"he who causes distress"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Achilles
Pronunciation: [ uhk-IHL-eez ]
Does Achilles flow with your last name?
The mightiest warrior of the Trojan War lives on
Greek
English
American
Italian
Strong
Bold
Literary
Classic
Royal
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Meaning & Origin
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Things to Know About This Name
- 'Achilles heel' is a universal idiom for a fatal weakness — mildly ironic for a name
The Story of Achilles
Achilles is the Latinized form of the Greek Akhilleus, whose etymology is debated. The most cited interpretation connects it to 'achos' (pain, grief) + 'laos' (people), meaning 'pain of the people' or 'he who causes pain to the people.' Other scholars connect it to 'a-' (without) + 'cheilos' (lips), though this is less accepted. In Greek mythology, Achilles was the greatest warrior of the Trojan War, hero of Homer's Iliad — nearly invulnerable except for his famous heel, where his mother Thetis had held him when dipping him in the river Styx.
Achilles has been a rare but persistent choice in English-speaking countries, used by parents who want a heroic, classical name with undeniable strength. It has been trending upward since the 2010s as mythological and ancient names gain popularity. The film Troy (2004), starring Brad Pitt as Achilles, brought renewed attention to the name.
Achilles is one of the most iconic figures in all of Western literature and mythology. The Iliad, attributed to Homer, opens with the 'wrath of Achilles' — the famous anger that drives the entire epic. The phrase 'Achilles heel' has entered every language as a metaphor for a fatal vulnerability, making Achilles uniquely embedded in global culture.
Historical Record
Achilles first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 3,542 babies have been named Achilles in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Achilles is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,223 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The 'Achilles tendon' connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone is named after the mythological Achilles
- The Iliad opens with 'Menin aeide thea' — 'Sing, goddess, the anger of Achilles'
- Alexander the Great considered himself a descendant of Achilles and reportedly slept with a copy of the Iliad under his pillow
Achilles in Other Languages
Greek
Αχιλλέας
French
Achille
German
Achilleus
Italian
Achille
Spanish
Aquiles
Portuguese
Aquiles
Popularity Over Time
#1,223
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Achilles
A
Achille Mbembe
Writer
1957
Cameroonian philosopher and political theorist, one of Africa's most influential contemporary thinkers
A
Achilles (Greek mythology) Fictional
Military
The greatest Greek warrior of the Trojan War, protagonist of Homer's Iliad, nearly invulnerable except for his heel
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Compare Achilles with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,223
- Total SSA Count
- 164
- Cultural Origins
- Greek English American Italian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Achille
Kili
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Achilles
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Welsh (mad — fortunate) origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Achilles
What does the name Achilles mean?
"he who causes distress" (from Greek). Achilles is the Latinized form of the Greek Akhilleus, whose etymology is debated. The most cited interpretation connects it to 'achos' (pain, grief) + 'laos' (people), meaning 'pain of the people' or 'he who causes pain to the people.' Other scholars connect it to 'a-' (without) + 'cheilos' (lips), though this is less accepted. In Greek mythology, Achilles was the greatest warrior of the Trojan War, hero of Homer's Iliad — nearly invulnerable except for his famous heel, where his mother Thetis had held him when dipping him in the river Styx.
What is the origin of the name Achilles?
Achilles has Greek, English, American, and Italian origins. In Greek, it means "he who causes distress".
Is Achilles a boy or girl name?
Achilles is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Achilles?
Achilles is pronounced uhk-IHL-eez.
How popular is the name Achilles?
Achilles is currently ranked #1223 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Achilles?
Common nicknames for Achilles include Achille and Kili.
What are good middle names for Achilles?
Popular middle name pairings include Achilles James, Achilles Alexander, Achilles Thomas, Achilles John, Achilles Xavier, and Achilles Cole.
What are good sibling names for Achilles?
Names that pair well with Achilles as siblings include Hector, Helena, Ajax, Penelope, Odysseus, and Cassandra.
How many syllables does Achilles have?
Achilles has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Achilles a common or rare name?
Achilles is an uncommon name, ranked #1223 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Achilles
Achilles is a boy name with Greek, English, American, and Italian origins . The name means "he who causes distress" in Greek .
Achilles is currently ranked #1,223 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Achilles has 3 syllables and is pronounced uhk-IHL-eez, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Achilles include Achille and Kili. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis