C
Feminine
Portuguese
Meaning & History
Cíntia is the Portuguese form of Cynthia. The name Cynthia originates as a Latinized form of the Greek Kynthia, meaning "woman from Cynthus." Cynthus is a mountain on the island of Delos, which in Greek mythology was the birthplace of the twin deities Artemis and Apollo. The epithet "Cynthia" was used for Artemis as the goddess of the moon, reflecting her association with that sacred site. During the Renaissance, the name began to be used as a given name in Europe, and it became especially popular in the English-speaking world in the 19th century, reaching its peak in the United States in 1957. In Portuguese-speaking countries, the adoption of the name followed European fashion trends, but it was adapted to the local spelling and phonetics as Cíntia. The name has also given rise to diminutives and variants, such as Cindy in English and French, and Cyndi as a playful respelling. A notable bearer is Cíntia Santos, a Brazilian former basketball player who won medals at the Olympic Games and the World Championship in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Cíntia Santos