In Homer's Illiad, the name of the city is mentioned as Adana. For a short while during the Hellenistic era, the city was known as Ἀντιόχεια τῆς Κιλικίας () and as Ἀντιόχεια ἡ πρὸς Σάρον (). On some cuneiforms, the city name was mentioned as Quwê, and as "Coa" in some other sources which could be the place Solomon had obtained his horses as per Bible (I Kings 10:28; II Chronicles 1:16). Under the Armenian rule, the city was known as Ատանա (Atana) or Ադանա (Adana). An ancient Greco-Roman legend mentions that the name of Adana originates from "Adanus", the son of the Greek god Uranus, who founded the city next to the river with his brother. His brother's name, "Sarus", was given to the river. An older legend, in Accadian, Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian and Hittite mythologies, originates the city's name to the Storm and rain god Adad who lived in the surrounding forests. There are Hittite manuscripts that were founded in the region regarding this legend. The legend had survived as the Storm and rain god continued to create rain and abundance. The locals had great admiration towards the God and called the region "Uru Adaniyya" (English: Adana region) in his honour. The city inhabitants were called Danuna.