In Greek mythology, when Leto was pregnant with Artemis and Apollo, Hera forbade anyone on earth/ land from helping or sheltering her (she eventually found the floating island of Delos), which is her most prominent myth. I like to think of the name meaning "denied shelter by all on earth" and as overcoming that.
― Anonymous User 10/14/2023
1
I have seen this name being used for males in shows as well in real life. Please add this name as both masculine and feminine.
The meaning that’s given here seems to be outdated, but I don’t know what theories etymologists consider valid nowadays.The Aolic variant was Λάτων (Laton) and the Doric variants were Λατώ (Lato) and Λητόα (Letoa). The Latin version is Latona, from the Doric Lato. [noted -ed]
The usages of 'Literature' and 'Popular Culture' should also be added for this name, for it was the name of Leto Atreides I and his grandson Leto Atreides II from Frank Herbert's "Dune" novels. "Dune" was also made into a film in the '80s, which hopelessly flopped at the time but is now considered a cult film.Also note that the name Leto was not invented by the author himself for these characters from the "Dune" universe - the Greek origin as stated here in the database also applies to the name of these characters. You see, the Atreides family (which was founded by Vorian Atreides) is ultimately Greek in origin, so it makes sense for Frank Herbert to have used a name of genuine Greek origin, rather than for him to have invented a Greek-sounding name himself.
In the video game Dragon Age 2, the former slave Fenris, a male elf who lost his memory, finds out that his real name was Leto. Though it has masculine usage in this case, the meaning ("hidden, forgotten") fits.
I adore the name Leto for a little girl. It's so unique!
― Anonymous User 2/28/2011
2
I love Leto. I like how it’s got an almost masculine feel to it, but still has an almost girlish element. I also adore it’s meaning – “Hidden, forgotten” – for some reason, but it might be a little off-putting for a child… I’m tempted to giggle. I love how it has an almost futuristic feel, but it’s still so rooted in Ancient history, with so many fantastical tales to go with it. ^^
Elphaba in the Greek mythology was Leda the mother of the Dioscuri, Helena and Clytaemnestra. She was not a goddess, but maybe the author thought of this name.
In the book Dune, there is a baron named Leto. His son names his own son Leto after him.
― Anonymous User 12/5/2007
-1
Because I'm a big geek I must correct an earlier comment... The character from Dune was Duke Leto Atreides I and he was a good guy. The Baron to whom you refer is The Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, the bad guy.That being said Leto is on my top 5 boy name list.
― Anonymous User 2/24/2011
2
In the book Peaches, there's a character named Leeda whose name is based on the name of a goddess, and I think that this is the inspiration for it.