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Meaning & History
Latinized form of Kyniska. Cynisca was born c. 440 BC and was a Greek princess of Sparta. She became the first woman in history to win at the ancient Olympic Games. Said Cynisca was named after her grandfather Zeuxidamus, who was called Cyniscos, a byname meaning "puppy; puppy-dog" in Ancient Greek which gave Cynisca's name the meaning of "female puppy". It is possible that this name related to a specific kind of dog in Sparta, the female bloodhounds which were famous for their ability to find their quarries by their scent.