GIVEN NAMES |
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| ADELINE (f) Form of ADELAIDE (f) "noble person" (Teutonic). This is the French form of Teutonic Adalheidis. The wife of Otto the Great. Also the wife of King William IV of England. A city in Australia bears this name. ADELA (f) Short form of ADELAIDE ADALHEID (f) German form of ADELAIDE ADA (f) Short form of ADELAIDE. Ada Lovelace was a daughter of Lord Byron and an assistant to Charles Babbage, who was the inventor of the analytical engine, an early mechanical computer. ADELE (f) French short form of ADELAIDE ADELINA (f) Form of ADELAIDE ALIDA (f) Form of ADELAIDE ADELINE (f) Form of ADELAIDE ALINE (f) Pet form of ADELINE - also means kind
ALBERT, ALBERTA is feminine form of Albert - noble, bright. The given name Albert , a variant of Albrecht, is used in Silesia (ref: Mittelhochdeutsches Namenbuch nach schlesischen Quellen, Hans Bahlow, Neustadt an der Aisch: Verlag Degener & Co., 1975). Albright is an English variation of the surname Albert, found among the English, Low German, French, Catalan, and Hungarian cultures, from a Germanic name Albrecht, from adal = noble + behrt = bright, famous. Aubert is another English variant; Abert, Aber, Allebrach (Low German); Auber, Aubert, Aube, Aubey (French). ALICE (f) Short form of Adalheidis (see ADELAIDE). This is the heroine of Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass'. ALICIA (f) Latinized form of ALICE ALISA (f) Form of ALICIA. ALISHA (f) Form of ALICIA. ALISON (f,m) Medieval Norman form of ALICE. Occasionally used as a masculine name. ALOYS - short form of Aloysius (German) meaning famous warrior AMALIA, AMELIA, AMALIE - A female name found in Silesia (ref: Mittelhochdeutsches Namenbuch nach schlesischen Quellen, Hans Bahlow, Neustadt an der Aisch: Verlag Degener & Co., 1975.) Also see Emilie below. ANDREW APOLLONIA - feminine form of Apollo, the Greek god AUGUST - male name after the Roman emperor Augustus, and later, the month BARBARA (f) "foreign" from Greek barbaros. Saint Barbara was a woman killed by her father, who was then killed by a bolt of lightning. She is the patron of architects, geologists, stonemasons and artillerymen. BEATRICE (f) "happy" from Latin beatrix. Beatrice is Dante's guide through paradise in his poem 'The Divine Comedy'.. BEA (f) Short form of BEATRICE BEATE (f) German short form of BEATRICE BERTHA - (German) bright, illustrious, shining, brilliant ruler CARL; KARL Carl is a variation of Charles , a French, Welsh and English surname, from the Germanic given name Carl = man. Carlson is a patronymic version denoting the "son of Carl." Karl , the German cognate form, was not in use as a given name during the Middle Ages, and is rare or unknown as a German surname since it was restricted to nobility. English variations of Charles are Karl, Karle, Carle, Carl . French forms are Charle, Charlon, Carle, Chasles, Chasle . Cognate forms are Carlo, Caroli, Carlesi, Carlisi, Carlesso (Italian); Carlos (Spain); Carles (Catalan); Kerl, Kehrl, Keerl (Low German); Karl (Jewish Ashkenazic); Karel, Kares (Czech); Karoly, Karolyi (Hungarian). Patronymic forms include Charleston (t-added); McCarlish (Scottish); De Carlo, De Carli, Di Carlo, De Carolis (Italian); Carlens (Flemish/Dutch); Karlsen, Carlsen (Norwegian); Karlsson, Carlsson (Swedish); Karlowicz, Karolak, Karolczak (Polish). CAROLINA, CAROLINE - little and womanly CECILIA (f) Feminine form of CECIL. According to legend, Saint Cecilia was a 3rd-century martyr who was sentenced to die because she refused to worship the Roman gods. After attempts to suffocate her failed, she had her head chopped off. She is the patron saint of music and musicians. CECILY (f) Form of CECILIA. CELINE (f) Form of CECILIA or short form of MARCELINE or "heavenly" (Latin) CHRISTOPHER (m) "bearing Christ" (Greek). Christopher was the legendary saint who