Greek Last Names: 101 Powerful Meanings & Origins Explained

Greek last names are easy to understand only when you know about their suffixes, roots and rhythms. They are like locked puzzles but open a door to Greek history. Here you will find the best choosen 101 Last Names that are common in the Greek culture. Check out BestLastNames for best names suggestions from all around the world.

Here are 23 beautiful Greek last names, each of these names links to cultural threads like Byzantine clergy, Ottoman tradesmen, Aegean islanders.

Last Name	Meaning	Notes
Papadopoulos	Son of a priest	One of Greece’s most common surnames
Georgiou	Son of George	Common across Greek diaspora families
Ioannou	Son of John	From the name Ioannis (John)
Demetriou	Son of Demetrios	Rooted in ancient deity Demeter
Christodoulou	Servant of Christ	Often found among devout Christian families
Samaras	Saddle maker	Occupational; still used in horse regions
Papoutsis	Shoemaker	From papoutsi (shoe)
Raptis	Tailor	Related to sewing or stitching
Spanos	Beardless	Descriptive surname, sometimes teasing
Kokkinos	Red	Might refer to hair color or complexion
Kontos	Short	Possibly ironic, like calling a tall guy “Tiny”
Drakos	Dragon	Mythical, fierce—often passed down in legend
Aetos	Eagle	Symbolic name tied to nobility or vision
Kritikos	From Crete	Locational; proud Cretan heritage
Thessalonikios	From Thessaloniki	Regional identity
Mitsotakis	Diminutive from Crete	Politically known; -akis = “little” or “son of”
Papadakis	Cretan version of Papadopoulos	Very common in Chania and Heraklion
Stamatopoulos	Son of Stamatis	Often found in southern Greece
Kostopoulos	Son of Kostas	Another Peloponnesian classic
Karagiannis	Black-haired or brave John	Kara- = Turkish “black” + Greek Giannis
Makris	Tall	Descriptive, like “Big John” in English
Kalogeropoulos	Son of a monk	Kalogeros = monk, + -poulos = son of
Papanikolaou	Son of Father Nikolaos	Famous due to Dr. George Papanicolaou (Pap test)

31 Greek Last Names and Their Meanings Explained

Understanding the meaning of Greek last names helps trace back generations of identity, work, region, and even myth. These categories reveal how surnames once worked as social shorthand, telling you who someone was without asking.

Patronymic Names (Son of…): Papadopoulos, Georgiou, Dimitriou

This is the most common type in Greece. These surnames literally mean “son of” and come from the father’s first name.

• Papadopoulos – Son of a priest (papas + -poulos, “little one” or “descendant”).
  
• Georgiou – Son of George (Georgios).
  
• Dimitriou – Son of Dimitrios (from Demeter, goddess of the harvest).
  

Suffixes like -opoulos (Peloponnese) and -ou (Cyprus) help identify where the name came from. 

Occupational Names: Samaras, Raptis, Papoutsis

Some names came straight from the workshop. Like a stitched tag on a uniform, they marked the trade that fed the family.

• Samaras – Saddle maker. A respected skill in rural, horse-reliant communities.
  
• Raptis – Tailor. From rapto (to sew), often passed through generations.
  
• Papoutsis – Shoemaker. Still common in many Greek villages.
  

Descriptive Names: Spanos, Kokkinos, Kontos

Other surnames stuck because of how someone looked or didn’t look.

• Spanos – Beardless. Possibly ironic or mocking.
  
• Kokkinos – Red. Could be hair, cheeks, or temper.
  
• Kontos – Short. Another example of a name that started as a nickname.
  

Mythological/Natural Names: Drakos, Aetos, Iraklidis

Some surnames come cloaked in legend, names pulled from beasts, gods, or the sky.

• Drakos – Dragon. Might hint at bravery, danger, or drama.
  
• Aetos – Eagle. A symbol of strength and vision.
  
