Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Achilles

 Achilles is a figure from Greek mythology as well as a famous hero from the Trojan War legends. He was the seventh son of Thetis (a sea-nymph) and Peleus (the mortal king of Iolcus). The first six sons perished by burning during a ritual to determine whether they had inherited their mother’s immortality. Wanting to spare her seventh son the same fate, Thetis dipped the child in the River Styx to make him invincible, but the water never touched the spot where his mother was holding him – his heel. Later he would be cared for and tutored by the centaur Chiron who helped his young pupil reach his greatest potential, thus preparing him for the Trojan Wars. The bravest of the Greek heroes of the war, and one of the central protagonists of Homer’s Iliad, Achilles would meet his fate during the siege of Troy when the Trojan prince Paris – guided by Apollo – struck Achilles’ heel with his arrow, the only vulnerable part of his body. The origin of his name is uncertain, though it is suggested to be derivative of “akhos” meaning “pain.” 

All About the Baby Name – Achilles

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME ACHILLES

Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME ACHILLES

 Achilles is a rarely used name; it has never made it to America’s Top 1000 list of baby boy names, though he may be inching in that direction.  Parents in the U.S. are using Greek mythological names like Adonis, Apollo and Orion with greater frequency than Apollo. The name’s theorized meaning (“pain”) isn’t exactly pleasant, but if you can get past that small detail, you’re good to go. In fact, the name’s potential meaning is actually apropos given Achilles’ interesting place in Greek history. He was basically immortal had it not been for that one small spot on his body – and right down to his final fate, he was one of the bravest heroes among the Greeks.

Quick Facts

ON ACHILLES

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Greek

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

N/A

PRONUNCIATION:

ә-KIL-eez

SIMPLE MEANING:

Pain

Characteristics

OF ACHILLES

Humanitarian

Community-minded

Family-oriented

Loving

Affectionate

Compassionate

Sensitive

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Achilles

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ACHILLES

In Greek mythology, Achilles, the hero of the Trojan War, is the fiercest and noblest warrior of Homer’s saga, the Iliad, who is, however, doomed by both his prideful rage and by his weakness, his “Achilles’ heel”. During the war, feeling betrayed and insulted by his commander, Agamemnon, Achilles thwarts him by turning against his own army. The death of Patrocles, his beloved fellow warrior, spurs him to reconcile with Agamemnon, yet it also drives him to greater rage and vengeance. He savagely attacks the enemy and slays the Trojan, Hector. In spite of Hector’s dying pleas, he mutilates and humiliates the body post mortem. It takes the intervention of King Priam, Hector’s father, to appeal to Achilles’ own sense of progeny, and Achilles finally agrees to turn over Hector’s body for a proper burial. The symbol of the weakest spot, the “Achilles’ heel”, eventually betrays him, as the god Apollo guides the hand of the Trojan Paris in aiming the poisoned arrow fatefully at that vulnerable heel.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ACHILLES

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Achilles


Popular Songs

ON ACHILLES

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Famous People

NAMED ACHILLES

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Children of Famous People

NAMED ACHILLES

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Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ACHILLES

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Achilles