carried young Jesus across a river. He is the patron saint of travellers. Christopher Columbus was the explorer who reached the West Indies in the 15th century. CHRISTOPHE (m) French form of CHRISTOPHER. CHRISTOPH-German form. CHRIS (m,f) Short form of CHRISTOPHER, CHRISTIAN or CHRISTINE or CHRISTINA CLEMENS - (info to be added later) CONSTANTIA - after Constantine who was the first Roman emperor to adopt Christianity DENIS (m) "of Dionysus" from the Greek name Dionyios. Dionysus was the Greek god of wine. Saint Denis was a 3rd-century missionary to Gaul who was beheaded in Paris. He is the patron saint of France. Also, Denis Diderot was a French philosopher. DENIZ (m) Turkish form of DENIS DENNIS (m) Form of DENIS DENNY (m) Short form of DENIS DOMINIK, DOMINIC - a saint; founded the Dominican order - means belonging to God DOUGLAS (m) "dark blue river" or "blood river" from Gaelic dubn "dark blue" and glas "water, river". Douglas was originally a river name, the site of a particularly bloody battle, which then became a Scottish surname. The surname belonged to a powerful line of Scottish earls. EDWARD (m) - the name of some English kings. Edvard is another form of the name. ELIZABETH (f) "oath of God" (Hebrew). In the Old Testament this was the name of the wife of Aaron. In the New Testament this was the mother of John the Baptist. The 12th-century Saint Elizabeth of Hungary was the daughter of King Andrew II. She became a Franciscan nun and lived in poverty. This was also the name of two queens of England and an empress of Russia. A famous modern bearer is actress Elizabeth Taylor. ELISABETH (f) Variant of ELIZABETH, reflecting the spelling used in the Authorized Version of the New Testament. ELISE (f) Short form of ELIZABETH. ELISSA (f) Russian short form of ELIZABETH. BETH Short form of Elizabeth. LIZZY-Nickname for Elizabeth. ELLEN - from Eleanor (Greek) meaning light EMIL (m) "industrious" (Latin) or "work" (Teutonic) or possibly from the Roman family name Aemilius, which means "rival". EMILE (m) French form of EMIL. Emile Zola was a 19th-century French author. EMMET (m) Form of EMIL. Also can mean to emulate or copy EMILIE (f) French or German form of EMILY EMILIO (m) Italian form of EMIL EMMA - comes from Emilia (see above) ERNEST - after the word "ernest"? ERWIN : and its counterparts Ervin/Irvin/Irwin are German Patronymic names from the Old German given name Eorwine which means "sea friend." On occasion the name can be traced to Scottish roots and the places called Irvine and Irving, which meant 'green river.' If you are of Scottish descent, then the second is a strong possibility. Erven means sailor's friend ERWIN (m) Form of IRWIN. Erwin Schrodinger was an Austrian physicist who made contributions to quantum theory. IRVIN (m) Form of IRVING or form of IRWIN (m) "boar friend" (Teutonic) EUGENE (m) "well born" from Greek eugenes. This was the name of several saints and four popes. Eugene of Savoy was an 18th-century general who served the Austrian Empire. Also, Eugene O'Neill was an American playwright. EUGENIA (f) Feminine form of EUGENE EVA; EVE - after the first woman according to the Bible (Genesis), meaning "life" EVELYN is an English name meaning "life" or Celtic meaning "light" or French meaning "life" FERN - (meaning?) after the fern plant? FLORENCE - (meaning?) after the city in Italy? or having something to do with flowers? FLORIANUS - having something to do with flowers? FRANCES means "from France" or "free one" FRANCES, FRANCIS - named after St. Francis of Assisi, who founded the Franciscan order and was known for his love of nature and animals FRANZ; FRANZISKA (fem. form), FRANCISCA (fem. form) - Franz is from Francis FRIDOLIN - a common male name in 19th Century Baden. Fridolin was a saint. There is a church in Baden with the name St. Fridolin. The name may mean "man of peace". Here are web sites on