Modern Antiquity is a recently coined term of mine that I use to describe all those fabulous classical Greek and Roman names that sound surprisingly modern. While Vitruvius, Aristoteles and Eutropia feel like shining relics from the past, Theron, Leander and Clio feel fresh and sleek, whilst still retaining their antique charm.
Some ancient favourites such as Diana, Iris and Phoebe have been used often enough through the centuries to feel thoroughly familiar.
This list attempts to capture some of the lesser known or infrequently used classical names that boast a modern appeal, sound or style.
| Agon Ajax Alastor Alexis Alexios Aphros Argus Ariston Atlas Attis Cadmus Caius / Gaius Cassian Castor Cato Chiron Cleon Crius |
Cyrus Damon Draco Evander Galen Hermes Heron Isidore Leander Leon Leonidas Linus Lysander Myron Nox* Ophion Orion Otus / Otos |
Pax* Rufus Sol Solon Straton Talos Theron Titon Xenon Zelus Zeno Zenon Zephyr |
Aelia Aella Alba Alethea Angelia Atalanta Aura Aurea Aurelia Ceres Charis Clio Cloelia Corinna Danae Dido Eirene Eris |
Eulalia Eumelia Euthalia Evadne Evanthe Gaia Hebe Hera Hero Hestia Ianthe Iole Ione Isidora Ismene Juno Larisa Laelia / Lelia |
Leda Livia Lucina Maxima Melaina Melia Melitta Moira Nona Phaedra Rhea Roxana Sabina Thalia Theia Vesta Xanthe Xenia |
* Pax is in fact the Roman feminine personification of Peace and Nox is the Roman personification of night (Greek = Nyx), but the Jolie-Pitt boys, and the 'x' ending, make the names sway masculine for modern parents. As they are abstract personifications, and vocabulary words, it could be considered a moot point.
