Fridolin

Posted on March 20, 2010 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: German
Meaning: uncertain

The name is of uncertain origin or meaning, but is most likely of Germanic roots. Some sources have even suggested it to be a diminutive form of Friedrich.

The name was borne by an early German saint who is attributed to founding a monastery on the isle of Säckingen in the Upper Rhine. He is considered the apostle of the Alemanns (modern Bavarians and Swiss-Germans). He is often depicted with a rotten corpse as one legend pertains that Fridolin miraculously summoned a dead man from the dead so the saint could prove his inheritance.

In Germany, the designated name-day is March 6.

The name is considered old fashioned in German speaking countries.

Other obscure forms include the Dutch Fridolinus and the Polish, Frydolin.

Other German forms include: Fridulin, Friedolin, Friedel and Frido.

Christian

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “anointed one; Christian.”

Christian is derived from the Latin, Christianus, which literally means, “anointed one” but in actuality was used to describe one of the Christian faith.

In the English speaking world, the name has been in usage since the Middle Ages, but has been consistently popular in the Germanic countries, most probably due to a few Danish kings who bore the name.

It was also the second name of Danish children’s author, Hans Christian Anderson (1805-1875).

Originally, in English, Christian was occasionally used as an anglicized feminine form of the Latin name, Christiana. Christian fell out of usage as a female name and resurged as a masculine English name around the 17th-century.

As of 2008, Christian stood as the 23rd most popular male name in the United States. His rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 45 (Australia, 2008)
# 5 (Bulgaria, 2008)
# 100 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
# 93 (Chile, 2006)
# 44 (Czech Republic, 2009)
# 15 (Denmark, 2009)
# 4 (Faroe Islands, 2008)
# 5 (Estonia, 2007)
# 89 (Germany, 2009)
# 29 (Hungary, 2008)
# 9 (Iceland, 2004-2007)
# 88 (Ireland, 2008)
# 196 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 49 (Norway, 2009)

Other forms of the name include:

Christiaan (Afrikaans/Dutch)
Kristian (Albanian/Danish/Estonian/Norwegian/Swedish)
Kristo (Albanian)
Christo (Bulgarian)
Kristijan Кристијан (Croatian/Serbian)
Kristián (Czech/Slovak)
Carsten/Karsten/Kerstan/Kersten (Danish/Dutch/Frisian/Norwegian)
Christian (Danish/Dutch/English/French/German/Norwegian/Swedish)
Kresten (Danish)
Kristen (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish)
Kristjan (Danish)
Chrétien (French: archaic form)
Coerst (Frisian)
Críosdaidh (Gaelic)
Chrístos Χρίστος (Greek: modern)
Keresztély (Hungarian)
Keresztes (Hungarian)
Krisztián (Hungarian)
Kristján (Icelandic)
Cristiano (Italian/Portuguese)
Christianus (Latin)
Krišjānis (Latvian)
Chriet (Limburgish)
Kristijonas/Krizas/Krišcius (Lithuanian)
Creestee (Manx)
Crestian (Occitanian)
Krystian/Chrystian (Polish)
Krystyn (Polish: obscure)
Crétin (Provençal)
Cristian (Romanian/Italian/Galician)
Kristjan (Slovene)
Cristián (Spanish)
Christer/Krister (Swedish)

Swiss German diminutive forms are: Chrigel, Hitsch, Chrigi and Chrigu.

Bavarian diminutives are: Chris, Chrissi and Chrischan.

A Romanian diminutive is Cristi.

Christina and Christine are usually the default feminine forms.

Christina and Christine have been in usage on the continent since at least the Middle Ages. Their popularity may be due to an early Christian saint and martyr of Syria. However, one of its most notable bearers was Queen Christina of Sweden.

Currently, Christina stands as the 20oth most popular female name in the United States, (2008). The highest she has ranked was in 1985, coming in as the 12th most popular female name. Its French counterpart of Christine, currently comes in as the 589th most popular female name, (2008), but at one time stood as the 14th most popular female name between 1967 and 1970.

Her popularity in other countries are as follows:

9 (Czech Republic, 2009)
# 127 (Germany, 2009)
# 50 (Hungary, 2008)

Her Scandinavian forms of Kristin and Kirsten have been prevalent in the United States since the 1980s. Currently, Kirsten stood as the 567th most popular female name, (2008), while Kristin came in as the 883rd most popular female name, (2008), but once came in as the 31st most popular female name, back in 1981.

Other feminine forms include:

Kristina Кристина (Arabic/Bulgarian/Croatian/Czech/German/Lithuanian/Russian/Scandinavian/Serbian/Slovene
Crestina (Aragonese)
Kistiñe (Basque)
Christel (Bavarian: initially a diminutive form, but now used as an independent given name)
Hristina Христина (Bulgarian)
Cristina (Catalan/Corsican/Galician/Italian/Portuguese/Romanian/Spanish)
Kristýna (Czech)
Christa (Danish/English/German)
Kirstine (Danish)
Stina (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish)
Stine (Danish/Norwegian)
Tine (Danish/Norwegian)
Tineke (Dutch)
Stien (Dutch/Limburgish)
Christiana (English/Latin)
Tina (English/German/Italian/Scandinavian)
Kristiina (Estonian/Finnish)
Kirsi (Finnish)
Kirsti (Finnish)
Stiina (Finnish)
Tiina (Finnish)
Christelle (French)
Chrétienne (French: archaic)
Christiane (French/German)
Christine (French)
Christin/Kristin (German/Scandinavian)
Krista (German/Swedish)
Christína Χριστίνα (Greek)
Kilikina (Hawaiian)
Kriszta (Hungarian)
Krisztiána (Hungarian)
Krisztina (Hungarian)
Kristín (Icelandic)
Kristjana (Icelandic)
Cristiana (Italian/Portuguese)
Kristiana (Latvian)
Krystiana (Polish)
Krystyna (Polish)
Kjerstin (Norwegian)
Kjersti (Norwegian)
Cristìna (Sardinian)
Cairistìona (Scottish)
Kirsteen (Scottish)
Kirstie (Scottish)
Kirstin (Scottish)
Kristína (Slovak)
Kerstin (Swedish)
Crystin (Welsh)

English and German diminutives are: Chris, Christy, Chrissy and Tina.

French diminutives are: Chris, Chrisette and Titine.

A common Italian and Spanish compound form is Maria Cristina.

Designated name-days are: July 24 (Greece), November 12 (France), December 25 (Greece).

Mary, Maria, Miriam

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Sebastiane

Mary and its various forms has to be one of the quintessential, classic female names of all time, she has been used in Protestant England in the form of Mary, in the Islamic world as Maryam, in Jewish communities in the form of Miriam and in the Catholic world as Maria, Marie or Mary.

In the United States, she has never quite detracted from the top 100, if Mary is not in fashion then it is usually one of her other forms that may take her place, such as Molly, Mariah, Maria or Mia, all depending on the flavor of the day.