• Iraklidis – Descendant of Herakles. A claim of mythic lineage.
  

Regional or Locational Names: Kritikos, Mykonios, Thessalonikios

In tight-knit island cultures or mountainside towns, your name said where you belonged.

• Kritikos – From Crete.
  
• Mykonios – From Mykonos.
  
• Thessalonikios – From Thessaloniki.
  

19 Common Greek Last Names by Region (and What They Mean)

Across Greece, last names act like regional dialects. You can almost hear the geography in the syllables. Certain suffixes dominate certain parts of the country, making common Greek last names a roadmap of origin. 

Peloponnese: Papadopoulos, Stamatopoulos

The Peloponnese gave birth to the now-iconic -poulos suffix. It means “descendant” and runs deep in southern Greek identity.

• Papadopoulos – Son of a priest. Ubiquitous in the region and one of the most popular Greek last names nationwide.
  
• Stamatopoulos – Son of Stamatis. Often tied to rural towns and farming communities.
  

Crete: Mitsotakis, Papadakis

Cretan names often end in -akis, a diminutive suffix that started as a term of endearment or youth but became an island trademark.

• Mitsotakis – From “little Mitsos,” a common nickname for Dimitrios.
  
• Papadakis – Cretan form of “son of a priest.” Extremely common in Chania and Heraklion.
  

These surnames tell you immediately: “This person’s roots drink from Cretan soil.”

Asia Minor: Papazoglou, Karagiorgis

In regions where Greek and Turkish cultures once intertwined, surnames carry borrowed echoes.These names survived the population exchanges of the early 20th century. 

• Papazoglou – Son of a priest (Greek papas + Turkish -oglou).
  
• Karagiorgis – Black George or Brave George (kara- = black/brave in Turkish).
  

Cyprus: Georgiou, Constantinou

Cypriot names often favor the genitive form—the “of” someone’s father—reflecting how language and naming remained deeply patriarchal.

• Georgiou – Son of George (Georgios).
  
• Constantinou – Son of Konstantinos.
  

Macedonia/Thrace: Tsiotras, Florou

Northern Greece brings more compact, consonant-heavy names—often ending in -as or -ou.

• Tsiotras – Possibly derived from a Slavic or Vlach root, common in Thessaly and Macedonian villages.
  
• Florou – Genitive form of “Floros,” hinting at both Greek and Balkan influences.
  

Greek Last Name Suffixes & Prefixes Decoded (with 27 Examples)

To understand Greek surnames is to speak in the dialect of heritage. The meaning of Greek last names often hinges the suffixes and prefixes that act like roots in a family tree. Once you learn them,Papadopoulos or Mastrogiannis stops sounding like noise and starts telling a story.

Common Suffixes: -poulos, -idis, -akis, -ellis, -oglou

Each suffix is a clue, a fingerprint left by geography or history.

• -poulos – “Son of,” from the Peloponnese. Papadopoulos (son of a priest), Kostopoulos (son of Kostas).
  
• -idis / -ides – Pontic Greek heritage, often linked to Asia Minor. Georgiadis, Apostolidis.
  
• -akis – Cretan and eastern Greek islands. Once used to show humility or youth. Papadakis, Mitsotakis.
  
• -ellis – Dodecanese Islands, especially Lesbos. Nikellis, Vasellis.
  
• -oglou – “Son of” in Turkish. Used by Greeks from Anatolia. Papazoglou, Hatzoglou.
  

What Prefixes Like “Papa‑”, “Konto‑”, and “Mastro‑” Mean

Greek prefixes are snapshots of the first ancestor who made the name stick.

• Papa- – Priest. Indicates descent from a cleric. Papadopoulos = son of a priest.
  
• Konto- – Short or small. May refer to stature or affection. Kontogiannis = “Short John.”
  
• Mastro- – Craftsman or artisan. Mastrogiannis = “Master John.”
  
