It is nice to play with our dogs’ names, isn’t it? For one, we don’t really need a birth certificate that needs to be authenticated. Thus, it is so easy to change it if it doesn’t sound that good.
And because of this no-risk factor in choosing names for our dogs, we sometimes just choose the names of the “Olden Times”. Those names are barely known and rarely heard up to this day (well except for those re-popular-zing ones such as Zeus).
Anyway, in honor of those owners who love to popularize and give gratitude and attention to the “Ancient Ones”, we have compiled 44 ancient names that you can use to name your dogs.
Achilles/Achilleus
In Greek mythology, Achilles or Achilleus was a hero of the Trojan War, the greatest of all the Greek warriors. Isn’t he a true Achilles?
Ajax
Derived from the Greek Aias (Alas). Ajax is born in Greek mythology by two Greeks renowned for their valor and prowess. Ajax Telamon was a strong and brave warrior who led the Greeks in the Trojan War after Achilles withdrew.
Amadeus
Amadeus is a theophoric given name derived from the Latin words ama – the imperative of the word amare (to love) – and deus (god). As a linguistic compound in the form of a phereoikos, it means “love god!”.
This guy is no doubt a lover in both look and style.
Ambrosius/Ambrosios
Ambrosius or Ambrosios is a Latin adjective derived from the Ancient Greek word ambrosios or “divine, immortal”.
This name’s original bearer, Ambrosius Aurelianus, was a war leader of the Romano-British. He won an important battle against the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th century.
Now, this little one has a very uncanny resemblance with the name’s origin. Maybe he is really an Ambrosios. XD
Anubis
Anubis is the Egyptian god of mummification and the afterlife. He is the patron god of lost souls and the helpless. He is one of the oldest gods of Egypt.
If you’re going to name your dog after this ancient god, then maybe they should have point ears and long, narrow face, right?
Oh, maybe this one is a perfect fit!
Apollo
Apollo is a god in Greek mythology, and one of the Twelve Olympians. He is the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin brother of Artemis. He is the god of healing, medicine, archery, music, poetry and the sun.
This doggo is feeling his inner Apollo, sitting comfortably in throne.
Ares
Ares is the Greek god of war. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, the son of Zeus and Hera.
In short, Ares is the perfect representation of strong will, power, and might. If your dog have these characteristics, then pick this name!
Now, that dog’s face is prepared for war!
Atticus
Atticus actually comes from the full name Herodes Atticus. According to some books, Herodes Atticus was a Greek of Athenian descent. He claimed connections from a series of mythic Greek kings: Theseus, Cecrops, and Aeacus, as well as the god Zeus. In short, Atticus could be a king, too!
Well, this guy looks like a king watching over his land. Don’t you think?
Augustus
Augustus was the name of the former roman emperor. He was a statesman and military leader who became the first emperor of the Roman Empire.
This dog is an epitome of the Augustus years ago, don’t you think?
Caesar
Caesar is part of the popular name Gaius Julius Caesar. He was a Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. When naming your dog Caesar, your dog should probably have the class, fierce and determination.
Cyrus
Cyrus is commonly known as Cyrus the Great, or also called Cyrus the Elder by the Greeks. This name brings the nobility and pride of the founder of the first Persian Empire.
Florentinus
The name Florentinus bears the legacy of a Roman politician who served as Urban prefect of Rome from 395 to 397 AD.
Griffin
Griffin means a fabulous creature with the body of a lion and head and wings of an eagle. It is from Greek “gryps”. Maybe you feel like your dog is a lion and eagle at the same time, so choose this name then. 😉
Hector
Hector is an English, French, Scottish, and Spanish given name. This name is derived from Hektor, a legendary Trojan champion who was killed by the Greek Achilles. The name Hektor is probably derived from the Greek ekhein, meaning “to check”, or “restrain”.
