The names listed here
occur in mythology.
ACANTHA-IOLE |
ACANTHA
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: a-KAN-tha
Derived from Greek akantha meaning "thorn, prickle". In Greek
legend she was a nymph loved by Apollo.
ACHILLES
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: a-KIL-eez
Meaning unknown, perhaps derived from Greek achos "pain" or
else from the name of the Achelous River in Greece. This was the name of a
warrior in Greek legend, one of the central characters in Homer's 'Iliad'. The
bravest of the Greek heroes in the war against the Trojans, he was killed by an
arrow to his heel, the only vulnerable part of his body.
ADONIS
m Greek Mythology
Pronounced: a-DAWN-is
From the Semitic Adonai, which means "lord". In Greek myth
Adonis was a handsome young shepherd killed while hunting a wild boar. The
anemone flower is said to have sprung from his blood. Because he was loved by
Aphrodite, Zeus allowed him to be restored to life for part of each year. The
Greeks borrowed this character from various Semitic traditions, hence the
Semitic origins of the name.
ADRASTEIA
f Greek Mythology
Feminine form of ADRASTOS.
This was another name of the Greek goddess Nemesis.
ADRASTOS
m Greek Mythology
Means "not inclined to run away" in Greek. This was the name of a
king of Argos in Greek legend.
AEGLE f Greek
Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek Aigle which meant "light, radiance,
glory". This was the name of several characters in Greek myth, including
one of the Heliades and one of the Hesperides.
AELLA f Greek
Mythology
Means "whirlwind" in Greek. In Greek myth this was the name of an
Amazon warrior killed by Herakles during his quest for Hippolyta's girdle.
AENEAS
m Roman Mythology
Pronounced: i-NEE-as
Latin form of the Greek name Aineas, which is derived from Greek aine
meaning "praise". In Virgil's 'Aeneid', Aeneas is a Trojan warrior
who founds the Roman state.
AEOLUS
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: EE-o-lus
Latinized form of AIOLOS
AERON (2)
f,m Welsh Mythology
Welsh form of AGRONA. In
Welsh mythology Aeron was often portrayed as a masculine deity.
AESON m Greek
Mythology (Latinized)
From the Greek Aison, which is of unknown meaning. Aeson was the father
of Jason in Greek legend.
AGAMEMNON
m Greek Mythology
Pronounced: ag-a-MEM-nawn
Possibly meaning "very steadfast" in Greek. In Greek mythology he was
the brother of Menelaus and he led the Greek expedition to Troy to recover his
brother's wife Helen. After the Trojan War Agamemnon was killed by his wife
Clytemnestra.
AGAUE f Greek
Mythology
Means "illustrious, noble" in Greek. This was the mother of Pentheus
in Greek myth.
AGLAIA
f Greek Mythology, Greek
Pronounced: a-GLAY-a, a-GLIE-a
Means "splendour, beauty" in Greek. In Greek mythology she was one of
the three Graces (Charites).
AGRONA
f Celtic Mythology
Derived from Old Celtic agro meaning "battle, slaughter". This
was the name of the Brythonic goddess of war and death.
AHRIMAN
m Near Eastern Mythology
Means "evil spirit" in Persian. In Persian mythology Ahriman was the
god of darkness, death and destruction, the enemy of Ahura Mazda.
AHURA MAZDA
m Near Eastern Mythology
Means "lord wisdom" in Persian. In Persian mythology Ahura Mazda was
the supreme creator god.
AIAS m Greek
Mythology
Pronounced: IE-as
Greek form of AJAX
AILILL
m Irish, Irish Mythology
Means "elf" in Irish Gaelic. This name occurs frequently in Irish
legend, borne for example by the husband of queen Méabh.
AIOLOS
m Greek Mythology
Means "quick-moving, nimble" in Greek. This was the name of the Greek
god of the winds.
AJAX m Greek Mythology
(Latinized)
Pronounced: A-jaks
From the Greek name Aias, perhaps deriving from Greek aiastes
"mourner". In Greek mythology this was the name of one of the heroes
who fought for the Greeks in the Trojan War. When the armor of the slain hero
Achilles was not given to him he became mad with jealousy and killed himself.
ALCIPPE
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Possibly means "mighty mare" from Greek alkaios
"mighty" and hippos "horse". This was the name of a
daughter of Ares in Greek myth. Her father killed Halirrhotis, a son of
Poseidon, when he attempted to rape her, leading to a murder trial in which
Ares was quickly acquitted.
ALCYONE
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: al-SIE-o-nee
Means "kingfisher" from the Greek word alkyon or halkyon.
In Greek myth this name belonged to a daughter of Aeolus and the wife of Ceyx.
After her husband was killed in a shipwreck she threw herself into the water,
but the gods saved her and turned them both into kingfishers. This is also the
name of the brightest of the Pleiades, a group of seven stars in the
constellation Taurus.
ALTHEA
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
From the Greek name Althaia, perhaps related to Greek althein
"to heal". In Greek myth she was the mother of Meleager. Soon after
her son was born she was told that he would die as soon as a piece of wood that
was burning on her fire was fully consumed. She immediately extinguished the
piece of wood and sealed it in a chest, but in a fit of rage many years later
she took it out and set it alight, thereby killing her son.
ALVIS m Norse
Mythology
Means "all wise" in Old Norse. In Norse mythology this was the name
of a dwarf who was to marry Thor's daughter Thrud. Thor was not pleased with
this so he tricked Alvis by asking him questions until the sun rose, at which
time the dwarf was turned into stone.
AMALTHEA
f Greek Mythology
Derived from Greek malthasso meaning "to soften, to soothe".
In Greek myth she was a goat who nursed the infant Zeus.
AMATERASU
f Far Eastern Mythology
Means "shining over heaven" in Japanese. This was the name of the
Japanese sun goddess, the ruler of the heavens. At one time the Japanese royal
family claimed descent from her.
AMEN m Egyptian
Mythology
Pronounced: AW-mun
Variant of AMON
AMMON m Egyptian
Mythology (Hellenized)
Greek form of AMON
AMON m Egyptian
Mythology
Pronounced: AW-mun
Possibly means "the hidden one" in Egyptian. In Egyptian mythology he
was originally a god of the wind and the air. Later, during the Middle Kingdom,
his attributes were combined with those of the god Ra and he was worshipped as
Amon-Ra.
