Amalthea

Origin & Etymology

Amalthea comes from ancient Greek mythology, possibly derived from the word amaltheia meaning to nourish or soothe. She was the divine goat (or goat-nymph) who suckled the infant Zeus on the island of Crete, hiding him from his father Cronus. Her broken horn became the Cornucopia, the eternal horn of plenty — a symbol of abundance that endures to this day.

Popularity Story

Amalthea remains rare but beloved among mythology enthusiasts and fantasy fans, particularly after appearing as the name of the unicorn in the 1982 animated film The Last Unicorn, which gave it an otherworldly, magical quality.

Cultural Significance

In Greek mythology, Amalthea holds a sacred role as the nurturing force that protected and nourished the king of the gods. The moon of Jupiter shares her name, honoring this celestial resonance.

Fun Facts

• A moon of Jupiter is named Amalthea
• The Cornucopia symbol originates from Amalthea’s broken horn in Greek myth
• Amalthea appears as the white unicorn in the beloved 1982 animated film The Last Unicorn

Amalthea in Other Languages