The Odyssey: names inspired by Greek mythology and why they work
With the recent release of Christopher Nolan’s screen adaptation of The Odyssey, discussion of the famous ancient Greek epic has increased significantly. Even literary works are receiving a boost, with a rise in bookshop sales since the film release in July. But how can we as a naming agency incorporate this success into our creative process?
Defining a muse
Creating a brand name starts with clarifying the brand’s identity – what do they want to convey, and importantly which attributes do they want to have associated with their brand? By centring around a chosen character, person or historical figure, the brand can adopt a set of known attributes as their own. The figure acts as a symbol, communicating the brand’s values. For example, Athena, known for her wisdom, her name carries a sense of authority. We might expect a brand with the name Athena to be an expert in their field, sharing knowledge with their consumers.
Greek mythological characters provide a great basis for this since their deities represent human qualities and feelings. The ability to translate these attributes directly into a brand image makes this type of naming particularly attractive to companies wanting to establish a strong and clearly defined reputation. With the benefit of being recognised internationally, a mythological muse adds personality to a brand, embodying its values.
Success stories
Many of the most iconic brands have utilised a mythological muse to represent their values in a clear, concise and, most importantly, recognisable name.
Nike, the goddess of victory, acts as the perfect representative for a sportswear brand. In visual depictions, she is typically portrayed with wings and travelling at speed, reminiscent of the athletes that wear the brand. Considering that Nike is a prominent sponsor in the world of sport, the importance of a positive symbolism of victory to come is highlighted as their name and logo are worn throughout training and competition.
Known for her curiosity, Pandora was said to have received unique gifts from each of the gods who created her. The perfect muse for a jewellery brand which focuses on giving customers a sense of individuality through their popular customisable charm bracelets. What’s more, as the first human woman in Greek mythology, Pandora evokes a sense of novelty, representing fresh ideas and the brand’s commitment to innovation to become the largest jewellery brand in the world.
Camera company Olympus traces its name back to the home of the gods in Greek mythology. Standing as the highest mountain in Greece, Mount Olympus was described by Homer as an isolated, peaceful utopia. By adopting this name, the medical device turned camera manufacturer aimed to portray their products as high-quality and world-renowned, reflecting their success in driving the mass availability of photographic equipment at the end of the 20th century.
Some names have a more discreet link to their mythological roots. Take Dove, a personal care brand aiming to “make beauty a source of confidence”. The sacred symbol of a dove is also known as the primary symbol of Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love, beauty and desire. As a strong female character, she provides the perfect inspiration for a brand promoting self-love and care. By using the symbol of a dove instead of her own name, her attributes are communicated with an elegant subtlety.
Inspired by the Odyssey
The epic poem by Homer has a rich diversity of characters, many of whose names could be successfully repurposed as unique brand identities. As a naming agency, we look to draw inspiration from unexpected places, so let’s have a look at some naming ideas inspired by the Odyssey.
As the hero at the centre of the story, Odysseus provides the perfect name for a tech company looking to project strength and versatility. Known for his intellectual prowess, cunning nature and adaptability, his attributes reflect what we may expect of companies operating in cybersecurity or software development. Odysseus could even offer a strong identity for artificial intelligence, an industry where we are already seeing the use of mythology inspired names. For instance, Google’s Gemini symbolises the twins Castor and Pollux who also featured in Homer’s work.
Circe, the sorceress nymph and daughter of the god of the sun Helios is a somewhat lesser-known character of the Odyssey. Her knowledge of herbs and potions paired with the smooth, soft sounds of the letters “c” and “e” make her name a strong proposition for a luxury perfume. Short and compact, Circe’s magical powers of transformation are evocative of the potent aromas associated with quality ingredients, and the ability to wear a scent that transforms.
As a naming agency, our aim is to tell a story with a name meaning we often place a main character at the centre, drawing our inspiration from historical figures and even mythological characters. Looking to embark on your next naming Odyssey? Nomen Strategic Naming is here to guide you.