Achilleas

Achilleas is the modern Greek form of Achilles. In Greek legend, Achilles was a central hero of Homer's Iliad, known as the bravest of the Greek warriors who fought against the Trojans. He was eventually killed by an arrow to his heel, the only vulnerable part of his body. The name is derived from the Greek Ἀχιλλεύς (Achilleus), of uncertain meaning, possibly from ἄχος (achos) meaning “pain” or from the Achelous River. Achilles was also borne by a few early saints, including a Roman soldier martyred in the 1st century.

In modern Greece, Achilleas is a common given name. Variant forms include Achillefs. In other languages and cultures, equivalent forms include Achille (Italian), Aquiles (Spanish), and the original Achilleus from Greek mythology.

The name has also been used for a prominent Cypriot multisport club, Achilleas Kaimakli (Greek: Αχιλλέας Καϊμακλίου), founded in 1943 in Nicosia. The club competes in basketball, volleyball, and table tennis. The men's basketball division was one of the founding members of the Cyprus Basketball Federation and has won the Cyprus Basketball League five times, making it one of the most successful clubs in Cyprus. It has also represented Cyprus in European competitions such as the Korać Cup, Saporta Cup, and the Euroleague.

• Meaning: Derived from Greek achos (“pain”) or possibly from the Achelous River
• Origin: Greek mythology; modern Greek given name
• Type: First name, also a club name
• Usage regions: Greece, Cyprus