135 Common Greek Last Names and Their Meanings

Greek surnames hold stories of ancestors, professions, origins, and even physical characteristics. From ancient history to modern times, these names reveal rich cultural patterns, often standing as living monuments to the Greek language and heritage. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover the origins and meanings behind 135 of the most popular Greek last names, along with cultural insights, naming conventions, and frequently asked questions about Greek surnames.

About Greek Last Names

Throughout Greek history, surnames have evolved to reflect lineage, occupation, region, or unique traits. Many Greek last names feature distinctive suffixes that hint at their origin or function. Patronymic names (derived from the father’s first name), toponyms (reflecting a place of origin), and occupational names are especially common. Surnames serve not just as identifiers, but as a direct connection to Greece’s vibrant past and multifaceted culture.

Common Suffixes in Greek Surnames

Many Greek surnames can be instantly recognized by their endings. These endings often reveal information about ancestry or the geographic region from which the family originated. Here are some of the most frequent:

• -opoulos: Indicates “descendant of” or “son of,” common in the Peloponnese.
• -akis: Diminutive, meaning “small” or “little,” often from Crete or other Aegean islands.
• -idis / -ides: Pontic Greek or Thracian origin, indicating descent.
• -oglou: Indicative of Asia Minor Greek ancestry, from the Turkish “oğlu” (son of).
• -atos: Often found in names from the Ionian Islands.

135 Popular Greek Last Names and Their Meanings

Here are 135 of the most common or notable Greek surnames, along with their meanings and roots. Note that spellings may vary, and many names are in the genitive form, showing descent.

• Papadopoulos – Son of the priest.
• Georgiou – Son of George.
• Dimitriou – Child of Demetrios.
• Ioannou – Derived from “John.”
• Katsaros – Curly-haired.
• Kritikos – Someone from Crete.
• Vasiliou – Royal.
• Nikolaou – Victor of the people.
• Angelopoulos – Son of Angelos.
• Petridis – Son of Petros.
• Capetanakis – Son of the captain (kapetanios).
• Markakis – Son of Markos (Mark).
• Constantinou – Son of Konstantinos.
• Zervas – Means “left-handed.”
• Papageorgiou – Son of Father George.
• Christopoulos – Son of Christos.
• Mitsotakis – Diminutive, son of Mitsos.
• Samaras – Saddler (maker of saddles).
• Theodorou – Son of Theodore.
• Antoniou – Son of Antonis (Anthony).
• Spanos – Beardless or clean-shaven.
• Raptis – Tailor.
• Economou – Steward or economist.
• Katsigiannis – Son of Giannis, with a possible regional link.
• Vlachos – Vlach; a term for people from Epirus or the Balkans.
• Tsakalos – Jackal (nickname).
• Koutras – Cropper; someone who cuts hair or wool.
• Leventis – Braveman or gallant.
• Panagiotopoulos – Son of Panagiotis.
• Maniatakis – Little Maniot (from the Mani region).
• Karamanlis – From Karaman in Asia Minor.
• Niarchos – Ship owner.
• Koutsoukos – Lame or crippled (nickname).
• Karakostas – Black Kostas.
• Chatzis – Pilgrim to Jerusalem.
• Papastratakos – Descendant of Father Stratis.
• Stavropoulos – Son of Stavros.
• Athanasiadis – Son of Athanasios.
• Psomas – Bread seller or baker.
• Kallergis – Beautiful worker or craftsman.
• Doukas – Title for a duke or nobleman.
• Papanikolaou – Son of Father Nikolaos.
• Frangos – Frank; a foreigner from Western Europe.
• Avramidis – Son of Avram or Abraham.
• Filippou – Son of Philip.
• Deligiannis – Son of an office holder or archon.
• Vlachopoulos – Son of a Vlach.
• Fotiadis – Son of Fotis.
• Alexiou – Son of Alexis or Alexios.
• Koilas – Hollow or valley dweller.
• Arvanitis – Descendant of Albanian settlers in Greece.
• Sarantis – Derived from Sarantos, a personal name.
• Panagopoulos – Son of Panagis or Panagiotis.
• Katsikaris – Goatherd or keeper of goats.
• Zoumpoulidis – Son of Zoumpoulis.
• Lambros – Shining or brilliant.
• Papakonstantinou – Son of Father Konstantinos.
• Kyriakopoulos – Son of Kyriakos.
• Trakas – Wagon maker.
• Giakoumakis – Little Giakoumis (diminutive).
• Chrysostomides – Descendant of Chrysostomos (Golden-mouthed).
• Daskalakis – Little teacher.
• Bitsakis – A diminutive form of a parent’s first name.
• Grigorakis – Little Gregorios.
• Spiliotopoulos – Son of Spiliotis (from a cave or Spilia village).
• Gatsos – Buck; a nickname.
• Alexandrou – Son of Alexander.
• Tsoukalas – Potter.
• Doxiadis – Son of Doxios (personal name).
• Papadimitriou – Son of Father Dimitris.
• Rapitis – Tailor.
• Notaras – An official record keeper.
• Koufos – Deaf (originally a nickname).
• Kanellopoulos – Son of Kanellos.
• Karanikas – Black Nick.
• Chronopoulos – Son of Chronis (timekeeper or clockmaker).
• Lagoudakis – Little hare, from “lagoudi.”
• Marinos – Of the sea or sailor.
• Saridakis – Son of Saridis, possibly from the saris, a Turkish officer’s rank.
• Papagiannis – Father or son of Giannis (John).
• Kostopoulos – Son of Kostas.
• Mavromatis – Black-eyed or dark-featured.
• Demetriou – Son of Demetrios.
• Kormos – Trunk or log; possibly a woodcutter.
• Tsamados – A regional name, notably from Hydra.
• Samios – Originating from Samos Island.
• Pipis – Cheerful or lively, a nickname-style name.
• Giannakopoulos – Son of Giannakis.
• Papastratis – Son of Father Stratis.
• Panaretos – Of perfect virtue.
• Economidis – Descendant of Economos.
• Akritas – Border guard, frontiersman.
• Karadimas – Black Dimos.
• Tsochantaris – Cloth merchant.
• Kostakis – Little Kostas.
• Antonopoulos – Son of Antonis.
• Kalogeropoulos – Son of the monk (“kalogeros”).
• Koumoundouros – Ring maker or jeweler.
• Katsaros – Curly-haired one (repeated; popular surname).
• Maniatis – Person from Mani, a region in the Peloponnese.
• Spanoudakis – Little Spanos; beardless one.
• Bougas – Derived from the Turkish word for ox.
• Papamichael – Son of Father Michael.
• Sgouros – Curly-haired or wavy-haired (similar to Katsaros).
• Tsatsanis – Vendor or merchant.
• Melissinos – Of the bees (sweet as honey).
• Zografos – Painter or iconographer.
• Kaltsas – Shoemaker.
• Parthenios – Virgin or pure (from “parthenos”).
• Rallis – Derived from the medieval Italian “Ralli,” possibly a title.
• Sotiriou – Son of Sotiris.
• Lykourezos – Derived from “lykos” (wolf).
• Diamantopoulos – Son of Diamantis or diamond merchant.
• Zeppos – Possibly from Giuseppe (Joseph, Italian influence).
• Agapitos – Beloved.
• Mourtzoukos – From “mourtzos,” meaning sullen or grumpy.
• Papadakis – Little priest or son of the priest; popular in Crete.
• Mouzakis – Derived from “mouza,” a type of slipper or soft shoe.
• Stamatakis – Little Stamatis.
• Avgerinos – Of the morning star or dawn.
• Kontos – Short or small (often a nickname).
• Galanis – Light blue, blond or fair.
• Simopoulos – Son of Simos.
• Hatzopoulos – Son of a pilgrim (Hatzis refers to a pilgrimage to Jerusalem).
• Tzatzos – Uncle or respectful elder.
• Papapetrou – Son of Father Petros.
• Miliotis – From Miliot region or Mylos (mill).
• Kelesidis – Son of Keles or rider.
• Rousos – Red-haired or ruddy complexion.
• Politis – Citizen, or one from the city.

How Greek Surnames Are Formed

Greek surnames are traditionally formed in several characteristic ways:

• Patronymics: Many names denote descent, e.g., Papadopoulos (son of the priest), Georgiou (son of George), Antonopoulos (son of Antonis).
• Occupations: Names often come from a job or trade, such as Raptis (tailor), Samaras (saddler), and Zografos (icon painter).
• Region or Place: Names like Kritikos (from Crete) or Maniatis (from Mani) reflect geographic origin.
• Nicknames and Physical Traits: Surnames may capture appearance or character, like Katsaros (curly-haired), Spanos (beardless), or Galanis (fair-haired).

Table: Common Greek Surname Endings and Their Meanings

Fun Facts About Greek Surnames

• Many Greek last names include the father’s name, often in the genitive (“of”) form.
• Some surnames reflect pride in professions or religious duties, such as “Papadopoulos” (“son of the priest”).
• During the Ottoman era, naming conventions shifted, incorporating Turkish or Italian suffixes into Greek surnames in some regions (e.g., “-oglou”, “-atos”).
• In some cases, entire villages or regions came to be associated with certain family names, reinforcing the connection between surname and place.
• Greek surnames have endured centuries and, through migration, remain common in Greek diaspora communities around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Greek Last Names

What is the most common Greek last name?

Papadopoulos is widely regarded as the most common Greek surname, meaning “son of the priest”. Due to the tradition of priests being permitted to marry and have children in the Greek Orthodox church, this surname became common.

Why do so many Greek last names end with -opoulos or -akis?

These suffixes are regional and patronymic. -opoulos (“descendant of” or “son of”) originated in the Peloponnese, while -akis (a diminutive, meaning “little” or “junior”) stems from Crete or the Aegean area.

How are Greek surnames passed down through the family?

Greek surnames are typically patrilineal, passed from the father to the children. In rare cases, especially among Greek diaspora communities, this may shift with marriage or migration. Traditionally, a woman may use her maiden name or adopt her husband’s surname after marriage.

How do Greek surnames change between male and female forms?

Female versions of Greek surnames may have different endings. For example, Papadopoulos (male) becomes Papadopoulou (female). These adjustments reflect Greek grammatical gender conventions.

What are some notable famous Greeks with these surnames?

Many celebrated Greeks bear these historic surnames:

• Kostas Karamanlis – Former Prime Minister.
• Mikis Theodorakis – Composer.
• Georgios Papadopoulos – Military officer and political leader.
• Yannis Ritsos – Poet.
• Elena Paparizou – Singer.

Additional Resources

Greek family history is a fascinating field. For those interested in learning even more about Hellenic genealogy, consider exploring the following topics:

• The evolution of surnames post-independence in the 19th century
• Regional differences in Greek surname endings
• The influence of Ottoman and Venetian rule on Greek names
• Migration patterns and surname preservation among diaspora Greeks

Unlocking Greek Heritage, One Name at a Time

Each Greek surname is more than just a label; it is a key to ancestral history, regional pride, and cultural continuity. Whether your last name celebrates a profession, honors a father or place of origin, or describes a quirky personal trait, it reflects the living thread of Greek heritage. Explore your own name, or those on this list, and unlock the stories embedded in Greece’s linguistic and familial tapestry.

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Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

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