Currently, Mary is the 97th most popular female name in the United States, (2008). Mary’s rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 7 (Armenia, 2008)
# 57 (Ireland, 2007)

Its French form of Marie is popular outside the Hexagon, she currently ranks in as the 546th most popular female name in the United States, but in other countries, she appears in the top 10. Her rankings are as follows:

# 9 (Armenian, 2008)
# 4 (Belgium, 2008)
# 17 (Czech Republic, 2008)
# 24 (Denmark, 2008)
# 20 (France, 2009)
# 9 (Germany, 2009)
# 270 (the Netherlands, 2008)

The continental form of Maria is extremely popular across Europe and Latin America, her rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 4 (Argentina, 2009)
# 8 (Basque Country, Spain, 2008)
# 3 (Belarus, 2005)
# 3 (Bulgaria, 2008)
# 89 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
# 6 (Catalonia, Spain, 2008)
# 8 (Chile, 2008)
# 91 (England/Wales, 2008)
# 6 (Estonia, 2007)
# 4 (Faroe Islands, 2008)
# 59 (Germany, 2009)
# 1 (Greece, 2004)
# 90 (Hungary, 2008)
# 5 (Iceland, 2004-2007)
# 49 (Ireland, 2008)
# 1 (Israel, among Christian girls, 2004)
# 9 Marija (Latvia, 2005)
# 1 Marija (Macedonia, 2006)
# 1 (Malta, 2008)
# 39 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 14 (Norway, 2008)
# 17 (Poland, 2009)
# 1 (Portugal, 2008)
# 2 (Romania, 2008)
# 2 (Russia, 2007)
# 99 (Scotland, 2008)
# 1 (Slovakia, 2004)
# 2 (Spain, 2008)
# 96 (Sweden, 2008)
# 7 (Ukraine, 2009)
# 64 (United States, 2008)

Her diminutive offshoot of Mia, has also been quite trendy the last 10 years, as of 2008, she was the 14th most popular female name in the United States. In other countries, her rankings are as follows:

# 1 (Australia, 2008)
# 25 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
# 44 (Chile, 2006)
# 11 (England/Wales, 2008)
# 1 (Germany, 2009)
# 23 (Ireland, 2008)
# 5 (Isle of Man, 2009)
# 350 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 24 (New Zealand, 2009)
# 12 (Norway, 2008)
# 26 (Scotland, 2008)
# 46 (Slovenia, 2005)
# 3 (Switzerland, among Romansch-speakers, 2008)

Another common diminutive offshoot, is Molly, which is mostly used in the English speaking world, but has also shifted over to some of the Scandinavian countries. Her rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 57 (Australia, 2007)
# 84 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
# 32 (England/Wales, 2008)
# 25 (Ireland, 2008)
# 33 (New Zealand, 2009)
# 39 (Scotland, 2008)
# 11 (Sweden, 2008)
# 104 (United States, 2008)

Miriam is another common choice which is popular throughout Europe and the Middle East. Her rankings are as follows:

# 1 Mariam (Georgia, 2008)
# 6 Maryam (Iran, 2007)
# 4 Maryam (Israel, among Muslim girls, 2004)
# 6 Maryam (Pakistan)
# 48 Miriam (Spain, 2008)
# 1 Mariam (Tunisia, 2005)
# 309 Miriam (United States, 2008)

As for its meaning and derivation, though the its origins can be traced back to the Bible, its lingustic and etymological meaning has long been debated. Many hypothesis include that the name could be a derivative of the Hebrew meri, ‘rebel’ related to the Hebrew verb MRH, mara or Marah which means’ to be “rebellious.” Or that it is related to the Hebrew word מרא (MRA, mara) which means ‘well-fed’, something which would have been considered a comely attribute in Biblical times.

One of the most popular etymological theories is its association with the Hebrew מר (MR, mar), meaning. “bitter” or “bitterness, and another very well established hypothesis suggests that it is from an Egyptian source, mry “beloved” or mr meaning “love.”

Other possible theories include:

That is it a combination of the Hebrew words מר (MR, mar), meaning “bitter” or the Hebrew (mar) meaning, “drop”; or (mor) meaning, “myrrh” or ” (mari ) meaning “mistress’.

The name is borne by several female characters in both the Old and New Testament.

Among Jews, the name was originally used in honour of the sister of Aaron, Miriam the Prophetess.

Among Muslims and Christians, (particularly Catholics and Eastern Orthodox), the name is usually used in honour of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.

However, in certain eras and cultures, Mary or Maria was considered too sacred of a name to use on a child, and in other cultures, the name Maria is so honorable to have, that it is even bestowed upon males, usually in conjunction with a male name or as a middle name. This is especially so in Spanish-speaking countries, French speaking countries and occasionally done in other predominate Catholic countries such as Ireland, Poland and in Bavaria, Germany.

The name has made is presence known in British royalty as well as in the continental ruling houses. Other forms are as follows:

Latinate Forms
Forms used in Latin-based languages

Marieta (Catalan: originally a diminutive form, used as an independent given name in Spanish-speaking countries)
Miryam (Catalan: archaic form from the 13th-century)
Maria (Corsican/Italian/Occitanian/Portuguese/Romanian/Romansch/Latin)
Manon (French: originally a diminutive form of Marie, the name has been used as an independent given name for centuries. In fact, it currently ranks in as the 7th most popular female name in Belgium (2006), the 4th most popular female name in France (2006), and the 184th most popular female name in the Netherlands (2008). Pronunciation can be heard here: http://www.forvo.com/search/Manon/)
Marie (French: she is one of the most popular middle names in the English speaking world. In French, this form is bestowed on males in conjunction with other male names or as a middle name. There are several common French female names used in conjunction with Marie, as well. Those of which, I will save for future postings).
Marielle (French: originally a diminutive form of Marie, now used exclusively as an independent given name)
Mariette (French: a diminutive form of Marie, occasionally used as an independent given name, now considered dated in French-speaking countries).
Mariolle(French: obscure, very old diminutive form of Marie, the inspiration of the Polish offshoot, Mariola).
Marion (French: a medieval French diminutive form of Marie, now exclusively used as an independent given name, the name was borne in legend by the love interest of Robin Hood, Maid Marion, and is borne by French actress, Marion Cotillard. In France, it is the 59th most popular female name (2006)
Myriam (French: form of the Biblical, Miriam, she ranks in as the 95th most popular female name in France (2006)
Mariella (Italian: originally a diminutive form of Maria, now exclusively used as an independent given name)
Marietta (Italian: a diminutive form of Maria, occasionally used as an independent given name).
Marigia (Italian: obscure)
Mariuzza/Maruzziella (Italian: obscure)
Mariana (Portuguese: Mariana is usually considered a name of a seperate etymology, but is used in Portuguese and Spanish as a form of Miriam. She is the 73rd most popular female name in Chile, 2006).
María (Spanish/Galician).
Marita (Spanish: a diminutive form of Maria, now often used as an independent given name)
Maritza (Spanish: a Latin American spin-off of Maria, originally a diminutive form, now a trendy given name, especially among Mexican-Americans, she is currently the 560th most popular female name in the United States).
Mareye (Walon)

An Italian diminutive form is Mimi. A Portuguese diminutive form is Mariazinha.