ANAHITA
f Near Eastern Mythology
Means "immaculate, undefiled" from Avestan a "not"
and ahit "unclean". This was the name of the Persian goddess
of fertility and water. She was sometimes identified with Artemis, Aphrodite
and Athena.
ANAITIS
f Near Eastern Mythology (Hellenized)
Greek form of ANAHITA
ANAT f Near
Eastern Mythology
Possibly derived from a Semitic root meaning "water spring". Anat was
a goddess of fertility, hunting and war worshipped in many regions of the
ancient near east. She was the sister and consort of the god Baal.
ANATH (2)
f Near Eastern Mythology
Form of ANAT
ANATU f Near
Eastern Mythology
Form of ANAT
ANDRASTE
f Celtic Mythology
Possibly means "invincible" in Celtic. This was the name of a Briton
goddess of victory who was invoked by Boudicca before her revolt.
ANDROMACHE
f Greek Mythology
Means "battle of a man" from the Greek elements andros
"of a man" and mache "battle". In Greek legend she
was the wife of Hector, taken by Neoptolemus after the fall of Troy.
ANDROMEDA
f Greek Mythology
Pronounced: an-DRAW-me-da
Means "to think of a man" from the Greek element andros
"of a man" combined with medesthai "to think, to be
mindful of". Andromeda is a constellation in the northern sky which gets
its name from a mythical Greek princess who was rescued from sacrifice by
Perseus. This name was also given to the nearest galaxy beyond our own.
ANGERONA
f Roman Mythology
Pronounced: an-je-RON-a
Meaning unknown, probably of Etruscan origin. Angerona was the Roman goddess of
the winter solstice, death, and silence.
ANTHEA
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Derived from Greek antheios meaning "flowery". This was an
epithet of the Greek goddess Hera.
ANTIGONE
f Greek Mythology
Pronounced: an-TIG-o-nee
Means "against birth" from Greek anti "against" and gone
"birth". In Greek legend Antigone was the daughter of Oedipus and
Jocasta. King Creon of Thebes declared that her slain brother Polynices was to
remain unburied, a great dishonour. She disobeyed and gave him a proper burial,
and for this she was sealed alive in a cave.
ANTIOPE
f Greek Mythology
Derived from the Greek elements antios "set against" and ops
"face". In Greek myth she was a daughter of Ares and queen of the
Amazons. She was kidnapped and married by Theseus.
ANUBIS
m Egyptian Mythology (Hellenized)
Pronounced: a-NOO-bis
Greek form of Egyptian Anpu which possibly means "royal
child". Anubis was the Egyptian god who led the dead to the underworld. He
was often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal.
AOIDE f Greek
Mythology
Means "to sing" in Greek. In Greek mythology she was one of the
original three muses, the muse of song.
AOIFE f Irish,
Irish Mythology
Pronounced: EE-fa
Means "beauty" from the Gaelic word aoibh. In Irish legend
Aoife was a warrior princess. In war against her sister Scathach, she was
defeated in single combat by the hero Cuchulainn. Eventually she was reconciled
with her sister and became the lover of Cuchulainn.
AONGHUS
m Scottish, Irish, Irish Mythology
Possibly meaning "one strength" derived from Irish óen
"one" and gus "force, strength, energy". Aonghus
(sometimes surnamed Mac Og meaning "young son") was the Irish
god of love and youth. The name was also borne by an 8th-century Pictish king
and several Irish kings.
APHRODITE
f Greek Mythology
Pronounced: a-fro-DIE-tee
Perhaps meaning "risen from the foam" from Greek. Aphrodite was the
Greek goddess of love, equal to the Roman goddess Venus. She was born from the
foam of the sea, and was the wife of Hephaestus and the mother of Eros. She is
associated with the myrtle tree and doves.
APOLLO
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: a-PAW-lo
From Greek Apollon, which is of unknown meaning, though perhaps related
to Indo-European *apelo "strength". Another theory states that
Apollo can be equated with Appaliunas, an Anatolian god whose name possibly
means "father lion" or "father light". The Greeks later
associated Apollo's name with the Greek verb apollumi meaning "to
destroy". In Greek mythology Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto and the
twin of Artemis. He was the god of prophecy, medicine, music, art, law, beauty,
and wisdom. Later he also became the god of the sun and light.
ARACHNE
f Greek Mythology
Pronounced: a-RAK-nee
Means "spider" in Greek. In Greek myth Arachne was a mortal woman who
defeated Athena in a weaving contest. Ashamed for besting a goddess Arachne
hanged herself, but Athena brought her back to life in the form of a spider.
ARANRHOD
f Welsh, Welsh Mythology
Possibly means "huge wheel" or "round wheel" in Welsh. In Welsh
myth Aranrhod was the mother of the twin brothers Dylan and Lleu Llaw Gyffes.
In earlier myths she was a goddess of the moon.
ARES m Greek
Mythology
Pronounced: ER-eez
Perhaps from either Greek are "bane, ruin" or arsen
"male". Ares was the blood-thirsty god of war in Greek mythology.
ARETHUSA
f Greek Mythology
Possibly means "to become excellent" in Greek. This was the name of a
wood nymph in Greek myth.
ARGUS m Greek
Mythology (Latinized)
Derived from Greek argos meaning "glistening, shining". In
Greek myth this name belongs to both the man who built the Argo and a man with
a hundred eyes.
ARIADNE
f Greek Mythology, English
Pronounced: aw-ree-AWD-nee (Ancient
Greek), ar-ee-AD-nee (English)
Means "most holy", composed of the Cretan Greek elements ari
"most" and adnos "holy". In Greek mythology, Ariadne
was the daughter of King Minos. She fell in love with Theseus and helped him to
escape the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, but was later abandoned by him.
ARIANRHOD
f Welsh, Welsh Mythology
Variant of ARANRHOD,
influenced by the Welsh word arian "silver".
ARIES m Roman
Mythology
Pronounced: ER-eez
Means "ram" in Latin. This is the name of a constellation and the
first sign of the zodiac. Some Roman legends state that the ram in the
constellation was the one who supplied the Golden Fleece sought by Jason.
ARISTODEMOS
m Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Derived from the Greek elements aristos "best" and demos
"the people". This was the name of a descendent of Hercules.
ARTEMIS
f Greek Mythology
Pronounced: AR-te-mis
Meaning unknown, possibly related either to Greek artemes
"safe" or artamos "a butcher". Artemis was the Greek
goddess of the moon and hunting, the twin of Apollo and the daughter of Zeus
and Leto. She was known as Diana to the Romans.
