Pericles

Pericles is an Ancient Greek male name, meaning "far-famed" or "surrounded by glory," derived from the Greek elements περί (peri) meaning "around, exceedingly" and κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory." Written as Περικλῆς (Periklēs) in Greek, the name literally translates to "exceedingly glorious."

Etymology

The name is a compound of two classical Greek roots. The prefix peri- suggests abundance or excess, while -kleos references fame or renown, a common element in Greek naming (seen also in Hesiod's name and Antigone, for instance). The variant forms include {Variants}Perikles{/Variants}, which is the Latinized spelling, and {Other Languages & Cultures}Periklis{/Other Languages & Cultures}, the modern Greek rendering.

Historical Significance

The most renowned bearer of the name was Pericles (c. 495–429 BC), the celebrated Athenian statesman and general during the city's Golden Age. According to the historian Thucydides, Pericles was called "the first citizen of Athens." He led Athens through the early Peloponnesian War, transformed the Delian League into a maritime empire, and profoundly shaped Athenian culture and politics. The period from roughly 461 to 429 BC is often referred to as the "Age of Pericles," during which democracy flourished, and monumental structures like the Parthenon were built. Shakespeare later used the name for the title character in his romance Pericles, Prince of Tyre (1608).

Cultural and Literary Legacy

Beyond ancient history, the name Pericles has been used in literature and political thought as a symbol of democratic leadership and cultural flourishing. The "Funeral Oration" attributed to Pericles by Thucydides remains a classic defense of democracy. In modern times, the name appears infrequently, but it maintains a strong presence in Greece, often given as Periklis.

• Meaning: "far-famed" (from peri "around" + kleos "glory")
• Origin: Ancient Greek
• Usage: Primarily Ancient Greek; modern Greek form Periklis
• Notable Bearer: Pericles, Athenian statesman (5th century BC)
• Related Names: Perikles, Periklis