The etymology and history of first names

[Savage Kitten]

Here's an awesome site I stumbled across. I thought it would be interesting to those who are curious as well as to our expecting mommas

Behind The Name

It has info about names and etymology, most pop names, namesakes, and elements in first names. You can search for names and the meanings of names.

I thought this was interesting about my daughter's name.

TIFFANY (f) Medieval form of the Greek name Theophania, which meant "manifestation of God" from Greek theos "god" and phanes "appearing". This name was traditionally given to girls born on the Epiphany (January 6), the festival commemorating the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus.

Let us know what your name means!

 

[Silverlily]

I got this for Jennifer

GUINEVERE (f) Old French form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, which is composed of the elements gwen meaning "fair, white" and hwyfar meaning "smooth". In Arthurian legend she is the beautiful wife of King Arthur. Her betrayal of her husband with Mordred prompted the battle of Camlann, which led to the deaths of both Mordred and Arthur. Later versions of the legends tell of her adulterous affair with Sir Lancelot.

 

[freakygirl]

my name ^

jeez.. I went and did it.. cut and pasted.. hit the submit button.. and Kitten Eyes had already done my name..

so I deleted it..

 

[Willing and Unsure]

RACHEAL (f) Variant of RACHEL

RACHEL (f) "ewe" (Hebrew). She was the favourite wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin in the Old Testament.

 

[LadyDarkFire]

KATHARINE Variant of KATHERINE
KATHERINE (f) From the Greek name Aikaterine. The etymology is debated: it could derive from the earlier Greek name Hekaterine, which came from hekateros "each of the two"; it could derive from the name of the goddess HECATE; it could be related to Greek aikia "torture"; or it could be from a Coptic name meaning "my consecration of your name". The Romans falsely derived it from Greek katharos "pure" and changed their spelling from Katerina to Katharina to reflect this. The name belonged to a 4th-century saint and martyr from Alexandria who was tortured on the famous Catherine wheel. This name was also borne by two empresses of Russia, including Catherine the Great, and by three of Henry VIII's wives.

 

[lilminx]

When I went to my name, it said that it was the Swedish form of this name:

CHRISTINA (f) Feminine form of CHRISTIAN. This was the name of a Swedish queen of the 17th century who was interested in the arts and philosophy. She gave up her crown to become a Roman Catholic.

 

[Silverlily]

my name ^

jeez.. I went and did it.. cut and pasted.. hit the submit button.. and Kitten Eyes had already done my name..

so I deleted it..

We can share. Besides, I always wanted to change my name to Lily.


Sooooo, just for kicks -

LILY (f) English; "lily" from the name of the flower, a symbol of purity

 

[morninggirl5]

LISA (f) Short form of ELIZABETH. The name Lisa appears in the name of one of the most famous paintings in the world, the Mona Lisa, the portrait of the wife of Francesco del Giocondo by Leonardo da Vinci.

I knew that already, but I didn't know the meaning of Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH (f) "oath of God" from the Hebrew name Elisheba. In the Old Testament this is the name of the wife of Aaron. In the New Testament this is the mother of John the Baptist. Saint Elizabeth (12th century) was the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary who became a Franciscan nun and lived in poverty. This was also the name of two ruling queens of England and an empress of Russia. A famous modern bearer is actress Elizabeth Taylor.

 

[erosman]

STEPHEN (m) "crown" from Greek stephanos. Saint Stephen was an early Christian martyr stoned to death as told in Acts in the New Testament. Another Saint Stephen is the patron saint of Hungary, was the first Christian king of that country (10th century). As well, this was the name of kings of England, Serbia, and Poland and ten popes. This name is also borne by physicist Stephen Hawking.

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[Summery]

Ok, SK....am I missing something? I couldn't find the definition of my name which is Renee'. Only the male form Rene' listed a meaning. I know somewhere before I have seen the meaning of my name...something to do with being reborn, I think.

 

[sweetvee]

VERONICA: (f) Latin form of BERENICE, the spelling influenced by the Ecclesiastical Latin phrase vera icon meaning "true image". This was the name of a legendary saint who wiped Jesus's face with a towel and then found his image imprinted on it.

 

[Savage Kitten]

Did anybody try the name sake search yet? I put in my name and a couple family member's names but couldn't find anyone historical or famous that had the same names. ??

 

[Savage Kitten]

Ok, SK....am I missing something? I couldn't find the definition of my name which is Renee'. Only the male form Rene' listed a meaning. I know somewhere before I have seen the meaning of my name...something to do with being reborn, I think.

nah.. I don't think you are missing anything... the website is.
I used to have this book "The World Book of Baby Names". That book gave the best indepth definitions of names of anything I have every seen.

One of my daughter's names is suppose to mean "God's most precious gift" and the other is "intuitive listener, care giver" but this site doesn't have a definition for either name. Go figure?!?