Etymology

Identical to and derived from zë 'voice', with a sense development motivated by the main characteristic of these mythological figures. The term might have been contaminated with Latin Diāna (compare Asturian xana, Sardinian giàna, Romanian zână). Another hypothesis, given her characteristics of muse of heroes and warrior, is the relationship with Ἀθηνᾶ ‎(Athēnâ) (Mycenean a-ta-na) which, according to Beekes, has a Pre-Greek origin.