indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Gender Feminine
Usage Ancient Greek
Scripts Κυνίσκα(Ancient Greek)
Other Forms FormsLatinized form: Cynisca
Meaning & History
From κυνίσκα (kyniska), the Aeolic and Doric Greek form of the noun κυνίσκη (kyniske) meaning "female puppy", itself from κύων (kyon) "dog" (genitive κυνός (kynos)). This was the name of a 5th-century BC Spartan princess, the granddaughter of Zeuxidamus, whose nickname had been Κυνίσκος (Kyniskos) "puppy" (metaphorically "a little cynic"). Kyniska or Cynisca is famous for being the first woman to win at the Olympic Games, competing in the sport of chariot racing.