Cynthia

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Cynthia is a name of Greek origin, commonly used in English-speaking countries. It was originally an epithet of the Greek goddess Artemis, who according to legend was born on Mount Cynthus. The name Cynthia was also used by the Roman poet Propertius in his elegies, where it refers to his lover, who is traditionally identified with a woman named Hostia.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name Cynthia is derived from the Greek word Kynthia (Κυνθία), which means "woman from Kynthos". This was an epithet of the Greek goddess Artemis, given that she and her twin brother Apollo were born on Mount Cynthus, located on the island of Delos in the Cyclades.

Historical use[edit | edit source]

In ancient Rome, the name Cynthia was used by the poet Propertius in his elegies. He used it to refer to his lover, who is traditionally identified with a woman named Hostia. The name Cynthia was also used by several other Roman poets, including Ovid and Martial, who used it in a similar way.

In the Middle Ages, the name Cynthia was rarely used. It was revived in the 19th century, and has been popular in English-speaking countries ever since.

Notable people named Cynthia[edit | edit source]

There are many notable people named Cynthia, including:

See also[edit | edit source]

Cynthia Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD