Juturna (also spelled Iuturna) is an ancient Roman name of uncertain etymology, derived from the Latin goddess Juturna, the deity of fountains, wells, and springs. She was associated with fresh water and healing, and her cult was particularly prominent in Latium, where she had temples in Rome and Lavinium, and a sacred well in the Roman Forum known as the Lacus Juturnae. According to the Roman poet Virgil in the Aeneid, Juturna was a water nymph and the sister of the Rutulian king Turnus, who fought Aeneas. The name possibly shares a root with the Latin diuturnus ('lasting, enduring'), but its precise meaning remains obscure. Mythology Juturna was originally an ancient Latin goddess of fountains, worshipped as a protective spirit of springs and water sources. Some myths recount that Jupiter transformed her into a naiad (a water nymph) and granted her sacred wells at Lavinium and near the Temple of Vesta in the Roman Forum. Her powers extended beyond a single water source, reflecting her historical significance. In Roman legend, she was a nurturing figure whose freshwater provided health and refreshment. Her most famous shrine in Rome, the Lacus Juturnae, was a pool beside which Roman soldiers would reportedly stop to drink. Notable Bearers While Juturna has not been a common given name throughout history, it appears occasionally in literature and art inspired by classical themes. Unlike many Roman divine names that were adopted into wider use, Juturna remains rare. However, it functions as a contemporary female personal name in English-speaking countries, rarely chosen but occasionally noted for its mythological resonance. The name gained some modern presence through the American rock band Circa Survive's 2005 album Juturna, which took its title from a water feature mentioned in Roman history. Cultural Significance Juturna exemplifies the Roman tradition of personifying natural phenomena—especially life-sustaining water—as divine female figures capable of benevolence or retribution. Her cult highlights the intimate relationship between Roman religious practice and daily life: recognizing sacred wellsprings ensured community access to potable water. In art, she is typically depicted with an overturned urn from which fresh water flows, sometimes accompanied by her brother in the visual descriptions of the Trojan War. The minor goddess’s presence in Virgil’s epic underscores the blending of local Italian cults imported from the eastern Mediterranean with existing Roman narratives. Even today, tourists visiting the Roman Forum are drawn to the Flavi Palace’s fountain and to the Site of Juturna’s pond marking fresh-water sources at this central location. Forms and Variants Juturna (Classical Latin) Iuturna (Medieval/Late Latin variant) Meaning: Unknown, possibly derived from Latin diuturnus meaning 'long-lasting, enduring' Origin: Roman divine name Type: Rare given name (feminine) Main Usage: English-speaking regions (modern)