Masculine forms are:

Mari (Catalan)
Mariu (Corsican)
Mario (Italian/Galician)
Marius (Latin/French/Romanian)
Mário (Portuguese)

Germanic Forms
Forms used in Germanic-speaking countries

Maiken/Majken (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish: originally a diminutive form of Maria, now used exclusively as an independent given name).
Maria (Danish/Dutch/English/Faroese/Frisian/German/Norwegian/Swedish)
Marie (Danish/German/Norwegian/Swedish: a borrowing from the French)
Mari (Danish)
Maaike/Maike (Dutch/Frisian/German: originally a diminutive form, used exclusively as an independent given name. In 2008, it was the 98th most popular female name in the Netherlands)
Marieke(Dutch: originally a diminutive form, now exclusively used as an independent given name. In 2008, it was the 188th most popular female name in the Netherlands)
Marijke (Dutch: mah-RYE-keh)
Marike (Dutch: originally a diminutive form of Maria, now used exclusively as an independent given name, pronounced mah-REE-keh)
Marja (Dutch/Faroese/Gothic/Limburgish: MAHR-yah).
Meike (Dutch/German: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name, it was the 53rd most popular female name in the Netherlands of 2008.)
Mia (Dutch/German/English/Scandinavian: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name)
Mieke (Dutch/Limburgish: originally a diminutive form, used exclusively as an independent given name MEE-keh)
Miep(Dutch: a diminutive form, but occasionally used as an independent given name MEEP).
Miet (Dutch: originally a diminutive form, occasionally used as an independent given name MEET).
Mirjam (Dutch/German/Swedish: form of the Biblical Miriam).
Mariel (English: just an anglicized form of the French, Marielle).
Mariota (English: archaic, form used in the 13th-century)
Mary (English)
Molly/Mollie (English: originally a diminutive form, now used more often as an independent given name)
Polly (English: originally a diminutive form, now used more often as an independent given name)
Marý(Faroese)
Mareike (Frisian/German: originally a diminutive form of Maria, now used exclusively as an independent given name)
Maja (German/Scandinavian: originally a diminutive form of Maria, used exclusively as an independent given name. It is the 2nd most popular female name in Sweden, (2008)
Mariele(German: originally diminutive form of Maria, used exclusively as an independent given name, pronounced mah-REE-leh).
Miriam(German/English: Biblical form, often used in German and English speaking countries)
Mitzi (German/English: not really used as an independent given name in German speaking countries, but experienced a short usage of popularity as an independent given name in the United States).
Ria(German/Dutch: originally diminutive forms, occasionally used as independent given names)
Mæja (Icelandic: originally a diminutive form of Maria, used exclusively as an independent given name)
María(Icelandic)
Mies (Limburgish: diminutive form of Maria, used as an independent given name in the Netherlands. MEES)
Mathie (Normand: mah-TEE)
My(Swedish: originally a diminutive form of Maria, now used as an independent given name MEE. In 2007, it was the 79th most popular female name in Sweden).
Mirele מִירֶעל(Yiddish: a form of Miriam. MEER-eh-leh)

Common English diminutives include May, Mayme, Mare, Mia, Molle, Molly, Moll and Polly, German diminutive forms are Mariechen and Mitzi.

Masculine forms include:

Marius (Dutch/German/English/Norwegian/Swedish)
Marjus (Faroese)
Maríus (Icelandic)

Baltic Forms
Variations used in Baltic countries.

Maaja (Estonian)
Maare/Maari (Estonian)
Maarika (Estonian/Finnish)
Maaria/Maarja (Estonian)
Maie/Maiu (Estonian: initially diminutive forms, now used as independent given names, MY-eh, MY-oo)
Maila/Maili/Mailu (Estonian: Maili is pronounced somewhat like Miley)
Mari (Estonian/Finnish)
Marjam (Estonian)
Marje/Marjen (Estonian)
Marjette (Estonian)
Mary (Estonian)
Maija/Maiju (Finnish)
Maikki (Finnish: a Finnicized form of the Sweden and Danish Majken, pronounced somewhat like Mikey)
Maaria/Maria (Finnish)
Marika (Finnish)
Maritta (Finnish)
Marjatta (Finnish: can also mean “without a berry” in Finnish, and is the name of a character in the Kalevala, but is often used as a variation of Maria; also used in Estonia)
Marjo (Finnish)
Marjukka (Finnish)
Marjut (Finnish)
Miia (Finnish)
Mirja (Finnish: translation of Miriam)
Mirjam/Mirjami (Finnish)
Maija (Latvian)
Maila (Latvian: MY-lah)
Mairita/Mairīta/Mairīte (Latvian)
Mairuta (Latvian)
Mare (Latvian: final E is pronounced)
Mareka (Latvian)
Mareta/Māreta (Latvian)
Marī (Latvian)
Mārica (Latvian)
Mariela (Latvian)
Mārieta (Latvian)
Marija (Latvian/Lithuanian)
Mārika (Latvian)
Marite/Mārita/Mārīte/Marīte (Latvian)
Marjama (Latvian)
Maruta/Māruta/Marute (Latvian)
Mare (Lithuanian)
Maryte (Lithuanian)

Masculine forms are:

Maarius/Mairo/Mario (Estonian)
Marijus/Marius (Lithuanian)

Slavic Forms
Forms used in Slavic countries

Merjem (Bosnian)
Mirjana (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian/Slovene: translation of Miriam)
Mariya (Bulgarian/Russian/Ukrainian)
Marija (Croatian/Macedonian/Serbian/Slovene)
Marie (Czech: MAHR-yeh)
Maria (Polish)
Marieta (Polish)
Mariola (Polish: mahr-YOLE-ah)
Marita (Polish)
Maryla (Polish: mah-RIH-lah)
Marzena (Polish: not really etymologically related, but has had a historical usage as a variation of Maria in Poland. The name is actually the name of an ancient Polish goddess and it may be linked with the either Polish word for “hope; dream” or with the Old Slavonic word for “death.” mahr-ZHEH-nah, diminutive form is Marzenka).
Mária (Slovakian)
Marika (Slovakian)
Marica (Slovene: initially a diminutive form, used as an independent given name in Slovenia, but is also used as a diminutive form in Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Czech and Slovakian, mah-REET-sah).
Mojca (Slovene: initially a diminutive form, now used exclusively as an independent given name in Slovenia. MOY-tsah)
Marya Марья (Russian)

Czech and Slovak diminutive forms are: Mája, Máňa, Maruška and Maryška. Serbian and Slovene diminutives are Maša. Russian diminutives are Manya, Masha, Mashenka and Mashka. Polish diminutives are Masia, Marysia (mah-RISH-ah) and Maryska.

