Most parents search for names meaning strength, beauty, or light. Greed is a different path entirely. Names tied to avarice and insatiable desire come almost exclusively from mythology and ancient languages, where cautionary tales gave these words their weight. They carry darkness, drama, and a kind of unapologetic intensity that appeals to a very specific naming sensibility.
What are some names that mean greed?
Names that mean greed are rare and drawn mostly from mythology and ancient languages. The strongest examples include Mammon (Aramaic, the biblical personification of greed), Midas (Greek, the king cursed by his golden touch), Fafnir (Norse, the dragon of hoarded gold), and Avarus (Latin, directly meaning “greedy”). Most carry cautionary origins rather than celebratory ones.
Boy Names That Mean Greed
Names connected to greed for boys lean heavily on mythology. Greek, Norse, and Sanskrit traditions all produced figures whose stories warned against unchecked desire. These names sound powerful and ancient, often with hard consonants and weighty syllables. They suit parents drawn to dark mythology and literary depth rather than soft, modern trends.
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Pronunciation | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammon | Aramaic | Wealth, personification of greed | MAM-un | Rare |
| Midas | Greek | Mythological king cursed by golden touch | MY-das | Unique |
| Fafnir | Norse | Dwarf transformed into a dragon by greed | FAF-neer | Dark |
| Plutus | Greek | God of wealth and hoarding | PLOO-tus | Rare |
| Avarus | Latin | Greedy, covetous | ah-VAH-rus | Rare |
| Rapax | Latin | Grasping, greedy | RAH-paks | Dark |
| Andvari | Norse | Dwarf guardian of cursed gold | AHN-dvah-ree | Mystic |
| Tantalus | Greek | King punished for insatiable desire | TAN-tah-lus | Rare |
| Erysichthon | Greek | Cursed with endless hunger and greed | er-ih-SIK-thon | Dark |
| Hiranyakashipu | Sanskrit | Golden cushion, demon king of greed | heer-ahn-yah-KAH-shee-poo | Rare |
| Avarice | Latin | Greed, insatiable desire | AV-ah-ris | Unique |
| Covet | English | To desire greedily | KUV-et | Unique |
Girl Names That Mean Greed
Genuine girl names meaning greed are exceptionally scarce. Most naming traditions across the world avoided assigning negative traits to daughters, so the few options that exist come from Roman personifications or modern word-name trends. These are bold, unconventional choices that break every traditional naming rule, which is exactly why some parents love them.
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Pronunciation | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avaritia | Latin | Roman personification of greed | av-ah-RISH-ee-ah | Rare |
| Pleonexia | Greek | Insatiable desire, greed | plee-oh-NEK-see-ah | Dark |
| Greed | English | Excessive desire for wealth | GREED | Unique |
| Lobhi | Sanskrit | Greedy, covetous | LOH-bhee | Rare |
| Avarice | Latin | Greed, insatiable longing | AV-ah-ris | Unique |
| Covet | English | To crave with envy | KUV-et | Unique |
Unisex Names That Mean Greed
Gender-neutral options in this category are almost entirely modern word names or Latin-derived terms. They sit in the same space as other virtue and vice names like Creed or Merit, though with a decidedly darker edge. These work best as striking middle names or for parents building a character rather than filling out a birth certificate.
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Pronunciation | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammon | Aramaic | Wealth, embodiment of greed | MAM-un | Rare |
| Avarice | Latin | Greed, excessive desire | AV-ah-ris | Unique |
| Covet | English | To desire greedily | KUV-et | Unique |
| Greed | English | Insatiable want | GREED | Unique |
| Rapax | Latin | Grasping, predatory | RAH-paks | Dark |
Also Read: Dark Baby Names That Mean Evil From Every Mythology
Names That Mean Greed Across Cultures
Greed appears as a named concept in nearly every ancient culture, but almost always as a warning. The figures and words associated with it were meant to teach restraint, not to be celebrated. This makes greed names some of the most story-rich options in the naming world, even if they were never intended as compliments.
Greek Names That Mean Greed
Greek mythology is the richest source of greed-related names. The Greeks built entire cautionary tales around figures consumed by desire, and those names have survived for millennia.
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Midas | King cursed by golden touch | Boy |
| Plutus | God of wealth and hoarding | Boy |
| Tantalus | Punished for insatiable desire | Boy |
| Erysichthon | Cursed with endless hunger | Boy |
| Pleonexia | Insatiable greed | Girl |
| Avaritia | Greed personified (Roman adoption) | Girl |
Norse Names That Mean Greed
Norse sagas tied greed to transformation and destruction. The most famous example is Fafnir, a dwarf who became a dragon to guard his stolen gold. These names carry a cold, mythic weight.
