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Damiana

damiana
Damiana herb


Damiana (dah-mee-AH-nah) is a girl's baby name meaning "to tame" in Greek, making it the female version of Damian. It was given to 22 girls in 2016, and although it has been used since 1915, the most it was ever given was 33 times in a year, making it very rare. This is a little hard to believe considering the popularity of Damian, which currently sits pretty at #123, with Damien at #279. Damia (DAH-mee-uh) is another girl's option, except she was a Greek nature goddess - a "Hora," which meant a season personified. Damia is used a little bit more, given to 40 girls in 2016, but she's only been used since 1971. In Greek, Damia comes from da, "earth," and maia, "nursing mother." Damia was another name for the goddess Demeter.

Damia is a place in Jordan, the stage name of Marie-Louise Damien, and a 1992 novel by Anne McCaffrey.

Damiana is a plant, Turnera diffusa, with pretty yellow blooms. It is native to Texas, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. It is used in Mexican liqueur, and modern herbal remedies. Damiana Eugenio was a Filipino author known as the Mother of Philippine Folklore. Damiana Delana is an Italian footballer. This name is not uncommon in Italy, where it is pronounced dam-YAH-nah.

Saint Demiana is also sometimes spelled Saint Damiana, and even Dimyana or Damyana. She may have been the founder of the female monastic lifestyle. She lived during Diocletian's rule and wanted to preserve her chastity in her own home, living a devout life.
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