Orion

♂ Boy

Pronounced oh-RY-un /oʊˈɹaɪ.ən/High

Meaning: From the Greek Orion, a giant hunter of Greek mythology. The etymology may derive from the Greek 'ouros' (mountain dweller) or from an ancient pre-Greek word related to light or dawn.Medium

In 30 seconds: Orion is one of the night sky's most spectacular constellations and one of Greek mythology's great hunters. As a name, it radiates cosmic grandeur, mythological depth, and a spirit of bold adventure.

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Origin HighGreek

MeaningFrom the Greek Orion, a giant hunter of Greek mythology. The etymology may derive from the Greek 'ouros' (mountain dweller) or from an ancient pre-Greek word related to light or dawn.

U.S. rank (2025)#334 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births1,012 boys (0.06% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2018

Total births (all-time)≈ 23,110

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

In Greek mythology, Orion was a giant and skilled hunter, the son of Poseidon (or alternatively of the earth), who could walk on water and was the greatest hunter in the world. After his death — variously attributed to the sting of a scorpion or accidental killing by Artemis — he was placed among the stars as the constellation Orion. The name's precise etymology is uncertain; it may derive from Greek roots related to mountains or light.

As a given name, Orion was used rarely but consistently throughout Western history, mostly among those with classical literary interests. In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries it gained significant momentum as mythological and celestial names became fashionable. It entered the US top 300 boys' names in the 2010s and continues to climb, appealing to parents drawn to names with cosmic scale and heroic mythology.

Did you know? The three stars of Orion's Belt — Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka — are among the most recognizable features in the night sky and have been used as navigation guides by sailors for millennia, making Orion one of humanity's oldest celestial landmarks.

Overall data confidence 85%

Grimal, Pierre. The Dictionary of Classical Mythology — Orion myth and etymology discussionSocial Security Administration Name Data — US popularity trend for Orion

Variations

ArionOrian

Nicknames

RionOri

Famous Bearers

★Orion (Greek mythology) (ancient)
The great hunter of Greek mythology, placed as a constellation in the night sky.

If you like Orion…

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Cassian— three-syllable classical name with the same celestial-mythological grandeur

Frequently Asked

What does the name Orion mean?

Orion refers to the great hunter of Greek mythology, possibly from a root meaning 'mountain dweller' or related to light. He became the constellation Orion.

How do you pronounce Orion?

Orion is pronounced oh-RY-un (/oʊˈɹaɪ.ən/), three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Orion a boy or girl name?

Orion is predominantly a boy's name, though it is occasionally used for girls.

How popular is Orion?

Orion entered the US top 300 boys' names in the 2010s and continues to rise as astronomical and mythological names grow in popularity.