Etymology
Cicero in his De Natura Deorum derives the name of Dis Pater from dives, suggesting a meaning of "father of riches", directly corresponding to the name Pluto (from Greek Πλούτων, Ploutōn, meaning "wealthy"). Many of Cicero's etymological derivations are not to be taken seriously, and may indeed have been intended ironically. Nevertheless, this particular derivation of Cicero's has been accepted by some authors, some even suggesting that Dis Pater is a direct loan translation of Ploutōn.
Alternatively, he may be a secondary reflex of the same God as Jupiter (Proto-Indo-European Dyeus Ph₂ter).
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