Thanks to  © Mike Campbell 1996-2002 www.behindthename.com
 

ACANTHA   f   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"thorn, prickle" from Greek akantha. In Greek legend she was a nymph loved by Apollo.

ACHILLES   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
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
"lord" (Semitic). 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.

ADRASTOS   m   Greek Mythology
"not inclined to run away" (Greek). This was the name of a king of Argos in Greek legend.

AENEAS   m   Roman Mythology
Latin form of the Greek name Aineas, which means "praise" from Greek aine. In Virgil's 'Aeneid', Aeneas is a Trojan warrior who founds the Roman state.

AEOLUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of AIOLOS

AGAMEMNON   m   Greek Mythology
Possibly "very steadfast" (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
"illustrious, noble" (Greek). This was the mother of Pentheus in Greek myth.

AGLAIA   f   Greek Mythology, Greek
"splendour, beauty" (Greek). In Greek mythology she was one of the three Graces (Charites).

AIAS   m   Greek Mythology
Greek form of AJAX

AIOLOS   m   Greek Mythology
"quick-moving, nimble" (Greek). In Greek legend he was the god of the winds.

AJAX   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
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)
Perhaps "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)
"kingfisher" from Greek 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
Perhaps related to Greek althein "to heal". This is the name of a woman in Greek mythology who was given a burning brand and told that her son Meleager will live only as long as it remained lit.

AMALTHEA   f   Greek Mythology
"to soften, to soothe" from Greek malthasso. In Greek myth she was a goat who nursed the infant Zeus.

AMMON   m   Egyptian Mythology (Hellenized)
Greek form of AMON

AMON   m   Egyptian Mythology
Possibly "the hidden one" (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
"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

ANDRASTE   f   Celtic Mythology
Possibly "invincible" (Celtic). This was the name of a Briton goddess of victory who was invoked by Boudicca before her revolt.

ANDROMACHE   f   Greek Mythology
"battle of a man" from Greek 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
"to think of a man" from Greek andros "of a man" and 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.

ANTHEA   f   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"flowery" from Greek antheios. This was an epithet of the Greek goddess Hera.

ANTIGONE   f   Greek Mythology
"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
"set against face" from Greek 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
Meaning unknown. Often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal, Anubis was the god who led the dead to the underworld in Egyptian mythology.

AODH   m   Irish, Scottish, Celtic Mythology
"fire" (Gaelic). This was the name of the Celtic god of the sun.

AOIDE   f   Greek Mythology
"to sing" (Greek). In Greek mythology she was one of the original three muses, the muse of song.

AOIFE   f   Irish, Irish Mythology
"beauty" from Gaelic 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.

APHRODITE   f   Greek Mythology
Perhaps "risen from the foam" (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
Meaning unknown, 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
"spider" (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.

ARES   m   Greek Mythology
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 "to become excellent" (Greek). This was the name of a wood nymph in Greek myth.

ARGUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"glistening, shining" from Greek argos. 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
"most holy" from Cretan Greek 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.

ARIES   m   Roman Mythology
"ram" (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
From Greek aristos "best" and demos "the people". This was the name of a descendent of Hercules.

ARTEMIS   f   Greek Mythology
Meaning unknown, possibly related either to artemes "safe" or artamos "a butcher" (Greek). 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
Great mystery surrounds the origins of this name. There are many theories: "bear" from Celtic artos; "stone" from Irish art; "Thor the eagle" from Scandinavian Arnthor; or it could possibly be from the Roman family name Artorius. This is the name of the central character in Arthurian legend. He supposedly drew a sword from a stone to become the king of the Britons. 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" (Sanskrit). As a personal name it was borne by the wife of the Hindu sage Vasishtha.

ASHERAH   f   Near Eastern Mythology
Perhaps "she who walks in the sea" (Semitic). 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
Possibly "cut up" (Greek). Asklepios (Aesculapius to the Romans) was the god of healing and medicine in Greek mythology.

ASPASIA   f   Greek Mythology
"welcome" from Greek aspasios. This was the name of the lover of Pericles.

ASTAROTH   f   Near Eastern Mythology
Variant of ASHTORETH

ASTARTE   f   Near Eastern Mythology (Hellenized)
Greek form of ASHTORETH

ATALANTA   f   Greek Mythology
"equal in weight" from Greek atalantos, related to talanton "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. 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
"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
"dawn" (Latin). In Roman mythology she was the goddess of the morning.

AZRAEL   m   Judeo-Christian Legend
"help of God" from Hebrew 'azra'el. 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
"lord" or "possessor" from Semitic ba'al. 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)
"to shout" from Greek iacho. 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, Swedish
"prince" (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
"god of strength" from Sanskrit bala "strength" and deva "god". Baladeva is the name of the older brother of the Hindu god Krishna.

BALTAZAR   m   Judeo-Christian Legend
"BAAL protect the king" (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 Celtic solar god, which probably meant "bright, brilliant".

BELI   m   Welsh Mythology
Welsh cognate of Bel (see BELENUS).

BEOWULF   m   Anglo-Saxon Mythology
Possibly "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
"being maintained" (Sanskrit). This is one of the names of Agni, the Hindu god of fire. This is also the name of the brother of Rama in Hindu legend. 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
"little flower" from Irish blath 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
"face of flowers" (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
"prayer" (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
"raven" (Gaelic). In Irish legend Bran was a mariner who was involved in several adventures.

BRAN (2)   m   Welsh, Welsh Mythology
"raven" (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
"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 husband of the Irish king Matholwch.

BRIDGET   f   Irish, Scottish, English, Irish Mythology
"high goddess" from the Irish name Brighid. In Irish mythology she was the goddess of poetry and wisdom, the daughter of the fire god. Saint Bridget of Kildare is a patron saint of Ireland who established a convent at Kildare in the 5th century.

BRIGHID   f   Irish, Irish Mythology
Irish form of BRIDGET

BRUNHILDE   f   German, Germanic Mythology
"armour battle" from Germanic brun "armour" or "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.

