Tanith

Tanith is a given name likely derived from the Phoenician goddess who was the chief deity of Carthage. Her exact name in Phoenician, Tinnit or Tanit, may have various interpretations, though its precise meaning remains unknown.

Etymology

The origins of Tanith are obscure, with some scholars linking it to the Phoenician root "tnn" meaning "serpent" or "dragon," while others suggest connections to the word "tnt," perhaps signifying "mourning" or a theophoric element. As a female given name, Tanith is largely a modern revival of the goddess's name, popularized through historical novels and fantasy literature.

Notable Bearers

Tanith is borne by fictional characters more than historical individuals. However, the goddess Tanit remains prominent in the study of Carthaginian religion, where she was depicted with crescent moon and star symbols. In modern times, Tanith has appeared in literature, such as in the Wheel of Time series, as well as in astronomy as the name of light bands on Saturn's moon Titan.

Cultural Significance

As the consort of Ba'al Hammon, Tanith was integral to Carthaginian religion, invoked in votive inscriptions as "Ba'al's face" (?). The sign of Tanit, a triangle with a circle above, appears widely in Punic archaeology. Variants of the name include Tanis and Tanit, both used occasionally for girls in modern English-speaking regions.

Related Variants

The name Tanit is a common alternative form, while Tanis, often associated with the Egyptian city, functions as a separate but phonetically similar name.

• Meaning: Unknown (Phonoeian goddess of Love, Fertility, Moon and Stars)
• Origin: Semitic (North African Punic)
• Type: Feminine given name (Modern, via Mythology)
• Usage regions: U.S., U.K., Commonwealth