Arethousa

Arethousa is the rare ancient Greek given name of a nymph from Greek mythology, meaning "quick water." It is a direct borrowing of the Greek Ἀρέθουσα (Arethousa), derived from the elements ἄρδω (ardo) meaning "water" and θοός (thoos) meaning "quick, nimble," hence "swift water." In mythology, Arethousa was a nymph who, fleeing the river god Alpheus, was transformed by Artemis into a fountain on the island of Ortygia (modern Syracuse).

Today, the name also refers to a village and former municipality in the Thessaloniki regional unit of Greece, as well as an administrative division of the Volvi municipality. Although it remains extremely rare as a personal name, its mythic resonance and distinctive sound appeal to parents seeking a name rooted in ancient Greek lore.

The English form of the name is Arethusa, via Latin. In Greek it also appears as a place name — the modern community of Arethousa, with an area of 57 km², recorded 564 inhabitants in the 2021 census.

• Meaning: quick water
• Origin: Greek, from the mythological nymph
• Usage: Greek name, rare as a given name