Filomena

This name derives from the Ancient Greek “philouménē (φιλουμένη),” composed of two elements: “phílos ‎(φίλος)” (beloved, dear, loving, friendly) plus “ménos ‎(μένος)” (mind, desire, ardor, wish, courage, spirit, vigor). In turn, the name means “friend of the strength, the spirit, and vigor of friends.” Saint Philomena (291–304) was, as believed by her devotees within the Catholic Church, a young virgin martyr whose remains were discovered in 1802 in the Catacombs of Priscilla. The name was later confused with another similar name, “Philomela.” The latter, in Greek Filomíla (Φιλομήλα), means “friend of the song.”