The name "Hera" means "lady" or "mistress." It is the name of the chief goddess in Greek mythology. Hera was the wife of the chief god Zeus (and his sister too: they were said to be the children of the original gods Cronos and Rhea.)
However, the cult of Hera (which was especially strong in Crete, an ancient matriarchy) is probably older than classical Greek mythology; she may be a version of an even older "mother goddess" figure, possibly from the Peloponnese. Certainly, in the myths Hera is a very prominent figure, always quarrelling with her husband and often taking sides against him.
As a name for girls Hera is quite rare. There is another form, Hero, which has a similar meaning and is found in Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing." However, this form is also very rare.
However, the cult of Hera (which was especially strong in Crete, an ancient matriarchy) is probably older than classical Greek mythology; she may be a version of an even older "mother goddess" figure, possibly from the Peloponnese. Certainly, in the myths Hera is a very prominent figure, always quarrelling with her husband and often taking sides against him.
As a name for girls Hera is quite rare. There is another form, Hero, which has a similar meaning and is found in Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing." However, this form is also very rare.