the saint Fridolin: Catholic Forum - Fridolin, Catholic Encyclopedia - St. Fridolin, FRIDRICK: FREDERICK; FRED - peace GEORGE - a tiller of the soil GEORG - German form of George GLENN (m) Form of GLEN GLEN (m) "valley" (Celtic), from a surname. GOTTFRIED - a compound German name. "Gott" means "God" HANSEN is a Flemish and Dutch version of the German surname HANS, a medieval given name that was actually an aphetic form of Johannes (John). Hansen, Henson , and Haesen are patronymic forms of the name (meaning 'son of Hans') found among the Flemish and the Dutch. Hans was a popular name and variations and cognates are found in several languages and dialects. Hans - Germanic, means "gift of God", derived from John HARLAND - Meaning or derivation is unknown. It was the middle name of the husband of my paternal aunt. HARLAND - Harland (Teutonic) means "from the Army" or from the land of warriors HARRIET (f) Feminine form of HARRY. A famous bearer of this name was Harriet Beecher Stowe, the American author who wrote 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. HATTIE (f) Pet form of HARRIET. HARRIET (f) Feminine form of HARRY. A famous bearer of this name was Harriet Beecher Stowe, the American author who wrote 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. HEDWIG (also see below) is a German form of Harriet and means "storm". Harriet (French) can also mean mistress of the home HARRISON (m) "descendent of HARRY" (Old English). From a surname. The actor Harrison Ford of 'Star Wars', 'Indiana Jones', and other movies is among the most famous bearers of this name. HATTIE - An Americanized form of Hedwig (see below) HEDWIG - Teutonic: storm - also see Harriet above. Hedwig is a saint and was a queen; she died in 1243. She was the wife of Heinrich, duke of Schlesien. It is a personal name found in Silesia (ref: Mittelhochdeutsches Namenbuch nach schlesischen Quellen, Hans Bahlow, Neustadt an der Aisch: Verlag Degener & Co., 1975.) See these web sites: Catholic Encyclopedia St. Hedwig, Saints - St. Hedwig, Catholic Forum - St. Hedwig, Saints of Oct. 16 - St. Hedwig HEINRICH (m) German form of HENRY (see above). This was the name of several German kings. HEINZ (m) Short form of HEINRICH HEINER (m) Short form of HEINRICH HEIKE (f) Dutch pet form of HENRIKE HENRIETTE - probably a form of Henry. see Henry above. JACOB (m) "to hold the heel" or "supplanter" from the Hebrew name Yaakov. The biblical Jacob (later called Israel) was born holding on to his brother Esau's heel. He was the son of Isaac and Rebecca and the father of the twelve founders of the twelve tribes of Israel. The German linguist and writer Jacob Grimm was, with his brother Wilhelm, the author of 'Grimm's Fairy Tales'. JAKOB - after the Biblical person JEAN - (meaning?) fem. form of John (see below)? JOHANNA (f) Latin feminine form of JOHN used in many European countries. JONNA (f) Danish short form of JOHANNA JONELLE (f) Feminine form of JOHN JONETTE (f) Feminine pet form of JOHN JOHN (m) "the Lord has favoured" from the Hebrew name Johanan. John is the name of two important New Testament characters and saints. The first was John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ beheaded by Herod Antipas. The second was the apostle John, brother of the apostle James, who was also supposedly the author of the fourth Gospel and Revelation in the New Testament. The name was borne by 23 popes, as well as kings of England, Hungary, Poland, Portugal and France. Also borne by English poet John Milton and English philosopher John Locke. This has been the most popular of male Christian names. JOHANNES (m) Ancient Latin and modern German form of JOHN. The astronomer Johannes Kepler and the composer Johannes Brams are famous bearers of this name. Johann is a German form. John is one of the most popular of the medieval names, and took several forms even in medieval