CALLIOPE   f   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Variant of KALLIOPE

CALLISTO (2)   f   Roman Mythology
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
Feminine form of CAMILLUS. This was the name of a legendary warrior maiden of the Volscians, as told by Virgil in the 'Aeneid'.

CASSANDRA   f   English, Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Possibly "shining upon man" from Greek kekasmai "to shine" and aner "man" (genitive andros). In Greek mythology Cassandra was a prophetic Trojan princess, the daughter of Priam and Hecuba. When she spurned the advances of Apollo, he cursed her so nobody would believe her prophecies.

CASSIOPEA   f   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Variant of CASSIOPEIA

CASSIOPEIA   f   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
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)
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
"to grow" from the Indo-European root *ker. In Roman mythology Ceres was the goddess of agriculture, equivalent to the Greek goddess Demeter.

CHANDRA   f,m   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"moon" (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.

CHLOE   f   English, Biblical, Greek Mythology
"green shoot" (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
"green" from Greek chloros. Chloris, in Greek mythology, was a minor goddess of vegetation.

CHRYSEIS   f   Greek Mythology
"golden" from Greek chrysos. 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
"ancient" (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)
From 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
Possibly "shapely" (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)
From Greek klytos "famous, noble" and mnestria "courter, wooer". In Greek legend Clytemnestra was the husband 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.

CONALL   m   Irish, Scottish, Irish Mythology
"strong wolf" (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

CUCHULAINN   m   Irish Mythology
"hound of Culann" (Gaelic). 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
"hiding place of the pig" (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
"desire" (Latin). In Roman mythology he is the god of love, the son of Venus. He is portrayed as a winged, blindfolded boy, armed with a bow and arrows which cause the victim to fall in love. His Greek equivalent is Eros.

DAEDALUS   m   Greek Mythology
"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.

DAMON   m   Greek Mythology, English
"to tame" from Greek daman. According to Greek legend, Damon and Pythias were friends who lived on Syracuse in the 4th century BC. When Pythias was sentenced to death, Damon took his friend's place in prison while he went to put his affairs in order. Pythias returned just before Damon was to be executed, 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
"laurel" (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.

DEIMOS   m   Greek Mythology
"terror" (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
"earth mother" 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
"goddess" from Sanskrit devi

DIANA   f   English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Roman Mythology
Possibly "divine" (Latin). Diana was the Roman equivalent of the Greek moon goddess Artemis. She was also the goddess of nature and fertility. Diana Spencer, the Princess of Wales, was a famous bearer of this name.

DIARMAID   m   Irish, Irish Mythology
Perhaps either "freeman" or "without envy" (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, perhaps "virgin" (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
"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
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
Latin form of DIONYSOS

DIPAK   m   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"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
"unattainable" (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
"sea" (Welsh). In Welsh mythology he was a god of the sea. The son of the goddess Arianrhod, 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
"echo" from the name of 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)
"amber" from Greek elektron. 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). This is another name of Dido, the legendary queen of Carthage.

EMER   f   Irish, Irish Mythology
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
"soul" or "life" from Welsh enaid. 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
"dawn" (Greek). This was the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn.

EPONA   f   Celtic Mythology
Meaning unknown. This was the name of the Celtic goddess of horses.

ERATO   f   Greek Mythology
"lovely" (Greek). In Greek mythology she was the muse of lyric poetry.

ERIS   f   Greek Mythology
"strife" (Greek). This was the name of the sister and companion of Ares in Greek mythology.

EROS   m   Greek Mythology
"love" (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
Possibly derived from Old Irish ét "jealousy". This is the name of a sun goddess in Irish mythology.

EUPHROSYNE   f   Greek Mythology
"mirth, merriment" (Greek). She was one of the three Graces (Charites) in Greek mythology.

EURYDICE   f   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"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
"delight" (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
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
Perhaps "hostile" (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
Possibly "to befriend" (Latin). This was the name of a Roman god of agriculture and animals.

FIACHRA   m   Irish, Irish Mythology
"raven" from Gaelic fiach. In Irish legend Fiachra was one of the four children of Lir transformed into swans for a period of 900 years. This was also the name of a 7th-century saint from France who is the patron saint of gardeners.

FIONN   m   Irish, Irish Mythology
"fair" or "white" (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.

FIONNUALA   f   Irish, Irish Mythology
From the older Gaelic name Fionnguala which meant "white shoulder" from fionn "white, fair" and guala "shoulder". In Irish legend Fionnuala 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
"flower" from Latin flos. Flora was the Roman goddess of flowers and spring, the wife of Zephyr the west wind.

FREY   m   Norse Mythology
Variant of FREYR

FREYA   f   Norse Mythology
"lady" (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
"lord" (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
"beloved" (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
"earth" (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
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
"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
"white" (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
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
"twins" (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
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
"enclosure" from Old Norse garðr. In Norse myth Gerd was a fertility goddess, a frost giantess who was the wife of Freyr.

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
In Welsh mythology he was a smith god. The etymology of his name is unknown.

GRÁINNE   f   Irish, Irish Mythology
Possibly "grain" from Gaelic grán. 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".

GUDRUN   f   Norse Mythology, Scandinavian, German
"god's secret lore" from Old Norse 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
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
"unseen" from Greek aides. 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
"harmony, agreement" (Greek). She was the daughter of Ares and Aphrodite, given by Zeus to Cadmus to be his wife.

HATHOR   f   Egyptian Mythology
"the house of Horus" 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, English
"young" from Greek hebos. 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)
Possibly "far off" from Greek hekas. In Greek mythology Hecate was a goddess associated with witchcraft, tombs, demons and the underworld.

HEIDRUN   f   Norse Mythology
"heath" from Old Norse heidr. In Norse mythology this was a goat who would eat the leaves from the tree of life and produce mead in her udder.

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
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 husband of Zeus. She presided over marriage and childbirth.

