Apollo

Apollo is a male first name that originates from Latin and carries the designation of the ancient Greek name Apollon. Translated, the name means 'the one dedicated to Apollo' and has its origins in the ancient Greek language.

What does the name Apollo mean?

The first name Apollo is the Latin variant of the ancient Greek Apollon and roughly means 'the one dedicated to Apollo.' Apollon was one of the most important deities in ancient Greece and played a central role in Greek religion and mythology. The Romans adopted him as Apollo, while he was known as Apulu in Etruscan mythology. The name may derive from the ancient Greek word Apóllōn (Απόλλων), which means 'the name of the god Apoll.' An alternative derivation could come from the ancient Greek verb apóllūmi (ᾰ̓πόλλῡμῐ), which means 'to destroy,' thus interpreting the name as 'the destroyer' or 'the annihilator.' Apollon was also known by the epithet Phoibos, which means 'the shining one.' In Roman mythology, Apollo is revered as the god of healing, moral purity, and spring, with a particular focus on the arts, especially music, singing, and poetry. Later, he was also regarded as the god of the sun and light and is one of the twelve main gods, also considered the god of archers. Variants of the name include Apollinaris, Apollonius, and Apollonios.

Where does the name Apollo come from?

The name Apollo has its roots in the ancient Greek language. The exact origin of the name is still unclear. It likely derives either from the ancient Greek Apóllōn, which means 'the name of the god Apoll,' or from the word apóllūmi, which means 'to destroy.' Composition from Ancient Greek: Apóllōn = the name of the god Apoll or apóllūmi = to destroy. The name is common in Italian and Latin forms.

How do you pronounce Apollo?

The pronunciation of Apollo is three syllables and characterized by a vowel-rich sound. In German, the name is usually pronounced as 'A-pol-lo' [aˈpɔlo]. It begins with an open, clear A sound that conveys expansiveness. The stressed middle syllable has a rounded 'o,' which gives the name fullness of sound. The double 'l' provides a soft transition to the last syllable, while the renewed open '-o' creates a harmonious conclusion. Apollo thus sounds sonorous and majestic - round, sonorous, and present.

When is the name day of Apollo?

The name day for Apollo is celebrated on February 9.

Popularity

In Germany, Apollo is a rather rare first name. Currently, it ranks 5,840th on the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2013 when it reached 1,939th place. In the last ten years, the name has been given about 80 times as a first name, placing it 2,680th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 2,921st.

Nicknames & pet names

Abo / Api / Apolly / Lolo / Mario / Pollo / Polly / Polo

Similar first names

Famous people

• Apollo 3 (band)
• Apollo Faye (basketball player from France)
• Apollo Granforte (Italian opera singer)
• Apollo Justice (lawyer in 'Ace Attorney')
• Apollo Korzeniowski (Polish writer)
• Apollo Papathanasio (singer from Sweden)
• Apollo Robbins (magician from the USA)
• Apollo Smile (singer from the USA)
• Apollo von Vilbel (German historian)
• Nick Apollo Forte (actor from the USA)