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Apollos

Boy Name #5,023 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A name fit for gods and apostles alike

Greek Hebrew Christian American
Bold Royal Spiritual Literary

Meaning & Origin

"of Apollo, strength"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
"destroyer (possible etymological root)"
Origin: Pre-Greek/Indo-European
Language: Greek

The Story of Apollos

Apollos is the Greek form of a name related to Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, music, poetry, and prophecy. The name's etymology is debated — it may derive from pre-Greek 'apella' meaning assembly or fold, or from Indo-European roots meaning 'to drive away' (as in driving away evil). In the New Testament, Apollos is described as an eloquent, learned Jewish Christian from Alexandria who became an early church leader.

Apollos has grown in popularity among Christian families seeking names from the New Testament that feel both ancient and distinctive. Unlike the more common Apollo, the -s ending gives it a specifically biblical character, referencing the Apollos of Acts and 1 Corinthians.

In the New Testament, Apollos is described as 'mighty in the Scriptures,' an Alexandrian Jew who became a powerful Christian evangelist. He is mentioned 10 times in the New Testament, working alongside Paul and Priscilla. NASA's Apollo program (1961-1972) also keeps the name in cultural consciousness.

Fun Facts

  • Apollos in the New Testament was so eloquent that some early Christians preferred him to Paul, creating a rivalry Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians
  • NASA's Apollo program, which put humans on the moon, was named after the Greek deity — making Apollo/Apollos a name literally reaching for the stars

Apollos in Other Languages

Greek Ἀπολλώς
Latin Apollos
Arabic أبلوس
Hebrew אַפּוֹלוֹס
Spanish Apolos

Popularity Over Time

#5,023
Current Rank
Rising Fast Based on SSA data 1880–present

Famous People Named Apollos

A

Apollos of Alexandria

Religious

Eloquent early Christian missionary from Alexandria, described in the New Testament as 'mighty in the Scriptures' — a ke...

Eloquent early Christian missionary from Alexandria, described in the New Testament as 'mighty in the Scriptures' — a key figure in early Christianity

A

Apollo Creed Fictional

Athlete

Iconic fictional boxing champion in the Rocky film series, portrayed by Carl Weathers — a beloved American sports cinema...

Iconic fictional boxing champion in the Rocky film series, portrayed by Carl Weathers — a beloved American sports cinema character

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
3
Popularity Rank
#5,023
Total SSA Count
20
Cultural Origins
Greek Hebrew Christian American
Pronunciation
Moderate
Formality
Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Apollo #415 Apolo #4422

Common Nicknames

Apollo Pol

Middle Name Ideas

Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style

Sibling Names

Priscilla Aquila Lydia Timothy Silas Phoebe Barnabas

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Similar Names

Aurelio Aureliano Thelonious Apollo Tiberius Apolo Agape Aurelian

Compare Apollos with...

Apollos vs Aurelio Apollos vs Aureliano Apollos vs Thelonious Apollos vs Apollo

Same Origin Names (Greek)

Liam #1 Olivia #1 Noah #2 Theodore #4 Sophia #6 Elijah #8 Evelyn #8 Benjamin #11

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Apollos

What does the name Apollos mean?
"of Apollo, strength" (from Greek). "destroyer (possible etymological root)" (from Pre-Greek/Indo-European). Apollos is the Greek form of a name related to Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, music, poetry, and prophecy. The name's etymology is debated — it may derive from pre-Greek 'apella' meaning assembly or fold, or from Indo-European roots meaning 'to drive away' (as in driving away evil). In the New Testament, Apollos is described as an eloquent, learned Jewish Christian from Alexandria who became an early church leader.
What is the origin of the name Apollos?
Apollos has Greek, Pre-Greek/Indo-European, Hebrew, Christian, and American origins. In Greek, it means "of Apollo, strength". In Pre-Greek/Indo-European, it means "destroyer (possible etymological root)".
Is Apollos a boy or girl name?
Apollos is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Apollos?
Apollos is currently ranked #5023 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Apollos?
Common nicknames for Apollos include Apollo and Pol.
What are good middle names for Apollos?
Popular middle name pairings include Apollos James, Apollos Elias, Apollos Emmanuel, Apollos David, Apollos Marcus, Apollos Sebastian, and Apollos Cornelius.
What are good sibling names for Apollos?
Names that pair well with Apollos as siblings include Priscilla, Aquila, Lydia, Timothy, Silas, Phoebe, and Barnabas.
How many syllables does Apollos have?
Apollos has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Apollos a common or rare name?
Apollos is an uncommon name, ranked #5023 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Apollos

Apollos is a boy name with Greek, Hebrew, Christian, and American origins . The name means "of Apollo, strength" in Greek .

Apollos is currently ranked #5,023 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Apollos has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Apollos include Apollo and Pol. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Apollos include Apollo, Apolo . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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