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Fafnir | Dragon of hoarded gold | Boy |
| Andvari | Dwarf of cursed treasure | Boy |
| Otr | Shapeshifter killed for gold | Boy |
Latin Names That Mean Greed
Latin gives us the most direct vocabulary words for greed. Avarus and Rapax were used as descriptive terms in Roman texts, and occasionally as cognomens (nicknames) for particularly acquisitive individuals.
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Avarus | Greedy, covetous | Boy |
| Rapax | Grasping, predatory | Boy |
| Avarice | Greed, insatiable want | Unisex |
Sanskrit Names That Mean Greed
In Hindu mythology, greed (lobha) is one of the six enemies of the mind. The demon king Hiranyakashipu embodies this trait, hoarding power and demanding worship. These names carry deep philosophical weight.
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Hiranyakashipu | Golden, demon of greed | Boy |
| Lobhi | Greedy, covetous | Girl |
| Lobha | Greed, desire | Unisex |
Aramaic and Biblical Names That Mean Greed
Mammon is the single most recognized name associated with greed in Western culture. Jesus used the word in the Sermon on the Mount, and it later became a proper name for the demon of avarice in medieval Christian theology.
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Mammon | Wealth, personification of greed | Boy |
Also Read: Powerful Names That Mean Dragon From Norse to Japanese Mythology
Names That Mean Avarice and Excess
Avarice is the formal, literary cousin of greed. It appears in Dante’s Inferno as one of the seven deadly sins and in Roman philosophy as a moral failing. Names in this category feel more intellectual and less bluntly dark than “greed” itself.
- Avarice
- Avarus
- Avaritia
- Rapax
- Covet
- Pleonexia
- Pleon
- Mammon
- Lobha
- Tantalus
Names connected to excess and overindulgence share similar mythological roots. These figures wanted more than the gods allowed, and their stories ended badly. That narrative tension is what makes these names compelling to certain parents.
- Erysichthon
- Tantalus
- Midas
- Icarus
- Niobe
- Sisyphus
- Plutus
- Fafnir
- Hiranyakashipu
- Actaeon
How to Choose the Right Greed Name
Sound matters more than usual here. Many greed names have harsh consonants and heavy syllables (Erysichthon, Hiranyakashipu), so pairing them with a short, soft surname helps balance the overall feel. A name like Midas flows more easily than Fafnir in everyday use.
Cultural context is everything with this category. These names carry cautionary weight, so understanding the full myth behind your choice will help you explain it confidently when people inevitably ask.
- Say the full name out loud several times before committing
- Check how the initials look on paper
- Consider whether the mythological backstory is one you want to retell often
- Research the cultural origin thoroughly before choosing
- Think about how the name sounds on a five-year-old and a thirty-year-old
- Use a greed name as a bold middle name if the first-name feel is too intense
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most popular name meaning greed?
A: Midas is the most widely recognized name associated with greed, thanks to the famous Greek myth of the golden touch. It has seen a small surge in use in recent years, partly driven by celebrity naming trends. Mammon is the second most recognized, though it is rarely given to children.
Q: What does greed mean in different languages?
A: In Latin, greed is “avaritia,” which gives us the word avarice. In Sanskrit, it is “lobha.” In Greek, the concept is “pleonexia,” meaning insatiable desire. In Aramaic, “mammon” refers to wealth and material greed. Each language produced mythological figures tied to these words.
Q: What are some rare names that mean greed?
A: Avarus (Latin, “greedy”), Rapax (Latin, “grasping”), Andvari (Norse, dwarf of cursed gold), and Pleonexia (Greek, “insatiable desire”) are all extremely rare. These names appear almost exclusively in mythological and literary contexts rather than on birth certificates.
Q: What is a good middle name to pair with Midas?
A: Midas pairs well with softer, shorter middle names that balance its bold sound. Options like Midas James, Midas Elliot, or Midas Orion create a strong rhythm. Avoid pairing it with another heavy mythological name, which can feel overwhelming.
Q: Are names that mean greed actually used for babies?
A: Very rarely. Most parents who are drawn to this category use these names for fictional characters, gaming personas, or pets. Midas is the exception, as it has gained some traction as a modern baby name despite its cautionary origins. The others remain largely literary.
Q: Is Mammon a real name or just a concept?
A: Mammon started as an Aramaic word for wealth and material riches. In the New Testament, it was personified as a force opposing God. By the medieval period, theologians like Peter Binsfeld classified Mammon as the demon of greed. It functions as both a concept and a proper name in religious and literary traditions.
Conclusion
Names that mean greed occupy a fascinating corner of the naming world. They are almost entirely mythological, drawn from Greek tragedies, Norse sagas, and biblical warnings rather than from any tradition of celebratory naming. That scarcity is part of their appeal. If you want a name with a story that commands attention and carries genuine historical weight, options like Midas, Mammon, and Fafnir deliver it. For more names with dark mythological roots, explore names that mean chaos from ancient legends.
