indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Gender Feminine
Usage Greek Mythology
Scripts Ἱλάειρα(Ancient Greek)
Other Forms FormsElaeira, Hilaera (Latinized), Hilaira, Hilaire (French), Ilaeira
Meaning & History
Means "softly-shining" in Greek (probably from ἱλαρός (hilaros) "cheerful, bright"; compare Hilarius). In Greek myth the sisters Hilaeira and Phoebe, commonly referred to as the Leucippides (being daughters of Leucippus of Mycenae), were carried off by Castor and Pollux, who were charmed by their beauty. This was also an epithet of the moon goddess Selene.