Kyrillos

Kyrillos is a masculine given name used in Greek-speaking communities. It is the Greek form of Cyril, deriving from the Greek Kyrios meaning “lord.” In Greek, the name is written Κύριλλος and is commonly transliterated as Kyrillos or Kirillos in English texts.

Historically, Kyrillos has strong associations with early Christian saints and church fathers. In the Greek Orthodox tradition, several figures bear the name, including Kyrillos of Jerusalem (Saint Cyril of Jerusalem) and Kyrillos of Alexandria (Saint Cyril of Alexandria). The paired name Cyril and Methodius also appears in Orthodox memory as Kyrillos kai Methodios. The name thus carries both religious and historical resonance in Greco-Christian contexts.

Across languages, the name has several variants and related forms. Cyril is the English form, Cyrille in French, Kirill in Russian and other Slavic languages, and Cyrillus in Latin. These variants reflect the same root and have facilitated the name’s spread beyond Greek-speaking regions into Europe and the broader Christian world.

In modern Greece, Kyrillos remains in use as a given name among boys, including among clergy and laypersons. The name’s religious associations and its enduring presence in Greek naming traditions help maintain its continued visibility in contemporary contexts.