Eostre
/ˈjoʊ.strə/noun
An ancient Germanic goddess of spring and fertility, often associated with the dawn.
Did you know?Eostre's name is linked to the Old English word 'ēast', meaning 'east', symbolizing the direction of dawn and new beginnings.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*austra
“dawn, shining”
Old English
OE
ēastre
“spring festival; a celebration of the vernal equinox”
Old High German
OHG
ōstar
“spring; associated with dawn and fertility”
Middle English
ME
Eostre
“the name of a pagan spring festival and its goddess”
Modern English
English
Easter
“the Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, named after the goddess Eostre.”