Most ancient etymologists derived Rhea ('Ρέα) by metathesis from έρα "ground",[1] although a tradition embodied in Plato[2] and in Chrysippus[3] connected the word with ῥέω (rheo), "flow", "discharge",[4] which is what LSJ supports.[5] Alternatively, the name Rhea may be connected with words for the pomegranate, ῥόα, later ῥοιά.
The name Rhea may ultimately derive from a pre-Greek or Minoan source.[6][7][8]
The name of the bird species rhea is derived from the goddess name Rhea.[9]
The second largest moon of the planet Saturn is named after her.