Amalthea

The first name Amalthea has its roots in Greek mythology and is considered a Latinized variant of Amaltheia (Ἀμάλθεια). Translated, the name means 'the tender goddess' and in a freer form also 'the divine white goat.'

What does the name Amalthea mean?

Amalthea, a female first name, originates from Greek mythology and is a Latinized form of Amaltheia (Ἀμάλθεια). The name is directly translated as 'the tender goddess' but could also be interpreted as 'the divine white goat.' Its linguistic roots lie in the ancient Greek word malthásso (μαλθάσσω), which means 'to soften,' 'to make tender,' and 'to soothe.' In Greek mythology, Amalthea is either a nymph or the goat that nursed Zeus with goat's milk. Additionally, one of the inner moons of Jupiter bears this name. The pronunciation is Amal'te:a, with an alternative spelling being Amathea.

Where does the name Amalthea come from?

The name Amalthea has ancient Greek origins and means 'the tender goddess.' It is composed of the ancient Greek word malthásso (μαλθάσσω), which translates to 'to soften,' 'to make tender,' or 'to soothe.' The languages in which the name appears are English, Greek, and it has a Latinized form.

How do you pronounce Amalthea?

The sound structure of Amalthea is four syllables and very melodic. The name is primarily pronounced as 'A-mal-the-a' [a.malˈteːa], starting with an open 'a' sound. The combination '-lth-' adds a special tension to the sound and gives it depth. The open '-ea' at the end provides a gentle, flowing conclusion. Overall, Amalthea thus appears elegant, mythical, and expressive – a name with a complex structure and a flowing, almost poetic presence.

Popularity

In Germany, Amalthea is a rather rare first name. Currently, it ranks 5,884th on the list of the most common female first names. Its best ranking was in 2018, when it reached 4,078th place. In the last ten years, Amalthea has been given as a first name fewer than 10 times, placing it at 8,310th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 9,958th.

Nicknames & pet names

Ama / Amal / Thea

Famous people

• Amalthea (Astronomy) (moon of the planet Jupiter)
• Lady Amalthea (main character from the film 'The Last Unicorn')