Mythological names

[Hadtocomment]

Hi Mumsnetters I wonder if you can help me. I know this is baby names and I love all things names. But I'm looking for a particular name not for a baby but for a project I'm doing. I thought all of those who are into ancient greek names/goddesses etc might be able to help.

I am interested in mythology names for powerful goddesses or even female sorcerers or monsters. I'm particularly looking for those with more ambiguous connotations. I know many may be reclaimed these days as we wrestle with the sexism from the past. And more than negative connotations I'd be most interested in those that are a bit double-sided or have certain ambiguities about them. I know that's a tough ask but would be grateful for any thoughts at all. For example, Persephone is a lovely name. But it's a complicated myth with quite a lot of versions and she becomes queen of the underworld (if part-time and under duress). So that's the sort of name I'd be interested in finding more of. THank you all so much. Hope it might be fun and interesting and not just highjacking this forum. Thanks!

Medusa - she was misunderstood
Circe
Scylla

Niobe

Project Gorgon?
Their names were Stheno, meaning the mighty or strong, Euryale, meaning the Far Springer, and Medusa, the Queen, or Guardian.

Hekate
Hekate is so much more that the Crone of the dark she is depicted as but is also young, beautiful, described as bright coiffed and tender hearted, wearing a starry crown, bronze sandals, saffron clothing. She is an ancient and powerful goddess, whose origins predate Her association within the Greek pantheon.
She rules Earth, Sea and Heaven. She is associated with liminal places, 3 way crossroads, magic, witchcraft and the Gates to the Underworld, as well as being a guide and protector. She has many names and attributes, including a triple aspect, more recently associated with the moon and witchcraft.
Her symbols include fiery torches, black bitches, serpents, owls, frogs, keys, ropes, knives and the stropholos.
Sorry about the essay!

Sensible-ish names - Athena, Artemis, Helen, Andromache, Cassandra

Less sensible but interesting - Medea, Clytemnestra, Phaedra, Medusa

Athena, demeter, hera, calliope, clio

Astarte

Lilith

Please not Medea such a sad tale!

Eris - goddess of trouble, she caused the trojan war.

Not a goddess, but Persian Queen Vashti en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vashti

Most Irish names are mythological e.g.

Niamh - Niamh cinn óirr - Niamh of the golden hair
Deirdre - Deirdre of the sorrows

Too many to go through here! My daughter Medb is named after the legendary Queen of Connaught (Maeve)

Definitely Medusa.

Actual real person not myth but Boudicea.

I love Minerva

Also Athena, Juno or Calliope.

Thank you for this. I love the essays too so don't worry! Hekate sounds fascinating. Quite a lot of people seem to be using Circe these days.

Ceres, athena, aphrodite, callisto

The furies: Alecto, Tisiphone, Megaera

Have you seen Helen McCrory in National Theatre's production of Medea? Spellbinding.

I was coming to say Medea, too.

Pandora?
Ariadne
Elektra

Also - Pella, not mythological - mother of Alexander the Great

Urgh! Birthplace not mother.

Freya ?

@FuckingHateRats no I haven't but I will be searching for it now as I have a child free night tonight. Thank you I am now well and truly sorted (once wine is bought obviously!!)

Daphne, the nymph, fleeing the unwanted attentions of Apollo. She sought the help of Gaea who turned her into a laurel tree. Apollo bedecked himself with laurel leaves which became his symbol.

Many Greek myths are fairly grisly, perhaps as a method of control. Enrage the Gods, unspeakable things will happen to you.

I LOVE mythology and teach it as often as I can. It's very telling in my Advanced Higher English class - I have one kid writing about The Song of Achilles and another writing about female characters in Euripides' tragedies.