indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Meaning & History
Derived from Greek Πυθιος (Pythios), which is an epithet of the god Apollo. This epithet originated from his cult in the city of Πυθώ (Pytho), which is nowadays known as Delphi. The city's name is ultimately derived from the Greek verb πυθώ (putho) or (pytho) meaning "to rot, to decay". Also see Python and compare Pythias. It should also be noted that one source claims that this name is basically a short form of Pythagoras. Finally, a known bearer of this name was the Greek geographer and explorer Pytheas of Massalia, who lived in the 4th century BC.