Let me try to put this in some sort of perspective, though we may look at the whole issue in more detail later. Let’s not use the term ‘translation of names’ first of all because this may lead us to the funny stories I was referring to above (and κύριος Ράπτης will become Mr Tailor). Nor should we restrict ourselves to the transliteration of names because this is a very specific application.
The real question is: how should we write Greek names in an English text? And there a number of different answers to this.
1. We work for the passport office. When we issue passports, we have to consult the transliteration chart that applies throughout Europe. Translators should know exactly what it recommends because they may use its rules in, say, translating certificates or legal documents.
2. We are translating a modern Greek novel into English. We don’t need to follow these rules. We opt for names that sound best to our readers’ ears. But we’re probably better off maintaining the sounds of the language rather than using classical versions. We go for Irini rather than Irene. We don’t use Angelica; but can we use Angeliki knowing it will be pronounced Anjeliki rather than Aggeliki? In this case, it is very much a question of personal choice. If Angeliki decides to study or live in England, she will have to choose a name depending on how she expects her friends or teachers to call her.
3. We write the road signs. The current practice is to write Pireas rather than Piraeus. The idea is that if an English tourist asks a passer-by for the way to Piraeus, the latter is likely to turn to his friends and ask them: «Μου λέει ότι πάει Ρίας. Ξέρετε κανένα μέρος που να το λένε Ρίας;» (OK, I’m exaggerating, but you get my drift.)
4. We write an article about modern Greek literature for the school paper in our English school. We have to do our research and find how these names are known to English people. Have their works been translated before? Are their names mentioned on the web? Which spelling seems to be favoured, especially by the more serious sites? Do their names turn up in encyclopedias like the Britannica? The same should apply if we publish the English catalogue to an exhibition. If the painters are living painters, we should find out how they want their names to be spelt in English. And so on.
5. We write anything about the classical times. We should make sure from the web and online or electronic encyclopedias how these names are spelt by the English. Most of these names have long established spellings. You can call your friend or dog Ira, but you can’t speak of the goddess Ira: it’s got to be Hera (or Juno).
There are, I’m sure, other circumstances to be examined, but these examples must be enough to show that rules have specific applications. We behave, and speak, and translate according to the rules that apply to the place and the people we are with, or the stuff we are translating. There are no blanket rules.
P.S. My last name is Λίγγρης and I pronounce it /'lingris/, in the same way that άγγελος is pronounced /'angelos/. I have always spelt it Lingris in English but it appears as Liggris on my passport and as Ligris on my credit cards. I have never complained.