Cepheus is the Latinized form of the Greek Κηφεύς (Kepheus), a name of unknown meaning. In Greek mythology, Cepheus was a king of Ethiopia (or Eritrea, according to some sources) and the husband of the queen Cassiopeia. Together they were the parents of Andromeda. The myth surrounding Cepheus is closely tied to the famous story of Andromeda: after Cassiopeia boasted that her daughter was more beautiful than the Nereids, the sea god Poseidon sent a monster to ravage Ethiopia. To appease the god, Cepheus and Cassiopeia were forced to sacrifice Andromeda to the monster, but she was later rescued by the hero Perseus. Etymology The name is borrowed from Ancient Greek Κηφεύς, whose origin is obscure. Some scholars have suggested a possible Semitic origin, perhaps via association with the constellation's position in the sky, but no definitive etymology has been established. Mythological Role Cepheus appears in multiple contexts in Greek legend. Besides being the husband of Cassiopeia and father of Andromeda, he is also listed among the Argonauts—the band of heroes who sailed with Jason in search of the Golden Fleece. This connection links him to a different genealogy and set of exploits, indicating that there may have been two distinct mythological figures named Cepheus. Constellation and Astronomy After his death, Cepheus was placed among the stars as a constellation in the northern sky. The constellation Cepheus is circumpolar (visible year-round in northern latitudes) and lies between Draco and Cassiopeia. Its brightest star is Alderamin. In astronomy, the name Cepheus is also the basis for the astronomical terms Cephei (denoting stars in the constellation) and cepheid variable, a type of star used for measuring cosmic distances. Usage As a given name, Cepheus is rare but appears occasionally, often as a way to honor classical mythology or astronomy. The name Kepheus is a related variant. Meaning: Unknown; of unknown Greek origin Origin/Mythology: Greek myth: king of Ethiopia, husband of Cassiopeia, father of Andromeda; one of the Argonauts Usage: Greek, English-speaking countries