(Παλλάς), a surname of Athena. In Homer this name always appears united with the name Athena, as Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη or Παλλὰς Ἀθηναίν ; but in later writers we also find Pallas alone instead of Athena. (Pind. O. 5.21.) Plato (Cratyl. p. 406) derives the surname from πάλλειν, to brandish, in reference to the goddess brandishing the spear or aegis, whereas Apollodorus (1.6.2) derives it from the giant Pallas, who was slain by Athena. But it is more probable that Pallas is the same word as πάλλαξ, i. e. a virgin or maiden. (Comp. Tzetz. ad Lyc. 355.) Another female Pallas, described as a daughter of Triton, is mentioned under PALLADIUM.
[L.S].A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology
Smith, William
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890