Asia

Asia originated as a Latin and Greek geographical name for the continent, itself likely borrowed from Akkadian or another ancient Near Eastern language, possibly connected to a Semitic root meaning east or sunrise. It came into use as a given name in the English-speaking world and in Italian and Polish contexts during the modern era, reflecting a broader fashion for place names and exotic geographical terms as personal names. The name shares its root with the ancient Greek figure Asia, a Titan or Oceanid in Greek mythology sometimes said to have given her name to the continent. Variant forms include Asya and Assia.