Artemis
/ˈɑːr.tə.mɪs/noun
In Greek mythology, the virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, childbirth, and the moon.
Did you know?Unlike words with clear “dark” literal roots, Artemis is a pre-Greek divine name whose origin is obscure, which is exactly why it feels so old and untouchable in the historical record.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἄρτεμις
“The name of the goddess Artemis, associated with hunting, wild animals, childbirth, and the moon.”
Classical Antiquity
Greek
Ἀρτέμιδ-
“Inflected forms of the goddess’s name used in Greek texts and inscriptions.”
Latin
Latin
Artemis
“The goddess’s name borrowed into Latin literature and scholarship.”
Middle English
English
Artemis
“The Greek goddess, known through classical learning and translation.”
Modern English
English
Artemis
“The standard English form of the Greek goddess’s name.”