English
Heracles
Heracles comes from Ancient Greek Ἡρακλῆς.
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἩρακλῆςHēraklês
- EnglishtodayHeracles
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἩρακλῆςHēraklês
- EnglishtodayHeracles
A compound of Ἥρα ‘Hera’ + κλέος ‘glory’
Proto-Indo-European *ḱlew- ‘to hear’
Proto-Indo-European *ḱléwos ‘fame’
Proto-Hellenic *kléwos ‘fame’
Ancient Greek κλέος ‘glory’
Every English word from Ancient Greek Ἡρακλῆς
Today it means
name Son of Zeus and Alcmene, a celebrated hero who possessed exceptional strength. Most famous for his 12 labours performed to redeem himself after killing his family.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Ancient Greek Ἡρακλῆς / Heracles