Menoetius

Menoetius may well have a name that means exactly the same as that of Menoetes ('defying fate'), but we have greater options here, if only because there were several of the same name. The two best known were the Titan who was the son of Iapetus and Clymene, and the Menoetius who was the father of Patroclus and himself the son of Actor and Aegina.

The giant Menoetius was killed by a lightning strike from Zeus 'because of his savage insolence and overbearing boldness', as Hesiod tells us in his Theogony. Although 'defying fate' could be suitable here, perhaps 'doomed strength' might be more apt in view of the giant's sudden loss of power.

This would give his name an origin in menos, 'strength' and oitos, 'doom'. Thomas Keightley also suggests a possible derivation from menein ton oiton for the 'defying fate' interpretation, these words literally meaning 'to await death' and referring to man's mortality.