Amyntas (Ancient Greek: Ἀμύντας) is a male given name, a variation of ἀμύντης (amyntes),[1][2] derived from Greek: ἀμύντωρ (amyntor, 'defender, helper'),[3] and ultimately from ἀμύνω 'to ward off, to defend'.[4] It was particularly widespread in ancient Macedon, and was given to several prominent ancient Macedonian and Hellenistic figures. It later became a stock name for lovelorn shepherds in 16th-century pastoral literature.[5]