Herse was the daughter of Cecrops and Aglaurus who bore Cephalus to Hermes (without being married to him). Her name is the standard word for 'dew' (herse), and this is simply an agreeable name, although perhaps also a propitious one if dew is regarded as heralding a fine day. (There may also be a suggestion of '
moon gift', since the moon was held to produce dew.) Compare the name of
Pandrosus.