times. John derived from Hebrew Yochanan (God has favoured me with a son). I have listed many versions of the name on the website, but certainly not all. Jahncke (Jähncke) is a diminutive form of the German (of Slavic origin) cognate of John, including Jann, Jahn (Low German). Other diminutive forms include Johnikin, Johnigan, Jonikin, Jonigan (English/Irish); Jeannet, Jeanet, Joannet, Jouandet, Jeandet, Jantet, Jentet, Jouanneton, Jeannin, Jouannin, Jouanny, Jany, Janny, Jeandin, Jentin, Jeannenet, Jeannot, Jouanot, Jeandon, Janton, Jenton, Jeannel, Jeandel, Jantel, Jeanneau, Jeandeau, Jenteau, Jeannequin, Jannequin, Johanchon , (French); Giovannelli, Gianelli, Giovannilli, Gianiello, Gianilli, Cianelli, Iannelli, Ianello, Ianniello, Iannilli, Zannelli, Zuanelli, Zuenilli, Vannelli, Nanelli, Giovannetti, Ninotti, Zanetello, Zanettini, Nannini, Notti, Noto (Italian); Jähnel, Jähne, Jäne, Jähndel, Jähnel (German); Juanico (Spain); Johnke, Jönke, Jenne, Jennemann (Low German); Jansema (Frisian); Jähncke, Jäncke, Jänke, Jahnisch, Janisch, Jansch, Jannuscheck, Janoschek, Jenicke, Jentzsch, Jentsch, Genicke, Genike, Gentzsch, Gentsch, Wahnncke, Wanka, Wanjek, Wandtke, Nuschke, Nuscha (German of Slav origin). JOSEPH (m) "the Lord added" (Hebrew). In the Old Testament, this was the name of the eleventh son of Jacob. Because he was the favourite of his father, his older brothers sent him to Egypt and told their father that he had died. In Egypt, Joseph became an advisor to the pharaoh, and was eventually reconciled with his brothers when they came to Egypt during a famine. This is the name of two characters in the New Testament: Joseph the husband of Mary and Joseph of Arimathea. Also, rulers of the Holy Roman Empire have had this name. JOSEPHA is a feminine form. Josephine is derived from Joseph JOSEPHINE (f) French feminine form of JOSEPH. This was the name of the wife of Napoleon. JOSIANE (f) Pet form of JOSEPHINE JOSEPHINE -feminine form of Joseph, the father of Jesus JUNE - after the month and the Roman godess KAREN - from Catherine (see above) KATHLEEN - from Katherine and Lynn KASPER; KASPAR; CASPER - treasurer KATHERINE (f) From the Greek name Aikaterina. It has been linked with Greek aikia "torture" but that theory is unlikely. It is possibly a Coptic name meaning "my consecration of your name". The Romans derived it from Greek katharos "pure" and changed their spelling from Katerina to Katharina to reflect this. The name belonged to a Christian saint and martyr who was tortured on the famous Catherine wheel. This was the name of two empresses of Russia, including Catherine the Great. The name was also borne by three of Henry VIII's wives. KATARINA (f) Form of KATHERINE KATE (f) Short form of KATHERINE or KATHLEEN. This is the name of the woman who Petruchio marries and tries to tame in Shakespeare's comedy 'The Taming of the Shrew'. KATHRYN (f) Form of KATHERINE KATHY (f) Short form of KATHERINE KATIE (f) Form of KATE. KATINA (f) Form of KATARINA KATRINA (f) Scottish and Dutch form of KATHERINE CATARINA (f) Form of CATHERINE CATHERINE (f) Variant of KATHERINE CATHY (f) Short form of CATHERINE CATRIN (f) Welsh form of KATHERINE CATRINA (f) Form of CATHERINE. Meaning: pure and virginal KAY - a form of Catherine (Katherine) (see above) KUNIGUND, KUNIGUNDE - old German name comprised of "kunni" and "gund". "Kunni"= "Geschlecht or "Sippe" (kin, clan, relatives, family). "Gund" is an old German word for "Kampf" which translates to contest, fight. The name Kunigunde was a holy name of the Middle Ages; the name's day is March 3. Other forms of the name are Gundel, Kuni, Kunza, Konne. In the Middle Ages there were beloved princesses with this name. The name was still used in the 19th century. LAURA (f) "laurel" (Latin) from the name of the laurel tree. Laura Secord was a Canadian heroine during the War of 1812. LAURE (f) French form of