Penelope
/pəˈnɛl.ə.pi/noun
The wife of Odysseus in Greek legend, famed for her fidelity and cleverness.
Did you know?Penelope’s name is ancient and debated, but in Greek myth her famous weaving became a lasting symbol of delaying fate itself, as she unraveled by night what she wove by day.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Πηνελόπη (Pēnelópē)
“The legendary wife of Odysseus in Homeric tradition.”
Classical Antiquity
Greek
Πηνελόπεια (Pēnelópeia)
“A feminine personal name used in Greek literary and historical contexts.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
Penelope
“The Greek heroine’s name adopted into Latin literature.”
Middle English
English
Penelop(e)
“A learned borrowing used as a feminine proper name.”
Modern English
English
Penelope
“A female given name derived from the Greek mythological figure.”