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Amaryllis (given name)

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La Complainte du berger (Daphnis et Amaryllis) by Arnold Böcklin

Amaryllis (/ˌæməˈrɪlɪs/; Ancient Greek: Ἀμαρυλλίς) is a female ancient Greek name and derives from the Ancient Greek verb amarýssō (ἀμαρύσσω), meaning "sparkle, shine".[1]

Origin

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The name appears in Ancient Greek and Roman literature. In Theocritus' Idylls, a goatherd sings a serenade outside the cave of the nymph Amaryllis.[2] Amaryllis was also the name of a heroine in Virgil's pastoral poem Eclogues.[3] The Amaryllis flower is named after her.

Amaryllis is not a very popular name in Greece, nor in other countries. It has been included in the Greek Orthodox calendar only recently, meaning there is a name day for Amaryllis, which is October 10.

References

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  1. ^ "Lexigram". Lexigram. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Theocritus, Idylls". loebclassics.com. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Virgil's Eclogues". virgil.org. Retrieved 29 December 2020.