Candias is a unique and distinctive given name of Greek origin. Its meaning and history are deeply rooted in Greek mythology.
In Greek mythology, Candias is associated with the ancient city of Candaeus, which was located in Caria, a region in southwestern Turkey. The city was named after its founder, Candius, who was said to be the son of the god Poseidon and the nymph Cyane.
The name Candias itself is derived from the Greek word "kandos," which means "shining" or "gleaming." This suggests that the name may have been chosen to evoke images of brightness, radiance, or splendor. It could also be interpreted as a reference to the gleaming waters of the sea, given Poseidon's association with the ocean.
Throughout history, the name Candias has been relatively uncommon, but it has been used in various cultures and languages. In Greek, for instance, the name is written "Κανδίας" and is still used today, albeit rarely. In other languages, such as Latin and Italian, the name may be transcribed as "Candius," "Candias," or variations thereof.
In literature and art, Candias has occasionally appeared as a character or place name in works inspired by Greek mythology. For example, in the French poet Leconte de Lisle's collection of mythological poems, "Poèmes antiques," there is a piece entitled "Candia," which references the city of Candaeus.
Overall, Candias is a rare and intriguing given name with a rich history rooted in Greek mythology. Its meaning, "shining" or "gleaming," adds to its allure and makes it an attractive choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their child.
The name Candias has seen a varied pattern of usage over the years in the United States. Between 1981 and 1987, there were a total of 23 babies born with this unique name. The most popular year for the name was 1987, with 7 births recorded. This suggests that during this period, Candias was considered quite distinctive but not overly common. In fact, the years 1985 and 1986 saw the same number of births, with 5 occurrences each, indicating some consistency in its usage over time. Nevertheless, the name Candias remains relatively uncommon compared to more popular names during this era, as reflected by its total count of just 23 births throughout these seven years.