Masculine forms are:

Marian (Polish)
Mariusz (Polish)
Marij/Mario (Slovene)

Celtic Forms
Forms used in Celtic Languages

Mari (Breton)
Mallaidh (Irish-Gaelic: translation of Molly)
Maira/Máire (Irish-Gaelic)
Mairenn/Máirín (Irish-Gaelic)
Muire (Irish-Gaelic)
Mariod/Mariot (Manx)
Moirrey/Voirrey (Manx)
Màiri (Scotch-Gaelic)
Mhari (Scotch-Gaelic)
Mhairi/Mhairie (Scotch-Gaelic)
Moire (Scotch-Gaelic)
Mair (Welsh)

Other Forms
Forms used in other languages not listed in the above

Maria (Albanian/Kiswahili)
Maryam مريم (Arabic)
Mariam (Armenian)
Məryəm (Azeri)
Maia (Basque)
Miren (Basque)
Mariam (Coptic/Egyptian)
Mariami (Georgian)
Maria Μαρία (Greek: Modern)
Maroula/Roula (Greek: Modern: initially diminutive forms)
Malia (Hawaiian/Zuni)
Mária (Hungarian)
Maria (Indonesian)
Meryem (Kurdish/Turkish)
Mariam/Mariamma/Mariamme (Malayalam)
Marija (Maltese)
Mere (Maori)
Miriama (Maori)

The name has several name-days.

Anthony, Antonia

Posted on January 13, 2010 by Sebastiane

Origin: Latin
Meaning: unknown

The masculine English name, Anthony, is currently the 7th most popular male name in the United States.

The name is derived from a Roman family name, Antonius, which is of speculated origins, it is suspected to be of Etruscan heritage and it was borne by Marcus Antonius, (Marc Antony), who ruled the Roman Empire jointly with Caesar Augustus during the 1st-century B.C.E. His romance with Cleopatra is retold in Shakespeare’s tragedy, Antony and Cleopatra (1606).

The name was popularized in the Christian world due to the cult of St. Anthony the Great, an Egyptian hermit from the 3rd-century C.E. He is mostly noted for his establishment of Christian monasticism, another famous saint is Anthony of Padua, a 13th-century saint, who is known as the patron saint of Portugal and of lost items.

Originally, Antony was the more common form used in the English speaking world, and still is, to a certain extent, in the United Kingdom. The original English pronunciation was AN-tuh-nee, but AN-thuh-nee can also be heard in certain areas of the United States, particularly in the Midwest.

The lowest that Anthony has ranked in United States naming history was in 1885 when he came in as the 105th most popular male name.

His ranking in other countries is as follows:

# 48 (Australia, 2007)
# 33 Antoine (Belgium, 2006)
# 55 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
# 16 Antoine (France, 2006)
# 70 (France, 2006)
# 74 Antonin (France, 2006)
# 71 (Ireland, 2007)
# 312 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 22 (Spain, 2006)

Its continental form of Anton, has always been a popular choice throughout Northern and Central Europe, in the United States, he is currently the 832nd most popular male name-2008, the highest he ever ranked in U.S. naming history was in 1885 coming in as the 175th most popular male name.

In other countries, his rankings are as follows:

# 4 (Finland, among Swedish-speakers, 2007)
# 11 (Sweden, 2007)

The feminine form of Antonia, currently does not rank in the U.S. top 1000, she is currently the 5th most popular female name in Chile-2008.

In the Netherlands, its diminutive form of Teun is currently the 36th most popular male name (2008).

Other forms of Anthony include:

Antón (Aragonese)
Antoniu (Asturian/Romanian/Sicilian)
Andoni (Basque)
Antolin (Basque)
Antton (Basque)
Anteng (Bavarian)
Dane (Bavarian: not to be confused with the English name Dane, this is pronounced: DAH-neh)
Anton Антон ანტონ(Breton/Bulgarian/Dutch/Estonian/Georgian/German/Maltese/Romanian/Russian/Scandinavian/Slovene/Ukrainian)
Antoun (Breton)
Andon Андон (Bulgarian/Albanian)
Antonij Антоний (Bulgarian)
Antoni (Catalan/Polish/Romansch: in Catalan, Tonet is the diminutive form. In Polish, the pet form is Antek)
Antone (Corsican: Antó is the diminutive form)
Ante/Anto (Croatian)
Antun (Croatian)
Antonín (Czech)
Anthonie/Antonie (Dutch)
Antheunis/Anthonis (Dutch)
Antonius (Dutch/Latin)
Antoon (Dutch)
Teun (Dutch: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name).
Teunis/Theunis (Dutch: originally a diminutive form, now used exclusively as an independent given name)
Ton (Dutch/Limburgish)
Anteneh (Est0nian)
Tõnis (Estonian: originally a diminutive form, also used as an independent given name)
Anttoni (Finnish)
Antoine (French)
Antonin (French/Romansch)
Tinus (Frisian)
Antain/Antaine/Antoin/Antóin (Gaelic-Irish)
Antônios Αντώνιος/Antónis Αντώνης (Greek: modern)
Akoni/Anakoni (Hawaiian)
Antal (Hungarian)
Antoníus (Icelandic)
Totono (Indonesian)
Antonello (Italian)
Antonetto/Antonietto (Italian: obscure archaic diminutive form that was used as an independent given name)
Antoniano (Italian)
Antonico (Italian)
Antonillo (Italian)
Antonino (Italian: Nino is the common diminutive form)
Antoniuccio/Antonuccio (Italian: archaic form)
Antoniusso (Italian: archaic form)
Antuono (Italian: archaic, possibly a corruption of the French Antoine)
Antoninus (Latin)
Antons (Latvian)
Tun/Tunnes (Lexumburgish)
Antanas (Lithuanian: more common form)
Antonijus (Lithuanian)
Tonìn (Neopolitan)
Tonik (Norwegian: obscure form)
Titoan/Titouan (Occitanian/Provençal)
Tönnies, Tüns (Plattdeutsch)
Antoniusz (Polish: obscure form)
António (Portuguese: European)
Antônio (Portuguese: Brazilian)
Tonnies/Tünnes (Ripoarisch)
Antieni (Romansch)
Antòni (Sardinian/Occitanian: diminutive form is Tottoi)
Antonije Антоније (Serbian)
‘Ntonio (Sicilian)
Antonio (Spanish/Italian: Toño and Tonito are the Spanish diminutive forms)
Done (Swabian)
Antümi (Turkish)
Antonij Антоній (Ukrainian)

Various feminine forms include:

