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Origin, Meaning, And History Of Cynthia
‘Cynthia’ is an epithet used for the Greek goddess Artemis. The name originates from the Greek word ‘Kynthia,’ meaning ‘woman from Cynthus’ on Delos Island. Cynthia is the Latinized version of Kynthia. Artemis is one of the most important goddesses in Greek mythology. She is the daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin sister of Apollo. Artemis is often depicted as a fierce, independent warrior who roams the wilderness with her bow and arrow. She is also a protector of young women and a symbol of feminine strength and power. In art and literature, Artemis is often associated with the moon and depicted with a crescent moon on her forehead.
In the 16th century, the moon was often referred to as Cynthia in literature, especially poetry. This gave rise to the name’s popularity as a given name during this time. For instance, in the play “Cynthia’s Revels” by 16th-century poet Ben Jonson, Cynthia was personified by the goddess Diana, and later in the play, she is also portrayed as Queen Elizabeth. Likewise, in Edmund Spenser’s epic poem “The Faerie Queene,” the moon goddess Cynthia is a significant character.
The name Cynthia has various spelling variations across different parts of the world. In English-speaking countries, Cynthia is the most common spelling, while in other parts of the world, the name may be spelled as Cynthea, Cynthya, or Cyntia. In Greece, the name is spelled Kythia, and in Italy, it may be spelled Cinzia. Some cultures also have name variations that incorporate different letters or sounds, such as Sintija in Latvia or Sintia in Indonesia.
There are several fictional characters named Cynthia in popular culture. One of the most well-known is Cynthia Doll, a character from the popular animated TV series Rugrats. Cynthia Rose, a character from the 2012 musical comedy film Pitch Perfect. Cynthia Murphy, is also a popular character from the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen.
How To Pronounce Cynthia?
Famous People With The Name Cynthia
- Cynthia RothrockAmerican martial artist and actress, five-time World Champion in forms and weapons
- Cynthia WatrosAmerican actress, winner of Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
- Cynthia BaileyAmerican model, actress, and TV personality, best known for starring in the Real Housewives series
- Cynthia GibbAmerican actress, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
- Cynthia GlassmanAmerican economist, was commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs
Cynthia On The Popularity Chart
Even though the name Cynthia and its association with the moon deserves interest, the name has been less popular in recent years. The graphic representation below will give you more information.
Popularity Over Time
The name Cynthia was quite popular in the 1980s, with as many as 4857 babies per million given this name in 1981. Since then, the popularity has gone down, hitting the lowest of 308 babies per million in 2020.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Cynthia remained in the top 100 baby names till 1993, after which its rank kept slipping. The name has managed to stay in the top 1000, touching its lowest of 870 ranks in 2020.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Cynthia
Like how Cynthia sounds and want to explore similar options, here are some names you may consider.
Names With Similar Meaning As Cynthia
If you have always wanted to name your child after the moon but wish to find names other than Cynthia, below are some options.
Name Numerology For Cynthia
