Menelaus is a figure from Greek mythology, best known as the king of Sparta and the husband of Helen. His name derives from the Greek Μενέλαος (Menelaos), which may be composed of μένω (meno) meaning "to stay, to last" or μένος (menos) meaning "mind, strength, force" combined with λαός (laos) meaning "people". Thus the name can be interpreted as "enduring the people" or "force of the people."