Antònia (Catalan)
Antonieta (Catalan)
Antonija Антонија (Croatian/Serbian/Slovene)
Antonína (Czech/Slovak)
Antonie (Czech: ahn-TONE-yeh)
Antonia (Dutch/Italian/Polish/Romansch/Slovene/Spanish)
Tonneke (Dutch)
Antonie (French)
Antonine/Tonine (French: Tonine was originally a diminutive form and is now occasionally used as an independent given name)
Antoinette (French/Dutch)
Toinette (French: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name)
Toinon (French: originally a diminutive form, occasionally used as a diminutive form)
Antía (Galician)
Antonella (Italian)
Antonetta/Antonietta (Italian)
Antonica (Italian)
Antonilla (Italian)
Antonina Антонина (Italian/Polish/Russian: Tosia is the Polish diminutive form and Nina is the Italian diminutive form)
Antonita (Italian/Spanish: originally a pet form, now used as an independent given name)
Titoana/Titouane (Occitanian/Gascon/Provençal)
Antónia (Portuguese/Bearnais/Hungarian/Slovak)
Tonia (Romansch)
Tonka (Slovene: originally a diminutive form, used as an independent given name)

A common English diminutive form for both the masculine and the feminine is Tony, in French, common diminutive forms are Toine, Toinou and Togne, for males.

Italian feminine diminutive forms are: Tonia, Tonina, Tona, Nina, Ninetta and Ninuccia. Italian masculine diminutives are: Tonio, Tonello, Tonino, Tonuccio, Nino, Ninuccio, Totò, Toni and Tony.

Italian combined forms are Antonmaria, Antoniomaria and Antonangelo.

Balthazar

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Phoenician
Meaning: “Ba’al protects the king.”
Eng (Bel-the-Zar)

The name is believed to be a corruption of the Biblical Phoenician name, Belshazzar, which appears in the Book of Daniel as the name of a Babylonian king.

In Christian folklore, the name is attributed to one of the Three Wise Men, in both the Eastern and Western Christian Church, Balthazar is honored as a saint.

The designated name-day is January 6th.

Other forms of the name include:

Baltasar (Basque/Galician/Maltese/Spanish)
Hausl (Bavarian)
Balthazar (Catalan/English/French/Dutch/German)
Baltazaru (Corsican)
Baltazar (Croatian/Czech/Polish)
Hauser (German: Austrian dialectical form)
Boldizsár/Baltazár (Hungarian)
Baldasarre (Italian)
Baltazaras (Lithuanian)
Bautesar (Occitanian)
Balser/Balzer (Romansch)
Valtasar (Russian)
Baltazár (Slovak)
Boltežar (Slovene)
Baltsar (Swedish)

As for nicknames, Bolt might make an interesting choice.

Jacob, James, Jacqueline

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: debated
Eng: (JAKE-ub); (JAMEZ)

Since it is the beginning of the year, I thought I would start doing the most popular names of 2008.

In the United States, Jacob is currently the most popular male name, coming in at # 1 in 2008.

Actually, Jacob has held on to the number 1 spot, for the last decade, since 1999. The lowest that Jacob has ever ranked in U.S. naming history was back in 1967 ranking in at # 353.

Jacob’s rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 21 (Australia, 2007)
# 3 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
# 20 (England/Wales, 2008)
# 94 (Ireland, 2007)
# 122 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 89 (Norway, 2007)
# 79 (Scotland, 2008)
# 29 (Sweden, 2007)

Jacob is a Biblical name of Hebrew origin, borne by an important Jewish patriarch, the meaning of the name is somewhat debated. Though many sources agree that it is derived from the Hebrew ‎עקב (aqab; aqav), which means “to seize by the heel”, “to circumvent” or ” to restrain” and may possibly be a word-play of the Hebrew עקבה‎ (iqqebah; iqqbah) meaning, “heel,” since in the Bible, Jacob was born holding onto the heel of his twin brother Esau. In Hebrew, the act of holding the heel was associated with deception, so the name has been suggested to take on the meaning of “deception.”

Other sources have suggested it to mean “may God protect”, being a derivative of the Hebrew יַעֲקֹבְאֵל (Ya’aqov’el).

In the Bible, Jacob was the younger twin son of Rebekah and Isaac, by deceiving his elder brother Esau into selling his birthright, Jacob received his father’s blessing before Isaac’s death.

Jacob later became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.

His episode of dreaming of a ladder to heaven is called “Jacob’s Ladder” and his wrestling with the angel, after which God gave Jacob the name of Israel ,meaning, “struggles with God” or “God contended.”

The name later appears in the New Testament by several other characters, one of them being the name of the Apostle James, (also known as Jacob since both names are related).

In English, both Jacob and James are derived from the Biblical Greek, Ιακωβος (Iakobos) later being latinized to Iacomus, (from which James is an anglicized a corruption).

James and Jacob have been used in England interchangeably since the Middle Ages, James became a common name in English and Scottish royalty.

Currently, James is the 17th most popular male name in the United States, the highest he has peaked was between 1940 and 1952, coming in at # 1. The lowest he has peaked was at # 19 in 1999 and then again in 2001.

James has never detracted from the U.S. top 20.

In other countries, his rankings are as follows:

# 8 (Australia, 2007)
# 10 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
# 9 (England/Wales, 2008)
# 5 (Ireland, 2007)
# 332 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 5 (Scotland, 2008)

The designated name-days for Jacob are December 20 (France), July 25.

Other forms of both names include:

