# Cyrene

> English word · Proper noun · IPA /saɪˈɹiːni/ · frequency rank #82,207

## Definitions
1. A Thessalian princess and huntress demigod, companion of Artemis and lover of Apollo.
2. A former city near Shahhat, Libya.

## Etymology
From Latin Cȳrēnē, from Ancient Greek Κυρήνη (Kurḗnē), of uncertain origin. Classical sources considered the Thessalian demigod the etymon for the Libyan city. Modern scholars variously derive the name from the Libyan spring Κύρα (Kúra) or, noting the myth attested before the spring or city, consider an existing Proto-Berber name to have been conflated with the Thessalian myths by early Greek colonists.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/cyrene