Latinized form of Greek
Πολυξενη (Polyxene) which was from the word
πολυξενος (polyxenos) meaning "entertaining many guests, very hospitable", itself derived from
πολυς (polys) "many" and
ξενος (xenos) "foreigner, guest". In Greek legend she was a daughter of
Priam and
Hecuba, beloved by
Achilles. After the Trojan War, Achilles' son
Neoptolemus sacrificed her.