The name Cinthia originated from the ancient Greek language and is derived from the word "Kynthios," which was an epithet for the goddess Artemis, associated with the island of Delos and Mount Kynthos. This connection to Greek mythology and deities suggests the name's roots can be traced back to ancient Greece, around the 8th to 5th century BC.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cinthia can be found in the works of the Roman poet Propertius, who lived from around 50 BC to 15 BC. In his elegies, he referred to his beloved as Cynthia, likely a pseudonym inspired by the epithet of Artemis, the goddess of the moon.

During the Renaissance period, the name Cinthia gained popularity among poets and writers who drew inspiration from classical literature and mythology. One notable example is the Italian poet Battista Guarini, who wrote the pastoral tragicomedy "Il Pastor Fido" in 1590, featuring a character named Cinthia.

In the 17th century, the English poet and playwright Ben Jonson used the name Cynthia in his play "Cynthia's Revels," which was first performed in 1600. The play satirized the court of Queen Elizabeth I, with Cynthia representing the Virgin Queen herself.

Another famous figure associated with the name Cinthia was the Italian astronomer and philosopher Cinthia Hevelius, born in 1647. She assisted her husband, Johannes Hevelius, in his astronomical observations and contributed to the publication of his works, including the influential "Prodromus Astronomiae" in 1690.

In the 19th century, the name Cinthia appeared in the works of American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In his poem "The Evening Star," published in 1858, he personified the evening star as Cinthia, drawing from the classical association with the moon and Artemis.