ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Names of the Greeks

Alright kiddo, let me tell you about the names of Greeks in a way that even a five-year-old like you can understand.

Every person has a name, right? Well, Greeks are no different. There are first names and last names, just like you might have a first name like “Samantha” and a last name like “Smith.”

In Greece, people usually have three names: a first name, a middle name, and a last name. The first name is the name that they go by every day, like “Alex” or “Sophia.” The middle name is often the name of a grandparent or another family member, and the last name is usually the family name that they all share.

But there’s something that makes Greek names a little bit different than other names you might know. You see, in many Greek families, the first son is named after the father’s father, and the second son is named after the mother’s father. The first daughter is named after the father’s mother, and the second daughter is named after the mother’s mother. So, for example, if your grandpa’s name is “George,” your first son might be named “George,” too!

Also, Greek names often have a special meaning behind them. For example, the name “Dimitrios” means “follower of Demeter,” who was the goddess of grain and agriculture. And the name “Anastasia” means “resurrection” or “rebirth,” because it’s similar to the word for “Easter” in Greek.

So, there you have it, kiddo! Greek names are just like everyone else’s names, but with some fun traditions and meanings behind them.
Related topics others have asked about: