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Following the triumph of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, ancient Greece is once again capturing the public’s imagination. But could this renewed fascination with gods, heroes and legendary tales also be influencing the names parents are selecting for their newborns?

Greek mythology has shaped baby name choices for generations, from enduring favourites such as Penelope to bold contemporary picks like Atlas. Now, new Office for National Statistics (ONS) baby name data analysed by JoJo Maman Bébé reveals which names inspired by Greek mythology are proving most popular amongst today’s parents. Anne Varsanyi, head of buying at JoJo Maman Bébé, said: “Choosing a baby’s name is one of the first opportunities parents have to express something about their family, whether that’s honouring tradition, celebrating heritage or simply choosing a name they love,” reports Liverpool Echo.

She continued: “What’s particularly fascinating about this year’s data is seeing how quickly tastes can change. Some names that once filled classrooms have become increasingly rare, while others that were barely heard a generation ago are now among the country’s favourites.”

Top five most popular Greek mythological names for boys

• Atlas – The Titan condemned to carry the weight of the heavens
• Ares – The God of war and courage
• Apollo – God of music, light, truth and healing
• Artemis – Traditionally, the Goddess of the hunt
• Perseus – The demigod who defeated Medusa

JoJo Maman Bébé examined the most recent ONS data, incorporating the most sought-after names in 2025, names recording the greatest surges in popularity since 1996, and names suffering the steepest drops in popularity since 1996. Figures were drawn from the ONS Baby Names in England and Wales release, published on July 9, 2026.

Penelope, the celebrated heroine at the heart of The Odyssey, already holds the top spot as the most popular mythological name, with 1,174 babies given the name in 2025.

Athena (519 babies) and Atlas (355 babies) have made the leap from ancient mythology to modern-day playground staples, both proving enormously appealing to parents seeking a name that exudes power and gravitas.

While names such as Rhea and Ares are climbing the rankings, parents in search of something genuinely distinctive may wish to consider Apollo (39 babies) or Perseus (eight babies) for a truly memorable choice.