HERAKLES   m   Greek Mythology
"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
Latin form of HERAKLES

HERMES   m   Greek Mythology
Possibly "cairn, pile of stones" (Greek). In Greek mythology Hermes was a 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
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
"hero" from Greek heros. 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.

HESTIA   f   Greek Mythology
"hearth, fireside" (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
"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
Meaning unknown. 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)
"to shout" from Greek iacho. This is the solemn name of the Greek god Dionysos used in the Eleusinian mysteries.

IANTHE   f   Greek Mythology
"violet flower" from Greek ion "violet" and anthos "flower". This was the name of an ocean nymph in Greek mythology.

IASON   m   Greek Mythology
Ancient Greek form of JASON

ICARUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Perhaps "follower" (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
"beauty" (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
"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).

IOLE   f   Greek Mythology
"violet" (Greek). In Greek mythology she was a woman beloved by Hercules.

IRENE   f   English, Italian, Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"peace" from Greek eirene. Irene was the Greek goddess of peace. Another famous bearer was an 8th-century Byzantine empress, the first woman to lead the Empire. She originally served as regent for her son, but later had him killed and ruled alone.

IRIS   f   Greek Mythology, English
"rainbow" (Greek). Iris was the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow. This name can also be given in reference to the English word (which derives from the same Greek source) for the name of the iris flower or the coloured part of the eye.

ISHTAR   f   Near Eastern Mythology
Meaning unknown. Ishtar was the Babylonian and Assyrian mother goddess who presided over love, war and fertility. She was called Ashtoreth by the Phoenicians.

ISIS   f   Egyptian Mythology
Perhaps "the mansion of Horus" (Egyptian). In Egyptian mythology Isis was the goddess of the sky and nature, the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus. She was often depicted having the horns of a cow on her head.

ISMENE   f   Greek Mythology
Posibly from Greek hisma "foundation, seat". This was the name of the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta in Greek legend.

ITALUS   m   Roman Mythology
"of Italy" (Latin). In Roman legend Italus was the father of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. He supposedly gave his name to the region known as Italia or Italy, but actually the region got its name from the ancient tribe called the Itali.

JASON   m   English, Greek Mythology (Latinized), Biblical
From the Greek name Iason, which was derived from Greek iasthai "to heal". Jason was the leader of the Argonauts in Greek legend. He went in search of the Golden Fleece in order to win back his kingdom from his uncle Pelias. During his journeys he married the sorceress Medea, who helped him gain the fleece and kill his uncle, but who later turned against him when he fell in love with another woman. This name is also used in Acts in the New Testament to translate the Hebrew name Joshua.

JOCASTA   f   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latin form of Greek Iokaste, which is of unknown meaning. In Greek myth she was the mother and husband of Oedipus.

JOVE   m   Roman Mythology
Derived from the stem of Iupiter (see JUPITER). This was another name of the Roman god Jupiter.

JUNO   f   Roman Mythology
Meaning unknown. In Roman mythology Juno was the wife of Jupiter and the queen of the heavens. She was the protectress of marriage and women, and was also the goddess of finance.

JUPITER   m   Roman Mythology
From Latin Iupiter, which was from dyeu-pater, composed of the elements dyeus (see ZEUS) and pater "father". Jupiter was the supreme god in Roman mythology. He presided over the heavens and light, and was responsible for the protection and laws of the Roman state. This is also the name of the fifth and largest planet in the solar system.

JUVENTAS   f   Roman Mythology
"youth" (Latin). In Roman mythology she was the goddess of youth, equivalent to the Greek goddess Hebe.

KALI   f   Hindu Mythology
"the black one" (Sanskrit). In Hindu mythology Kali is the fierce destructive form of the wife of Shiva.

KALLIOPE   f   Greek Mythology
"beautiful voice" from Greek kallos "beauty" and ops "voice". In Greek mythology she was the muse of epic poetry and eloquence.

KALLISTO   f   Greek Mythology
"most beautiful" from Greek kallistos. In Greek mythology Kallisto was a nymph who was loved by Zeus. She was changed into a she-bear by Hera, and subsequently became the Great Bear constellation.

KALYPSO   f   Greek Mythology
Variant of CALYPSO

KAMA   m   Hindu Mythology
Meaning unknown. In Hindu mythology Kama was the god of love, the son of Lakshmi.

KARAN   m   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"ear" from Sanskrit karna. In Hindu legend this was the name of the son of the sun god Surya and Kunti, who gave birth to him through her ear. He was a great warrior who joined the Kauravas and fought against his half-brothers the Pandavas. He was eventually installed as the king of Anga.

KASSANDRA   f   English, Greek Mythology
Ancient Greek form of CASSANDRA

KAY (2)   m   Welsh Mythology
Possibly a Celtic form GAIUS. Sir Kay was one of the knights of the Round Table in Arthurian legend.

KLIO   f   Greek Mythology
"glory" from Greek kleos. In Greek mythology she was the muse of history and heroic poetry. She was said to have introduced the alphabet to Greece.

KORË   f   Greek Mythology
"maiden" (Greek). This was another name for the Greek goddess Persephone.

KRISHNA   m   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"black, dark" (Sanskrit). This is the name of a Hindu god believed to be an incarnation of the god Vishnu. He was the youngest of King Vasudeva's eight children, six of whom were killed by King Kamsa because of a prophecy that a child of Vasudeva would kill Kamsa. Krishna however was saved and he eventually killed the king as well as performing many other great feats.

LAKSHMI   f   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"sign, mark" (Sanskrit). She is the Hindu goddess of good luck and prosperity, and the wife of Vishnu. Her symbol is the lotus flower.

LANCELOT   m   English, Welsh Mythology
Celtic name of unknown meaning. In Arthurian legend Lancelot was the bravest of the knights of the Round Table. He became the lover of Arthur's wife Guinevere.

LAVERNA   f   Roman Mythology
Meaning unknown. Laverna was the Roman goddess of thieves and thievery.

