Ector

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Ector

Pronounced EK-tor /ˈɛk.tɔːr/Medium

Meaning: Ector is a medieval form of Hector, from the Greek Hektor, 'holding fast' or 'steadfast'. In Arthurian legend Sir Ector is the knight who fosters the young King Arthur. Dropping the H reflects French and older English spelling of the classical name.Low

In 30 seconds: Ector is a form of Hector, from Greek for 'steadfast', and the name of King Arthur's foster father in legend. It saw scattered use as a boy's name (said EK-tor).

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Origin LowGreek, French

MeaningEctor is a medieval form of Hector, from the Greek Hektor, 'holding fast' or 'steadfast'. In Arthurian legend Sir Ector is the knight who fosters the young King Arthur. Dropping the H reflects French and older English spelling of the classical name.

U.S. rank (2022)#11242 ↘ Falling

2022 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1995

Total births (all-time)≈ 783

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ector is an old form of Hector, from the Greek Hektor, 'holding fast' or 'steadfast', the name of Troy's great defender. In the tales of King Arthur, Sir Ector is the kindly knight who fosters Arthur as a boy, and the H-dropped spelling comes down through French and medieval English. In American records it was always rare, given to only a couple dozen boys a year.

Its small high point came unusually late, in the mid-nineteen-nineties, suggesting a modern re-coinage or heritage revival rather than a continuous line, so a young Ector today may be a teenager or young adult. Steadfast in meaning and legendary in association, it offers a distinctive, H-less twist on the classic Hector.

Did you know? In the Arthurian stories, Sir Ector raises the boy who will become King Arthur, giving this H-less spelling of Hector a place at the heart of the legend.

Overall data confidence 45%

References - Ector — Medieval form of Hector; Greek 'steadfast'; Arthurian Sir Ector

Variations

HectorEttoreHektor

Nicknames

EckTor

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ector…

Hector— the standard spelling of the same name

Victor— a like Latin-rooted -tor boy's name

Nestor— another Greek-legend -tor name

Dexter— a similar sharp two-beat name ending in -tor

Explore names like Ector

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ector mean?

It is a form of Hector, from the Greek Hektor meaning 'holding fast' or 'steadfast', and the name of King Arthur's foster father.

How do you pronounce Ector?

It's said EK-tor /ˈɛk.tɔːr/, two syllables, with the stress on the first.

Is Ector a boy or girl name?

Ector is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Ector?

It has always been rare, given to only a couple dozen boys a year, with a small late peak in the mid-nineteen-nineties.