DIANA. Latin grammarians offer the oldest and most commonly accepted etymology of the name of Diana. She is the female counterpart of Zeus/Deus, following the etymological chain: Deus, dius, Divus, Diovis, dies, duius, Diviana, Diana. Therefore, Diana is "the goddess," and she is often defined as such in inscriptions of the imperial era, which honor her as Dea Diana, Deana, or simply, Diana.

Varro (De lingua Latina 5.68), following the ancient texts of Epicharmus and Ennius, states that "the Moon (luna) takes her name from lucere (to illuminate) because it shines alone at night." For this reason it is called Noctiluca over the Palatinus, where her temple shines at night. Varro adds that lucere derives from luere (to undo, to dissolve), because light (lux) dissolves darkness; from lux derives Noctiluca (De lingua Latina 6.79). In her temple a lamp remained lit, illuminating the night. That rite is not Greek...