Hades

Hades is the name of the ruler of the underworld in Greek mythology, and it also came to refer to his realm. The name is traditionally connected with a Greek word meaning “unseen.” His role concerns the world of the dead; Greek mythology gives death itself a separate personification, Thanatos, so the two figures have different places in the stories.

Hades is a brother of Zeus and Poseidon and is closely associated with the story of Persephone. That myth includes her abduction and her divided time between the underworld and the world above, making the name’s literary background complex. Parents considering Hades should know that this specific mythological figure will be a strong association for many readers. Haides is another transliteration of the Greek form.