Greek surnames are complicated for most foreigners; not to mention how weird they sound!
The origins of Greek surnames, roots and etymology vary a lot; in fact you can find some very typical Greek last names, or very common ones, while others are funny, bizarre or even insulting.
In Greece every period has its own characteristics in name giving or surname creation.
It is historically known that ancient Greeks did not have official last names, but they did have some patronymic characteristic; i.e. Achilles was Achilles Pileidis (from his father Pileas).
The surnames as we know them today appeared towards the end of the 15th century.
Roots and Origins of the Greek Surnames
The vast majority of Greek surnames are known to be patronymics; this means that Greek surnames usually come from the genitive of the first name of the father of the family. Of course you have to go back a few centuries to find who started the tradition, but that is how it goes. So if someone’s last name is Demetriou, that means that the surname came from a man named Demetrios. This was actually an innovation in Grammar, because in their initial form the surnames for women were just a feminine respective of the original masculine name.
This means that the wife or daughter of a man named Bouboulis would be named Bouboulina. It is interesting that the position of women throughout history has been associated with the use of surnames as well; until a few years ago women were obliged to substitute their surname with the one of their husband- later, they were able to keep both surnames, and today, they are free to choose whether they want to keep their surname or add the one of their husband as well (complete substitution is prohibited).
The origins of Greek surnames vary significantly; you can find the patronymics we mentioned earlier, the matronymic ones referring to those that come from mothers’ name, the national or toponymic ones referring to surnames created by names of towns, prefectures and so on. There are also Greek surnames referring to a profession, or the paronymic ones, referring to different abilities, or even animals.
Suffixes and Prefixes in Greek Surnames
In most cases you can recognize the origin of the name and its bearer from the suffix of the surname. For instance, if you see a Greek surname ending in –akis, the person comes from Crete. Not all Cretans have a surname ending in –akis, and not all people with an –akis in their surname are from Crete, but this is very common characteristic and suffix.
Similarly, surnames ending in –ellis come from the island of Lesbos, -opoulos from the Peloponnese peninsula, -idis from Pontus or Asia minor, -iadis from Messinia or Lakonia, -oudas from Macedonia (North Greece).
Prefixes can also give you some information on the origin of the surname:
A last name starting with Kara- means that it comes from the East, or the Asia minor, as “kara” means black in Turkish. Kondo- means short and was very common in islands, Papa- means that once upon a time there was a priest (papas) in the family.
Of course these are generalizations and today due to the vast mixture of names, origins and generations, you cannot rely on these rules. However, it is good to know them since they are part of the Greek tradition and have a lot to do with the old and original roots of most names today.
Common Surnames in Greece
Some of the most common Greek surnames you can find are: Papadopoulos (don’t even try to count how many men named Giorgos Papadopoulos exist in Greece), Papadakis, Ioannou, Georgiou, Demetriou and more.
Hi,
I do not think my question would be easy to answer:
After the marriage I have changed my name to NENICEAS. My husband is from Moldova. But as per his family story it is a Greek surname, his great-great-grandfather who was Greek settled down in south of Moldova, my husband relatives say that the original name was longer, it was shorten. I am not sure from what part in the middle or at the end. They believe that great-great-grandfather did something in Greece and run away… It would be really interesting to know at least approximately the original name.
Thanks a lot.
Elena
I am looking for an old friend and can not remember how to spell his last name.It is Matsokapetrous..I remember him saying it has 15 letters in it..I think..I spelled it how it sounds.Can anyone help me with the spelling??
Katia i wish i did . its so hard to get him to talk about much . thank you for the information did you have its a start. 🙂
Hi
Im Devin, im French Canadian , Maori , Italian and Spanish. but i’ve been searching my Surname “Zapheriou”
People always ask how do you say it and wheres it from?
My media studies teacher told me it sounded greek so here i am. My Dad doesnt know how to say it or where it comes from since his Dad died before he was born.