ARTHUR
m English, Welsh Mythology
Pronounced: AR-thur
The meaning of this name is unknown. It could be derived from British art
"bear" combined with viros "man", or it could be
related to Irish art "stone". Alternatively it could be
related to an obscure Roman family name Artorius. Arthur is the name of
the central character in Arthurian legend, a 6th-century king of the Britons
who presided over the knights of the Round Table. He may or may not have been
an actual person.
ARUNDHATI
f Indian, Hindu Mythology
The name of a star (also called Alcor), possibly meaning "not
restrained" in Sanskrit. As a personal name it was borne by the wife of
the Hindu sage Vasishtha.
ASHERAH
f Near Eastern Mythology
Perhaps derived from Semitic roots meaning "she who walks in the
sea". This was the name of an ancient Israelite goddess.
ASHTORETH
f Biblical, Near Eastern Mythology
Meaning unknown. Ashtoreth was the Phoenician goddess of love, war and
fertility. She was called Ishtar by the Babylonians.
ASKLEPIOS
m Greek Mythology
Pronounced: as-KLEE-pee-os
Possibly means "cut up" in Greek. Asklepios (Aesculapius to the
Romans) was the god of healing and medicine in Greek mythology.
ASPASIA
f Greek Mythology
Derived from Greek aspasios meaning "welcome". This was the
name of the lover of Pericles.
ASTAROTH
f Near Eastern Mythology
Variant of ASHTORETH
ASTARTE
f Near Eastern Mythology (Hellenized)
Pronounced: as-TAR-tee
Greek form of ASHTORETH
ASTRAEA
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek Astraia, derived from Greek aster
meaning "star". Astraea was a Greek goddess of justice. After
wickedness took root in the world she left the earth and became the
constellation Virgo.
ATALANTA
f Greek Mythology
Means "equal in weight", derived from Greek atalantos, a word
related to talanton meaning "a scale, a balance". In Greek
legend she was a fast-footed maiden who refused to marry anyone who could not
beat her in a race. She was eventually defeated by Hippomenes, who dropped
three golden apples during the race causing her to stop to pick them up.
ATHENA
f Greek Mythology
Meaning unknown, perhaps derived from Greek ather "sharp" and aine
"praised". Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, the
daughter of Zeus and the patron goddess of the city of Athens in Greece. She is
associated with the olive tree and the owl.
ATLAS m Greek
Mythology
Pronounced: AT-las
Means "not enduring" from the Greek negative prefix a combined
with tlan "to endure". In Greek mythology he was a Titan
punished by Zeus by being forced to support the world on his shoulders.
AURORA
f Roman Mythology
Pronounced: aw-ROR-a
Means "dawn" in Latin. Aurora was the Roman goddess of the morning.
AZRAEL
m Judeo-Christian Legend
Derived from Hebrew 'azra'el meaning "help of God". This is
the name of an angel in Jewish and Muslim tradition who separated the soul from
the body upon death. He is sometimes referred to as the Angel of Death.
BAAL m Near
Eastern Mythology
Pronounced: BAY-ul
Derived from Semitic ba'al meaning "lord" or
"possessor". This was the name of various local deities, often
associated with storms and fertility, who were worshipped by the Canaanites,
Phoenicians, and other peoples of the ancient Near East.
BACCHUS
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Derived from Greek iacho meaning "to shout". This is another
name of the Greek god Dionysos, and it is also the name that the Romans
commonly used for him.
BALDER
m Norse Mythology
Means "prince" from Old Norse. In Norse mythology Balder was the son
of Odin and Frigg. Because of the disturbing dreams he had when he was young,
his mother extracted an oath from every thing in the world that it would not
harm him. However the evil fire god Loki learned that she had overlooked
mistletoe. Being jealous, he tricked the blind god Hoder into throwing a branch
of mistletoe at Balder, which killed him.
BALDEV
m Indian, Hindu Mythology
Means "god of strength" from Sanskrit bala
"strength" combined with deva "god". Baladeva
is the name of the older brother of the Hindu god Krishna.
BALTAZAR
m Judeo-Christian Legend
Means "BAAL protect
the king" in Phoenician. Baltazar is the name traditionally given to one
of the three wise men of the New Testament.
BALTHASAR
m Judeo-Christian Legend
Variant of BALTAZAR
BALTHAZAR
m Judeo-Christian Legend
Variant of BALTAZAR
BARLAAM
m Judeo-Christian Legend
Meaning unknown. In Christian legends Barlaam was a 3rd-century hermit from
Senaar (in modern day Sudan) who converted Josaphat, the son of an Indian king,
to Christianity. This name was also borne by two saints.
BEDIVERE
m Welsh Mythology
Anglicized form of the Welsh name Bedwyr, which is of unknown meaning.
In Arthurian legends Bedivere was one of the knights of the Round Table, one of
the original companions of King Arthur. He was the one who threw Excalibur into
the lake after the king died.
BEDWYR
m Welsh, Welsh Mythology
Welsh form of BEDIVERE
BELENUS
m Celtic Mythology (Latinized)
Elaborated form of Bel, the name of a Brythonic solar god, which
probably meant "bright, brilliant".
BELI m Welsh
Mythology
Welsh cognate of Bel (see BELENUS).
BELLONA
f Roman Mythology
Pronounced: be-LON-a
Derived from Latin bellare meaning "to fight". This was the
name of the Roman goddess of war, a companion of Mars.
BEOWULF
m Anglo-Saxon Mythology
Pronounced: BAY-u-woolf
Possibly means "bee wolf" (in effect equal to "bear") from
Old English beo "bee" and wulf "wolf". This
is the name of the main character in the anonymous 8th-century epic poem
'Beowulf'. The poem tells how Beowulf slays the monster Grendel and its mother,
but goes on to tell how he is killed in his old age fighting a dragon.
BHARAT
m Indian, Hindu Mythology
Means "being maintained" in Sanskrit. In Hindu myth this is one of
the names of Agni, the Hindu god of fire, and is also the name of the brother
of Rama. It is also borne by a legendary king, the son of Dushyanta. The
official name of the country of India, Bharat, derives from him.
BILE m Irish
Mythology
Irish cognate of Bel (see BELENUS).
BLÁTHNAT
f Irish, Irish Mythology
Pronounced: BLAW-nit
Means "little flower" from the Irish word blath
"flower" combined with a diminutive suffix. In Irish legend she was a
maiden abducted and married by Cú Roí. She was rescued by Cuchulainn, who
killed her husband, but she was in turn murdered by one of Cú Roí's loyal
servants.
