Lysithea is a feminine name of Greek origin, derived from the ancient Greek elements λύσις (lysis), meaning "a release, loosening," and θεά (thea), meaning "goddess." Thus, the name can be interpreted as "she who loosens" or "releasing goddess." In Greek mythology, Lysithea was one of several mortal women beloved by Zeus, the king of the gods. According to various mythological accounts, she bore Zeus a son, though details of her story are sparse. Etymology The name Lysithea is formed from the roots lysis (a poetic feminine form related to verbs of loosening or freeing) and thea (goddess). The primary meaning thus centers on a divinely associated release—perhaps a reference to childbirth (the loosening of the girdle) or to a more abstract liberation. The etymology is straightforward: Ancient Greek Λυσιθέα (Lusithéa) directly gives the English form. Cultural and Astronomical Significance In addition to her mythological role, Lysithea gives her name to one of Jupiter's moons. Discovered in 1938 by the American astronomer Seth B. Nicholson, the moon is part of the Carme group of retrograde irregular moons. The choice of the name follows a convention of naming Jupiter's smaller moons after lovers of Zeus (the Greek equivalent of Jupiter). Thus, the mythology of Lysithea is commemorated in the cosmos itself. As a given name, Lysithea is extremely rare in modern usage, even within Greece. Its appeal lies chiefly in classical associations and the poetic meaning of its elements. The variant Lysandra (with aner, "man") or the more common Dorothea (which shares the thea element) are more widely known. Meaning: "Releasing goddess" or "she who loosens" Origin: Greek Type: Given name (female) Usage: Rare, chiefly mythological reference