LAVINIA   f   Roman Mythology
Meaning unknown, probably of Etruscan origin. In Roman legend Lavinia was the daughter of King Latinus, the wife of Aeneas, and the ancestor of the Roman people. According to the legend Aeneas named the town of Lavinium in honour of his wife.

LEANDER   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"lion of a man" from Greek leon "lion" and andros "of a man". In Greek legend Leander was the lover of Hero. Every night he swam across the Hellespont to meet her, but on one occasion he was drowned when a storm arose. When Hero saw his dead body she threw herself into the waters and perished.

LEDA   f   Greek Mythology
Possibly "woman" (Greek). In Greek myth she was the mother of Castor, Pollux and Helen by the god Zeus, who came upon her in the form of a swan.

LETO   f   Greek Mythology
Meaning unknown. In Greek mythology she was the mother of Apollo and Artemis by Zeus.

LILITH   f   English, Near Eastern Mythology
"of the night" from Assyrian lilitu. This was the name of a demon in ancient Assyrian myths. In Jewish and Islamic tradition she was Adam's first wife, sent out of Eden and replaced by Eve because she would not submit to him. The offspring of Adam and Lilith were the evil spirits of the world.

LINOS   m   Greek Mythology
Greek form of LINUS

LINUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"flax" from the Greek name Linos. In Greek legend he was the son of the god Apollo and a music teacher to Herakles. He was accidentally killed by his father in a contest. This was also the name of the second pope. The name is now most famous as that of a character in Charles Schulz's comic strip 'Peanuts'.

LIR   m   Irish Mythology
Irish cognate of LLYR. Lir was the Irish god of the sea, the father of Manannan Mac Lir.

LLEU   m   Welsh Mythology
Welsh cognate of LUGH. In the Mabinogion, a collection of tales from Welsh myth, Lleu Llaw Gyffes is the son of the goddess Arianrhod.

LLYR   m   Welsh Mythology
"sea" (Welsh). This was the name of the Welsh god of the sea.

LOKI   m   Norse Mythology
Meaning unknown, possibly derived from the Indo-European root *leug meaning "to break". In Norse legend Loki was a trickster god associated with magic and fire. Over time he became more and more evil, and he was eventually chained to a rock by the other gods.

LORELEI   f   Germanic Mythology
"ambush cliff" (Germanic). In Germanic legend Lorelei was a siren who lured sailors on the Rhine River to their deaths.

LUCINA   f   Roman Mythology
"grove" from Latin lucus, but later associated with lux "light". This was the name of a Roman goddess of childbirth.

LUGH   m   Irish Mythology
Irish form of Lug, the name of a Celtic god of the sun and craftsmanship, possibly meaning "shining one" from the Indo-European root *leuk "light, brightness". Irish legend goes on to tell how he led the Tuatha De Danann against the Fomorii who were led by his grandfather Balor. Lugh killed Balor by shooting a stone into his giant eye.

LUGUS   m   Celtic Mythology
Gaulish cognate of LUGH

LUNA   f   Roman Mythology
"the moon" (Latin). Luna was the Roman goddess of the moon, frequently depicted driving a white chariot through the sky.

LYCURGUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized), Ancient Greek (Latinized)
"deed of a wolf" from Greek lycou "of a wolf" and ergon "deed, work". In Greek legend this was the name of a king who was driven mad by the gods because of his impiety. This was also the name of a Spartan legislator of the 9th century BC.

MABON   m   Welsh, Welsh Mythology
"son" from Welsh mab. This was the name of an Old Celtic god.

MAEVE   f   Irish, Irish Mythology
"intoxicating" from the Gaelic name Méabh. In Irish legend this was the name of a warrior queen who killed the hero Cuchulainn.

MAIA (1)   f   Greek Mythology, Roman Mythology
Meaning unknown. In Greek and Roman mythology she was the eldest of the Pleiades, the group of seven stars in the constellation Taurus, who were the daughters of Atlas and Pleione. Her son by Zeus was Hermes.

MAIA (2)   f   Roman Mythology
"great" (Latin). This was the name of the Roman goddess of spring, the wife of Vulcan. The month of May is named for her.

MARDUK   m   Near Eastern Mythology
Meaning unknown. In Mesopotamian mythology he was the chief god, presiding over heaven, light, sky and battle. He had two heads and could breath fire. Legend tells that after killing the dragon Tiamat he created the world from her body.

MARS   m   Roman Mythology
Possibly related to Latin mas "male" (genitive maris). In Roman mythology Mars was the god of war, often equated with the Greek god Ares. This is also the name of the fourth planet in the solar system.

MEDEA   f   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Possibly either "to ponder" or "cunning" (Greek). In Greek mythology Medea was a sorceress who helped Jason gain the Golden Fleece. They were married, but eventually Jason left her for another woman. For revenge Medea slew Jason's new lover and also had her own children by Jason killed.

MEDUSA   f   Greek Mythology
"to plan, to contrive" from Greek medomai. In Greek myth this was the name of one of the three Gorgons, ugly women who had snakes for hair. She was so hideous that anyone who gazed upon her was turned to stone, so the hero Perseus had to look using the reflection in his shield in order to slay her.

MELCHIOR   m   Judeo-Christian Legend
"king city" (Semitic). This was a name traditionally given to one of the three kings (also known as the three Magi, or wise men) who visit the newborn Jesus in the New Testament.

MELETE   f   Greek Mythology
"practice, exercise" (Greek). In Greek mythology she was one of the original three muses, the muse of meditation.

MELIA (2)   f   Greek Mythology
"ash tree" (Greek). This was the name of a nymph in Greek myth, the daughter of the Greek god Okeanos.

MELISSA   f   English, Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
"bee" (Greek). This was the name of a nymph that cared for young Zeus in Greek mythology. It is also the name of the fairy who helps Rogero escape from the witch Alcina in the poem 'Orlando Furioso' by Ariosto.

MELPOMENE   f   Greek Mythology
"choir" (Greek). In Greek mythology she was the muse of tragedy.

MENELAUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"withstanding the people" from Greek meno "to last, to withstand" and laos "the people". In Greek legend he was a king of Sparta and the husband of Helen. When his wife was taken by Paris, the Greeks besieged the city of Troy in an effort to get her back. After the war Menelaus and Helen settled down to a happy life.

MERCURY   m   Roman Mythology
"commerce" (Latin). In Roman mythology he was the god of trade, merchants, and travellers, later equated with the Greek god Hermes. This is also the name of the first planet in the solar system.

MERLIN   m   Welsh Mythology, English
"sea fortress" from Welsh Myrddin. In Arthurian legend this is the name of a wizard, the sorcerer and counselor for King Arthur. He met his end when he was trapped in a magic thornbush by the Lady of the Lake.

MINERVA   f   Roman Mythology
Perhaps "intellect" from Latin mens. In Roman mythology she was the goddess of wisdom and war, approximately equivalent to the Greek goddess Athena.

MITHRA   m   Near Eastern Mythology
Meaning unknown. In Persian mythology he was a god of light and friendship, the son of the supreme god Ahura Mazda. His worship eventually spread outside of Persia, where it was known as Mithraism.

MNEME   f   Greek Mythology
"memory" (Greek). In Greek mythology she was one of the original three muses, the muse of memory.

MORANA   f   Mythology
"death" (Slavic). In Slavic mythology this was the name of the goddess of winter and death.

MORPHEUS   m   Greek Mythology
"shapes" from Greek morphes, referring to the shapes seen in dreams. In Greek mythology Morpheus was the god of dreams.

MORRIGAN   f   Irish Mythology
"great queen" from Irish Mhór Rioghain. In Irish myth she was a goddess of war and death who often took the form of a crow.

MÓRRÍGHAN   f   Irish Mythology
Variant of MORRIGAN

NANAEA   f   Near Eastern Mythology
Meaning unknown, possibly "undefiled" (Babylonian). Nanaea, known as Anahita to the Persians, was a Near Eastern goddess later identified with the Greek goddess Artemis.

NANAIA   f   Near Eastern Mythology (Hellenized)
Greek form of NANAEA

NAOISE   m   Irish, Irish Mythology
Meaning unknown, presumably of Gaelic origin. In Irish legend he was the young man who eloped with Deirdre, the beloved of Conchobhar the king of Ulster. Conchobhar eventually succeeded in having Naoise murdered, which caused Deirdre to die of grief.

NARAYAN   m   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"son of man" (Sanskrit). In Hindu mythology this is the name of the god of creation, later synonymous with the god Brahma.

NARCISSUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"sleep, numbness" from Greek narke. Narkissos was a beautiful youth in Greek mythology who stared at his own reflection for so long that he eventually died and was turned into the narcissus flower.

NEASA   f   Irish, Irish Mythology
Meaning unknown, presumably of Gaelic origin. In Irish legend she was the mother of Conchobhar, king of Ulster.

NEOPTOLEMUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"new war" from Greek neos "new" and polemos "war". In Greek legend this was the name of the son of Achilles, brought into the Trojan War because it was prophesied the Greeks could not win it unless he was present. After the war he was slain by Orestes because of his marriage to Hermione.

NEPHELE   f   Greek Mythology
"cloudy" (Greek). In Greek legend Nephele was created from a cloud by Zeus, who shaped the cloud to look like Hera in order to trick Ixion, a mortal who desired her. Nephele was the mother of the centaurs by Ixion, and was also the mother of Phrixus and Helle by Athamus.

NEPTUNE   m   Roman Mythology
Meaning unknown. Neptune was the god of the sea in Roman mythology, equivalent to Greek Poseidon. This is also the name of the eighth planet in the solar system.

NEREUS   m   Greek Mythology, Biblical
Meaning unknown. In Greek and Roman myth this was the name of a god of the sea. This was also the name of a Roman saint of the 1st century, a member of the army, who was martyred with his companion Achilleus because they refused to execute Christians.

NESTOR   m   Greek Mythology
"homecoming" (Greek). In Homer's 'Iliad' this was the name of the king of Pylos, famous for his great wisdom and longevity.

NIAMH   f   Irish, Irish Mythology
"bright" (Irish). She was the daughter of the sea god in Irish legends. She fell in love with the poet Oisin, son of Fionn.

NIKE   f   Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
"victory" (Greek). Nike was the Greek goddess of victory.

NINA (2)   f   Near Eastern Mythology
"enclosure of fish" (Babylonian). This was the name of a Babylonian fertility goddess, the patron goddess of the city of Nineveh.

NUADA   m   Irish Mythology
Perhaps "protector" (Celtic). In Irish myth he was an Irish god and the leader of the Tuatha De Danann. He was killed in battle against the Fomorii.

NUDD   m   Welsh Mythology
Welsh cognate of NUADA

NYX   f   Greek Mythology
"night" (Greek). This was the name of the Greek goddess of the night, the daughter of Khaos and the wife of Erebos.

ODIN   m   Norse Mythology
Anglicized form of the Old Norse name Óðinn which was derived from the early Germanic name Woðanaz, which perhaps meant "wind". In Norse mythology Odin was the highest of the gods, presiding over art, war, wisdom and death. He resided in Valhalla, where warriors go after they were slain.

ODYSSEUS   m   Greek Mythology
Perhaps from Greek odyssesthai "to hate". In Greek legend Odysseus was one of the Greek heroes who fought in the Trojan War. In the 'Odyssey' Homer relates Odysseus' misadventures on his way back to his kingdom and his wife Penelope.

OEDIPUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"swollen foot" from Greek oideo "to swell" and pous "foot". In Greek legend Oedipus was the son of Laius and Jocasta. He unwittingly slew his father and married his mother.

OISÍN   m   Irish, Irish Mythology
"little deer" from Irish os "deer" combined with a diminutive suffix. In Irish legend Oisin was a warrior hero and a poet, the son of Fionn Mac Cumhail.

