Hector
/ˈhɛk.təɹ/
Hector is the Latinized form of Greek Hektor, derived from hektōr meaning “holding fast” or “restrained,” from the verb echein (“to hold” or “to possess”). The name belongs to one of the most celebrated figures of Greek epic tradition.
In Homer’s Iliad, Hector is the greatest Trojan champion, son of Priam and Hecuba, husband of Andromache. His death at the hands of Achilles is the emotional climax of the epic. His nobility and courage made him a heroic ideal even among the Greeks.
Hector ranked No. 380 in 2024 with 858 births. It peaked at No. 156 in 1990 with 1,990 births, driven largely by use in Hispanic communities where the name has classical and colonial roots.
What the name Hector means
The name also appears in Arthurian legend as King Arthur’s foster father. In Scotland it was used as an Anglicized form of Eachann. These multiple cultural pathways give it exceptional staying power.
Two syllables — HEK-tor — are strong and decisive. The hard k consonant and the firm -or ending give it the sound of a warrior’s name.
Parents in Latino families who want a classical name with epic roots and proven international use find Hector a consistently strong option. Its connections to Greek heroism, Arthurian legend, and Scottish tradition are unmatched.
Related classical hero names include Achilles, Ajax, Patroclus, and Priam. In the modern US, Hector belongs to the same classical-heritage group as Caesar, Adrian, and Marco.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Hector
Hector - similar names
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