Jakob (Afrikaans/Danish/Dutch/German/Norwegian/Slovene/Swedish: 12th most popular male name in Slovenia-2005; 39th most popular in Norway-2007 and the 3o9th most popular in the United States-2008)
Japku/Jakup/Jakub/Jakob/Jakov (Albanian)
Ya’eqob (Amharic/Ethiopian)
يعقوب Yaʿqūb/Yakub (Arabic)
Chaime (Aragonese)
Ya`iqob/Ukba/Ukva ያዕቆብ (Aramaic)
Hagop/Hakob/Jakob Հակոբ/Յակոբ (Armenian)
Aqob/Jakobos (Assyrian)
Yəqub (Azeri)
Jacobe/Jagoba/Jakes/Jakoma/Yaku/Yagoba/Xanti (Basque)
Jåggl (Bavarian)
Jakub/Jakaŭ/Jakuš (Bielorusian)
Jakub (Bosnian/Polish/Slovak/Slovene/Sorbian: common Polish diminutive forms are Kuba and Kubuś)
Jacut/Jagu/Jagut/Jak/Jakez/Jakezig/Jakou (Breton)
Yakov/Zhekov Жеков (Bulgarian)
Iacovo/Iacoviello/Coviello (Calabrian: Southern Italian dialect)
Jacob (Catalan/Dutch/English/Lexumburgish/Limburgish/Portuguese)
Jaume/Jaumet (Catalan)
Jacca/Jago/Jamma/Jammes (Cornish)
Giacumu (Corsican)
Jakov/Jako Јаков (Croatian/Serbian/Slovene)
Jákob (Czech/Hungarian: Kuba and Kubík are the diminutive forms)
Jacobus/Jakobus (Dutch/Limburgish: Jacobus is currently the 233rd most popular male name in the Netherlands-2008)
Coos/Kobe/Kobus/Jaap (Dutch: initially diminutive forms, used as independent given names)
Coby (English: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name. He currently ranks in as the 832nd most popular male name-2008)
Jaagup/Jaak/Jakkab/Jakkob/Jakob (Estonian)
Jákup (Faroese)
Jaakob/Jaakoppi/Jaakko (Finnish: Jaska is the diminutive form)
Jacopo (Florentine: Northern Italian dialectical form, Lapo and Puccio are diminutives)
Jacques (French)
Iaquet/Jaco/Jacot/Jacquot/Jacquet (French: archaic, medieval forms)
Jacquemin/Jacqueminot (French: archaic, medieval forms)
Jabbo/Coob (Frisian)
Jakip (Frisian)
Iacun (Fruilian)
Sacun (Fruilian: literally meaning “Saint James.”)
Xacobe/Xaime (Galician)
Iakob იაკობ (Georgian)
Iákovos Ιακωβος/Iakóv Ιακώβ/Yángos Γιάγκος (Greek)
Iakopa/Iakopo/Kimo (Hawaiian)
Akiba/Akiva עֲקִיבָא (Hebrew)
Ya’akov יעקב (Hebrew)
Akkoobjee (Hindi)
Jakab (Hungarian)
Yakob/Yakobus (Indonesian)
Seamus/Séamus (Irish-Gaelic: SHAY-mus: Séimí and Séimín are diminutive forms. Currently the 748th most popular male name in the United States)
Giacobbe (Italian)
Giacomo (Italian: more common form)
Jacopo (Italian: archaic form)
Aqo/Ya’qub (Kurd)
Iacobus/Iacomus/Jacobus (Latin)
Jēkabs (Latvian)
Jaokob (Limburgish)
Cobus/Keub/Keube/Kuub/Kuèb (Limburgish: initially diminutive forms, now used as independent given names)
Zjaak/Jaco (Limburgish: initially diminutive forms, now used as independent given names)
Jokūbas (Lithuanian)
Jakov/Jakle/Jako (Macedonian)
Chacko/Yakob (Malayalam)
Ġakbu (Maltese)
Jayms (Manx)
Hemi (Maori)
Sak (Mohawk)
Jacuvo/Jacuviello/Cuviello (Neopolitan: Southern Italian dialect)
Gemme/Gemmes/Jacque (Norman)
Jacme (Occitanian/Provençal)
Jammes/Jaume (Occitanian)
Iakovu Іакѡвъ (Old Church Slavonic)
Yaghoub (Persian)
Giaco (Piedmontese: Northern Italian dialect)
Diogo (Portuguese: variation of Tiago)
Iago (Portuguese)
Jacó (Portuguese)
Jácomo (Portuguese)
Jaime (Portuguese/Spanish: Jaime is currently the 321st most popular male name in the United States-2008. He is the 97th most popular in Chile-2006 and the 33rd most popular in Spain-2006)
Thiago (Portuguese-Brazilian)
Tiago (Portuguese-European: a contraction of the Spanish Santiago, which literally means “Saint James”)
Köbes (Ripoarisch)
Iacob (Romanian)
Jacomo (Romanesque: a Northern Italian dialect spoken in the region of Tuscany)
Giachem/Giachen/Jachen (Romansch)
Giacumin (Romansch)
Yakov Иаков/Яков (Russian: Yasha is a diminutive form)
Iakopo (Samoan)
Hamish (Scottish-Gaelic: an anglicization of Seumas)
Jaikie (Scottish-Gaelic)
Jamie (Scottish: low lands Scots contraction, currently the 669th most popular male name in the United States; the 17th most popular male name in Scotland-2008; the 51st most popular in England and Wales-2008; 17th most popular in Ireland-2007; the 12st most popular in the Netherlands and the 96th most popular in Australia)
Seumas (Scottish-Gaelic)
Simidh (Scottish-Gaelic)
Jaka (Slovene: this was the 10th most popular male name in Slovenia-2005)
Diego (Spanish: a contraction of Santiago. Diego currently ranks in as the 68th most popular male name in the United States-2008. In Belgium he is the 48th-2006; in Chile, the 7th-2006; in France the 78-2006. In the Netherlands he comes in as the 189th most popular male name-2008 and in Spain he is the 10th most popular male name-2006 )
Jacobo (Spanish: archaic form: Jaime or Diego are the preferred forms)
Santiago (Spanish: literally meaning “Saint James” the name is usually bestowed in honour of St. James the Apostle. Currently, it is the 171st most popular male name in the United States. In Chile, he is the 55th most popular-2006 and in Spain, the 66th most popular-2006)
Yago (Spanish: archaic form)
Yakubu (Swahili)
Köbi (Swiss-German dialectical diminutive form, occasionally used as an independent given name)
Yaqub ܝܰܥܩܽܘܒ (Syrian)
Yakup (Turkish: Yascha is a diminutive form)
Yakiv Яків (Ukrainian)
Iago/Siam (Welsh)
Coppel/Kapel/Koppel (Yiddish)
Yankev/Yankl/Yankel/Yankele (Yiddish)

Older Polish forms include: Jakub, Jakób, Jakob, Jakow, Jekub, Jokob, Jokub and Jakusz.

Less common Polish diminutive forms include: Jakuszek, Jakubek, Jakubko, Kusz, Kuszęt, Kubek, (in modern Polish this means “cup” and has fallen out of usage as a diminutive form of Jacob), and Jaksa.

English diminutives of Jacob include: Jack, Jake, Jay, Cobb, Coby and Cubby. Diminutives for James include: Jack, Jamie, Jay, Jeb, Jem, Jemmy, Jim and Jimmy.

A Danish and Dutch diminutive form is Ib and Jeppe, Sjaak and Sjakie are also Dutch diminutives.

Slovene diminutive forms include: Jak, Jakec, Jaki, Jaša, Žak and Žaki.

Jacob has spawned various feminine forms that are worth noting.

There is the French, Jacqueline, (said like JACK-eh-lin), in English, but pronounced as (ZHAHK-e-LEEN) in French.

The name has a long history of usage in the English speaking world and is also used the German-speaking world and is occasionally used in Spanish-speaking countries.

Jacqueline is currently the 152nd most popular name for females in the United States. The highest she ranked was in 1961 coming in as the 37th most popular female name.

For Americans, a notable bearer is former First Lady and fashion trend-setter, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.

A common English diminutive form is Jackie.

