Nymeria

Nymeria is a name that appears in the fictional world of A Song of Ice and Fire and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. It refers to at least two notable uses within that setting, connected primarily by a legendary historical figure and a contemporary animal character.

Nymeria, the Rhoynar queen, is a legendary figure in Dornish history. She led the Rhoynar refugees from their homeland near the Rhoyne to the land of Dorne, where she forged an alliance with House Martell. Her marriage to a Martell ruler helped establish the Dornish ruling dynasty and secure Rhoynar cultural influence within Dorne. Nymeria is remembered in Dornish lore as a foundational figure whose legacy shaped the region’s culture and governance. The name persists in the lineage associated with House Martell and in Dornish myth as a symbol of resilience and unity.

Nymeria, Arya Stark’s direwolf, is a prominent character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series and in Game of Thrones. The direwolf accompanies Arya as a loyal companion early in the story. She leaves Arya after a dangerous encounter and later appears in the wilderness, where she leads a pack and maintains a degree of independence. In both the books and the TV adaptation, Nymeria’s character embodies Arya’s traits of instinct, autonomy, and survival, and she remains a recurring reference point for Arya’s identity.

In both uses, the name Nymeria carries connotations of leadership, endurance, and connection to Dornish heritage within the broader fantasy universe.