Etymology Alcyone is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ἀλκυόνη (Alkyone), derived from the word ἀλκυών (alkyon), meaning "kingfisher". The origin of alkyon itself is uncertain; it is considered to be of pre-Greek, non-Indo-European origin. Ancient folk etymology, however, connected it to hals ("sea") and kyeo ("to conceive"), which led to the variant spelling with a rough breathing mark, ἁλκυών (halkyon), and ultimately to the Latin form Halcyone or Halkyone, whence the English term "halcyon". Mythology In Greek myth, Alcyone was the daughter of Ceyx. The couple's hubris angered Zeus; while sailing to consult an oracle, Ceyx was killed in a shipwreck. Grieving, Alcyone threw herself into the sea, but the gods took pity and transformed them both into kingfishers, allowing them to nest on calm seas. The phrase "halcyon days" derives from this myth, referring to a period of peace and tranquility. Alcyone is also the name of the brightest star in the