BLODEUWEDD
f Welsh, Welsh Mythology
Means "face of flowers" in Welsh. In the Mabinogion, a collection of
tales from Welsh myth, she is the wife of Lleu Llaw Gyffes changed into an owl
for her infidelity.
BRAHMA
m Hindu Mythology
Pronounced: BRAW-ma
Means "prayer" in Sanskrit. The Hindu god Brahma is the creator and
director of the universe, the balance between the opposing forces of Vishnu and
Shiva.
BRAN (1)
m Irish, Irish Mythology
Pronounced: BRAN
Means "raven" in Irish. In Irish legend Bran was a mariner who was
involved in several adventures.
BRAN (2)
m Welsh, Welsh Mythology
Pronounced: BRAN
Means "raven" in Welsh. In Welsh legend Bran the Blessed (called also
Bendigeid Vran) was the son of the god Llyr. Later Welsh legends describe him
as a king of Britain who was killed attacking Ireland.
BRANWEN
f Welsh, Welsh Mythology
Pronounced: BRAN-wen
Means "beautiful raven" from Welsh bran "raven" and gwen
"fair, white, blessed". In the Mabinogion, a collection of tales from
Welsh myth, she is the sister of the British king Bran and the wife of the
Irish king Matholwch.
BRIDGET
f Irish, Scottish, English, Irish Mythology
Pronounced: BRIJ-it
From the Irish name Brighid which means "high goddess". In
Irish mythology she was the goddess of poetry and wisdom, the daughter of the
god Dagda. This name was also borne by a patron saint of Ireland (also called
Brigid) who established a convent at Kildare in the 5th century, and by the
patron saint of Sweden (also called Birgitta).
BRIGHID
f Irish, Irish Mythology
Pronounced: BRIED
Irish form of BRIDGET
BRIGID
f Irish, Irish Mythology
Variant of BRIGHID
BRUNHILDE
f German, Germanic Mythology
Derived from the Germanic elements brun "armour, protection"
and hild "battle". In the Norse legend the 'Volsungasaga'
Brunhilde was the queen of the Valkyries who was rescued by the hero Sigurd. In
the Germanic legend the 'Nibelungenlied' she was a queen of Iceland and the
wife of Günther.
BYELOBOG
m Slavic Mythology
Means "the white god" from Slavic byelo "white" and bog
"god". This was the name of the Slavic god of the sun, happiness and
fortune.
CALLIOPE
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: ka-LIE-o-pee
Variant of KALLIOPE
CALLISTO (2)
f Roman Mythology
Pronounced: ka-LIS-to
Roman form of KALLISTO.
A moon of Jupiter bears this name.
CALYPSO
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Probably "she that conceals" from Greek kalyptein "to
cover, to conceal". In Greek myth this was the name of the nymph who fell
in love with Odysseus after he was shipwrecked on her island of Ogygia. When he
refused to stay with her she detained him for seven years until Zeus ordered
her to release him.
CAMILLA
f English, Italian, Ancient Roman, Roman Mythology
Pronounced: ka-MIL-a (English),
kaw-MEEL-a (Italian)
Feminine form of CAMILLUS.
This was the name of a legendary warrior maiden of the Volscians, as told by
Virgil in the 'Aeneid'.
CARDEA
f Roman Mythology
Derived from Latin cardo meaning "hinge, axis". This was the
name of the Roman goddess of thresholds, door pivots, and change.
CASSANDRA
f English, Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: ka-SAN-dra
Possibly means "shining upon man", derived from Greek kekasmai
"to shine" and aner "man" (genitive andros).
In Greek myth Cassandra was a Trojan princess, the daughter of Priam and
Hecuba. She was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo, but when she spurned his
advances he cursed her so nobody would believe her prophecies.
CASSIOPEA
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: ka-see-o-PEE-a
Variant of CASSIOPEIA
CASSIOPEIA
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: ka-see-o-PEE-a
Latin form of Greek Kassiepeia, possibly meaning "cassia
juice". In Greek myth Cassiopeia was the wife of Cepheus and the mother of
Andromeda. She was changed into a constellation and placed in the northern sky
after she died.
CASTOR
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: KAS-tor
Possibly related to Greek kekasmai "to shine, to excel". In
Greek myth Castor was a son of Zeus and the twin brother of Pollux. The
constellation Gemini, which represents the two brothers, contains a star by
this name.
CEPHALUS
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latin form of the Greek Kephalos, which was derived from kephale
meaning "head". In Greek legend he remained faithful to his wife
Procris even though he was pursued by the goddess Eos.
CEPHEUS
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latin form of the Greek Kepheus, which is of unknown meaning. In Greek
legend he was a king of Ethiopia, the husband of Cassiopeia. After he died he
was made into a constellation and placed in the sky.
CERBERUS
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latin form of the Greek Kerberos, which possibly meant "demon of
the pit". In Greek myth this was the name of the three-headed dog that
guarded the entrance to Hades.
CERES f Roman
Mythology
Derived from the Indo-European root *ker meaning "to grow". In
Roman mythology Ceres was the goddess of agriculture, equivalent to the Greek
goddess Demeter.
CERIDWEN
f Welsh, Welsh Mythology
Pronounced: ke-RID-wen
Means "blessed poetry" from Welsh cerdd "poetry" and
gwen "white, fair, blessed". This is the name of a Celtic
goddess of poetry.
CERNUNNOS
m Celtic Mythology (Latinized)
Means "horned" in Celtic. This was the name of the Celtic god
fertility, animals, wealth, and the underworld. He was usually depicted having
antlers, and was identified with the Roman god Mercury.
CHALCHIUHTICUE
f New World Mythology
Means "jade skirt" in Nahuatl. She was the Aztec goddess of water and
rivers, the wife of Tlaloc.
CHANDRA
f,m Indian, Hindu Mythology
Means "moon" in Sanskrit. This is a name used in Vedic texts to refer
to the moon personified as a deity. This is also the name of a demon in Hindu
legends.
CHERNOBOG
m Slavic Mythology
Means "the black god" from Slavic cherno "black" and
bog "god". Chernobog was the Slavic god of darkness, evil and
grief.
CHLOE f English,
Biblical, Greek Mythology
Pronounced: KLO-ee
Means "green shoot" in Greek. This was an epithet of the Greek
goddess Demeter. The name is also mentioned by Paul in one of his epistles in
the New Testament.