ORESTES   m   Greek Mythology
"of the mountains" from Greek orestais. In Greek myth he was the son of Agamemnon. He killed his mother Clytemnestra after she killed his father.

ORION   m   Greek Mythology
Meaning unknown, but possibly related to Greek ouro "urine". This is the name of a constellation, which gets its name from a legendary Greek hunter killed by a scorpion sent by Artemis.

ORPHEUS   m   Greek Mythology
Perhaps related to Greek orphne meaning "the darkness of night". In Greek mythology Orpheus was a poet and musician who went to the underworld to retrieve his dead wife Eurydice. He succeeded in charming Hades with his lyre, and he was allowed to lead his wife out of the underworld on the condition that he not look back at her until they reached the surface. Unfortunately, just before they arrived his love for her overcame his will and he glanced back at her, causing her to be drawn back to Hades.

OSIRIS   m   Egyptian Mythology
Meaning unknown. In Egyptian mythology Osiris was the god of the dead and the judge of the underworld. He was slain by his brother Seth, but revived by his wife Isis.

OURANIA   f   Greek Mythology
"heavenly" from Greek ouranios. In Greek mythology she was the muse of astronomy and astrology.

OURANOS   m   Greek Mythology
Original Greek form of URANUS

OWAIN   m   Welsh, Welsh Mythology
There are several theories on the origins of this name: it could be a Welsh form of EUGENE; it could be derived from either of the Welsh elements oen "lamb" or eoghunn "youth"; or it could be related to Esos, the name of a Celtic god. In Arthurian legend Owain, also called Yvain, was one of the knights of the Round Table, the son of King Urien and the slayer of the knight of the fountain.

PALLAS   f   Greek Mythology
"maiden" (Greek). In Greek mythology she was a friend of the goddess Athena, who accidentally killed her. Athena took the name Pallas in honour of her friend.

PANDORA   f   Greek Mythology
"all gifts" from Greek pan "all" combined with doron "gift". In Greek mythology Pandora was the first mortal woman. Zeus gave her a box containing all of the troubles and ills that mankind now knows, and told her not to open it. Unfortunately her curiosity got the best of her and she opened it, unleashing the evil spirits into the world.

PANTHER   m   Judeo-Christian Legend
Ancient Greek name meaning "panther" (which is ultimately derived from the Greek elements pan "all" and theran "to hunt").

PARIS   m   Greek Mythology
Meaning unknown. In Greek mythology he was the Trojan prince who kidnapped Helen and began the Trojan War. He slew the great hero Achilles, but was himself eventually slain in the battle. The capital city of France bears this name, though it derives from a different source: the ancient Celtic tribe known as the Parisii.

PARTHALAN   m   Irish Mythology
Meaning unknown. In Irish legend, he was the first man on Ireland after the biblical flood.

PARTHENIA   f   Greek Mythology
"maiden, virgin" from Greek parthenos. This was an epithet of the Greek goddess Athena.

PARTHENOPE   f   Greek Mythology
"maiden face" from Greek parthenos "maiden" and ops "face". In Greek legend this is the name of one of the Sirens who enticed Odysseus.

PARVATI   f   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"daughter of the mountain" (Sanskrit). In Hindu mythology Parvati is one of the many names of the wife of Shiva.

PATROCLUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"glory of the father" from Greek patros "of the father" and kleos "glory". In Greek legend he was who of the heroes who fought against the Trojans. His death at the hands of Hector drew his friend Achilles back into the war.

PAX   f   Roman Mythology
"peace" (Latin). In Roman mythology she was the goddess of peace.

PEGASUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Possibly either from Greek pegos "strong" or pegaios "from a water spring". In Greek mythology Pegasus was the winged horse that sprang from the blood of Medusa after she was killed by Perseus. Also, this is the name of a constellation in the northern sky.

PENELOPE   f   Greek Mythology, English
From Greek penelops, a type of duck. In Homer's epic 'Odyssey' this is the name of the wife of Odysseus, forced to fend off suitors while her husband is away fighting at Troy.

PERCIVAL   m   English, Welsh Mythology
Celtic name of unknown meaning. The spelling was altered under the influence of Old French percer val "to pierce the valley". In Arthurian legend Percival was a chivalrous knight who was given a glimpse of the Holy Grail.

PERSEPHONE   f   Greek Mythology, English
Meaning unknown, perhaps related to Greek pertho "to destroy" and phone "murder". In Greek myth she was the daughter of Demeter and Zeus. She was abducted to the underworld by Hades, but was eventually allowed to return to the surface for part of the year. The result of her comings and goings is the changing of the seasons.

PERSEUS   m   Greek Mythology
Possibly "to destroy" from Greek pertho. Perseus was a hero in Greek legend. He killed Medusa, who was so ugly that anyone who gazed upon her was turned to stone, by looking at her in the reflection of his shield and slaying her in her sleep.

PHAEDRA   f   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"bright" from Greek phaidros. Phaedra was the daughter of Minos and the wife of Theseus in Greek mythology. Aphrodite caused her to fall in love with her stepson Hippolytos, and after she was rejected by him she killed herself.

PHILOMELA   f   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"friend of song" from Greek philos "friend" and melos "song".

PHOBOS   m   Greek Mythology
"fear" (Greek). This was one of the sons of Ares in Greek mythology. Also, one of the moons of Mars bears this name.

PHOEBE   f   English, Greek Mythology (Latinized), Biblical
Latin form of the Greek name Phoibe, which meant "bright, pure" from Greek phoibos. Phoibe was an epithet of the Greek moon goddess Artemis. A moon of Saturn bears this name in her honour. This name was also borne by a female minister in the church at Cenchreae mentioned in Paul's epistle to the Romans in the New Testament.

PHOEBUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latin form of the Greek name Phoibos, which meant "bright, pure". This was an epithet of the Greek god Apollo.

PHOENIX   f,m   Mythology, English
"dark red" from Greek phoinix. In Egyptian and Greek mythology the phoenix was a beautiful immortal bird. After living for several centuries in the Arabian desert, it would be consumed by fire and rise from its own ashes. This cycle was repeated every 500 years.

PHRIXUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
"thrilling, causing shivers" from Greek phrix "ripple, shiver". In Greek myth Phrixus was the son of Athamus and Nephele. He and his sister Helle were to be sacrificed to Zeus, but he escaped on the back of the ram with the Golden Fleece.

PHYLLIS   f   Greek Mythology, English, German
"foliage" (Greek). In Greek myth this was the name of a girl who killed herself out of love for Demophon and was subsequently transformed into an almond tree.

PLUTO   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized), Roman Mythology
"wealth" from Greek ploutos. This was an alternate name of Hades, the god of the underworld. This is also the name of the ninth planet in the solar system.

POLLUX   m   Roman Mythology
Roman form of Greek Polydeukes, which means "very thoughtful" from Greek polys "much" and endukeos "steadfast, thoughtful". In myth he was the twin brother of Castor and a son of Zeus. The constellation Gemini, which represents the two brothers, contains a star by this name.

POLYDEUKES   m   Greek Mythology
Greek form of POLLUX

POLYHYMNIA   f   Greek Mythology
"many songs" (Greek). In Greek mythology she was the muse of dance and sacred songs.

POLYXENA   f   Greek Mythology
"many foreigners" from Greek polloi "many" and xenoi "foreigners, strangers". In Greek legend she was a daughter of Priam and Hecuba, beloved by Achilles. After the Trojan War she was sacrificed by Neoptolemus the son of Achilles.

POSEIDON   m   Greek Mythology
Possibly from Greek posis "husband, lord" and de "earth". In Greek mythology Poseidon was the unruly god of the sea and earthquakes, the brother of Zeus. He was often depicted carrying a trident and riding in a chariot drawn by white horses.

PRIAM   m   Greek Mythology (Anglicized)
From the Greek Priamos, possibly meaning "redeemed". In Greek legend Priam was the king of Troy during the Trojan War and the father of many children including Hector and Paris.

PROMETHEUS   m   Greek Mythology
"foresightful" from Greek promethes. In Greek myth he was the Titan who gave the knowledge of fire to mankind. For doing this he was punished by Zeus, who had him chained to a rock and caused an eagle to feast daily on his liver, which regenerated itself each night.

PROSERPINA   f   Roman Mythology
"to emerge" (Latin). She was the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Persephone.

PROSERPINE   f   Roman Mythology
Variant of PROSERPINA

PROTEUS   m   Greek Mythology
"first" from Greek protos. In Greek mythology this was the name of a prophetic god of the sea.

PSYCHE   f   Greek Mythology
"soul" or "breathe" from Greek psychein "to breathe". The Greeks thought that the breath was the soul. In Greek mythology Psyche was a beautiful maiden who was beloved by Eros (or Cupid in Roman mythology). She is the subject of Keats's poem 'Ode to Psyche'.

PYRRHUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized), Ancient Greek (Latinized)
"flame-coloured, red" from Greek pyrros, related to pyr "fire". This was another name of Neoptolemus the son of Achilles. This was also the name of a 3rd-century BC king of Epirus.

QUETZALCOATL   m   New World Mythology
"feathered snake" (Native American, Nahuatlan). In Aztec mythology he was the god of the sky and a creator of humans.

RA   m   Egyptian Mythology
"the sun" (Egyptian). The supreme god and creator in Egyptian mythology. The sun was believed to be his eye.

RAGUEL   m   Judeo-Christian Legend
"friend of God" (Hebrew). The Book of Enoch names him as one of the seven archangels.

RAIDEN   m   Far Eastern Mythology
"lightning, thunder" (Japanese). He was the god of thunder in the mythology of Japan.

RAMA   m   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"pleasing" (Sanskrit). This is another name of the Hindu god Vishnu. It was also borne by the hero of the 'Ramayana', a Hindu epic, which tells of the abduction of his wife Sita by the demon king Ravana, and his efforts to recapture her.

RATI   f   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"rest, repose, pleasure" (Sanskrit). This is the name of the wife of the Hindu god of love Kama.

RAVI   m   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"sun" (Sanskrit). Ravi is the Hindu god of the sun.

RE   m   Egyptian Mythology
Variant spelling of RA

REMIEL   m   Judeo-Christian Legend
"mercy of God" (Hebrew). The Book of Enoch names him as one of the seven archangels.

REMUS   m   Roman Mythology
Meaning unknown. In Roman legend Romulus and Remus were the founders of Rome. Remus was later slain by Romulus.

RHEA   f   Greek Mythology, Roman Mythology
Meaning unknown, perhaps related to Greek rheo "to flow" or rheos "stream". In Greek mythology Rhea was a Titan, the wife of Cronus, and the mother of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter and Hestia. Also, in Roman mythology a woman named Rhea Silvia was the mother of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome.

RHIANNON   f   Welsh, Welsh Mythology
"great queen" from Old Celtic Rigantona. In Welsh mythology Rhiannon was the goddess of fertility and the moon. This name is also borne by a princess in Welsh legends, the wife of Pwyll.

RÍOGHNACH   f   Irish Mythology
"queen" from Irish ríoghan. In Irish legend this was the wife of the Irish king Niall.

ROMULUS   m   Roman Mythology
"of Rome" (Latin). In Roman legend Romulus and Remus were the founders of Rome.

SARASWATI   f   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"owning water" from Sanskrit saras "fluid, water, lake" and vati "owning". In Hindu mythology this is the name of a river goddess, also associated with learning, who is the wife of Brahma.

SATURN   m   Roman Mythology
From the Latin Saturnus, which is of unknown meaning. In Roman mythology he was the father of Jupiter, Juno, and others, and was also the god of agriculture. This is also the name of the ringed sixth planet in the solar system.

SELENA   f   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Roman form of SELENE

SELENE   f   Greek Mythology, Greek, English
"moon" (Greek). This was the name of a Greek goddess of the moon, sometimes identified with the goddess Artemis.

