Heracles

H4E1R1A1C3L1E1S1
/ˈhɛɹəkliːz/

proper noun

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.

OriginAncient Greek Ἡρακλῆς →
UncommonScrabble 13
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Meanings

proper noun

alternative Herakles · alternative dated Hêraklês

  1. Greekhuman sciencesSon 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.

Origin

  1. Ancient GreekἩρακλῆς
  2. EnglishHeracles

From Ancient Greek Ἡρακλῆς (Hēraklês), from Ἥρα (Hḗra, “Hera”) + κλέος (kléos, “glory”). Doublet of Hercules.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Ancient Greek Ἡρακλῆς
  • Ἡρακλῆς (Hēraklês)the son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Bulgarian Херакъл
  • Херакъл (Herakăl)the son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Catalan Hèracles
  • Hèraclesthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Chinese Mandarin 赫拉克勒斯, 赫剌克勒斯
  • 赫拉克勒斯 (Hèlākèlèsī)the son of Zeus — see also Hercules
  • 赫剌克勒斯 (Hèlákèlèsī)the son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Czech Héraklés
  • Héraklésthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Danish Herakles
  • Heraklesthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Esperanto Heraklo
  • Heraklothe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Finnish Herakles
  • Heraklesthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
French Héraclès
  • Héraclèsthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
German Herakles
  • Heraklesthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Greek Ηρακλής
  • Ηρακλής (Iraklís)the son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Hindi हेराक्लीज़
  • हेराक्लीज़ (herāklīz)the son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Hungarian Héraklész
  • Héraklészthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Icelandic Herakles
  • Heraklesthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Irish Earcail
  • Earcailthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Italian Eracle
  • Eraclethe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Japanese ヘラクレス, ヘーラクレース
  • ヘラクレス (Herakuresu)the son of Zeus — see also Hercules
  • ヘーラクレース (Hērakurēsu)the son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Korean 헤라클레스
  • 헤라클레스 (Herakeulleseu)the son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Polish Herakles
  • Heraklesthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Portuguese Héracles
  • Héraclesthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Romanian Heracle
  • Heraclethe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Russian Гера́кл
  • Гера́кл (Gerákl)the son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Slovak Herakles
  • Heraklesthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Spanish Heracles, Héracles
  • Heraclesthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
  • Héraclesthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Swahili Herakle
  • Heraklethe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Swedish Herakles
  • Heraklesthe son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Ukrainian Гера́кл
  • Гера́кл (Herákl)the son of Zeus — see also Hercules
Cite this entry
APA

Heracles. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Heracles

MLA

“Heracles.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Heracles. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Heracles,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Heracles.

Source: Heracles on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.