There are several interpretations as to who was responsible for Io having been transformed into a cow prior to eventually regaining human form. The three versions link the transformation as the result of Zeus, another Hera, and another, it being Io who turns herself into a cow to hide, as given she's the moon, the moon transforms.It is said that the transformation is symbolic of the fact that cows were very important symbols in many ancient religions (and are still sacred to Hindus today). Many ancient societies were completely dependent on cattle and started thinking of bovines as completely divine. More specifically, cows were often the symbols and sacred animals of mother goddesses like Hera. So, as one version goes, Zeus turns Io into a heifer to try to appease Hera with an animal that's sacred to and symbolic of her. On a larger symbolic level, having been received in Egypt by Isis (a major goddess whose reverence in ancient Egypt spread throughout the Graeco-Roman world) and the river-god Nile, Io too is seen as a mother goddess.In many human cultures, cows symbolize fertility, generosity, motherhood, the origins of life, and are related to serenity.
Automeris Io, the Io moth (or peacock moth), is a beautiful North American moth. Aglais Io (the European peacock), is a colourful butterfly found in Europe and temperate Asia. Previously classified as Inachis Io, and formerly classified as the only member of the genus Inachis, Aglais Io is now generally accepted as the scientific name (of the peacock butterfly), but the terms are synonymous. The name derives from Greek mythology, meaning Io, the daughter of Inachus. Within the twists and various endings to this tale, in one of which the large eyes of the cow, Io, became the eyes in the peacock's tail feathers.
85 Io is a main belt asteroid discovered by C.H.F. Peters on September 19, 1865, also named for Io of Greek mythology. With a two-digit number and a two-letter name, 85 Io has the shortest designation of all minor planets.
Beautiful if pronounced the same as the letters (I-O), but I don't like ee-aw. That's too much like "Eeyore." I think it would be hard to have this name because when your name is written in sans serif typography, some people will think it's "Lo". But it's a very cool name, nevertheless.
The story of Io, written during the period between the Aegean Late Bronze Age in Greece (1750-1100 BCE), is one of the oldest surviving tales of Greek mythology, predating the famous works of Homer, who would often reference Io. The ancients connected Io with the moon. Ιω, transliteration Iô, means "moon" (ιω (iô) in Argive dialect), from which the name for one of the moons of Jupiter (also known as Jupiter 1) was inspired. Io, a naiad nymph, is the daughter of Inachus (Latin) (Greek Ínakhos), the river god of Argos, and Melia, the Oceanid nymph. Inachus was a powerful water god named by some as the first king of Argos, and so, the same people gave Io the title of princess of Argos. Ancient Greek writers, especially, Aeschylus, trace Io as the foremost inspiration for the name of the Ionian Sea. The name Ionian comes from the Greek word Ionion (Ἰόνιον). In ancient Greek the adjective Ionios (Ἰόνιος) was used as an epithet for the sea because Io swam across it.Io became the muse for Roman poet Ovid (43 BCE-17 CE) in "Metamorphoses", a Latin narrative poem from 8 CE, that in simultaneously drawing on and revolutionizing Graeco-Roman traditions about the origins of the mourning voice, conveys the myth of a beautiful princess Io, seduced by the god Jove (the Roman name for Zeus), the god of sky and thunder, in the form of a cloud. The British anglicized Jove to Jupiter.Io "the wanderer" is generally explained as a moon-goddess wandering in the starry heavens, symbolized by Argus of the hundred eyes. Her heifer’s horns are said to represent the shape of the crescent moon, as well as connecting her namesake to the cycle of the natural world.Io is described as a heroine because she represents transformation, suffering, loss, and the fortitude and triumph in overcoming.
