Diana

Part of speech: noun, proper noun

Definitions

1. A name of Latin origin meaning "divine" or "heavenly"; associated with the Roman goddess of the hunt, wild animals, and the moon; often used as a given name for girls in various cultures
2. An epithet for the Roman deity representing the hunt and nature, often depicted with a bow and arrows; a popular female name that signifies beauty and grace; commonly recognized in literature and history
3. Signifying a female figure linked to the hunt in mythology, symbolizing independence and strength; widely regarded as a name representing elegance and virtue; associated with various historical figures known for their impact

Etymology: The name goes back to a Roman goddess of the hunt, but her name began as something quite different: an old Italic divinity of light and the moon. The Latin "Diana" is derived by syncope (the loss of a middle syllable) from "Diviana," a form built on "dīvus," meaning "divine," plus the suffix "-āna." So the name originally meant something like "the divine one" or "the bright one of the sky," before it was attached to the huntress. When Roman writers identified their deities with Greek ones, Diana was matched with Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness and the moon. The Greek name "Diōnē," a cognate, shows the same root. The Latin form also gave English the name Dione, which has since been used in astronomy, chemistry and biology, as well as for a given name.

Synonyms: goddess, huntress, Artemis