I pronounce it like ” Za-Fee-Ree-Oh” is that right. Dad says it like ” Zaph-Row”
I am trying to help a friend whose grandfather immigrated allegedly from Crete in 1907/1908 alone and underaged, then americanized his name to Harry Tash. From what I have read above, his first name could have possibly been Haris and the suffix of his last name may originally have been “akis”. I would appreciate any help. Thanks so much!
Hi im looking for my last name which i believe was
Caspress or kaspess or my be carpess
Thanks
John
Hi there (Giases)
Please, I would love some clarification from experts.
I am Greek. However, my surname is MELLINI (which I am told is Italian AND Greek) So, which one is it? Greek or Italian?
I know it means “honey” in Greek. Anyone kind enough to tell me where this name orginates from?
Eufgaristo poli
Maria
Hi- my name is Courtney Pappas and I have been trying to find more information on my last name for a long time now and keep hitting dead ends.
The original name that my great grandfather came over with is Papadopolos.
Anything you might know would be amazing .. the Greek spelling, the origin or where in Greece its most common?
I’m not sure of the exact date that my great grandfather came over but i have been to the wall with all the immigrants names at the statue of liberty and we are the only Papadopolos’ on there.
Any help would just be awesome!
thanks,
Courtney
Courtney hi.. any idea from where your grandfather came? Papadopoulos is the most common Greek surname, so any help would be good. In general, Papadopoulos is mostly common in the Peloponnese Peninsula.
Hello!
My family’s last name is Triglianos. I don’t know exactly where my family’s from, but I’m told I’m an Islander. I vaguely remember a family friend telling me that my name meant from the island of Triglia..
Can someone help me verify this?
Thanks 🙂
Hello! I dont know much about the name Triglianos, however, I know that Triglia is a seaside area 50km away from Thessaloniki. Let us look for more info!
Triglianos / Τριγλιανός simply means the man from Triglia / Τρίγλια, an old Greek city now occupied by Turks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeytinba%C4%9F%C4%B1
Here is how the article starts:
“Zeytinbağı (also Triglia or Tirilye, Triglia/Τριγλια in greek) is a town in Bursa Province, Mudanya, Turkey, situated 12 km (7.46 mi) west of Mudanya. Trilye (Triglia) is a quaint township along the Marmara Sea shoreline…”
the nos or nios are typical endings for place names in islander, Ionian and Asia Minor Greeks. From Smyne (Ismir now) it is Smyrnios, From Lemnos Lemnios, Koutali Koutalianos, from Mytiline Mytilinios etc.
Katia is correct, for pointing out the village Triglia close to Thessaloniki, but this is actually Nea Triglia. They are 1923 Greek refugees from the aforementioned original (old) Triglia, of Asia Minor,. and as it was the norm, kept the old name adding Nea-New in front. For sure in Nea Triglia of Thessaloniki you will find a lot of common DNA, since your distant relative, the one that had already left from there and acquired the new name Triglianos, “the one from Triglia” in his new place must have left some relatives behind, whose descendants with a different name live in Nea Triglia.
My maiden surname was Foundas and I have always been told that this originated from a Turkish word for the long tassel of an Ottoman fez. My family were originally Greeks living on the Anatolian coast (Levisi). I cannot find any supporting evidence. Any thoughts?
The Ottoman fez is called “Φεσι” (fesi) in Greek. The word founda on the other hand means cirrus/bobble. I will look for some more details and let you know.
Here is Levisi, your grandparent’s village: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/13580160
Greeks had to abandon it οn June 30, 1923, leaving behind 2 churches, 2 schools, 14 chapels and all the homes which are still empty. It was a wealthy community, as the beautiful homes and public buildings attest. Φούντας / Fountas (pronounced Fou’ndas) means tassel-man. Someone that makes tassels, either traditional shoes tassels or fez tassels, or both. Giorgos Fountas was the name of a famous actor who just died only a couple months , and played in Never on Sunday and Stella, with Melina Mercouri, and Zorba the Greek, with Irene Papas, among other international Greek cinema classics: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0288344/
@Vincenzo Mustich
Your name could come from the word mastic (ie mastiha chewing gum) the island of Chios is famous for its mastic and was also under the control of the Venetians. I am having a guess but that is where your connection may lie
Wow!!! I have always been fascinated with anything greece and I just stumbled upon this. Nice.
Hi my name is Lambros and my surname i believe was
a name of Cucarpas i dont no how to spell it
or it could be kursarpas does anyone not how to spell
it and does anyone no what Lambros means
help is needed
Thank you
This is the best blog i’ve ever read!
Hi, so my family is from Greece. My Father’s family is from Kalymnos. The last name is Houllis.
I am unware of the name that could come from for it to be patronymic in origin, and I am drawing blanks on occupations as well. Could this be a borrowed Turkish word?
Anyways, any insight you can give me would be much appreciated.
The same would go for my maternal side. Malamatos, but I know less about them.
Im looking for an old friend and his last name is greek but I’m not sure how to spell it. Its like DEPETRIUS I spelled it like it sounds but need the correct spelling thank you, this means alot to her
Hello!
My Greek-American last name is Pappas, but, of course it’s shortened from the original. Growing up I was always told it was Pappenderitzos. However, I can’t find any evidence for such a surname existing.
Researching, I’m wondering if it could be Papandroutsos even though I still can’t find much to substantiate that?
My great-grandfather came from Kalapodi to the U.S. in the early 1900s. Any help would be most appreciated!
JP
Καλαπόδι / Kalapodi in Φθιώτις / Phthiotis, central greece:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVU72PvD06U&feature=related
Thanks for the link. That was very interesting–to see the place my ancestors lived. I’d like to walk that ground in person someday. Have you ever heard my family’s name, perhaps spelled a different way?
JP
I am quite impressed with the Greek Names blog and that its still being kept up. Was rather helpful in checking up on names and such.
Keep up the good work!
Hello All. I am researching the last name Kotsovos. I was told by a friend of mine that the name is Greek in origin. Does anyone have more information on the meaning of the name, where it originated-anything?
ΚΩΤΣΟΒΟΣ – Κωτσοβός – Kotsovos there are many Kotsovos in the village Vlasi of Mesenia, in southern Peloponnese. many from that village had emigrated to, among other places, Portland, Oregon, before WWI
Finally I found the right place to ask.
I’m from Italy and my last name is Mustich.
In my home town there are many families with this last name, and it’s obviously not Italian.
My great-uncle used to say that it probably comes from greece, but it is really difficult to say because of the different alphabet and the fact that names were registered by voice (many people couldn’t read or write in the 1800).
The pronunciation in Italian is “Mustik”, and old people say “Mustikki”.
Does it sound like a greek name? Please help me… It’s years that I’m trying to find this out.
I looked up Moustis/Μούστης ΜΟΥΣΤΗΣ/MOUSTIS and I is a name found in the Peloponnese and Athens area. In Greek it would not have been written without the “o”, which is necessary to make the “u” sound. I looked for Moustikis which would be the obvious derivative of Moustis but nothing came up on the internet. It can come from “moustos” (the unfermented grape juice) which would have normally produced Moustikos, but also dialectically Moustikis. It could also be from mustiko, secret, but it seems unlikely.
My Last name is Soteropoulos. Its as greek as you can get. Only 2 of my friends can spell it. I learned how to spell it when i was 2. I am from Kalamata and Tripolis. But mostly Kalamata. Georgusis is my mother’s godparents’ last name.
Lex,
My mother’s maiden name is Soteros, originally Soteropoulos. We live in America, and are desperately seeking information on the family name, history, and hopefully some form of family crest.
I would love any help you could give me in locating this.
I’d like to begin my very own blog eventually. It was a really nice blog that you made here. Continue the success 😛
Monika,
The surname is qualified by a derivative of Athanatos (Αθανατος) meaning immortal.