CHLORIS
f Greek Mythology
Derived from Greek chloros meaning "green". Chloris, in Greek
mythology, was a minor goddess of vegetation.
CHRYSEIS
f Greek Mythology
Derived from Greek chrysos meaning "golden". In Greek legend
she was the daughter of Chryses, a priest of Apollo. After she was taken
prisoner by the Greek attackers of Troy Apollo sent a plague into their camp,
forcing the Greeks to release her.
CIAN m Irish,
Irish Mythology
Pronounced: KEE-an, KEEN
Means "ancient" in Gaelic. This was the name of the mythical ancestor
of the Cianachta in Irish legend. Cian was also the name of a son-in-law of
Brian Boru.
CIRCE f Greek
Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: SUR-see
From the Greek Kirke, which possibly meant "bird". In Greek
mythology Circe was a sorceress who changed Odysseus' crew into hogs but was
forced by him to change them back.
CLIO f Greek
Mythology (Latinized), Italian
Latin form of KLIO
CLÍODHNA
f Irish, Irish Mythology
Pronounced: KLEE-u-na
Possibly means "shapely" in Irish Gaelic. In Irish legend this was
the name of a beautiful goddess. She fell in love with a mortal named Ciabhan
and left the Land of Promise with him, but when she arrived on the other shore
she was swept to sea by a great wave.
CLYTEMNESTRA
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: klie-tem-NES-tra
From Greek klytos "famous, noble" and mnestria
"courter, wooer". In Greek legend Clytemnestra was the wife of
Agamemnon and the mother of Orestes and Electra. While her husband was away
during the Trojan War she took a lover, and upon his return she murdered him.
She was subsequently killed by Orestes.
CLYTIA
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of KLYTIË
CONALL
m Irish, Scottish, Irish Mythology
Means "strong wolf" in Gaelic. In Irish legend this was the name of
the son of Cuchulainn who was slain by his father. A separate character in
Irish legend was Conall Cernach the son of Amorgin, who competed for the right
to carve the roast at a feast.
CONCHOBHAR
m Irish, Irish Mythology
Original Irish form of CONNOR
CONSUS
m Roman Mythology
Possibly derived from Latin conserere meaning "to sow, to
plant". Consus was a Roman god of the harvest and grain.
CRONUS
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: KRO-nus
Latinized form of the Greek Kronos, possibly derived from korone
meaning "crow". Cronus was the Titan who fathered the Greek gods. As
his wife Rhea gave birth to the gods, Cronus swallowed them fearing a prophecy
that said he would be overthrown by one of his children. However Rhea hid her
last child Zeus from his father, and eventually he forced Cronus to disgorge
his siblings. Cronus and the rest of the Titans were then defeated by the gods
and exiled.
CUCHULAINN
m Irish Mythology
Means "hound of Culann" in Irish. This was the usual name of the
warrior hero who was named Setanta at birth, given to him because he took the
place of one of Culann's hounds after he accidentally killed it. Irish legend
tells of Cuchulainn's many adventures, including his single-handed defence of
Ulster against the army of queen Méabh.
CULHWCH
m Welsh, Welsh Mythology
Means "hiding place of the pig" in Welsh. In Welsh legend he was the
lover of Olwen the daughter of the giant Yspaddaden. Before the giant would
allow Culhwch to marry his daughter, he insisted that Culhwch complete a series
of extremely difficult tasks. Culhwch managed to complete them, and he returned
to marry Olwen and kill the giant. This tale appears in the Mabinogion, a
collection of tales from Welsh myth.
CUPID m Roman
Mythology
Pronounced: KYOO-pid
Derived from Latin cupido meaning "desire". He was the Roman
god of love, the son of Venus. He was portrayed as a winged, blindfolded boy,
armed with a bow and arrows which caused the victim to fall in love. His Greek
equivalent was Eros.
CYBELE
f Near Eastern Mythology
Pronounced: SIB-e-lee
Meaning unknown. This was the name of the Phrygian goddess of fertility and
nature, later worshipped by the Greeks and Romans.
CYNTHIA
f English, Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: SIN-thee-a
Latinized form of Greek Kynthia which means "woman from
Kynthos". This was an epithet of the Greek moon goddess Artemis, given
because Kynthos was the mountain on Delos on which she and her twin brother
Apollo were born.
DAEDALUS
m Greek Mythology
Pronounced: DED-a-lus
Means "cunning" or "curiously wrought". In Greek myth
Daedalus was an Athenian inventor who was banished to Crete. There he designed
the Labyrinth for King Minos, but he and his son Icarus were eventually
imprisoned inside it because he had aided Theseus in his quest against the
Minotaur. Daelalus and Icarus escaped using wings fashioned from wax, but
Icarus fell from the sky to his death.
DAGDA m Irish
Mythology
Pronounced: DAWG-da
Means "good god" in Celtic. In Irish myth Dagda (called also The
Dagda) was the powerful god of the earth, knowledge, magic, abundance and
treaties, a leader of the Tuatha De Danann. He was skilled in combat and
healing and possessed a huge club, the handle of which could revive the dead.
DAMON m Greek
Mythology, English
Pronounced: DAY-mawn
Derived from Greek daman meaning "to tame". According to Greek
legend, Damon and Pythias were friends who lived on Syracuse in the 4th century
BC. When Pythias was sentenced to death, he was allowed to temporarily go free
on the condition that Damon take his place in prison. Pythias returned just
before Damon was to be executed in his place, and the king was so impressed
with their loyalty to one another that he pardoned Pythias.
DANAË f Greek
Mythology
From Danaos, a word used by Homer to designate the Greeks. In Greek myth
Danaë was a princess of Argos and the mother of Perseus by Zeus, who came to
her in the form of a shower of gold.
DAPHNE
f Greek Mythology, English
Pronounced: DAF-nee
Means "laurel" in Greek. In Greek mythology she was a nymph turned
into a laurel tree by her father in order that she might escape the pursuit of
Apollo.
DAZBOG
m Slavic Mythology
Variant of DAZHDBOG
DAZHDBOG
m Slavic Mythology
Possibly means "the giving god" in Slavic. He was a Slavic god of the
sun and light, a son of Svarog. In some myths he is the ancestor of the Russian
people.
DEIMOS
m Greek Mythology
Means "terror" in Greek. This was one of the sons of the Greek god Ares.
Also, a moon of Mars bears this name.