SEMELE   f   Greek Mythology
Meaning unknown. In Greek mythology she was one of the many lovers of Zeus. Hera, being jealous, tricked Semele into asking Zeus to display himself in all his splendour as the god of thunder. When he did, Semele was struck by lightning and died, but not before giving birth to Dionysos.

SET   m   Egyptian Mythology
Variant of SETH (2)

SETH (2)   m   Egyptian Mythology
Meaning unknown. Seth was the evil Egyptian god of chaos, the slayer of Osiris.

SHIVA   m   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"benign" from Sanskrit siva. Shiva is the Hindu god of destruction and restoration, the husband of the mother goddess Parvati. His aspect is usually terrifying, but it can also be gentle.

SIGRUN   f   Scandinavian, Norse Mythology
"secret victory" from the Old Norse elements sigr "victory" and run "secret". This was the name of a Valkyrie in Norse legend.

SILVANUS   m   Ancient Roman, Roman Mythology
Roman name meaning "forest dweller" from Latin silva "wood, forest". Silvanus was the Roman god of forests.

SILVIA   f   Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, English, German, Ancient Roman, Roman Mythology
Feminine form of Silvius (see SILVIO). Rhea Silvia was the mother of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. This was also the name of a 6th-century saint, the mother of the pope Gregory the Great.

SITA   f   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"furrow" (Sanskrit). Sita is the name of the Hindu goddess of the harvest. This is also the name of the wife of Rama in the Hindu epic the 'Ramayana'.

SIV   f   Scandinavian, Norse Mythology
"bride" (Old Norse). In Norse mythology Siv was the wife of Thor.

SURYA   m   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"sun" (Sanskrit). In Hindu mythology this is the name of the god of the sun.

TADHG   m   Irish, Scottish, Irish Mythology
"poet" (Irish). In Irish legend Tadhg was the son of Nuada the leader of the Tuatha De Danann. This was also the name of an 11th-century king of Connacht.

TANIS   f   Near Eastern Mythology (Hellenized)
Greek form of TANITH

TANIT   f   Near Eastern Mythology
Variant of TANITH

TANITH   f   Near Eastern Mythology
"serpent lady" (Semitic). This was the name of the Phoenician goddess of love, fertility, the moon and the stars.

TARA (2)   f   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"star" (Sanskrit). In Hindu and Buddhist mythology Tara was an astral goddess, the wife of Brihaspati.

TERPSICHORE   f   Greek Mythology
"enjoying the dance" from Greek terpsis "delight" and choros "dance". In Greek mythology she was the muse of dance and dramatic chorus.

THALIA   f   Greek Mythology
"to blossom" from Greek thallein. In Greek mythology she was the muse of comedy and pastoral poetry. This was also the name of one of the three Graces (Charites).

THANATOS   m   Greek Mythology
"death" (Greek). This was the name of the Greek god of death who resided with Hades in the underworld.

THESEUS   m   Greek Mythology
Possibly "to set" from Greek tithesthai. Theseus was a hero in Greek legend. He slew the Minotaur in the labyrinth of Crete with the help of Ariadne, who provided him with a sword and a roll of string so he could find his way out.

THOR   m   Norse Mythology
From the Old Norse name Þórr, meaning "thunder". Thor was the Norse god of strength, thunder and war, the son of Odin. He was armed with a hammer called Mjolnir, and wore an enchanted belt which doubled his strength.

ÞÓRR   m   Norse Mythology
Original form of THOR

THOTH   m   Egyptian Mythology
From Egyptian Tehuti, perhaps meaning "he who balances". In Egyptian mythology Thoth was the god of the moon, science, magic, speech and writing. He was often depicted as a man with the head of an ibis.

THUNOR   m   Anglo-Saxon Mythology
Anglo-Saxon cognate of THOR

THUTMOSE   m   Egyptian Mythology
"son of Thoth" composed of Thoth, the name of an Egyptian god, combined with the Egyptian word mes "son" or mesu "be born". Thutmose was the name of four Egyptian pharaohs of the New Kingdom, including Thutmose III who conquered Syria and Nubia.

TIW   m   Anglo-Saxon Mythology
Anglo-Saxon form of Tiwaz (see TYR)

TYR   m   Norse Mythology
Old Norse form of the name of the Germanic god Tiwaz, related to Indo-European dyeus (see ZEUS). In Norse mythology Tyr was the god of war and justice, the son of the god Odin. He carries a spear in his left hand, since his right hand was bitten of by the wolf Fenrir. At the time of the end of the world, the Ragnarok, Tyr will slay and be slain by the giant hound Garm.

UKKO   m   Finnish, Mythology
Perhaps "old" (Finnish). In Finnish mythology Ukko is the god of the sky and thunder.

ULYSSES   m   Roman Mythology, English
Latin form of ODYSSEUS. Ulysses Grant was the commander of the Union forces during the American Civil War, and was later an American president.

UMA   f   Indian, Hindu Mythology
"flax" (Sanskrit). Flax is a herb with blue flowers. Uma is a name of the goddess Parvati in Hindu mythology.

URANIA   f   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of OURANIA

URANUS   m   Greek Mythology (Latinized)
From Greek Ouranos, the name of the husband of Gaia and the father of the Titans in Greek mythology. His name is derived from ouranos meaning "the heavens". This is also the name of the seventh planet in the solar system.

URIEN   m   Welsh, Welsh Mythology
"privileged birth" from Celtic orbo "privileged" and gen "birth".

VALKYRIE   f   Norse Mythology
"chooser of the slain" from Old Norse valr "the slain" and kyrja "chooser". In Norse myth the Valkyries were maidens who led heroes killed in battle to Valhalla.

VENUS   f   Roman Mythology
"love" (Latin). This was the name of the Roman goddess of love, equal to the Greek goddess Aphrodite. This is also the name of the second planet from the sun.

VESTA   f   Roman Mythology
Latin form of HESTIA. Vesta was the Roman goddess of the hearth.