Io of Ovid’s Metamorphoses (8 CE) is of Graeco-Roman origin. From Latin (Īō) EE-o, and Classical Greek Ἰώ (Īṓ) EE-AW.The etymology for Ἰώ is Pre-Greek. From Ιω (Iô) EE-o. Consisting of the unknown Pre-Indo-European language(s) spoken in prehistoric Greece before the advent of the Proto-Greek language in the Greek peninsula during the Bronze Age.In Greece, during the Classical Period (5th BCE Attic), it took the pronunciation IPA: /iː.ɔ̌ː/ EE-AW; today, specifically used within the contexts of Classical Greek literature. From 1 CE-15 CE, throughout the Greek peninsula, eventually taking on the pronunciation IPA: /iˈo/ EE-o. Its decendants are Greek Ιώ (Īó), pronounced ee-O, and Latin Io (Īō), pronounced EE-o.Modern Greek, which, as pronounced by people in Greece, has two spellings and pronunciations, either Ιω (EE-o) or Ιώ (ee-O).In Ancient Greek, the ω (omega) vowel is pronounced [o], exactly like omicron. (The reason for the redundancy is to be found in Classic Greek). Long open mid-back [o], as in “law” (British English pronunciation, NOT American English pronunciation).In Classical Greek, omicron (ο) represented a short /o/ sound, while omega (ω) represented a long /ɔː / sound. By second century BCE, the length distinction was lost in pronunciation, and the two letters came to be pronounced identically. Therefore, in Classical Greek, ⟨ω⟩ represented [ɔː]; in Modern Greek, ⟨ο, ω⟩ represent [o].Pronouncing 'Omicron': 'AH-muh-cron' or 'Oh-MY-cr…: https://youtu.be/8VUUnz20X94As Carl Sagan, American astronomer and science communicator put it, "the word is of Eastern Mediterranean origin and pronounced as the people of the Mediterranean first said the name (EE-o)". In all Mediterranean and European languages, depending on the language, the name for the Greek naiad nymph, Argive princess, moon-goddess, heroine, and moon of Jupiter is pronounced both EE-o and/or ee-O; with the exception of English, its official pronunciations and that of the moon of Jupiter are EE-o and the British translation EI-o.
I just love the name Io. Since coming across it many years ago, it's been my favourite name for a girl and there are several reasons.There are certain names I agree are, but contrary to a couple comments, this particular name doesn't resonate as too minimalist with me, yet the fact it is, is partially what I adore about it, which leads to my next point.Regardless if two letters, if a name was / is an existing word that holds an essential meaning, or an historical classic, and linguistically appealing, then I don't consider it too minimalist but just right, and qualifies as a bonafied given name. Whereas not, if neither apply.I have eclectic tastes but hold a particular fascination and preference for all things Zen, and truly, how Zen is Io?! :)...So I actually really like the fact it's minimalist in a simple, subtle and intriguing way. I'm of Italian heritage, and when having first encountered the name Io, the thing that intrigued me most was that in the Italian language, 'Io' (lowercase) is also the word / translation for the English personal pronoun 'I', giving it an intrinsically rudimentary quality, further emphasised by it being a two-vowel, two-syllable name.The meaning of a name isn't always relevant to me. Yet along with its history as one of the oldest tales and names, what I appreciate about Io, is its similarity to the word 'ion', an atom molecule...the root of all life and tiniest of all molecules, from which all other molecules and everything else begin.Io was a naiad - a freshwater nymph. Water, a transparent, tasteless, odorless substance, and most important liquid in our ecosystem is the source of all life. In other words, it is life. Ion and water - both further compliment Io's minimalist, Zen factor.In sum, Io evokes a basic yet sophisticated quality. The modern-day Greek, English and European pronunciations are all charming, but personally prefer the Italian pronunciation EE-o. A variation of Italian Io, could be Iò, pronounced ee-O, which is also lovely.The name of the town I specifically share my roots with happens to be a derivation of the Ionian Sea that it borders, for which it, is specifically named after the mythological naiad nymph. Either way, Io is simply beautiful!
This came from the story in which Zeus fell in love with a girl named Io. He turned her into a cow so that Hera wouldn’t figure out their relationship.
Love the name Io. My daughter is called Io. However, as I thought it would lead to a lot of questions and jokes, I decided to give her the name as a middle name - Rebecca Io. This way I can call her Io if and when I want, but without us, and later her, having to bear all the jokes (old McDonald had a farm...), or having to confirm that yes, Io is a name.
I am in love with this name and hope to use it on a future girl. When referring to the moon of Jupiter, it is commonly pronounced EYE-oh in English. I find that to be the most attractive pronunciation.
This is a pretty name, and would be cool as a nickname too, but don't name one child Io and the other Christianiannabellasabellaroselyn (you get what I mean). It would be cute to have Io and Ana as sisters or Io and Chloe.
― Anonymous User 11/23/2015
1
Old McDonald has a farm E, I, E, I, O.
