🇬🇷 Greece
398
Total names
203
Male names
195
Female names
Naming Rules
Strong tradition of saint names
Greek Orthodox naming tradition strongly favors saint names and names from the religious calendar.
Naming after grandparents is customary
Traditionally, the first son is named after the paternal grandfather and the first daughter after the paternal grandmother.
Registrar reviews the name
The civil registrar can refuse names that are inappropriate or offensive.
Greek and international names accepted
Both Greek and foreign-origin names are legally permitted.
Legal basis: Nomos 344/1976 (Law on Civil Registry Records) and related amendments.
Authority: Civil Registry Office
Popular Names in Greece
Top 15 Boy Names
1.Georgios
2.Dimitrios
3.Konstantinos
4.Ioannis
5.Nikolaos
6.Alexandros
7.Panagiotis
8.Andreas
9.Christos
10.Michail
11.Athanasios
12.Vasileios
13.Emmanouil
14.Stavros
15.Theodoros
Top 15 Girl Names
1.Maria
2.Eleni
3.Aikaterini
4.Sofia
5.Vasiliki
6.Eirini
7.Dimitra
8.Anna
9.Georgia
10.Panagiota
11.Konstantina
12.Angeliki
13.Chrysoula
14.Olga
15.Despoina
Registering a baby name in Greece
Deadline
10 days after birth
Processing
1-7 days
Fee
Free
Appeal to
First Instance Court
Grandparent-naming is a strong tradition: the first-born son often takes the paternal grandfather's name, the first-born daughter the paternal grandmother's. Deviating from this is legally allowed but a social choice.
Traditional Greek names
Greek tradition strongly ties names to Orthodox Christian saints and, less formally, to classical Greek heritage (Aristotelis, Alexandros, Penelope). Saints' name-days are major family celebrations, often more important than birthdays.
Examples of names refused or restricted
While Greece accepts most well-known names, the Lixiarcheio (Civil Registry) has refused or restricted the following types:
- Non-Greek characters without transliteration — names are recorded in the Greek alphabet in official documents
- Names perceived as offensive — rejected under the general welfare-of-child clause
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to register a baby name in Greece?
Parents must declare the name at the Lixiarcheio (Civil Registry) within 10 days after birth. Processing typically takes 1-7 days. The standard fee is Free.
What names are rejected in Greece?
Refusals are rare but not unknown. Examples include: Non-Greek characters without transliteration (names are recorded in the Greek alphabet in official documents); Names perceived as offensive (rejected under the general welfare-of-child clause). The core principle is that no name may harm or humiliate the child.
Can foreign parents use a non-Greek name?
Yes. Foreign-origin names are generally accepted in Greece, provided they can be written in the local alphabet and do not conflict with the rules above. Parents from abroad may be asked to show their own passport or the child's prior documents as supporting evidence.
What can I do if the registrar refuses my chosen name?
You can appeal the decision before the First Instance Court. In practice, submitting evidence of historical use (saints, writers, previous bearers of the name) or a minor adaptation of spelling usually resolves the case.
Check a name in Greece
Search 398 names in our Greece database — plus 24 more European countries.
Check a Name →Last updated: April 2026. For informational purposes only. Always consult your local Civil Registry Office for definitive answers.