Other feminine forms include:

Jakuba (Czech)
Bine (Danish/German)
Jacobine/Jakobine (Danish/Norwegian/German/Swedish)
Jacoba/Coba (Dutch)
Jacobien (Dutch)
Jacomina (Dutch)
Jacquetta (English)
Jacquemine (French: archaic form)
Jacquette (French)
Jakoba/Jakobe (German)
Yaakova (Hebrew)
Giachetta (Italian)
Giacobba (Italian)
Giacometta (Italian)
Giacoma/Giacomina (Italian)
Jacobella/Jacomella/Jacovella (Italian: obscure/archaic forms)
Iacobina (Latin)
Jakubina (P0lish)
Żaklina (Polish: corruption of the French, Jacqueline)
Jacobina (Romansch)
Jacobea (Romansch)
Jamesina/Jamesine (Scottish)
Jakoba/Jakobina (Slovene)
Jakica/Jakovica (Slovene: initially a diminutive forms, used as independent given names yah-KEET-sah, yah-koh-VEET-sah)
Žaklin/Žaklina (Slovene: corruptions of the French, Jacqueline zhahk-LEEN; zhahk-LEE-nah)
Jacquelina (Spanish: corruption of the French, Jacqueline)

Barbara

Posted on December 5, 2009 by Sebastiane

St. Barbara

Gender: Feminine
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “foreigner; barbarian”
Eng (BAR-bruh).

The name is derived from the Greek barbaros (βαρβαρος) meaning “foreign; barbarian.”

The name is borne by a 4th-century Christian martyr. St. Barbara was said to be so beautiful that her wealthy father had her locked away in a tower to protect her from disease and unwanted suitors, however, a Christian tutor of hers, had converted her to Christianity. When Barbara’s father found out, he beheaded her, but afterwards was struck by lightning, hence Barbara was considered the patron saint against lightning. She is also the patron saint of artillery, architecture, prisoners and, in Poland, she is considered the patron saint of miners. Its usage in Poland was originally delegated to miners’ daughters, but now it is widespread and popular among all classes.

Barbara currently ranks in the top 100 in Chile, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia. In the United States, however, she only ranks in at # 758, she did rank in at # 3rd back in 1933.

Other forms of the name include: (listed alphabetically by linguistic origin)

Rabab (Arabic)
Barbare (Basque/Georgian)
Bärbl (Bavarian)
Barba (Breton/Estonian/Latvian)
Bàrbara (Catalan)
Barbara (Croatian, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Latvian, Norwegian, Polish, Ripoarisch, Romanian, Slovene)
Babeta (Czech/Slovak)
Bára (Czech: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name)
Barbora (Czech, Lithuanian, Slovakian: 10th most popular female name in the Czech Republic for 2007)
Barbel (Danish)
Barbertje (Dutch: obscure, also a word for a kitchen rack in Dutch)
Parba (Estonian)
Varje/Varju/Varve (Estonian)
Barbe (French: obscure, not very popular due to it also being the French word for beard)
Barber/Berber (Frisian)
Babette/Barbette (French diminutive forms, used as independent given names, considered very dated)
Varvara Βαρβαρα (Greek Modern)
Borbála (Hungarian: 84th most popular female name in Hungary for 2005)
Báirbre (Irish)
Barbarella/Barbarina/Barberina/Barbera (Italian: obscure forms)
Berb (Limburgish)
Barbė (Lithuanian)
Bäerbel (Luxemburgish)
Barbo (Norwegian)
Bárbara (Portuguese/Spanish)
Barbla/Barla (Romansch)
Varvara Варвара (Russian/Bulgarian)
Barabal (Scottish)
Varjenka/Varja/Varvana (Slovene)
Borbora (Sorbian)
Barbro (Swedish/Danish/Norwegian)
Bäbi (Swiss German)

Popular English diminutive forms are Babbie, Babs, Barb, Barbie and sometimes Bobbie.

Popular Polish diminutives are Basia (BAH-shah) and Baska (BASH-kah).

Czech diminutives are Bára, Barca, Barča, Barka, Barborka and Baruška. Croatian diminutives are Bara and Barica (bah-REET-sah).

Russian and Bulgarian diminutives forms are Varenka, Varinka, Varya and Varyusha.

German diminutive forms are: Baba, Babe, Babi, Bäbs, Babschi, Babsi, Babsili, Babsl, Baby, Bar, Barb, Barbi, Bärbi, Bari, Bobbel, Bobbie, Bobsi, Wara, Wawi, Wetl and Wetty. Slovenian diminutives are: Bara, Barba, Barbi, Barca, Barica, Barbika, Barbina and Barbka.

There are Italian masculine versions, which are: Barbaro, Barbarino and Barberino.

The designated name-day is December 4.

Other notable bearers are Barbara of Celje (1390-1451) a Hungarian queen crowned Holy Roman Empress, known for creating the Order of the Dragon.

Former first lady Barbara Pierce Bush (b.1927), American actresses, Barbara Stanwyck (1907-1990) and Barbara Hershey (b.1948). Renowned journalist, Barbara Walters (b.1929) and singer, Barbra Streisand (b.1942).

Maximilian

Posted on October 13, 2009 by Sebastiane

Durer Maximilian I 1518 BR Gender: Masculine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “one who is great.”

The name is derived from the Roman cognomen Maximilianus which refers to someone of greatness. The name was borne by a 3rd century martyr. It was borne by several other Christian martyrs, including Maximilian of Lorch, a Christian martyr of Austrian heritage and Maximilian of Antioch. The name was especially popular amongst the Habsburgs, starting with Frederick III who gave it to his son Maximilian I (1459-1519) to honour the two ancient Roman generals Fabius Maximus and Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus, in this case the name was suppose to be a blend of Maximus and Aemilianus. It was also borne by Maximilian II of the Holy Roman Empire, another Habsburg (1527-1576). Maximilian I Duke Bavaria (1573-1651), Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria (1662-1726), Maximilian III Joseph, Elector of Bavaria (1727-1777), Maximilian I of Bavaria (1756-1825), Maximilian II of Bavaria (1811-1864), Prince Maximilian of Baden (1867-1929) and Maximilian I of Mexico (1832-1867). It was also borne by a 20th-century Polish Catholic priest who was killed at Auschwitz known as St. Maximilian Kolbe.

In recent years, in the United States, the name has grown significantly in popularity, it currently comes in at # 300 of the Top 1000 Male Names. It is popular in other countries, especially in Germany and in Sweden. In Sweden, it was the 88th most popular male name in 2007. Its designated name-day is October 12. Other forms of the name include (listed alphabetically by nationality):

Maximilián (Czech/Slovak)
Maximiliaan (Dutch)
Maximilien (French)
Miksa (Hungarian)
Massimiliano (Italian)
Maksymilian (Polish)
Maksimiljan/Makso (Serbo-Croatian/Slovenian)
Maximiliano (Spanish/Portuguese)
Maksimilian/Maks (Russian/Ukrainian)

Feminine forms include:

Maximiliana (Czech/Slovak, German, Spanish, Portuguese)
Maximilienne (French)
Massimiliana (Italian)
Maksymiliana (Polish)

A common diminutive is Max

Aurelia, Aurelius

Posted on September 25, 2009 by Sebastiane

Origin: Latin
Meaning: “golden”

Originally a Roman gens name, Aurelius is from the Latin meaning, “golden; gilded.”