LAURA LAUREEN (f) Pet form of LAURA. LAUREL (f) "laurel" (English) from the name of the tree, or a pet form of LAURA. LAUREN (f) Pet form of LAURA or a feminine form of LAURENCE. LAURETTA (f) Pet form of LAURA LAURETTE (f) French pet form of LAURA. LAURIE (f) Form of LAURA LAURINDA (f) Pet form of LAURA LEE - Chinese: plum; Irish: poetic English: field, meadow LEO (m) "lion" (Latin). This was the name of 13 popes and several Byzantine emperors. Leo Tolstoy was the Russia novelist whose works include 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina'. Leo is also the name of a constellation and the fifth sign of the zodiac. LILLIAN (meaning?); related to Lily, a type of flower? LINDA - LYNN and LYN are from LINDA which means pretty one LOIS - fem. form of Louis. German meaning is famous in battle, famous warrior LOUISA, LOUISE - feminine form of Louis LUKAS; LUCAS; LUKE - after the writer of one of the gospels in the New Testament , meaning "light" LYNN - Anglo-Saxon meaning "a cascade" or English meaning "waterfall" (also see Linda above) MAGDALENA - After Mary Magdaline in the New Testament MARGARET, MARGARETHA - (meaning?). Margaretha is found in Silesia, among other places (ref: Mittelhochdeutsches Namenbuch nach schlesischen Quellen, Hans Bahlow, Neustadt an der Aisch: Verlag Degener & Co., 1975). MARIA - a form of Mary in several languages, including German MARY - after Mary, the mother of Jesus MARIANNA - Combination of Mary or Maria and Anna MARTHA - after a woman in the Bible, meaning "lady" MATTHEW, MATHIAS, MATTHAIS - taken from the name of one of the evangelists; the name of the first book of the New Testament. From the Aramaic. MICHAEL - male name after the archangel , meaning "who is like God?" MONIKA, MONICA - from Mona. Greek: solitary; Latin: advisor NANDOR - a Hungarian name; the meaning is unknown NIKOLAUS; NICOLAS; NICHOLS - after St. Nicolaus meaning victorious people OTTO (m) "wealthy" (Teutonic). The name of kings of Germany, including Otto I, the founder of the Holy Roman Empire, who was known as Otto the Great. A king of Greece also bore this name. OTIS (m) "son of Ote" (Teutonic). From a surname. The name Ote may be related to OTTO. OWENS is a patronymic variation of the Welsh surname Owen, from the Welsh personal name Owain, likely drawn from Latin Eugenius. Bowen is another patronymic form, a shortened version of ap'Owen . OWEN (m) Welsh form of EUGENE or EVAN, or perhaps related to Esos, which was the name of a Celtic god. Owen is Celtic and means "young fighter" PATRICIA (f) Feminine form of PATRICK PATTI (f) Short feminine form of PATRICK Paul - after Paul in the New Testament PETER - named after St. Peter the apostle and first leader of the church. It means "rock" PHILIP: PHILLIP - loving, from the Greek "Philo" REGINA -related to the meaning, "royal", queen RHODA (f) "rose" from Greek rhodon RICHARD - (meaning?) - a very common male name ROBERT - bright flame. Bob is athe common nickname ROSINA, ROSE, ROSA - trefers to the the rose flower SIBILLA (SYBILLA, SIBYLLA) may be related to SIBYL (f) "(Cybill) prophetess" (Greek). This was the name of a group of female prophets who worshipped the Greek god Apollo. SYBIL (f) Form of SIBYL SYBIL is also from Isabel meaning consecrated to God SIMEON (m) Older form of SIMON. In the Old Testament he was the second son of Jacob and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This was also the name of a powerful 10th-century ruler of Bulgaria. SOPHIA, SOPHIE, SOFIA - wisdom STEPHAN, STEVEN, STEPHEN, STEVE - after St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr who was stoned for his beliefs. His feast day is Dec. 26 Meaning: crowned (Greek) SYBILLA; SIBYLLA - see Sibilla above THEODORE is a French patronymic name, derived from Greek Theodoros, and the elements theos = God + doron = gift, and was a popular Middle Ages given name. The Russian