All about the name

Akhilles

Male

« Akhilles is a Greek male name meaning 'pain' or 'grief', derived from the ancient Greek word 'akheilos'. It is famously associated with the undefeated warrior Achilles from Homer's Iliad. »

#15368 over 5 years

Meaning, origin, history

Achilles is a male given name of Greek origin and meaning "pain" or "grief". It is derived from the Ancient Greek word "akheilos", which means "pain" or "grief". According to Greek mythology, Achilles was a hero of the Trojan War and the central character in Homer's epic poem, the Iliad. He was the son of the sea nymph Thetis and the mortal king Peleus. Legend has it that Thetis dipped baby Achilles into the river Styx to make him immortal, but because she held him by his heel, that part of his body remained vulnerable. This is where the term "Achilles heel" comes from, referring to a person's weakness or vulnerability. Despite being undefeated in battle, Achilles was ultimately killed by an arrow to the heel during the Trojan War. Today, Achilles is still used as a given name and its popularity varies depending on the country. In some cultures, it may be more common than others.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Akhilles since 1880

Total births
30
Total since 1880
Peak year
2016
7 births
in 2019
7
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-33%
vs previous 5 years