Ancient Greek origin
Source-reportedFrom Ancient Greek Παλλάς (Pallás) (f.) or Πάλλας (Pállas) (m.), from πάλλω (pállō, “to poise, sway, or swing”), but explained here by the ancients as more specifically meaning to brandish something. In Athena's conventional iconography, she was often depicted with a spear or a shield. Thus the epithet was explained as referring to her brandishing these things.
Sources for this account (3)
- Wiktionary: PallasCC-BY-SA-4.0 · retrieved 2026-10-15
- Greek Wiktionary: PallasCC-BY-SA-4.0 · retrieved 2026-10-15
- Russian Wiktionary: PallasCC-BY-SA-4.0 · retrieved 2026-10-14

