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Meaning
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I think Achilles is an awesome name. It is strong, handsome, and holds an irresistible Greek charm. Definitely sounds like the name of a very cool guy.
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Personally, I think this is a very queer name. Achilles, as a character in the Iliad, is definitely not straight (though ancient Greek people would probably not identify with modern labels and conceptions of sexuality). Although it was not specifically stated in the Iliad that he and Patroclus were romantically intertwined, it didn't really have to be since what we would now consider homosexual relationships were so normalized in that time. With details like Achilles' rage after Patroclus' death, them sleeping in the same bed, and Achilles requesting that they be buried in the same urn, it's safe to assume that they weren't just bros. I'm not posting any of this with malicious intent, I love the name Achilles because of its queer connotations. If you're writing a book with a gay character and want a really on-the-nose name for them, maybe consider Achilles. Hope this was educational :)
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Pronounced a-KHEEL-lehs in Polish.
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Don't like it. Makes me think of Achilles heel.
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Middle name of Rodrigue of Fire Emblem.
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There is no such a thing as a "pretentious" name. Most common names are from saints, gods or other mythological/biblical characters. Aren't they all pretentious according to some people's distorted logic?
Achilles is a very cool name!
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Achilles is a very cool name!
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The name Achilles was given to 226 boys born in the US in 2016.
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Some people don't know this, but this is the name of multiple saints. [noted -ed]
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I'm changing my name to Achilles. Why? Because it's a really cool name, it makes me feel good, and I have the balls to not care if ignorant people think I'm pretentious for it. Why should I not name myself something that I love and inspires me? Out of fear of how people will react to it? I think I'd rather be "pretentious" or "not taken seriously" than a coward.
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I love this name! It is a strong name for a boy, and would be great with Alexander. Achilles Alexander or Alexander Achilles. With the nickname Lex! So handsome!
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I wanted to name my son this, but I had a girl :-)
So years later, I got a German Shepherd Dog and his name is Achilles! Fits as a dog name much better than a human name. Awesome name either way though.
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So years later, I got a German Shepherd Dog and his name is Achilles! Fits as a dog name much better than a human name. Awesome name either way though.
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I've heard that the name Achilles can translate to something like "the grief of the people," which is pretty much the saddest thing in the world.
It is a lovely name, and Achilles is a fantastic figure (albeit flawed), but I'd say be careful about this as a first name, as it really can sound pretentious.
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It is a lovely name, and Achilles is a fantastic figure (albeit flawed), but I'd say be careful about this as a first name, as it really can sound pretentious.
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My youngest son is named Achilles. He was born with a hole in his ankle, hence the name, as well as an atrial septal defect, otherwise known as a hole in the heart. It's a strong name for a strong boy (= I also liked it because it's a strong name without being overly masculine, trendy or sounding like a redneck name.
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Achilles was the lover of, among others, Patroclus AND Troius (the latter of whom he killed in a lover's embrace). And if a child is named this, they'll probably be teased by "heel" a lot. I'm not very sure about the usage of this name.
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This is a great name. I admire anyone who would give this to their son today.
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In Orson Scott Card's Bean series, Achilles (pronounced ah-SHEEL in that case) was the main antagonist.
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This name is also used in Poland. I suppose it would sound nice there, but in English it just screams pretentious.
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You would have to be insane or just very pretentious to give this legendary, pompous name to a person.
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I don't even know how to pronounce this name! I don't really think I would use it for my child. But it IS different.
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I love the name Achilles, because I love the Iliad. I hate Brad Pitt as Achilles though, we are watching Troy in Classical Studies. It is a grossly inaccurate film, I mean good Lord, Achilles cuts off the head of an Apollo statue. This would never happen! The people of those times were terrified and completely in awe of the gods. Pious, that's the word. Ok, sorry about that, but, yeah, I love the name Achilles! It is such a strong heroic name.
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Achilles would be a hard name to live up to. In Greek Mythology, he was nearly invincible except for his heel. Too many in-jokes I think.
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From "achos" (pain) and "laos" (the people) - pain of the people. When he was fighting in the Trojan War, he was the pain of the people for the Trojans, and when he was not fighting (like when he was mad at Agamemnon, or before he arrived at Troy), he was the pain of the people for the Greeks. He was also the pain of the people for his mother, who knew he would die young and that upset her. By the way, he was not suckled as a baby when he was with the centaur Chiron.
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Achilles is a character in Orson Scott Card's book Ender's Shadow. He was kind of a psychopath. His name was pronounced ah-SHEEL, though, according to the book.
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I love Greek mythology names, but I like them better with the Swedish spelling. It sounds much simpler in Swedish. Like Akilles, it looks better then Achilles.
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Makes me think of Brad Pitt from the movie 'Troy'--Strong, masculine, brave, handsome, rugged, beauty, and power. Ahh, yes it's a wonderful name, no? ;~D
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The name αχιλλευς comes from the Greek word αχλύς which is a weather phenomenon mainly seen in Greek rivers, lakes and the sea. It is similar to myst. The word αχλυς (achlys) derives from the morpheme αχ (ach) which is present in words representing names of big Greek rivers. e.g. Αχ-ελώος, Ιν-αχ-ος Αχ-ερων. Achille's chariot raised clouds of dust (resembling achlys) and thus took his name that reflected this property.
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I definitely like this name, because while it is very masculine (Achilles, the great warrior!) it's not macho, like the names of most warriors seem to be. Achilles was hidden away in the guise of girl and his best friend and lover, Patroclus, was a male. No one could ever call him dainty or demure, but he was certainly not a man's man sort of person. I think I would name a girl this, giving her an alliterating, female name for her middle name (or making this her middle name), like, Alice Achilles.
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A song by Led Zeppelin goes by the name "Achilles Last Stand". It is sang with great emotion; focussing on Apocolypse or even death.
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Translates as "without lips". Appolodorus suggests it may be because he was never suckled as a baby (!?). Could also imply Achilles is the name of an ancient oracular hero (hint: they keep the head in the shrine, over time the skin shrinks away...)
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Like it was already mentioned, Αχιλλεύς (a-kil-LEFS) has to do with άχος (A-chos) - "pain", and the word "λύειν" (LI-in) - "to untie". "The One Untying the Pain" - possibly connected to healing capabilities.
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Makes me think of a Roman gladiator. Most likely because when I think of the name Achilles, I think of someone strong, who is a fighter. Someone advanced in the fighting profession, and the total opposite of a coward.
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It makes me think of 'Achilles Heel'.
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