Clymene Name Meaning & Details

Clymene holds significant cultural importance in Greek mythology as one of the Oceanids, the 3,000 daughters of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys. Her name, meaning 'famous' or 'renowned,' reflects her role as a symbol of fame and glory in ancient Greek culture. As both a Titan goddess and a recurring name among mythological figures, Clymene represents the interconnectedness of the divine and mortal realms. Her most prominent role appears in the Phaethon myth, where as the mother of Phaethon and wife of Helios, she reveals the boy's divine parentage, setting in motion one of Greek mythology's most tragic tales. This story has been retold for centuries, from Ovid's Metamorphoses to modern adaptations, cementing Clymene's place in Western cultural heritage.

The name's cultural significance extends beyond mythology into broader Western literary tradition. During the Renaissance, Clymene reappeared in various artistic and literary works as classical themes experienced revival. Her character embodies important cultural values including maternal devotion, the pursuit of truth, and the consequences of divine knowledge in mortal hands. The multiple mythological figures named Clymene demonstrate how the ancient Greeks reused significant names across different stories, creating a web of cultural references that enriched their mythological landscape. This practice shows how names carried specific symbolic weight in Greek culture, with Clymene consistently associated with fame, revelation, and important lineage.