DEMETER (1)
f Greek Mythology
Pronounced: de-MEET-ur (English)
Means "earth mother", derived from Greek de "earth"
and meter "mother". In Greek mythology Demeter was the goddess
of agriculture, the daughter of Cronus, the sister of Zeus, and the mother of
Persephone.
DEVI f Indian,
Hindu Mythology
Derived from Sanskrit devi meaning "goddess".
DIANA f English,
Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Roman Mythology
Pronounced: die-AN-a
Probably derived from an old Indo-European root meaning "heavenly,
divine", related to dyeus (see ZEUS).
Diana was a Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, forests, and childbirth, often
identified with the Greek goddess Artemis. Diana Spencer, the Princess of
Wales, was a famous bearer of this name.
DIARMAID
m Irish, Irish Mythology
Pronounced: DEER-mid
Perhaps means either "freeman" or "without envy" in Irish.
This was the name of a hero in Irish legend, and it was also the name of
several ancient Irish kings.
DIDO f Roman
Mythology
Meaning unknown, possibly "virgin" in Phoenician. Dido, also called
Elissa, was the queen of Carthage in Virgil's 'Aeneid'. She burned herself to
death when Aeneas left her.
DIOMEDES
m Greek Mythology
Means "thought of Zeus" from Greek Dios "of Zeus"
and medesthai "to think". In Greek legend Diomedes was one of
the heroes who fought against the Trojans. With Odysseus he entered Troy and
stole the Palladium. After the Trojan War he founded the cities of Brindisi and
Arpi in Italy.
DIONYSOS
m Greek Mythology
Pronounced: dee-o-NOO-sos
From Greek Dios meaning "of Zeus" combined with Nysa,
the name of a legendary mountain. In Greek mythology Dionysos was the god of
wine, revelry, fertility and dance. He was the son of Zeus and Semele.
DIONYSUS
m Roman Mythology
Pronounced: die-aw-NIE-sus
Latin form of DIONYSOS
DIPAK m Indian,
Hindu Mythology
Means "little lamp" from Sanskrit dipa "lamp" and ka
"little". This is another name of Kama, the Hindu god of love.
DONAR m Germanic
Mythology
Ancient German cognate of THOR
DURGA f Indian,
Hindu Mythology
Pronounced: DOOR-ga
Means "unattainable" in Sanskrit. In Hindu mythology this is the name
of the fierce twelve-armed wife of Shiva.
DWYN m Celtic
Mythology
Meaning unknown. This was the name of the Celtic god of love.
DYLAN m Welsh,
English, Welsh Mythology
Pronounced: DUL-an (Welsh),
DIL-un (English)
Means "sea" in Welsh. In Welsh mythology he was a god of the sea, the
son Aranrhod. He was accidentally slain by his uncle Govannon. The Welsh poet
Dylan Thomas and the musician Bob Dylan are famous bearers of this name.
ECHO f Greek
Mythology
Pronounced: E-ko
Means "echo" from the word for the repeating reflected sound, which
derives from Greek eche "sound". In Greek mythology Echo was a
nymph given a speech impediment by Hera, so that she could only repeat what
others said. She fell in love with Narcissus, but her love was not returned,
and she pined away until nothing remained of her except her voice.
EIRENE
f Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Original Greek form of IRENE
ELECTRA
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: e-LEKT-ra
Derived from Greek elektron meaning "amber". In Greek myth she
was the sister of Orestes who helped him kill their mother Clytemnestra.
ELISSA (1)
f Roman Mythology
Meaning unknown (possibly Phoenician in origin). This is another name of Dido,
the legendary queen of Carthage.
EMER f Irish,
Irish Mythology
Pronounced: EE-mur
Possibly from Gaelic eimh "swift". In Irish legend she was the
wife of Cuchulainn. She was said to possess the six gifts of womanhood: beauty,
voice, speech, needlework, wisdom and chastity.
ENID f Welsh,
Welsh Mythology
Derived from Welsh enaid meaning "soul" or "life".
She was the wife of Geraint in Arthurian legend.
ENYO f Greek
Mythology
Meaning unknown. She was a blood-thirsty Greek war goddess and a companion of
Ares.
EOS f Greek
Mythology
Means "dawn" in Greek. This was the name of the Greek goddess of the
dawn.
EPONA f Celtic
Mythology
Derived from Gaulish epos meaning "horse". This was the name
of the Celtic goddess of horses.
ERATO f Greek
Mythology
Means "lovely" in Greek. In Greek mythology she was the muse of lyric
poetry.
EREBUS
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek Erebos which means "nether
darkness". Erebus was the personification of the primordial darkness in
Greek mythology.
ERIS f Greek
Mythology
Means "strife" in Greek. This was the name of the sister and companion
of Ares in Greek mythology.
ERISHKIGAL
f Near Eastern Mythology
Means "lady of the great place" in Sumerian. This was the name of the
violent Sumerian goddess of death and the underworld.
EROS m Greek
Mythology
Means "love" in Greek. In Greek mythology he was a young god, the son
of Aphrodite, who was armed with arrows that caused the victim to fall in love.
ÉTAÍN f Irish
Mythology
Pronounced: AY-teen
Possibly derived from Old Irish ét "jealousy". In Irish
mythology was a sun and horse goddess who was the lover of Midir.
EUPHROSYNE
f Greek Mythology
Means "mirth, merriment" in Greek. She was one of the three Graces (Charites)
in Greek mythology.
EURYDICE
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Means "wide justice" from Greek eurys "wide" and dike
"justice". In Greek myth she was the wife of Orpheus. Her husband
tried to rescue her from Hades, but he failed when he disobeyed the condition
that he not look back upon her on their way out.
EUTERPE
f Greek Mythology
Means "delight" in Greek. In Greek mythology she was the muse of
music and joy. She was said to have invented the double flute.
EVADNE
f Greek Mythology
Meaning unknown, though the first element is likely derived from Greek eu
"good". In Greek legend Evadne was the wife of Capaneus. After
Capaneus was killed by a lightning bolt sent from Zeus she committed suicide by
throwing herself onto his burning body.
EVANDER (1)
m Greek Mythology (Latinized), Roman Mythology
Pronounced: e-VAN-dur
From the Greek Euandros which meant "good man", derived from
Greek eu "good" and aner "man" (genitive andros).
In Roman mythology Evander was an Arcadian hero of the Trojan war who founded
the city of Pallantium near the spot where Rome was later built.