version of the name is Fyodor. Cognates are Tudor (Welsh); Teodori, Teodoro, Toderi, Todeo (Italian); Teodoro (Portuguese); Joder (German/Swiss); Teodorski, Fedorski, Fedynski (Polish). Diminutive forms include Doret, Dorin (French); Toderini, Todarini (Italian); Tedorenko, Fedoronko, Fedorchenko, Fedorchik, Fedorchak, Fesenko (Ukranian). Other patronymic forms and diminutive forms exist as well. Ted is a common English/American diminutive. THERESIA, THERESE - named after St. Theresia THOMAS is one of the most common given names, and as a result, it created a HUGE number of surnames found throughout Europe. See the definition under Thompson for more info on its origins...Cognates of Thomas are Tomas (Spanish); Tome (Portugal); Tomas (Catalan); Toma (Rumania); Tuma, Toman, Tomas, Tomes, Tomsa (Czech); Tomasz, Toma (Poland); Tamaasi (Hungarian). Diminutive forms are Thomazin, Thompsett, Thom, Tomalin, Tomabling, Tamblyn, Tompkin, Tonkin (English); Thomasset, Thomazet, Thome, Thomassin, Thomelin, Thoumasson, Thomazon, Thomesson, Thomasseau, Thomazeau (French); Tomassini, Tommasini, Tommasino, Tomadini, Tomaini, Tomaino, Tumini, Tummaselli, Tommasetti, Tumiotto (Italian); Thomel, Domel, Theml, Teml, Dehmel, Demelt, Thamel, Thamelt, Dahmel, Thumnel (German); Thoma, Thomann, Dohmann, Themann, Demann, Thumann, Thomke, Domke, Demke, Demchenm, Dumke (Low German); Tomasek, Demaschek, Tomaschke, Domaschke, Damaschke (German/Slavic influence). Thomas has so many variations and forms, I couldn't list them all at the time, but Tompkins is a diminutive of the English form, along with Tomazin, Thompsett, Tompsett, Thom, Tomalin, Tombling, Tombin, Tomkin, Tonkin. THOMAS (m) "twin" (Aramaic). He was the apostle who doubted the resurrected Jesus in the New Testament. According to tradition he was martyred in India. Famous bearers of this name include philosopher and theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas, philosopher Thomas Hobbes, American president Thomas Jefferson, and novelist Thomas Hardy THORNTON - I do not know the derivation or meaning TINA - a short form of CHRISTINA (qv) VICTOR; VIKTOR - winner, conqueror VIRGINIA - same name as the state in the U.S. WALTER, WALT : Walter means "rule, army" and has been a popular name since the Middle Ages. There were a number of surnames derived from the given name -- including the pet form Walt. The son of Walt was Walts . It's an English Patronymic name. Walt is a common diminutive. WILLIAM is among the most commonly found Medieval given names, and as a result, is among the most common surnames. Williams is a patronymic form. William is derived from an Old French given name with Germanic elements wil = desire, will + helm = helmet, protection. It was introduced by followers of William the Conqueror and became in short order one of the most popular given names in England. Bill the Conqueror may have had an influence there... Variations are Welliam, Gilliam, Gillam, Gilham, Gillham Gillum. Cognate, diminutive, and other forms exist in great number. Wilhelm is a German form. WILLIAM (m) "will helmet" from the Teutonic elements wil "will, desire" and helm "helmet". The name was introduced to Britain by the Normans. It has belonged to several rulers of England, Prussia, and Germany, including William the Conqueror who was the first Norman king of England. William Tell was a legendary14th-century hero from Switzerland. It was also borne by dramatist William Shakespeare and poet William Blake, as well as contemporary authors William Faulkner and William S. Burroughs. WINFRIED (m) "friend of peace" (Teutonic). Winfield is an English name meaning "stone marker of friendship" Related to WinslowWINIFRED (f) "white reconciliation" (Welsh) the end Updated on 17 Nov. 2003 Go to the Home Page Go to the Main Ancestor Chart of Erven Thoma |
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