[Petronski]

Yeah, but Easter sounds like Ishtar and that proves....[splat]

[AnAmericanMother]

The Venerable Bede says the name comes from the British pagan goddess Eostre.

I didn't believe it til I read it for myself.

"Eosturmonath [April] has a name which is now translated "Paschal month", and which was once called after a goddess of theirs named Eostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month. Now they designate that Paschal season by her name, calling the joys of the new rite by the time-honoured name of the old observance."

- Bede, de ratione Temporum

Wouldn't be the first time the Church happily incorporated (and subdued) the local pagans.