Niobe was the daughter of the Lydian king Tantalus and Dione, with another Niobe being the first woman - the daughter of
Phoroneus (who was the first man). Her name can be derived either from neos, 'young', so that she is really 'Neobe', or from nipha (Latin nivis), 'snow'. In the latter case the 'b' of her name equals the V in Latin nivis or the ph in Greek nipha. As 'snowy', her name is complimentary (like that of Snow
White who was a beautiful maiden - compare Chione).
