek word Areti (=virtue). He was commander of Sarissoforoi at Gaugamela.

ARISTANDROS m Ancient Greek (ARISTANDER Latinized)
Means ‘best man’, derived from aristos meaning ‘best’, and aner ‘man’ (genitive andros). The name of a soothsayer who accompanied Alexander the Great on his conquests (Plutarch, Alexander, ‘The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans’).

ARISTOPHANES m Ancient Greek
Derived from the Greek elements aristos ‘best’ and phanes ‘appearing’. The name of one of Alexander the Great’s personal body guard who was present during the murder of Cleitus. (Plutarch, Alexander, ‘The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans’). This was also the name of a 5th-century BC Athenian playwright.

ARISTOTELES m Ancient Greek (ARISTOTLE Latinized)
Pronounced: AR-is-taw-tul
From the Greek name Aristoteles which meant ‘the best purpose’, derived from aristos ‘best’ and telos ‘purpose, aim’. This was the name of an important Greek philosopher who made contributions to logic, metaphysics, ethics and biology among many other fields.

ARISTON m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek aristos meaning ‘the best’. The name of a Macedonian officer on campaign with Alexander the Great (Arrian, Anabasis, Book II, 9 and Book III, 11, 14).

ARISTOPATRA f Ancient Greek
Mother of Krateros, general of Alexander the great. Her origin is from Orestis of Upper Macedonia. Her name derives from the words "Aristos" (= excellent, eminent) + "patra" (= family). The full meaning is "the one who comes from a eminent family).

ARGAIOS m Greek Mythology (ARGUS Latinized)
Derived from Greek argos meaning ‘glistening, shining’. In Greek myth this name belongs to both the man who built the Argo and a man with a hundred eyes. The name was borne by three kings of Macedon

ASCLEPIODOROS (Ασκληπιοδορος) m Ancient Greek
Derives from the greek words Asclepios (= cut up) + Doro (=Gift). Asclepios was the name of the god of healing and medicine in Greek mythology. Asclepiodoros was a prominent Macedonian, son of Eunikos from Pella. Another Asclepiodoros in Alexander's army was son of Timandros.


ATALANTE f Ancient Greek
Sister of Perdiccas and probably married Attalos. Her name derives from the adj "Atalantos" (= similar) Atalante for females.

ATHENA (Αθηνά) f ancient Greek
She was from Thessalonike and her name appears in an inscription (S.E.G vol 48, inscr.863)

ATHENAGORAS (Αθηναγόρας) m ancient Greek
General of Philip V. He was the general who stopped Dardanian invasion in 199 BC. His name derives from the verb αγορά-ομαι (=deliver a speech) + the name Αθηνά (= Athena).

ATHENAIOS (Αθηναίος) m ancient Greek
He was father of Dimonikos, originally from Pella. One of the trireme commanders during Alexander's campaign. Its meaning is "The one from Athens".

ATHENAIS (Αθηναϊς) f ancient Greek
The name was found on an altar of Heracles Kigagidas in Beroia. It derives from the name Athena and the ending -is meaning "small". Its whole meaning is "little Athena".

ATHENION (Αθηνίων) m ancient Greek
Son of Bithyos originally from Beroia. His name is known from an inscription of Samothrace along with other Macedonians that participated in the "Mysteria".
His name derives from Athen-aios + the ending -ion, meaning the "descendant of Athenaios"

ATTALOS m Ancient Greek
Eminent Macedonian known from the incident where he implied Alexander was a bastard. His niece Cleopatra was married to Philip II and himself together with Parmenion leaded the advanced Macedonian force in Asia where he was finally assasined. His name derives from the word "αττα" (=grandad, old man) + the ending -los.

AUTODIKOS m ancient greek
Somatophylax of Philip III. His name in greek means "the one who takes the law into his (own) hands"

AVREAS (Αβρέας) m ancient Greek
Officer of Alexander the great. His name derives from the adj. αβρός (=polite)

AXIOS (Άξιος) m ancient Greek
Meaning "capable". His name was found on one inscription along with his patronymic "Άξιος Αντιγόνου Μακεδών".

AZAIOS (Αζαίος) m ancient Greek
Father of Damon from Thessalonike. It derives from aza (=heat) + the ending -aios. Its full meaning is "the heated"

[akritas]

O Giourkas sou vrike doulia Ptolemy!!!!

[paniskos]

in the macedonia highlands under the hellenic sky

[Amyntas]

Originally Posted by paniskos

u guys forgot animal names like boukefalas (bous+kefale), it was named by alex, right so that makes it mac name i suppose

..any other animal name from macedonia?

I think there is a list with animal and vegetable's names in this book (i m serious ! ) I m not sure thought, I ll continue adding information from that book in the next days. I 've read 50 pages so far and that book is 283 pages, so I ll have alot of material to contribute

(I hope I can soon translate the parts where hoffmann analysizes the ancient macedonian elements in modern greek and the neo-macedonian dialect of the greek language)

[Ptolemy]

Zz

ZANATOS(Ζανάτος) m ancient Greek
Macedonian from Beroia. He lived in the end of 4th c. BC. He is known from an inscription found in Beroia (S.E.G, vol 49, inscr. 680). His name derives from the infinitive ζην or ζαν which is a doric type of the verb ζήω/ζω (= live, exist) + the ending -atos. Its full meaning is "the one who is full of life inside"

ZEIDYMARCHIS (Ζειδυμαρχίς) f ancient Greek
She is known from an inscription (S.E.G, vol 24, inscr. 543). The name is similar to the masculine Didymarchos with change of 'D' to 'Z'. It derives from the words Διδυμος (=twin, double) + αρχή (= authority, power). Its full meaning is "the one who has double authority".

ZEUXIS (Ζεύξις) m ancient Hellinic
Name of a Macedonian commander of Lydia in the time of Antigonos III and also the name of a Painter from Heraclea - from 'zeugnumi' = 'to bind', 'join together'

ZISO (Ζησώ) f ancient Greek
Daughter of Dionysios from Argillos. She is known from an inscription (S.E.G. vol47, inscr. 881). Ziso is the feminine of the greek name Zison (Ζήσων). The name Zison derives from the future tense of Ζώ (=live, exist)

ZOILOS (Ζωίλος) m ancient Hellinic
Father of Myleas from Beroia - From zo-e (ΖΩΗ) indicating 'lively', 'vivacious'. Hence the Italian 'Zoilo'

ZOVIA (Ζωβία) f ancient Greek
She lived between 5th and 4th c. BC and her name is known from an inscription (S.E.G. vol49, inscr. 754) Her name is found also in Athens. It derives from Ζώ (=live, exist) + Βία (= violence).

ZOIS (Ζωίς) m ancient Greek
This name along with 10 more were found in an inscription in the altar of Heracles Kynagides in Beroia. It derives from the stem of the noun ζω-ή. Zois means "small life"/

ZOPYRION (Ζωπυρίων) m ancient Greek
Father of Philippos. The name survived in a letter of Antigonos Doson. It means "the descedant of Zopyros"/

ZOPYROS (Ζώπυρος) m ancient Greek
Son of Amyntas from Beroia. He lived during Hellenistic/Alexandrian years. The name derives from the adj. Ζώπυρος (= the one who is steamed up)

[paniskos]

in the macedonia highlands under the hellenic sky

[Ptolemy]

It derives from σω-ς/σώ-ος, having the meaning of Αβλαβής.

[paniskos]

in the macedonia highlands under the hellenic sky

[Ptolemy]

Sosthenis einai autos pou exei akeraies dunameis.

[paniskos]

in the macedonia highlands under the hellenic sky