"tender goddess, nourishing one"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Amalthea
The goddess who nursed Zeus and created abundance
Greek
Roman
European
Mythological
Elegant
Whimsical
Literary
Unique
Meaning & Origin
"to nourish, to soothe"
Origin: Ancient Greek
Language: Greek
The Story of Amalthea
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.
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.
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
Latin
Amalthea
French
Amalthée
German
Amalthea
Italian
Amaltea
Spanish
Amaltea
Popularity Over Time
#25,573
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Amalthea
A
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #25,573
- Total SSA Count
- 6
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Roman European
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Thea
Amy
Mala
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, Greek heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, elegant style, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Greek)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Amalthea
What does the name Amalthea mean?
"tender goddess, nourishing one" (from Greek). "to nourish, to soothe" (from Ancient Greek). 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.
What is the origin of the name Amalthea?
Amalthea has Greek, Ancient Greek, Roman, and European origins. In Greek, it means "tender goddess, nourishing one". In Ancient Greek, it means "to nourish, to soothe".
Is Amalthea a boy or girl name?
Amalthea is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Amalthea?
Amalthea is currently ranked #25573 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Amalthea?
Common nicknames for Amalthea include Thea, Amy, and Mala.
What are good middle names for Amalthea?
Popular middle name pairings include Amalthea Rose, Amalthea Grace, Amalthea Jane, Amalthea Claire, Amalthea Wren, Amalthea Faye, and Amalthea Pearl.
What are good sibling names for Amalthea?
Names that pair well with Amalthea as siblings include Persephone, Calliope, Iris, Orion, Atlas, and Cassia.
How many syllables does Amalthea have?
Amalthea has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Amalthea a common or rare name?
Amalthea is an uncommon name, ranked #25573 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Amalthea
Amalthea is a girl name with Greek, Roman, and European origins . The name means "tender goddess, nourishing one" in Greek .
Amalthea is currently ranked #25,573 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Amalthea has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Amalthea include Thea, Amy, and Mala. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Amalthea include Amalia, Amal, Amalie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.