Samos was called Partheneia (Virginity) and Imvrassia in the honor of the river where the goddess Hera was born. Thanks to its rich vegetation the island was also called Anthemis, Fillas, Kiparissia, Melamphilos, Drioussa, Dorissa, Stephani and Parthenoaroussa. The name Samos was given to the island due to its mountainous terrain and it originates from a prehellenic or Phoenician word that means high ground.