The name Ichthys originates from the greek word for fish: IXΘYΣ

This symbol of the profile of a fish was used by early Christians as a secret symbol between early Christians. This symbol is now known informally as the "Jesus fish" or the "sign of the fish."

Symbol meaning:

I : Iota, the first letter of IXΘYΣ (Ichthys), is Greek for Jesus

X : Chi, stands for Christ

Θ? : Theta, Greek for God's

Y : Upsilon, Greek for Son

Σ : Sigma, Greek for Savior

Ichthys = IXΘYΣ = Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior

According to tradition, ancient Christians, during their persecution by the Roman Empire in the first few centuries after Christ, used the fish symbol to mark meeting places and tombs, or to distinguish friends from foes:

"According to one ancient story, when a Christian met a stranger in the road, the Christian sometimes drew one arc of the simple fish outline in the dirt. If the stranger drew the other arc, both believers knew they were in good company."

?Christianity Today, Elesha Coffman, "Ask The Expert"

Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthys for more information on this Christian symbol.