Named for the heroine of the early 19th century novel Undine by the German romantic writer F. H. K. de la Motte Fouqué (1777–1843) who wrote many chivalric romances, tales and plays based on Norse mythology. Undine is one of a group of female water spirits. When an Undine married a mortal and born a child she received a soul. If, however, her lover proved to be unfaithful, she would be forced to return to the sea. (LDS) _ _.