― Anonymous User 10/1/2014
-3
My mom's best friend is named Io. She pronounces it EE-Oh. She has talked about the fact that she was teased because oh the song "Bingo" and there being Io in it or something. It suits her well. And her mother's Greek.
In English, the name is pronounced EYE-Oh, at least the moon of Jupiter is pronounced this way. I think it is beautiful, but only when pronounced like this.
Yes, Zeus did change Io into a cow, and Hera sent a fly to follow her all over the world, but I believe she was eventually turned back into a human, and Hercules (Herakles in Greek) descended from her about 11 generations later.
― Anonymous User 7/7/2010
0
I first heard about this name when I watched the remake of "Clash of the Titans". Io is a unique name, and I will certainly use this for a daughter.
Io (Ιώ), pronounced EE-Oh, was a mythological figure. She was a priestess of Era (Hera in English) in Argos. Zeus seduced the young woman and afterward turned her into a young virgin cow (heifer), to help her escape Hera's rage of jealousy. Unfortunately Hera did found her and captured her. She set a guard for Io, a very frightful Giant, a monster called Argos (were the area got it's name from). Argos had 100 eyes all over his body and was a sleepless guard because when half his eyes were closing for sleep the other half stayed open. He was the one that slayed another mythological monster, Echidna.Hermes, after Zeus's order, dressed up as a shepherd and by playing his music instrument lira he made Argos fall completely asleep and killed him, setting Io free. Hera however send Io a gadfly to sting her all over the world until she jumped in the sea. The Ionian sea was named after her.Io is the innermost of the four Galilean moons of the planet Jupiter.Antonio da Correggio's 1530 painting "Jupiter and Io" represents the love affair. Io (Ηώ or Εώ, or Αυγή in modern Greek) is another mythological figure, she was the goddess Dawn in English or Aurora in Latin. She was the beautiful daughter of Titans and her job was to open the gates of the sky for God Sun (Helios / Ήλιος, and not Apollo as many say) to come out with his chariot. She was wearing a dress the colour of saffron or krokus, and had rosy finger. She was spraying morning dew on earth.
I agree with most your comment :), except for Io being another Greek mytholigical figure, known as the goddess dawn. Depending on the Greek dialect, the goddess of the dawn has four different spellings, transliterations and pronunciations. All also lovely, but neither of which is spelled or pronounced as mythological Io. The closest version is the Ionic and Homeric dialect Ἠώς (Ēṓs), transliterated to Iós, pronounced ee-OS. In English, it is the most recognised version but spelled Eos.
When I first heard this name, I did immediately think of I.O.U., or that I owed somebody something. But this is one of those names that grows on you. It's only two vowels, but they do carry an impact--you don't forget meeting a girl/woman named Io. Therefore, I don't think it's too short. In fact, I would seriously consider using this name.
In a way, this is a cool name: only two letters, yet it's technically two syllables, and it looks cool, kind of like number 10. But it is a bit minimalist for my taste. However, it sounds pretty cool pronounced ''IE-o'', whereas the pronunciation ''EE-o'' strikes me as absolutely atrocious and reminds me of horses and annoying children's songs from several decades back for some reason. Please make sure you pronounce it ''IE-o'' if you use it, at least that way it sounds like the awesome names Iona and Ione.
After Zeus changed Io into a heifer, Hera saw her and sent a gadfly to chase her out of Greece. She fled across the Mediterranean to Egypt, where she arrived on the sand from the ocean. The Egyptians thought she was divine, so they worshipped her. After a while, Hera forgave her and turned her back into a girl, and the son she had became the first Egyptian Pharaoh.
It is said that the transformation is symbolic of the fact that cows were very important symbols in many ancient religions (and are still sacred to Hindus today). Many ancient societies were completely dependent on cattle and started thinking of bovines as completely divine. More specifically, cows were often the symbols and sacred animals of mother goddesses like Hera. So, as one version goes, Zeus turns Io into a heifer to try to appease Hera with an animal that's sacred to and symbolic of her. On a larger symbolic level, having been received in Egypt by Isis (a major goddess whose reverence in ancient Egypt spread throughout the Graeco-Roman world) and the river-god Nile, Io too is seen as a mother goddess.
In many human cultures, cows symbolize fertility, generosity, motherhood, the origins of life, and are related to serenity.