Medicine Inspired Dog Names

In Greek mythology, many of the gods and goddesses held multiple titles and were known for any number of things given the vast amount of material written about them. Because of it, very few had an identity that centered on one element, but yet many of them were known for their most distinct characteristics. 

While the Greeks had at least 15 gods and goddesses who were associated with healing, medicine and overall health, only one was strongly associated with dogs as well: Artemis. Thanks to varied accounts, her story arc is not always the most clear, but she did retain a few features throughout. First, she was known to be the protector of women, able to relieve them from disease, watch over them during childbirth, and at times, even act as a healer. Second, she was revered as one of the greater hunters around, most often depicted with her bow, arrows, and more importantly for our purposes, her slew of dogs. 

One of the most characteristic stories from her background is how she came to cement her dog-loving identity. As told by Callimachus, Artemis’ story begins in her youth, much of which she spent seeking out the tools and skills that would allow her to be an exceptional huntress. After first attaining her famous bow and arrows, she went to visit Pan, the god of the forest, who, to help her on her journey, offered her a pack of dogs — two black-and-white, three with red coats and one spotted (along with seven females), so courageous and determined they were even able to hunt lions. With them, she captured six golden-horned deer to pull her chariot. 

But the influence of her dogs extended far beyond her own story, though the details are never fully clear since different accounts provide different versions of the story. One in particular, however, was the story of Actaeon, whom Artemis supposedly turned into a stag for one of his more severe transgressions. Not knowing this was to be his ultimate penalty, her dogs were said to have killed him, though other accounts also claim it was his own pack of hounds that turned on him after not recognizing their master. Several other stories provide similar insight into the way she supposedly employed her dogs throughout her journeys but due to lost and incomplete writings, hold far less recognition in Greek mythology compared to those that so significantly shaped the paths and lives of others.