Date
Meaning & History
Latinized form of Greek Σκύλαξ (Skylax). This is most likely an authentic Greek name, even though the one known bearer - Scylax of Caryanda - was of Carian descent and thus might have had a hellenized name. If indeed a hellenized Carian name, then the name's original Carian form and meaning are unknown. It is also worth noting that the book "The Carian Language" by Ignacio-Javier Adiego Lajara, which contains a good number of both original and hellenized Carian personal names, does not at all mention the name Scylax. For Scylax as an authentic Greek name, there is fortunately more to say. The name would then most likely have been derived from Greek σκύλαξ (skylax) meaning "young dog, puppy", which is ultimately derived from Greek σκύλος (skylos) "skin, hide" (only in modern-day Greek does skylos actually mean "dog"). Also compare Greek σκυλεύω (skyleuo) which can mean "to strip" as well as "to get the spoils of war".