Achaios

The meaning of this name is a little uncertain; it may have been derived from Greek αχος (achos) meaning "grief, pain, woe" (also see Achilles). It is also interesting to note that there is the Greek word achaia, which was an epithet of the Greek goddess Demeter. The etymology of this epithet is similarly uncertain, but sources speculate that it is also derived from achos. Given that the male name Achaios (better known by its latinized form Achaeus) was first the name of two characters from Greek mythology before it became borne by real living men, it seems unlikely that both characters were named in honour of the goddess Demeter, so at least in their case a direct derivation from achos would be more likely than a direct derivation from achaia. Where living men were concerned, however, they could have been named in honour of the two characters of Greek mythology or directly after the goddess Demeter. It is also possible that they were named after the ancient region Achaia (better known by its latinized form Achaea), but this region was probably named in honour of Demeter. As such, in all cases and scenarios, everything can eventually be traced back to Greek achos, assuming that is the correct root.