Submitted Name Revision History

Latinized form of Greek Αρακυνθιας (Arakynthias), an epithet of the goddess Aphrodite meaning "of Arakynthos", Arakynthos or Aracynthus being a mountain upon which there was a temple dedicated to her. The place name itself may be derived from Greek ἀρά (ara) "prayer, vow, curse" (compare the second element in AMPHIARAOS) combined with Κύνθος (Kynthos), the name of a mountain on the island of Delos which was the legendary birthplace of the goddess Artemis and her twin brother Apollo (compare CYNTHIA).
Alternatively, Arakynthos may be derived in part from Greek ἄρακος (arakos) meaning "wild chickling vetch (a plant with edible seeds similar to peas)".