Agathon
Agathon Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/a.ɡá.tʰɔːn/
Meaning of Agathon: Agathon (Ἀγάθων) is an ancient Greek masculine name derived from agathos (good, virtuous, noble), making it the masculine counterpart of the feminine Agatha.
The name belongs to the large family of agathos-derived names in ancient Greek onomastics, reflecting the importance of “goodness” (to agathon) as a central philosophical and moral concept in ancient Greek thought.
Plato’s Form of the Good (to agathon) is the highest Form in his metaphysics, and Aristotle’s ethics are organized around the concept of the good life (eudaimonia).
What Does Agathon Mean? Origin & Etymology
The most historically significant bearer is Agathon of Athens (c. 448–c. 400 BCE), an Athenian tragic playwright celebrated for his beauty, refinement, and literary innovations. He is the host of the symposium in Plato’s dialogue Symposium (c.
385–370 BCE), which takes place on the occasion of his victory in the tragic competition of 416 BCE. The Symposium’s speeches on the nature of love—including Socrates’ speech reporting the teachings of Diotima—are among the most influential texts in the history of Western philosophy.
Agathon himself delivers a highly rhetorical speech in the dialogue.
Agathon is not used as a given name in any modern Western tradition. It appears in ancient Greek texts, classical scholarship, and in discussions of Plato’s dialogues. Pope Agatho (r.
678–681 CE)—his name is a variant of Agathon—presided over the Third Council of Constantinople, which condemned Monothelitism. In Eastern Orthodox tradition, the name survives as Agafon (Агафон) in Russia and as Agathon in monastic contexts.
As a secular given name, it is essentially unused in contemporary practice. Further reading: etymology records and US popularity statistics from SSA.
Numerology & Symbolism of Agathon
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Agathon – Similar Names & Alternatives
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity
Frequently Asked Questions about Agathon
What does Agathon mean?
Agathon is greek masculine form of Agatha.
What does the name Agathon mean?
From Greek; Agathon carries a meaning connected to its ancient roots.
How popular is Agathon?
Agathon is rarely used in the United States but maintains its standing in Ancient Greek. SSA records show no significant US ranking for this name.
Where does the name Agathon come from?
Agathon has its origins in Greek tradition. Names from this linguistic background spread through Europe and into North America over centuries, carrying their original meanings into new cultural contexts.
How do you pronounce Agathon?
Agathon is pronounced /a.ɡá.tʰɔːn/. The name originates in Ancient Greek tradition.
Is Agathon a popular name?
Agathon is a relatively uncommon name in current US statistics, giving it the quality of distinctiveness without obscurity. SSA records confirm its presence across multiple decades of American naming history.
What are variants of Agathon?
Agathon has related forms in other languages: Agatino (Italian), Agafon (Russian). These variants all share the same root and meaning.