Polina is a feminine given name with roots in the Greek and Latin languages. It is most widely used in Eastern Slavic cultures such as Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. It is sometimes a short form of the name Apollinariya, a feminine form of the ancient Greek name Apollinaris, a name derived from the Greek god Apollo. In Greek mythology Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin of Artemis. He was the god of prophecy, medicine, music, art, law, beauty, and wisdom. Later he also became the god of the sun and light. Apollinaris is the name of several ancient Christian saints. Saint Apollonia was an early Christian martyr venerated in the Catholic Church and the patron saint of dentists and those battling problems with their teeth. The Life of Saint Apolinaria involves a holy woman and ascetic living as a male monk. She is venerated especially in Eastern Orthodox churches.