FACHTNA
m Irish, Irish Mythology
Pronounced: FAKHT-na
Perhaps means "hostile" in Irish Gaelic. He was the husband of Neasa
in Irish legend. Some versions of the legends also have him as the father of
Conchobhar.
FAUNA f Roman
Mythology
Pronounced: FAWN-a
Feminine form of FAUNUS.
Fauna was a Roman goddess of fertility, a companion of Faunus.
FAUNUS
m Roman Mythology
Pronounced: FAWN-us
Possibly means "to befriend" from Latin. Faunus was a Roman god of
fertility, forests, and agriculture.
FIACHRA
m Irish, Irish Mythology
Pronounced: FEE-akh-ra
Derived from Gaelic fiach meaning "raven". In Irish legend
Fiachra was one of the four children of Lir transformed into swans for a period
of 900 years. This is also the name of the patron saint of gardeners, a
7th-century Irish abbot who settled in France.
FINNGUALA
f Irish, Irish Mythology
Variant of FIONNGHUALA
FIONN m Irish,
Irish Mythology
Pronounced: FIN, FYOON
Means "fair" or "white" in Gaelic. Fionn mac Cumhail was a
legendary Irish hero who became all-wise by eating an enchanted salmon. He
fought against the giant Fomors with his son Oisin and grandson Oscar.
FIONNGHUALA
f Irish, Irish Mythology
Means "white shoulder" from Irish fionn "white,
fair" and guala "shoulder". In Irish legend Fionnghuala
was one of the four children of Lir who were transformed into swans for a
period of 900 years.
FLORA f English,
German, Italian, Roman Mythology
Pronounced: FLOR-a
Derived from Latin flos meaning "flower". Flora was the Roman
goddess of flowers and spring, the wife of Zephyr the west wind.
FREY m Norse
Mythology
Pronounced: FRAY
Variant of FREYR
FREYA f Norse
Mythology
Pronounced: FRAY-a
Means "lady" from Old Norse. This is the name of the goddess of love
and beauty in Norse mythology. She claimed half of the heroes who were slain in
battle, and brought them to her realm in Asgard.
FREYR m Norse
Mythology
Pronounced: FRAYR
Means "lord" from Old Norse. This was another name of the Norse god
Ing. Freyr was actually derived from a title of Ing, Yngvi Freyr,
meaning "lord Ing". Freyr (or Ing) presided over fertility, sunlight
and rain, and was the husband of the frost giantess Gerd.
FRIGG f Norse
Mythology
Pronounced: FRIG
Means "beloved" in Old Norse, ultimately derived from Indo-European *pri
"to love". In Norse mythology she was the goddess of the earth, air
and fertility, and the wife of Odin.
GAEA f Greek
Mythology (Latinized)
Variant of GAIA
GAIA f Greek
Mythology
Pronounced: GAY-a, GIE-a
Means "earth" in Greek. In Greek mythology Gaia was the mother
goddess who presided over the earth. She was the mate of Uranus and the mother
of the Titans and the cyclopes.
GALAHAD
m Welsh Mythology
Pronounced: GAL-a-had
Meaning unknown. In Arthurian legend Sir Galahad was the son of Lancelot and
Elaine. He was the most pure of the knights of the Round Table, and he was the
only one to succeed in finding the Holy Grail.
GANESH
m Indian, Hindu Mythology
Pronounced: ga-NAYSH
Means "lord of hordes" from Sanskrit gana "horde"
and isa "lord". In Hindu mythology he is the god of wisdom and
good luck, the son of the god Shiva. He is often depicted as a short, fat man
with the head of an elephant.
GAURI f Indian,
Hindu Mythology
Means "white" in Sanskrit. In Hindu mythology this is the name of the
wife of Shiva, so named because of her white complexion.
GAWAIN
m Welsh, Welsh Mythology, English
Pronounced: ga-WAYN
Possibly from the Welsh name Gwalchgwyn which meant "white hawk".
Sir Gawain was a knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legends. The
14th-century romantic poem 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' tells how Gawain
beheaded the Green Knight in single combat.
GEMINI
m Roman Mythology
Pronounced: JEM-in-ie
Means "twins" in Latin. This is the name of the third sign of the
zodiac. The two brightest stars in the constellation, Castor and Pollux, are
named for the mythological twin sons of Leda.
GERAINT
m Welsh, Welsh Mythology
Pronounced: GE-rient (Welsh),
je-RAYNT (English)
Meaning unknown, possibly a Welsh form of GERONTIUS.
In Arthurian legend he was one of the knights of the Round Table. After he
wrongly accused his wife Enid of infidelity she regained his love by being
submissive.
GERD f Norse
Mythology
Pronounced: GERD
Derived from Old Norse garðr meaning "enclosure". In Norse
myth Gerd was a fertility goddess, a frost giantess who was the wife of Freyr.
GOIBNIU
m Irish Mythology
Derived from Irish gobha meaning "smith". This was the name of
the Irish smith god, a provider of weapons for the Tuatha De Danann. He was
also skilled at brewing beer.
GORONWY
m Welsh, Welsh Mythology
Meaning unknown. In the Mabinogion, a collection of tales from Welsh myth, he
was the lover of Blodeuwedd. He attempted to murder her husband Lleu Llaw
Gyffes but was himself killed.
GOVANNON
m Welsh Mythology
Welsh cognate of GOIBNIU
GRÁINNE
f Irish, Irish Mythology
Pronounced: GRAWN-ya
Possibly derived from Gaelic grán meaning "grain". This was
the name of an ancient Irish grain goddess. The name also belonged to the
fiancée of Fionn mac Cumhail and the lover of Diarmuid in later Irish legend,
and it is often associated with gráidh "love".
GRID f Norse
Mythology
Pronounced: GRID
Means "peace" in Old Norse. In Norse myth she was a frost giantess,
the mother of Víðarr by Odin. She also aided Thor in his fight against the
giant Geirrod.
GUDRUN
f Norse Mythology, Scandinavian, German
Means "god's secret lore", derived from the Old Norse elements guð
"god" and run "secret lore". In Norse legend Gudrun
was the wife of Sigurd. After his death she married Atli, but when he murdered
her brothers, she killed her sons by him, fed him their hearts, and then slew
him.
GUINEVERE
f English, Welsh Mythology
Pronounced: GWIN-e-veer
Old French form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, which is composed of the
elements gwen meaning "fair, white" and hwyfar meaning
"smooth". In Arthurian legend she is the beautiful wife of King
Arthur. Her betrayal of her husband with Mordred prompted the battle of
Camlann, which led to the deaths of both Mordred and Arthur. Later versions of
the legends tell of her adulterous affair with Sir Lancelot.
