Hygieia
/haɪˈdʒiːə/noun
Hygieia is the ancient Greek personification and goddess of health, cleanliness, and disease prevention.
Did you know?Hygieia was traditionally the daughter of Asclepius, the god of medicine, and her name survives in modern words such as hygiene and hygienic.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European (reconstructed)
PIE
*sug-yés
“Possibly “healthy” or “good health”; this proposed connection is uncertain.”
Classical Greek
Greek
Ὑγίεια (Hygieia)
“Health; the personification of health and well-being.”
Classical Greek
Greek
ὑγιής (hugiēs)
“Healthy, sound, wholesome.”
Ancient Greek religious tradition
Greek
Hygieia
“A goddess associated with health, cleanliness, and prevention of illness.”
Roman period
Latin
Hygieia
“The Greek goddess’ name, retained in Latin medical and religious contexts.”
19th Century
English
Hygieia
“A learned English form used for the Greek goddess and in medical and classical writing.”