leda

Leda is a name with multiple notable uses in myth, astronomy, and contemporary culture. Its most enduring association is with Greek mythology.

In Greek myth, Leda is the queen of Sparta, wife of Tyndareus. She is most famous for an affair with Zeus, who appears to her in the form of a swan, an encounter that, in various traditions, produces the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, and often Helen and Clytemnestra as well. The tale exists in several variants and has been a popular subject in ancient art, literature, and later adaptations.

In astronomy, 249 Leda is a large main-belt asteroid named after the mythological figure. It was discovered in the late 19th century by Johann Palisa and is one of many celestial bodies bearing the names of figures from classical lore.

As a given name, Leda is used in various cultures and languages. It is typically feminine and may be chosen for its classical resonance or literary associations. The name appears across historical and contemporary contexts, including fictional characters and real individuals, reflecting its enduring presence in naming practices.

Overall, Leda remains a culturally rich term linking ancient myth, celestial naming traditions, and modern personal naming.