HADES m Greek
Mythology
Pronounced: HAY-deez
Derived from Greek aides meaning "unseen". In Greek mythology
Hades was the dark god of the underworld, which was also called Hades. His
brother was Zeus and his wife was Persephone.
HALCYONE
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Variant of ALCYONE
HARMONIA
f Greek Mythology
Means "harmony, agreement" in Greek. She was the daughter of Ares and
Aphrodite, given by Zeus to Cadmus to be his wife.
HATHOR
f Egyptian Mythology (Hellenized)
Pronounced: HATH-or
Greek form of Egyptian Het-Heru which means "the house of
Horus", derived from Egyptian hwt "house" combined with Hr
the god Horus. In Egyptian mythology she was the goddess of love, often
depicted with the head of a cow.
HEBE f Greek
Mythology
Pronounced: HEE-bee
Derived from Greek hebos meaning "young". In Greek mythology
she was the daughter of Zeus and Hera. She was a goddess of youth who acted as
the cupbearer to the gods.
HECATE
f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: HEK-a-tee
Possibly derived from Greek hekas meaning "far off". In Greek
mythology Hecate was a goddess associated with witchcraft, tombs, demons and
the underworld.
HEIDRUN
f Norse Mythology
Derived from Old Norse heidr meaning "heath". In Norse
mythology this was a goat who would eat the leaves from the tree of life and
produce mead in her udder.
HELIOS
m Greek Mythology
Means "sun" in Greek. This was the name of the young Greek sun god,
who rode across the sky each day in a chariot pulled by four horses.
HEPHAESTUS
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Meaning unknown. In Greek mythology he was the god of fire and forging, the
husband of the unfaithful Aphrodite. It is said that when he was born Hera, his
mother, was so displeased with his physical deformities that she hurled him off
the top of Mount Olympus.
HERA f Greek
Mythology
Pronounced: HER-a
Uncertain meaning, possibly from either Greek heros "hero,
warrior"; haro "period of time"; or haireo
"chosen". In Greek mythology Hera was the queen of the gods, the sister
and wife of Zeus. She presided over marriage and childbirth.
HERAKLES
m Greek Mythology
Means "glory of Hera" from the name of the goddess Hera
combined with Greek kleos "glory". He was a hero in Greek and
Roman mythology, the son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene. He completed
twelve labours in order to become a god.
HERCULES
m Roman Mythology
Pronounced: HUR-kyoo-leez
Latin form of HERAKLES
HERMES
m Greek Mythology
Pronounced: HUR-meez
Possibly meaning "cairn, pile of stones" in Greek. Hermes was a Greek
god associated with speed and good luck, who served as a messenger to Zeus. He
was also the patron of travellers, writers, athletes, merchants, thieves and
orators.
HERMIONE
f Greek Mythology
Pronounced: her-MIE-o-nee
Derived from the name of the Greek god HERMES. Hermes was the
Greek god of speed and good luck. In Greek myth Hermione was the daughter of
Menelaus and Helen. This was also the name of the wife of Leontes in
Shakespeare's play 'The Winter's Tale'.
HERO f Greek
Mythology
Derived from Greek heros meaning "hero". In Greek legend she
was the lover of Leander, who would swim across the Hellespont each night to
meet her. He was killed on one such occasion when he got caught in a storm
while in the water, and when Hero saw his dead body she drowned herself. This
is also the name of a character in Shakespeare's play 'Much Ado About Nothing'.
HESTIA
f Greek Mythology
Means "hearth, fireside" in Greek. In Greek mythology Hestia was the
goddess of the hearth and domestic activity.
HIPPOLYTA
f Greek Mythology (Anglicized)
Variant of HIPPOLYTE.
This name was used by Shakespeare in his comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.
HIPPOLYTE
f,m Greek Mythology, French
Feminine form of HIPPOLYTOS.
In Greek legend Hippolyte was the daughter of Ares and the queen of the
Amazons. This is also the French masculine form of HIPPOLYTOS.
HIPPOLYTOS
m Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Means "freer of horses" from Greek hippos "horse"
and lyien "to loosen". In Greek legend he was the son of
Theseus who was tragically loved by his stepmother Phaedra. This was also the
name of a 3rd-century theologian, saint and martyr.
HORUS m Egyptian
Mythology (Hellenized)
Greek form of Egyptian Heru which is of unknown meaning. In Egyptian
mythology Horus was the god of light, often depicted as a man with the head of
a falcon. The son Osiris and Isis, he avenged his father's murder by killing
Seth.
IACCHUS
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Derived from Greek iacho meaning "to shout". This is the
solemn name of the Greek god Dionysos used in the Eleusinian mysteries.
IANTHE
f Greek Mythology
Means "violet flower", derived from Greek ion
"violet" and anthos "flower". This was the name of
an ocean nymph in Greek mythology.
IASON m Greek
Mythology, Greek
Ancient Greek form of JASON
ICARUS
m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Pronounced: IK-a-rus
Perhaps meaning "follower" in Greek. In Greek myth Icarus was the son
of Daedalus, locked with his father inside the Labyrinth. They escaped from the
maze using wings devised from wax but Icarus flew too close to the sun and the
wax melted, plunging him to his death.
IDUNN f Germanic
Mythology
Germanic form of Iðunnr (see IDONY).
INDIRA
f Indian, Hindu Mythology
Means "beauty" in Sanskrit. This is another name of Lakshmi, the wife
of the Hindu god Vishnu. Indira Gandhi was India's first female prime minister.
INDRA m Indian,
Hindu Mythology
Pronounced: IN-dra
Means "possessing drops of rain" from Sanskrit indu "a
drop" and ra "possessing". Indra is the name of the Hindu
warrior god of the sky and rain.
ING m Germanic
Mythology, Norse Mythology
From old Germanic Ingwaz, which possibly means "he who is
foremost". Ing was the name of a Norse and Germanic fertility god, known
in Scandinavia as Yngvi Freyr (see FREYR).
IO f Greek
Mythology
Pronounced: IE-o, EE-o
Meaning unknown. In Greek mythology she was a princess loved by Zeus, who
changed her into a heifer in order to hide her from Hera. This is also the name
of a moon of Jupiter.
IOLE f Greek
Mythology
Means "violet" in Greek. In Greek mythology she was a woman beloved
by Hercules.