Achilles is a name of Greek origin, derived from the hero of the same name in Homer's Iliad. The name Achilles is composed of two elements: "Akhilleus," which means "pain" or "grief," and "-es," a suffix that denotes belonging to. Therefore, the meaning of Achilles can be interpreted as "painful" or "grieving." However, it's important to note that this interpretation may not have been intended by the ancients, who likely saw the name as simply an identifier for their hero.
In Greek mythology, Achilleus was a central figure in the Trojan War. He was the son of the Nereid Thetis and Peleus, king of the Myrmidons. According to legend, his mother dipped him into the River Styx to make him invulnerable, but she held him by his heel, which remained unprotected and became his Achilles heel, a metaphor for any vulnerable point.
Achilles was renowned for his strength, courage, and skill in battle. He played a significant role in the Trojan War, fighting against the Trojans alongside the Greeks. His most famous exploit was killing Hector, the greatest warrior among the Trojans. However, he himself was ultimately killed by Paris with an arrow to his heel.
The name Achilles has been used throughout history and continues to be popular today. It is often associated with courage, strength, and heroism due to its legendary namesake. Despite its potentially negative connotation related to pain or grief, the name Achilles remains a powerful and dignified choice for a child's name.
Achilleus saw a significant increase in popularity from 2009 to 2022, with the highest number of births recorded in both 2018 and 2021 at 17 each. However, there was a drop in popularity in 2023, with only 11 births recorded that year. Overall, since 2009, Achilleus has seen a total of 95 births.