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Zagreus

♂ Boy

Pronounced ZAG-ree-us /ˈzæɡ.ri.əs/Medium

Meaning: Zagreus is the name of an ancient Greek deity. In Orphic tradition he is the 'first Dionysus', son of Zeus and Persephone, torn apart by the Titans and reborn — a myth of death and renewal held sacred in the Orphic mysteries; we note it respectfully. The name is sometimes glossed 'great hunter', though the etymology is not settled. In modern times Zagreus is also the protagonist of the video game Hades, which is why the name has begun to appear at all; we note that honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: An ancient Greek god — in Orphic tradition, the 'first Dionysus' (said 'ZAG-ree-us'). Also the hero of the game Hades.

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningZagreus is the name of an ancient Greek deity. In Orphic tradition he is the 'first Dionysus', son of Zeus and Persephone, torn apart by the Titans and reborn — a myth of death and renewal held sacred in the Orphic mysteries; we note it respectfully. The name is sometimes glossed 'great hunter', though the etymology is not settled. In modern times Zagreus is also the protagonist of the video game Hades, which is why the name has begun to appear at all; we note that honestly.

U.S. rank (2023)#5456 ↗ Rising

2023 U.S. births18 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 35

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

Zagreus is the name of a deity in ancient Greek religion. In the Orphic mysteries he is the 'first Dionysus', a son of Zeus and Persephone who was dismembered by the Titans and reborn — a story of destruction and renewal that stood at the heart of Orphic belief, and one we note respectfully. Ancient writers sometimes glossed the name as 'great hunter', but the etymology is genuinely uncertain. The name is almost unknown as a modern given name; its appearance on U.S. lists follows the popularity of the video game Hades, whose protagonist bears it — we note that honestly (said 'ZAG-ree-us').

It appears only very rarely for boys in the U.S. and is newly emerging. Rare, mythic, and strikingly unusual.

Did you know? Zagreus is an old and serious name: in Orphic tradition he is the first Dionysus, son of Zeus and Persephone, torn apart by the Titans and reborn — a myth of death and renewal, which we note respectfully. Modern families mostly meet the name through the video game Hades, where Zagreus is the hero, and we note that honestly too.

Overall data confidence 45%

References — Zagreus — Greek deity; Orphic 'first Dionysus', torn apart by the Titans, noted respectfully; video game Hades noted honestly; etymology unsettled

Variations

ZagreosZagrean

Nicknames

ZagZadeReus

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Zagreus…

Dionysus— the god Zagreus is identified with

Orpheus— a like name from the Orphic tradition

Atreus— a like Greek -eus ending pick

Zephyr— a like bold Greek-rooted choice

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Zagreus mean?

Zagreus is the name of an ancient Greek deity — in Orphic tradition, the 'first Dionysus', son of Zeus and Persephone. It is sometimes glossed 'great hunter', though the etymology is unsettled, which we note.

How do you pronounce Zagreus?

It's said ZAG-ree-us /ˈzæɡ.ri.əs/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Zagreus a boy or girl name?

Zagreus is a boy's name.

How popular is Zagreus?

Zagreus is very rare and newly emerging for boys in the U.S., its visibility tied to the video game Hades.