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Meaning & History
Latinized form of the Greek name Φιλονίκη (Philonike), derived from φίλος (philos) meaning "friend, lover" and νίκη (nike) meaning "victory" (related to the Greek noun φιλονικία (philonikia) meaning "love of victory, rivalry" and the Greek verb φιλονικέω (philonikeo) meaning "to be fond of victory, to engage in rivalry"). This is the name of the protagonist of the fairy tale La Tiranie des Fées Détruite (The Tyranny of the Fairies Destroyed) by Madame d'Auneuil; Philonice is a princess kidnapped and held captive by fairies.