Kostas is a Greek and Lithuanian short form of the name Konstantinos and Konstantinas, respectively. Both full names derive from the Latin Constantinus, in turn from Constans, meaning "constant, steadfast." The name thus traces its roots to the Roman emperor Constantine the Great (272-337), the first Christian emperor who established Constantinople. In Greek-speaking regions, Kostas is an exceedingly common hypocorism, while in Lithuania it appears as a colloquial diminutive of Konstantinas. Etymology Kostas belongs to a family of names derived from the Latin constans (genitive constantis), which means "firm, steadfast, constant." The Roman emperor Constantius and later Constantine the Great popularized the related forms. Constantine’s legacy ensured the spread of his name across Europe, with local variants emerging: Konstantin in Slavic countries, Constantijn in Dutch, and Kostas itself in Greek and Lithuanian. The Greek diminutive suffix -as is typical for masculine shortened forms, as seen in other common nicknames like Dimitris for Demetrios. Notable Bearers Many prominent Greeks have borne the name Kostas. Perhaps the most famous living figure is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brother, basketball player Kostas Antetokounmpo (born 1997), who won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. Kostas Papanikolaou (born 1990) is another Greek basketball star. In politics, Kostas Simitis (1936–2025) served as Prime Minister of Greece from 1996 to 2004, and Kostas Karamanlis (born 1956) held the same office from 2004 to 2009. The name also appears on the island of Cyprus: Costas Georgiou (1951–1976), also known as “Colonel Callan,” was a controversial Greek Cypriot mercenary. Both the Greek and English forms are found in the fields of arts and sciences; for instance, Costas Azariadis (born 1943) is an influential economist. Variants of Kostas used in and beyond Greece include Costas (standard romanized form), regional Gus (via Constantine), Kostakis (a double diminutive), and Kostis (another mainstream form). In other languages, notable equivalents include Kosta (Serbian), Kostadin (Macedonian), and Kostandin (Albanian). Cultural Significance Kostas enjoys enduring popularity in Greece, part of a tradition of saints’ names bolstered by the Orthodox Church’s celebration of Constantine and Helen. The name peaked across the 1950s-1970s and remains well established. As a surname, similar to Bob Costas, the American sportscaster, the name is carried internationally via migration. Meaning: “constant, steadfast” Origin: Greek, Lithuanian hypocorism from Constantine Type: Short form / diminutive Usage: Mainly Greece; also Ireland and occasional use elsewhere