There are numerous renowned and successful companies with ancient Greek names all over the world, most of them being European and American. You might recognize the names of some of them as references to Greek heroes or persons from the Greek mythology -such as Amazon or Nike-, but you might not have noticed references to mythology in many other’s.
Here is a list of more than 20 successful companies
with ancient Greek Names:
Amazon – launched in 1995 and is one of the largest booksellers and one of the most powerful online retail companies. In Greek mythology, the Amazons were a race of powerful women warriors trained in archery and combat. There are tales of hundreds of individual Amazons in Greek mythology.
Delphi – Sanctuary to Apollo and home to his famous Oracles; Delphi Forums is an online meeting place to promote discussions, and to find answers. Delphi is also the name of an international Automotive Group. Delphi Group specializes in global warming, and Delphi Energy is into oil and natural gas.
Hermes – Olympian Herald and Messenger god. There is a popular brand of soap. Also, the FTD flower delivery company incorporates Hermes and his winged heels in their logo. Moreover, the Hermes Boutique offers high end goods. Hermes Financial Group, Hermes Records, and Hermes Hotel are further examples.
Nike – was a goddess who personified victory. Nike has become such a household name for athletic equipment that some people will be surprised to learn that the word comes from Greek mythology.
Olympic – With references to Olympia and the Olympic Games you can find Olympic Air, Olympic Travel Agency, Olympic Case Company, Olympic Packaging Company, and many many more.
Pandora – is the Greek goddess best known for opening a box (pithos) full of evil spirits and freeing them to cause misery to mankind. Pandora Radio (Pandora.com) invites users to type in a song or artist they like and then enjoy a radio station tailored to their interests. Also, Pandora jewelry is an international manufacturer and retailer founded in 1982 that is known for its customizable charm bracelets, designer rings, necklaces and watches.
Atlas – The Titan Atlas was doomed to support the heavens on his shoulders. The name Atlas is used by a modern moving company (Atlas Van Lines). Also, Atlas Travel is a popular name for travel agencies all over the globe. Other companies with Atlas in their brand names are Atlas Railroad Company, Atlas Snowshoes, Atlas Games.
Ambrosia – In ancient Greek mythology, ambrosia is sometimes the food, sometimes the drink, of the Greek gods. There is Ambrosia Natural Foods, Ambrosia Software, and the famous Ambrosia Salad.
Apollo – God of light, masculine beauty, and music; Apollo Theater is a famous music hall in New York city. There’s also an Apollo Health and Beauty Care, Apollo Photonics provides photonic (light) integrated circuit and devices.
Charon – Boatman who ferries the souls of the dead to the Underworld; Charon Internet and Charon Productions are two more modern uses.
Centaur – Mythological creatures that are part human and part horse. In modern society, you’ll find Centaur Theater Company, Centaur Floor Machines, Centaur Riding School, and Centaur Pharmaceuticals, which manufactures veterinarian medicine.
Dionysus – God of Wine. There is a Dionysus Wine and Spirits Company, Dionysus Salon and Spa, Dionysus Winery.
Echo – She was the beautiful nymph who fell in love with Narcissus, but he ignored her until she pined away and only an echo of her voice remained. Echo Power Equipment, E.C.H.O. (European Commission Humanitarian Organization), and Echo Digital Audio are some examples of use today. You will find community newspapers called the Echo all over.
Europa – A beautiful maiden seduced by Zeus when he took the form of a white bull. Europa is the official web site of the European Union. There’s a Europa Nightclub, Europa Hotel in Belfast, and Europa Worldwide Logistics. Not to mention Europe as a continent anyway.
Helicon – A woody mountain in Boeotia, Greece, dedicated to the Muses. Helicon Software, Helicon Tech, Helicon Properties, Helicon Records, and Helicon Publishing are some of the modern derivations.
Helios – God who daily drove the sun chariot across the sky; sun god. There’s Helios Software, Helios Music, Helios Media Player, Helios Capital Management, and Helios Heater.
Hercules – Roman name for Heracles, the greatest Greek hero; the company called Hercules makes a top-selling video graphics card (their slogan is Legendary Strength, Quality and Performance); there is also the Hercules transport plane, used by the United States Air Force to carry large volumes of war material and food; Hercules Incorporated is a maker of chemicals and allied products.
Hyperion – Titan whose name means “he who goes before the sun”; Hyperion is a company that specializes in business analysis software. It is also the name of a book publishing company. Hyperion Records, Hyperion Power, and Hyperion Sound Design also take their name from this Titan.
Midas – King with the golden touch, who transformed all he touched to gold; a famous muffler and brake chain of service stations Midas Consoles makes live audio mixing consoles.
Odyssey – The 10-year sea voyage endured by the Trojan War hero, Odysseus, as he sought to return home to Ithaca; Odyssey Travel is a well-known travel agency; Odyssey Records is a record company; there’s even an Odyssey Golf Club company, Odyssey BMX, Honda Odyssey, and more.
Olympus – Mount Olympus was the home of the Olympian gods. The mountain exists and it is the highest mountain in Greece (2,918 m). Olympus is the name of a well-known company that produces cameras and equipment for photographers. Also, Olympic Airlines is another variation of the name.
Orion – A giant hunter slain by Artemis in Greek mythology; there is a motion picture production company, Orion Pictures. Also, Orion Car Audio, Orion Bus Company, and Orion Pharma feature the name of the giant.
Pegasus – Winged horse that was born from Medusa’s head when she was killed; Pegasus Expedite Company is a national delivery/courier service; Pegasus Satellite Systems is a provider of satellite entertainment services. Furthermore, the winged horse motif is used by dozens of companies.
Poseidon – God of the Sea and brother of Zeus; Poseidon Travel is a common travel agency name; Poseidon Seafood is a national brand of seafood products. Not to mention Neptune, the Roman version, which is also often used by companies, as in Neptune Fresh Lobster Co.
Prometheus – The Titan who stole fire from Olympus and whom Zeus sentenced to be chained to a rock and daily an eagle would feast on his liver. There is Prometheus Company, Prometheus Energy, Prometheus Books, Prometheus Real Estate, and more.
Phoenix – A mythical and one-of-a-kind bird that burns on a funeral pyre after a life of hundreds of years, only to be re-born from the ashes. It is also the name of a national photographic technology company. You’ll find Phoenix Technologies, Phoenix Suns basketball team, and even NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander.
Titans – Race of gods preceding the Olympians; Titan Tool & Die Company manufactures tools for industry. The Tennessee Titans play in the NFL.
