Names from Greek myths for your pet
Ask your vet about your own pet. This page is general information from the sources below.
The Greek myths are some of the oldest stories we still tell, and they hold some of the best pet names. In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus's dog Argos is the first to know him when he comes home after twenty years. Athena's bird is the owl, Hera's is the peacock, and Echo can only repeat what others say: a name made for a parrot.
20 names, good for any pet. Greek myths for kids, on Peabody.
| Shortlist | Name | Boy or girl | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argos | Boy | Odysseus's faithful dog in Homer's Odyssey. Great for a dog. | |
| Athena | Girl | Goddess of wisdom; her bird is the owl. Great for a bird or cat. | |
| Apollo | Boy | God of music, light and the sun. | |
| Artemis | Girl | Goddess of wild animals and the moon. | |
| Hermes | Boy | The speedy messenger with winged sandals. Great for a dog or hamster, mouse, rat or gerbil. | |
| Zeus | Boy | King of the gods, who throws thunderbolts. | |
| Hera | Girl | Queen of the gods; her bird is the peacock. Great for a bird. | |
| Pegasus | Either | The winged horse. | |
| Echo | Girl | A nymph who could only repeat what others said. Great for a bird. | |
| Iris | Girl | Goddess of the rainbow. Great for a fish or bird. | |
| Atlas | Boy | The Titan who holds up the sky. | |
| Orion | Boy | The great hunter, set among the stars. | |
| Persephone | Girl | Whose return each spring brings back the flowers. | |
| Penelope | Girl | Odysseus's clever wife, who weaves by day and unweaves by night. | |
| Midas | Boy | The king whose touch turned everything to gold. Great for a fish. | |
| Nike | Girl | The winged goddess of victory. | |
| Cerberus | Boy | The three-headed dog who guards a gate in the myths. Great for a dog. | |
| Calypso | Girl | A sea nymph who lives on an island. Great for a fish. | |
| Achilles | Boy | The great hero with one weak heel. | |
| Medusa | Girl | The Gorgon with snakes for hair. Great for a reptile or turtle. |
Tick the names you like, then take them to a family vote.