The name is borne by several famous personages throughout history, the earliest being the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and its feminine form, by his daughter Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla. Aurelia is also the name of the mother of Julius Caesar, (Aurelia Cotta), Tacitus proclaimed her the ideal Roman Matron. The Via Aurelia was named for an ancestor of her’s, Aurelius Cotta. The Via Aurelia is an ancient road that runs through Rome. Other famous Aurelias include Portuguese painter Aurélia de Souza (1867-1922), famous Romanian gymnast Aurelia Dobre (b.1972) and the mother of famed poetess, Sylvia Plath.

The Latinate form is popular in all the Latin based countries: Italy, Portugal and Spain including South America, as is its masculine counterpart, Aurelio. Aurelia is also quite prevalent in Poland. In addition, Aurelia shares her name with a genus of jellyfish, an asteroid and it is also used as a synonym for a chrysalis.

Other feminine forms of the names and cognates are:

Aorell (Breton)
Aurelija (Croatian/Lithuanian)
Aurélie (Czech: ow-REL-yeh)
Zlata. Zlatka, Zlatica (Czech/Slovakian: these names are often used as cognates for the Latin Aurelia, but literally mean “gold” in Czech and Slovakian)
Aurélie (French: the name came in as the 74th most popular female name in Belgium in 2006 and the 89th most popular female in France in 2003. oh-hray-LEE)
Aureliane/Auriane (French: obscure)
Aranka (Hungarian: this is another one that literally means “gold” in Hungarian but is used as a form of Aurelia)
Aurélia (Hungarian/Portuguese/Slovakian)
Rella/Relli (Hungarian: originally diminutive forms, now used as independent given names, they even have their own name day, which is October 15).
Auksė (Lithuanian: literally means “gold” in Lithuanian but is often used as a cognate)
Aura/Aurelia/Aurica (Romanian)

Hungarian diminutive forms are: Aura, Aurácska and Aurika.

Its masculine forms include:

Aurelian (English/Romanian)
Aurèle (French)
Aurélien (French: in France, he came in as the 88th most popular male name in 2006).
Aurel (German, Romanian and Czech)
Aurél (Hungarian/Romansch/ Bavarian)
Aurelianus (Latin)
Auksys (Lithuanian)
Aureliusz (Polish)
Oral (Romansch)
Aureliano (Spanish)

Its designated name-day in some countries is September 25, and the name is borne by several saints.

Thomas

Posted on July 3, 2009 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Aramaic
Meaning: “twin”
(TOM-us)

The Latinized form of the Aramaic Tau’ma which is derived from the word T’oma (תאומא) meaning “twin.” The name was introduced to the world via St. Thomas the Apostle, a character that plays a prominent role in the New Testament. He is best known for his disbelief when he first heard that Christ had resurrected from the dead, hence the saying “doubting Thomas.”

Tau’ma was a nickname given to him to differentiate him from Judas Iscariot, (Thomas’ real name being Judas or Jude). He is also known as Didymos, (the Greek word for twin), and Jude. His evangelization was attributed to the area of Persia and India. Thomas is a very popular name among Indian Christians and Persian Christians. His feast is celebrated on July 3rd. The name was introduced into the English speaking world via the Normans after they had conquered England. Since that time Thomas has been a relatively popular male name.

Tomas (Albanian)
Touma توما‎, (Arabic)
Tovmas (Armenian)
Foma (Azeri/Russian)
Tomás (Aragonese/Asturian/Spanish)
Tomas (Basque)
Dammerl (Baverian)
Tòmas (Bearnais)
Tamaš Тамаш (Belarusian)
Toma Тома (Bosnian/Bulgarian/Georgian)
Tomaz (Breton)
多馬 Duoma (Chinese Biblical)
湯瑪斯 Tangmasi, 湯瑪士 Tangmashi, 托馬斯 Tuomasi, (Chinese General Translation)
Tumasgiu (Corsican)
Tomo/Tome (Croatian: occassionally Tomislav is used as a translation, though technically it has no etymological relation to Thomas)
Tomáš (Czech)
Thomas (Danish/Dutch/English/French/German/Indonesian/Latin/Luxemborgish/Norwegian/Swedish)
Maas (Dutch: originally a diminutive form, sometimes used as an independent given name)
Toomas (Estonian)
Tummas (Faroese)
Tuomas/Tuomo (Finnish)
Maes (Flemmish)
Tomas (Filipino/Tagalog)
Theumis (Frisian)
Tomé (Galician)
Thōmâs Θωμᾶς/Thomás Θωμάς/Didymos Δίδυμος (Greek: Modern)
Teom (Hebrew)
Tamás (Hungarian)
Tómas (Icelandic)
Tomás (Irish)
Tommasso (Italian)
Tommassino (Italian)
Tomasiello/Tommasuccio (Italian: obscure)
トーマス Tomasu (Japanese)
Tomas (Karakalpak: a Turkic language spoken in Uzbekistan)
도마 Doma /Toma (Korean Biblical)
토머스 Tomeoseu/T’omŏsŭ (Korean: General Translation)
Thomasê (Kurdish)
Toms (Latvian)
Tomas (Lithuanian)
Томислав, Τоми, Томо, Томас, Τоме (Macedonian)
Thoma/Thommen/Oummen/Thommy (Malayalam)
Tamihana (Maori)
Tumas (Maltese)
Tuami (Moroccan-Arabic)
Thomé (Occitanian)
توماس Tomasp (Persian)
Tomasz (Polish: Tomek is a popular diminutive, equivalent to Tommy or Tom)
Tomás, Tomé (Portuguese)
Tomašis/Tomerdos (Romani: language of the Roma people)
Tumasch (Romansch)
Tuoms (Saimogaitian: a dialect of Lithuanian)
Tomasi (Samoan)
Tomasso (Sardinian)
Tam/Tòmas (Scottish)
Тома Toma (Serbian)
Tomáš (Slovakian)
Tomaž (Slovene)
Tomás (Spanish)
Thoma (Swahili)
Tāmas தாமஸ்/Tōmā தோமா (Tamil)
To-mus โทมัส (Thai)
Choma (Ukrainian)
Tomaš (Upper Sorbian)
Tomaxo (Venetian)
Tomos/Twm (Welsh)
Teomo (Yiddish)

Thomasina, Thomasine, Thomazina and Tammy, Tamsin. Popular nicknames include Tom and Tommy.

Legitimate Baby Names

names that are not made up and have had a history

Category Archives: Bavarian Names

Fridolin

Christian

Mary, Maria, Miriam

Anthony, Antonia

Balthazar

Jacob, James, Jacqueline

Barbara

Maximilian

Aurelia, Aurelius

Thomas