The suffix of course tells us that his family originated from the Peloponnese peninsula. We see many variations of this surname throughout the Hellenic diaspora.
Athanasidis – Pontian variation
Athanasiadis – Messinian variation
Athanasakis – Cretan variation
Athanasia and Athanasios are also very common female and male genders of the same name that mean the same thing.
I am trying to research my greek ancestry…my grandmothers parents came to America from Greece. I am having a difficult time finding the correct spelling of their true Greek surnames. Their last name was changed to Confoganus and then to Connus when they came to America. My great grandfather was born in Sparta and his name was Koufogianes. My great grandmother was born in Kiparisi and her name was Barbaris or Varvaris. I have a picture of my great grandmother’s gravestone. Her name is spelled in Greek and when I tried to translate it, I ended up with Kouphogiane. Please let me know if any of this sounds correct. Thank you for your help!
You are right with your great grandmothers translitterration from the Greek. The name is indeed Koufogiannes/Κουφογιαννης and for female you drop the “s”, Koufogianne/Κουφογιάννη. It makes perfect sense. It is derived straighforwards from koufos=deaf and Giannes = John. Koufogiannes = DeafJohn. A nickname for a deaf man, called John, which stuck and became his last name.
Sorry, i didn’t give the information that i was looking for. Georgusis is my last name and would like to know what region and some history about the name if possible. Also is this a common last name in Greece? I know i have found records of the name dating back to the early 1900’s from people immigrating to america. Please see what you could find so i have an idea of my family’s origin. Thanks.
J. Georgusis
Ι spelled your name Georgousis / Γεωργουσης (the correct spelling in Greek needs a “o” to make the oo spound: “ou”, not “u”) and I got 55 pages, from writers of novels to formula drivers to professionals etc etc. There is thousands of people named “George’s son”.
Another would-be author here; I’m rather enchanted with the name “Athanasiadis,” mentioned above. The geographic origin should be from Pontus/Asia Minor, according to what is said in the section dealing with origins.
But is there a connotation or derivation for this name? It makes me think of athanatos, which I’d connect with the English “deathless.” But I’m operating from a serious lack of knowledge; any justification for that connection?
Thanks for an intriguing site!
Can anyone give me some info about Georgusis? Thanks.
Thankyou you very much Katia,
I have a strange connection with the Greek side as i grew up as a Bennett, then found out that my biological father was a Parthenopoulus, a lovely fellow that lived up the road from us and i knew well. Trouble is i never knew the connection at the time, i am trying to connect if i can find him, my stepbrother. Your info has been very helpful, thanks very much.
Martin
You’ll flip when you learn what Parthenopoulos means though…Parthena – “virgin” with -opoulos ending indicating “son of”. Son of a virgin! It is less exciting once you consider that Parthena is also a first name, as Virgin-ia is in many European languages, including English.
hi, I writing a story about a elf from Greece. If I want to create a surname meaning ” a gift from Gaia “, can I say “Geodore”? It may sound silly, but I hope that you can give me some advice.
Geodore is a fine surname, you can also spell it Gaiodore if you want to have a direct association with Gaia. You can also write it Gaiodorne if you want.
Gaiodoros (gift of Gaia) or Gaiodotos (given by Gaia) or simply Gaion (of Gaia)
Hi peoples.
A couple of questions:
1. My great-grandfather was adopted, but apparently grew up in Messinia. His name was “Athanasopoulos”. Does this mean son of *Arthur*? Or something else? It is a very common surname for immigrants to the US as well – I’ve begun to wonder if there was a period of orphans that all got assigned this same last name …. Thoughts?
2. His wife’s last name in the US was shortened to “Tsopels”. I found a death certificate from a brother in Greece which seemed to list the name as “Tsopeloyianni”. Also from Messinia. Any idea of what this name means? I’ve never seen it ….
