A great article regarding the Macedonian language.
100 names from the ancient Macedonia history.
You will find the etymology and a small desciption
KINGS OF MACEDON AND DIADOCHI
1. ALEXANDROS m Ancient Greek (ALEXANDER Latinized)
Pronounced: al-eg-ZAN-dur
From the Greek name Alexandros, which meant defending men from Greek alexein to defend, protect, help and aner man (genitive andros). Alexander the Great, King of Macedon, is the most famous bearer of this name. In the 4th century BC he built a huge empire out of Greece, Egypt, Persia, and parts of India. The name was borne by five kings of Macedon.
2. PHILIPPOS m Ancient Greek (PHILIP Latinized)
Pronounced: FIL-ip
From the Greek name Philippos which means friend of horses, composed of the elements philos friend and hippos horse. The name was borne by five kings of Macedon, including Philip II the father of Alexander the Great.
2. AEROPOS m Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Male form of Aerope who in Greek mythology was the wife of King Atreus of Mycenae. Aeropos was also the son of Aerope, daughter of Kepheus: Ares, the Tegeans say, mated with Aerope, daughter of Kepheus (king of Tegea), the son of Aleos. She died in giving birth to a child, Aeropos, who clung to his mother even when she was dead, and sucked great abundance of milk from her breasts. Now this took place by the will of Ares. (Pausanias 8.44.) The name was borne by two kings of Macedon
QUEENS AND ROYAL FAMILY
23. EURYDIKE f Greek Mythology (EURYDICE Latinized)
Means wide justice from Greek eurys wide and dike justice. In Greek myth she was the wife of Orpheus. Her husband tried to rescue her from Hades, but he failed when he disobeyed the condition that he not look back upon her on their way out. Name of the mother of Philip II of Macedon.
24. BERENIKE f Ancient Greek (BERENICE Latinized)
Pronounced: ber-e-NIE-see
Means bringing victory from pherein to bring and nike victory. This name was common among the Ptolemy ruling family of Egypt.
GENERALS, SOLDIERS, PHILOSOPHERS AND OTHERS
28. PARMENION m ancient Greek
The most famous General of Philip and Alexander the great. Another famous bearer of this name was the olympic winner Parmenion of Mitiline. His name derives from the name Parmenon + the ending -ion used to note descendancy. It means the "descedant of Parmenon".
29. PEUKESTAS m Ancient Greek
He saved Alexander the Great in India. One of the most known Macedonians. His name derives from Πευκής (= sharp) + the Doric ending -tas. Its full meaning is the "one who is sharp".
30. ARISTOPHANES m Ancient Greek
Derived from the Greek elements aristos best and phanes appearing. The name of one of Alexander the Greats personal body guard who was present during the murder of Cleitus. (Plutarch, Alexander, The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans). This was also the name of a 5th-century BC Athenian playwright.
MACEDONIAN WOMEN
94. ANTIGONE f ancient Greek
Usage: Greek Mythology
Pronounced: an-TIG-o-nee
Means against birth from Greek anti against and gone birth. In Greek legend Antigone was the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta. King Creon of Thebes declared that her slain brother Polynices was to remain unburied, a great dishonour. She disobeyed and gave him a proper burial, and for this she was sealed alive in a cave. Antigone of Pydna was the mistress of Philotas, the son of Parmenion and commander of Alexander the Greats Companion cavalry (Plutarch, Alexander, The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans).
95. VOULOMAGA (Βουλομάγα) f ancient greek
Derives from greek words "Βούλομαι (=desire) + άγαν (=too much)". Her name is found among donators.
enjoy
Etymology of the 100 most famous ancient Macedonian names
Edited by akritas - 17-Dec-2006 at 03:05