• Kara- – From Turkish, meaning black or brave. Karamanlis, Karadimas.
  
• Chondro- – Fat or stocky. Possibly teasing, possibly accurate. Chondros, Chondronikolas.
  

Gender Differences in Surname Endings (Male vs Female)

In Greek, even your surname tells your gender. Men’s surnames typically end in -s, -is, or -os; women’s forms drop or change the ending.These changes follow grammatical rules, not social preference. In Greece, a woman’s surname doesn’t automatically change at marriage. Since 1983, Greek law requires women to keep their birth surname, though usage varies in diaspora communities.

• Papadopoulos → Papadopoulou
  
• Raptis → Rapti
  
• Spanos → Spanou
  

Greek Last Names in Diaspora and Anglicized Forms

When Greek families migrated, names often got bent at borders. These versions live on in communities across Melbourne, Chicago, and Toronto. 

• Papadopoulos became Pappas.
  
• Kritikos turned into Criticos or even Chris.
  
• Georgiou was simplified to George.
  

17 Ancient Greek Last Names with Powerful Mythological Roots

Some ancient Greek last names tell you what they worshipped, feared, or aspired to become. These names echo the old temples, the marble stories, the thunderclap voices of Olympus. 

 Names Inspired by Greek Gods: Pallas, Dionysios, Apollonides

When a name draws directly from the gods, it’s more than vanity, it’s a cultural signature.

• Pallas – Linked to Pallas Athena, goddess of wisdom and war. The name suggests strategic mind, or divine favor.
  
• Dionysios – From Dionysus, god of wine, celebration, and chaos. Families with this surname often trace it to religious or theatrical roots.
  
• Apollonides – “Son of Apollo.” Apollo was god of music, light, healing. The name suggests high lineage, perhaps even noble mythic pretensions.
  

Surnames from Nature & Legends: Aetos, Drakos, Lykaios

The line between myth and nature blurs in many old Greek surnames. These weren’t just poetic, they were meant to describe character.

• Aetos – Eagle. Majestic, observant, often associated with Zeus.
  
• Drakos – Dragon. Less fairytale, more warlike. Linked to tales of bravery and fierceness.
  
• Lykaios – Of the wolf. Evokes survival, leadership, and ties to ancient Arcadian cults of Zeus Lykaios.
  

Rare Ancient Lineage Names: Themistokleous, Xenopoulos

These surnames may show up in literature, academia, or as noble-sounding relics passed through generations like heirlooms.

• Themistokleous – Of Themistocles, the Athenian general who helped defeat the Persians. The name implies strategy, statesmanship, legacy.
  
• Xenopoulos – “Descendant of Xenos,” meaning “stranger” or “foreigner.” It reflects Greece’s ancient hospitality culture (xenia), but also hints at migration and multicultural roots.
  

25 Unique & Rare Greek Last Names (With Cultural Context)

These rare Greek surnames carry a certain weight, like keys to stories only a few families can unlock. They stand out because they’ve survived quietly.

Names You Won’t Hear Often (But Should)

These aren’t names you’ll see in textbooks. They linger on obscure family trees or hidden corners of Greek record books.

• Xirogiannis – Dry John. Possibly a metaphor for a serious or frugal ancestor.
  
• Argyrakopoulos – Descendant of a silversmith. Complex, elegant, occupationally rich.
  
• Paliouras – A rare botanical surname, possibly linked to hawthorn trees.
  
• Mavrokordatos – “Black rope.” A noble Phanariot family name from Constantinople.
  

Unique Greek Last Names for Girls

Traditionally, surnames weren’t gender-specific in uniqueness, but feminine forms do create visual and linguistic distinction.

• Papadopoulou – Feminine of Papadopoulos. Widely recognized but sonically softer.
  
• Lambropoulou – Descendant of Lambros (bright, shining). Symbolic and strong.
  
• Vasilopoulou – Daughter of a Vasilis (king). Regal in tone, rare in form.
  
• Anastasiadou – From Anastasia, a resurrection name often linked to springtime births.
  

Powerful & Unique Greek Surnames for Men

Some names carry status just in their shape, as they are long, bold, or deeply tied to place and history.

• Tsatsaronis – Possibly tied to military or frontier life.
  
• Chryssafidis – Descendant of someone named Chryssafis (golden one).
  
• Gialourakis – From coastal Crete, possibly linked to salt or sea work.
  
• Papagiannopoulos – Son of Father Giannis. Long, clerical, rooted.
  

Long & Noble-Sounding Family Names

Sometimes the length of a name reflects the layered stories behind it.These names read like Greek epic titles because each syllable is a verse.

• Papadiamantopoulos – Descendant of Father Diamantis. Famous for its literary association with Alexandros Papadiamantis.
  
• Kanellopoulopoulos – Yes, it’s real. Likely a triple-generation patronymic.
  
• Hatzimichailidis – Pilgrim-descendant of Michael. Rooted in Asia Minor.
  
• Karapanagiotidis – Brave Panagiotis’ son. Combines regional and religious heritage.
  

Cool Greek Last Names for Modern Characters or Stories

Writers, gamers, and world-builders love Greek names for their lyrical structure and mythic punch. These stand out.

• Xenakis – Means “little foreigner.” Modern, mysterious, sleek.
  
• Zografou – Of the painter. Artistic, moody, evocative.
  
• Skarlatos – Bold, sharp—used in modern military and film contexts.
  
• Doukakis – Noble-sounding, short enough for fiction, but culturally grounded.
  
• Lykogiannis – Wolf + John. Sounds like a leader in a myth or sci-fi world.
  

Modern Greek Last Names for Girls and Boys (With Meanings)

Some names today still follow traditional patterns, but sound updated through spelling or structure. These work beautifully across both Greek and international contexts.

Girls:

• Elinopoulou – Daughter of Eleni.
  
• Vasilopoulou – Daughter of Vasilis (“king”).
  
• Marinou – Of Marina.
  
• Anastasiadou – From Anastasia, “resurrection.”
  

Boys:

• Nikolaidis – Son of Nikolaos.
  
• Stavropoulos – Descendant of Stavros (“cross”).
  
• Alexandris – Of Alexandros, “protector of men.”
  
• Christoforou – Of Christoforos (“Christ-bearer”).
  

Tips to Trace the Origin of Your Greek Last Name

Trying to trace the origin of a Greek last name can feel like following a thread through a labyrinth. You pull on a suffix, and it leads to a village. You tug at a prefix, and a whole profession appears. Whether your name stayed intact or got mangled at Ellis Island, these steps help decode its journey.

Understanding Regional and Linguistic Clues

Start with what the name sounds like. Is it full of consonants? Short and sharp? Ends in -poulos, -akis, -idis, -oglou? These suffixes can act like GPS tags:

• -poulos = Peloponnese
  
• -akis = Crete
  
• -idis / -ides = Pontus, northern regions
  
• -oglou = Turkish influence, often Asia Minor
  

Prefixes like Papa‑, Konto‑, Kara‑, and Mastro‑ also hint at profession or traits. 

What to Do If Your Name Was Changed at Immigration

A lot of Greek names didn’t cross borders intact. Clerks at U.S. ports couldn’t spell or pronounce them, so they shortened or Anglicized them:

• Papadopoulos → Pappas
  
• Georgiou → George
  
• Nikolaidis → Nichols
  

If your surname seems oddly short or “American,” dig into ship manifests, baptism records, and naturalization documents.

Wrapping Up:

Greek last names are more than family labels. They reveal history, region, and identity. From ancient roots to modern forms, each name tells a story. Use suffixes, prefixes, and tools like Forebears to trace yours. Whether rare or common, your name connects you to something bigger.