Hercules
Hercules is the Latin form of Greek Herakles, meaning ‘glory of Hera’, the queen of the gods. This is the name of a demigod in classical mythology, who was the son of Zeus, king of the gods, by a human woman. His outstanding quality was his superhuman strength. This dog is Hercules inside.
Leo
Leo is a Latin given name. It is usually a masculine given name and it comes from the Latin word leo which comes from the Greek word meaning “lion”. It can also be a nickname for a name such as Leonard or Leopold.
Lincoln
Lincoln is a masculine given name of Old English origin, and the meaning of Lincoln is “lake/pool colony”. This translates to town by the pool or settler by the lake.
Linus
This name means “flax” in Greek, possibly indicating someone who was blond or flaxen-haired. Some say it is Etruscan for “one who mourns.”
Loki
Loki is short for Trickster God. The name Loki is of Scandinavian origin. Loki is a name that’s been used primarily by parents who are considering baby names for boys. This name is a trickster god from Norse mythology, and a character in Marvel’s Thor comic and movie series.
Magnus
Magnus is a Latin name, literally meaning “greatest.” Norwegian king Magnus I, named after Charlemagne, introduced it to his culture, and thus Magnus was the name of six early kings of Norway and four of Sweden.
Marcus
Marcus is a masculine given name of Ancient Roman pre-Christian origin. It is derived from Etruscan Marce of unknown meaning or referring to the god Mars. And since Mars was identified as the Roman god of War, the name ‘Marcus’ can by extension be taken to refer to Ares in the Greek pantheon.
Marius
Marius is a male given name, a Roman family name, and a modern surname. This name is thought to be derived from either the Roman war god Mars or from the Latin root mas or maris meaning “male”. It may also derive from the Latin word mare meaning “sea”, the plural of which is maria.
Maximus
Maximus (Hellenised as Maximos) is the Latin term for “greatest” or “largest”. In this connection it may refer to: Circus Maximus (disambiguation) or Pontifex Maximus, the highest priest of the College of Pontiffs in ancient Rome.
Octavius
In Latin, the meaning of the name Octavius is: Born eighth. Octavius was a Roman clan name, as well as the original name of Emperor Augustus (commonly known as Octavian). Traditionally, this name was given to the eighth child in a large family.
Odin
The name Odin means Frenzy, Rage, Inspiration, and is of Scandinavian origin. In mythology, Odin was the highest (father) of all Norse gods, who presided over art, war, wisdom, and death.
This doggo surely resembles the great king in him.
Orion
In Greek, the meaning of the name Orion is rising in the sky; dawning. Mythological Orion was a mighty hunter and son of Poseidon. The constellation Orion contains three conspicuous stars.
Patrin
This is a male given name of Romani origin which means “leaf trail”.
Pavle
Pavle is a Serbian, Macedonian and Croatian male given name with the direct translation of the English name “Paul”. One Croatian variant is Pavao, and in other Slavic languages, it is usually Pavel.
Titus
The name Titus is a Latin male given name origin which means “title of honor”. Titus was the name of a Roman military commander who became Emperor.
Trojan
In old English Trojan is spelled Troian, meaning “of or pertaining to ancient Troy,” from Latin Trojanus, (Troia, Troja) or “Troy” from the Greek name for the city. It is said to be from Tros, name of a king of Phrygia, the mythical founder of Troy.
Tulio
Tulio is a Latin given name, which means “the one who leads”. It is a fairly common given name in Spanish-speaking countries. Other popular forms are Tullio (Italian) and Túlio (Portuguese).
Vitus
Vitus is a Latin given name meaning lively. It also refers to a Christian saint or a French bicycle manufacturer.
Zeus
The name of a Greek god, related to the old Indo-European god *Dyeus, from a root meaning “sky” or “shine”. In Greek mythology he was the highest of the gods. After he and his siblings defeated the Titans, Zeus ruled over the earth and humankind from atop Mount Olympus.
What do you think of our ancient names? Do you wish to name your dogs based on the names of our ancestors? If yes, share with us your answers in the comments section.
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