Thanks for any guidance you can provide. And great website!
I was after the meaning or origins of the surname Parthenopoulos please.
Martin,
the Greek word “parthenos” means Virgin, and the desinence -opoulos usually originates from the Peloponnese Peninsula. Therefore, chances are that your last name (Parthenopoulos) comes from that area.
Can anyone please help me, I’m trying to find the correct spelling for my last name.
My Grandparent came from Greece back in the 1920’s and when they arrived they changed their last name.
I know the last name is Eleftherian, but I’m not sure if that’s the correct spelling or not.
Can anyone tell me if that sounds right and if you could write it in Greek please?
Hi Andy,
your grandfather’s last name sounds more Armenian than Greek. The ending -ian is definitely Armenian and it can be found in Greece even today. History mentions that in 1922 many Armenians moved to Greece from Asia Minor (Turkey).
If your grandfather was not of Armenian origin, then his last name should be Elefheriou or something similar, which is common in Greece.
Yannis is definitely right.
Eleutherian is definitely Armenian, unless it is a shortened Green name in which case it could be Eleftheriou or Eleutheriou (the eu sounds like ef in Greek) = Ελευθερίου, as Yiannis said, Eleutheriades/Ελευθεριάδης or more probably Eleftherianos/Eleutherianos/Ελευθεριανος.
In a quick internet search I found 7 people with the last name ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑΝΟΣ in the Athens phone book.
My last name is Bagou. I am trying to find out where in Greece did it orginate from. Can anyone help me please, VERY hard to get info. Have tried and tried no luck.
Thanks
I can tell you that there is a village by this name in the Peloponnese, by Megalopolis: Bagou – Βάγγου. Check this website, you might not understand the letters (use Google translator) but you can see the photos at least: http://vaggou.blogspot.com/
Alternatively, it can be the short version of Vangelis, Vangos, “V” being spelled in Greek as “B”, Baggos, short for Evangelos.
Bagos, genitive Bagou, i.e. son of Bagos. The G sound is written with two gama in Greek: Βάγγου
Kara in surnames does not mean black. It has the same meaning as in megasevdas. Incidently, Kara is also used as a prefix in Turkish surnames, as well as in Hebrew surnames. The Turkish phone book for Istanbul has many examples.
Some first Greek names were common in Asia Minor. Triantafilis is such a name. I don’t believe it was widely used in the Morea.
I haven’t given Boulas much thought, but I suspect that the prefix has been left off.
My great grandfather Anthony came from Greece in the early 1900’s. I think he came from Lesbos/Mytilini and the best translation we have been able to get for our original surname is Zapheriou. Does anyone have any information about this name? I have been considering having it legally changed back but I want to make sure I have it right, and of course in modern greek there are multiple combinations of characters that would spell that phonetically. It would be nice just to be sure. They gave us Jeffery at immigration and I hate it. Anthony named his first son Zaferis and everyone called him Jeff his whole life anyway.
Oh hi :), just found your coment after posting mine Yaaaay.
My Dads dad was from overseas, but i dont know where neither does Dad since his Dad died before he was born.
My Media studies teacher said it sounded Greec so yeah i guess it is.
Oh yeah by the way my surname is Zapheriou too!!!
i dont know how to say it, i just say ” Za-fee-ree-oh ” dad says it ” Zaph-row “.
Im lucky cause my Grandad was alowd to keep his name which left me with a cool looking but hard to say name!!!
Zapheri (Ζαφείρι) means Sapphire, from Ancient Greek Σάπφειρος (sapfeiros). Ζαφειρίου / Zapheiriou is the genitive of Ζαφείρης/Zapheiris (baptized as Zapheirios/Ζαφείριος). Zapheiriou means ” Zapheris’ “, meaning “son of”, “child of” Zapheiris. the “ei” diphthong in modern Greek is pronounced as “ee”, so Zapheiriou is pronounced as Zapheriou.
Delatolla is my Greek family name. We are from Tinos.
Hi all
I have had no luck trying to find the meanings of 2 names kondonis and Lemonias if any one can help i would really appreciate it
thanks
Hi Lena,
I don’t know what the surname “Kondonis” means, but “Lemonias” comes from the Greek word “lemonia”, which is the lemon tree.
Please help me if you can …..
okay …. I cannot seem to find the correct spelling of my grandmother’s greek last name or where it comes from. It is driving me crazy. Without going into details and specifics, she is full greek with the family history coming from cypress.
jassimides? “J” is silent for “Y”? I have no clue and it seems from what I have researched there is no J or H in the greek alaphabet. I know the spelling is incorrect.
Does anybody have an idea?
Thanks!
It should be Iassemidis or Yassemidis (in Greek Ιασεμίδης/ Γιασεμίδης), but maybe someone from Cyprus can teall us more on that!
Can some body tell me about the Arkinthus family in Greece. They are basically into perfume manunfacting for centuries..
Hi! I’m Greek and this is a reply for Zorica and Alexandra. The greek version of the name “Harry” is “Haris” but it stands only as the short version on full names (only the male version of it) and since it’s a christian one it didn;t even exist back then! The female version is “Haris” too (spelled differently) it means Grace and it did exist back then. As for the surename,ancient greeks didn;t use a surename but the place they where from or the name of their father so it would be : Zorica the Londoner, ( if you where from London) or Zorica of Adam (if your fathers name was Adam).
Good luck withh your writing!
Alexandra the proper spelling is Mpoulas (Μπουλας) but since you”re female you should spell it “Μπουλα” without the “s” at the end. You should also check where the accent is.
There’s a famous greek comedy actor with this surename too! 🙂
We really cherish this webpage.
Zorica,
Well to be sure, you should use lesser gods and goddesses’ names because people are sure to bot know them.
Roman, and Greek gods and goddesses would be good.
Keep functioning,terrific job!
sapountzakis from crete…what could be the meaning?
The most obvious is from Sapouni, soap -akis is the diminutive standing for “son of,”.
The name was original Sapoun-tzis, tzis being the Hellenized version of Turkish ending -ci (dzi or -tsi), indicating a craftsman. Sapountzis is the one making soap. Lyratzis is the one making Lyres, Toufeksis the one making Toufekia, guns, etc.
Sapountzakis: “the son/descentant of the soap maker”. Crete, where the name is from, is dependent on oil oil production, and soap was made from olive oil.
Hi! I’m trying to find out where my last name comes from. It’s Boulas, and i’ve tried searching it a couple times, but it’s never showed up. I’ve been told that my family comes from Santorini, but I’m not sure. Also, I’d be interested in different spellings.
Thanks!
Alexandra
Currently, I am writing a story that takes place in Ancient Greece and am looking for certain names for my characters.
I’m looking for the Ancient Greek version of the name Harry and am trying to find a surname that starts with ‘Po’ and which has a powerful meaning.
Any idea’s?
Charis meaning Graceful is the closest to Harry. Polydynamos is all-powerfull
What a great blog. Im truly a fan of your writing as well as your writing style. Dont stop writing. Keep up the good work.
My family and i arrived here since this particular web site had been tweeted by a female I had been following and am really I made it here.
Please get a newsletter so I can keep up with your site easier.
My last name is Malandris. From what i am told from my family it is greek. Is this true? Whats th origin? How old is it? Is it common over there? Or anything else you can find… i need answers!!
Yes, Malandris is a Greek name. I once knew someone who whose last name was also Malandris and he was coming from Rhodes. But it’s not a common name.
Your name is mal-Latin for either sick or bad and Andris from Greek Andras meaning man. It is most probably from an island, where people were sailors, were traveling around and they were open to other influences from the rest of the Mediterranean, like Italian. Additionally, there was a time after 1204 and the Latin conquest of Constantinople that French and Italians took over parts of Greece and many people then got Italian names.