135 Common Greek Last Names and Their Meanings Revealed

135 Common Greek Last Names and Their Meanings

The world of Greek surnames is a tapestry of history, regional origin, profession, ancestry, and even personal characteristics. Greek last names not only identify families, but they also tell rich stories about the bearers’ heritage. In this guide, you’ll discover 135 of the most recognizable and interesting Greek surnames, along with their roots and meanings. Whether you’re fascinated by genealogy, planning a trip to Greece, or simply curious, this resource unravels the mystery of each name.

The Origins and Structure of Greek Surnames

Greek last names often trace their origins to several distinct sources:

• Patronymic – Many surnames are derived from a father’s or ancestor’s first name, with suffixes indicating “son of” or belonging to a family, such as -poulos, -idis, or -akis.
• Occupational – Surnames can denote professions or trades, e.g., Papadopoulos (“son of the priest”).
• Descriptive – Some names describe a distinguishing feature or characteristic, like Katsaros (“curly-haired”).
• Geographical – Many names reference the family’s place of origin or residence, such as Kritikos (“from Crete”).
• Nicknames – Surnames often arose from nicknames, either physical or behavioral traits.

Common Surname Suffixes and Their Significance

Certain suffixes are prevalent in Greek surnames and hint at a family’s origin or history:

• -poulos: Signifies “descendant of” (especially in the Peloponnese)
• -akis: Often indicates origin from Crete or the Aegean islands, meaning “little” or “son of”
• -idis: Suggests Pontic (Black Sea) ancestry, meaning “son of”
• -opoulos: A variation of -poulos, with the same meaning.
• -os or -as: Common masculine surname endings in various Greek regions

List of 135 Greek Last Names and Their Meanings

Here is a comprehensive, alphabetically arranged list of 135 Greek surnames, accompanied by their English meanings or origins:

• Papadopoulos: Son of the priest
• Georgiou: Son of George
• Dimitriou: Child of Demetrios
• Ioannou: Son of John
• Katsaros: Curly-haired
• Kritikos: From Crete
• Vasiliou: Royal
• Nikolaou: Victor of the people
• Angelopoulos: Son of Angelos
• Petridis: Son of Petros
• Andreadis: Son of Andreas
• Christodoulopoulos: Son of Christ’s servant
• Stavropoulos: Son of Stavros
• Panagiotopoulos: Son of Panagiotis
• Athanasiou: Of Athanasios
• Papageorgiou: Son of priest George
• Karagiannis: Black John (dark-complexioned)
• Zervas: Left-handed
• Leventis: Gallant/brave
• Marinos: Of the sea/mariner
• Economou: Of the household (from “oikonomos”)
• Papadakis: Diminutive of Papas (priest)
• Mavros: Black or dark-haired
• Kostas: Derived from Constantine
• Giannakopoulos: Son of Giannakis (diminutive of John)
• Alexandrou: Of Alexander
• Kalogeropoulos: Son of the monk
• Paraskevas: Born on Friday (the day “Paraskevi”)
• Sarantopoulos: Son of Sarantos
• Tsakiris: Maker or seller of tsaki (traditional flour sieve)
• Theodorou: Of Theodore
• Panousis: Of Panos
• Efthymiou: Of Efthymios
• Kefalas: Big-headed/prominent head
• Maniatis: From Mani (region in Peloponnese)
• Kavallaris: Horseman or knight
• Drakos: Dragon or brave/invincible
• Filippou: Son of Philippos
• Markopoulos: Son of Markos
• Kyriazis: Of the Lord/master/landowner
• Kotsis: Diminutive of Constantine
• Nikas: Derived from Nikolaos (victory)
• Koutras: Boastful or proud
• Apostolou: Of the Apostle/messenger
• Papandreou: Son of priest Andreas
• Anastasiou: Of Anastasius/resurrection
• Roussos: Red-haired
• Mustakas: Mustache
• Chrysostomou: Of Chrysostomos (golden-mouthed)
• Papastratakos: Priest Stratos
• Daskalakis: Diminutive of teacher (daskalos)
• Spanos: Beardless
• Patrinos: From Patras (city)
• Symeonidis: Son of Symeon
• Thomasidis: Son of Thomas
• Christakis: Diminutive of Christos
• Lambros: Bright, shining
• Triantafyllou: Of the rose (triantafyllo)
• Galanis: Light blue (eye color or origin)
• Papanikolaou: Son of priest Nikolaos
• Giorgakis: Little George
• Chatzigeorgiou: Pilgrim/one who visited Jerusalem + son of George
• Giannidis: Descended from John
• Kontos: Short or humble
• Skouras: Dark
• Argyros: Silver or silversmith
• Kotsopoulos: Son of Kotsos (diminutive of Kostas)
• Voulgaris: Bulgarian origin
• Stathopoulos: Son of Stathis
• Lykogiannis: Wolf-John
• Makris: Tall or long
• Moraitis: From Morea (Peloponnese)
• Psomas: Breadman or baker
• Stamatis: To stop (possibly referencing Lent)
• Metaxas: Silk merchant
• Chorianopoulos: Son of the villager
• Samaras: Saddle maker
• Katopodis: Down the foot (possibly a geographical name)
• Melas: Black (complexion or attire, mourning)
• Tsonis: Diminutive of John
• Fotiou: Of Fotios/Light
• Tziotzis: Maker or seller of yogurt (tzitziki)
• Solomos: Salmon (possibly from the fish, symbolic for resurrection)
• Kokkalis: Crimson, red, or ruddy
• Stasinopoulos: Son of Stasinos
• Kostopoulos: Son of Kostas
• Poulos: Short form of -poulos surname ending
• Gkoumas: Shoemaker or leatherworker (regional variant)
• Vougiouklakis: From Voughiouklaki (regional/unknown origin)
• Tsakalos: Jackal (possibly a nickname)
• Zografos: Painter
• Korres: Black or dark-skinned (from kórrēs)
• Sideris: From iron or strong as iron
• Vlachos: Vlach origin (shepherd or Romanian ancestry)
• Deligiannis: Deli (brave/mad) + John
• Kafkalidis: Descendant of Kafkalos (possibly from Κάφκαλος, a personal name)
• Gaitanidis: Descendant of Gaitanios (possibly referring to the belt/weaver)
• Papageorgakis: Diminutive form of priest George
• Chatzidakis: Descendant of Hadji (pilgrim to Jerusalem)
• Spyridakis: Little Spyridonos/Spyridon
• Anagnostopoulos: Son of reader/lector (anagnostis in church)
• Tsoukalas: Potter (from tsoukalí, pot)
• Kouris: Dancer or lad
• Vidalis: Of Vita/Lifespan (or regional name in the Cyclades)
• Lagoudakis: Little rabbit (Lagoudi=rabbit)
• Manolas: Diminutive of Emmanuel
• Mourgos: Dark, swarthy
• Sykiotis: From Syki (place or fig tree)
• Tsitsanis: Diminutive, originally a nickname
• Michalopoulos: Son of Michalis
• Gavalas: Cowherd
• Kalogeras: Monk
• Botelis: Large barrel (possibly a cooper)
• Kotsiris: Small Constantine
• Doukas: Duke or nobleman
• Avramidis: Descendant of Abraham
• Karamitsos: Dark or swarthy + small
• Kouskoulas: Origin or meaning uncertain, a regional family name
• Lambropoulos: Son of Lambros
• Michailidis: Son of Michail (Michael)
• Stylianou: Of Stylianos
• Kopelos: Boy or lad
• Papakonstantinou: Son of priest Konstantinos
• Symeonoglou: Of Symeon (noble line)
• Adamopoulos: Son of Adam
• Crisafulli: Gold leaf (surname of Greek origin, often found in Italy too)
• Katsoulakos: Derived from Katsoulis, a nickname for cat-like
• Fokas: Seal (animal)
• Christopoulos: Son of Christos

Table: Surname Endings and Their Regional Associations

Why Do Many Greek Surnames Sound Similar?

Many Greek surnames share common roots or suffixes due to the cultural importance of patronymics and regional customs. Historically, the father’s first name became the foundation for his children’s surnames (with appropriate suffixes), which is why you find many Greeks with the same or similar last names.

Additionally, words for professions, places of origin, or descriptors became surnames to help distinguish individuals within communities. Over centuries, these naming conventions solidified, leading to the familiar patterns present in modern Greek last names.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the most common Greek last name?

A: Papadopoulos is widely recognized as the most common Greek surname, meaning “son of the priest.” This popularity links back to the Orthodox tradition, where priests could marry and raise families, making the name quite widespread.

Q: Do certain Greek surname endings indicate regional origin?

A: Yes, suffixes like -poulos (Peloponnese), -akis (Crete/Aegean), and -idis/-ides (Pontic Greeks) often reveal where the family originates from.

Q: Are Greek surnames always inherited from the father?

A: Traditionally, yes, but modern practices may reflect both parents’ names or be altered for global practicality.

Q: Do Greek last names have feminine forms?

A: Yes. Female surnames are often modified, for instance, Papadopoulou or Nikolaou for women, showing grammatical gender in the language.

Q: What are some distinctive characteristics of Greek surnames?

A: Surnames may indicate occupation (e.g., Samaras, “saddle maker”), appearance (e.g., Katsaros, “curly-haired”), kinship, or geographic origin, and often carry historical or religious significance.

Exploring Your Own Greek Heritage

If you have a Greek last name, understanding its meaning and origin can unlock new layers of your family’s story. Consider tracing your ancestry through historical records, passenger lists, or local Greek community resources. Each name, whether common or unique, is a link to Greece’s rich history and enduring traditions.

Conclusion

Greek last names showcase the vibrant mosaic of Greek culture, shaped by centuries of migration, history, and community life. From Papadopoulos to Petridis, these surnames are more than identifiers; they are living records of ancestry, trade, appearance, and regional pride. Whether you bear a Greek surname or are simply intrigued, appreciating their meanings deepens the connection to one of humanity’s oldest and most storied civilizations.

Was this article helpful?

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our vibrant community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with like-minded individuals.

Author

Medha DebCommerce Editor

 

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

Read full bio of Medha Deb