"the unseen"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: English
Hades
Pronunciation: [ h-AYD-eez ]
Does Hades flow with your last name?
God of the unseen realm, dark and rich as the earth itself
Greek
American
English
Bold
Unique
Spiritual
Strong
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"realm of the dead"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
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Things to Know About This Name
- Directly named after the Greek god of death and the underworld — some parents, schools, and religious communities may react negatively
- In casual English usage, Hades is often used as a euphemism for Hell
The Story of Hades
Hades comes from ancient Greek, believed to derive from the root a-idein meaning not to see or the unseen. Hades was one of the three sons of the Titans Cronus and Rhea; after the gods overthrew the Titans, the three brothers divided the cosmos by lot: Zeus took the sky, Poseidon the sea, and Hades the underworld. He is not a god of evil but of impartiality — all mortals enter his realm equally, and he also governs the riches hidden beneath the earth (precious metals and fertile soil spring from his domain).
Hades has seen increasing interest in the 2010s-2020s, driven by mythology's cultural renaissance through Percy Jackson, the award-winning video game Hades (2018/2020), and Disney's Hercules. Parents interested in mythology are increasingly choosing deity names, and Hades offers one of the most dramatic.
In Greek mythology, Hades rules the underworld with his queen Persephone. The Romans called him Pluto (the wealthy one), emphasizing his dominion over earth's riches. The word Hades appears in the New Testament as a translation of the Hebrew Sheol. The video game Hades (2020) won multiple Game of the Year awards and portrayed him as a demanding but ultimately loving father.
Historical Record
Hades first appeared in US Social Security records in 2006.
Over 218 babies have been named Hades in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hades is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,758 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The word Hades appears 10 times in the New Testament as a translation of the Hebrew concept of Sheol (the realm of the dead)
- The video game Hades (2020) won the Hugo Award for Best Game, the first video game to do so, and significantly boosted interest in the name
Hades in Other Languages
Greek
Ἅιδης
Latin
Pluto / Dis
French
Hadès
Italian
Ade
Spanish
Hades
Popularity Over Time
#3,758
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Hades
H
Hades (Greek god)
Other
God of the underworld in Greek mythology, ruler of the realm of the dead and husband of Persephone; called Pluto by the ...
God of the underworld in Greek mythology, ruler of the realm of the dead and husband of Persephone; called Pluto by the Romans
H
Hades (Disney's Hercules) Fictional
Other
The comedic villain in Disney's animated film Hercules (1997), voiced by James Woods; portrayed as a scheming god with b...
The comedic villain in Disney's animated film Hercules (1997), voiced by James Woods; portrayed as a scheming god with blue flaming hair
H
Hades (video game protagonist) Fictional
Other
The protagonist of Supergiant Games' award-winning roguelike game Hades (2020), portrayed as the son of Hades trying to ...
The protagonist of Supergiant Games' award-winning roguelike game Hades (2020), portrayed as the son of Hades trying to escape the underworld
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Compare Hades with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,758
- Total SSA Count
- 30
- Cultural Origins
- Greek American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Hade
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hades
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Hades is also used as a girl name, ranked #39638.
View Hades as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Greek)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hades
What does the name Hades mean?
"the unseen" (from Ancient Greek). "realm of the dead" (from Ancient Greek). Hades comes from ancient Greek, believed to derive from the root a-idein meaning not to see or the unseen. Hades was one of the three sons of the Titans Cronus and Rhea; after the gods overthrew the Titans, the three brothers divided the cosmos by lot: Zeus took the sky, Poseidon the sea, and Hades the underworld. He is not a god of evil but of impartiality — all mortals enter his realm equally, and he also governs the riches hidden beneath the earth (precious metals and fertile soil spring from his domain).
What is the origin of the name Hades?
Hades has Ancient Greek, Greek, American, and English origins. In Ancient Greek, it means "the unseen". In Ancient Greek, it means "realm of the dead".
Is Hades a boy or girl name?
Hades is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3758. As a girl name, it is ranked #39638. Hades is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Hades?
Hades is pronounced h-AYD-eez.
How popular is the name Hades?
Hades is currently ranked #3758 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Hades?
Common nicknames for Hades include Hade.
What are good middle names for Hades?
Popular middle name pairings include Hades Alexander, Hades Phoenix, Hades Orion, Hades Caius, Hades Lucian, and Hades Caspian.
What are good sibling names for Hades?
Names that pair well with Hades as siblings include Zeus, Apollo, Artemis, Persephone, Athena, and Hermes.
How many syllables does Hades have?
Hades has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Hades a common or rare name?
Hades is an uncommon name, ranked #3758 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Hades
Hades is a boy name with Greek, American, and English origins . The name means "the unseen" in Ancient Greek .
Is Hades a boy or girl name? Hades is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,758 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #39,638. Hades is more commonly used as a boy name.
Hades is currently ranked #3,758 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Hades has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-AYD-eez, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Hades include Hade. 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