Category Archives: Nickname Names

Jenny

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Gender: Feminine
Origin: English/German/Swedish
Eng (JEN-nee); Germ/Swe (YEHN-nee)

The name started off as a medieval diminutive for Jane or Johanna, but became to be used as an independent given name by the 18th-century.

It has only been recent that the name has come to be associated with Jennifer.

As of 2009, Jenny was the 708th most popular female name in the United States. The highest she has ranked in U.S. naming history was in 1977 when she was the 108th most popular female name.

She is currently the 30th most popular female name in Norway (2009).

A notable bearer was Swedish opera singer, Jenny Lind (1820-1887).

It was also borne by the wife of Karl Marx, Jenny of Westphalia (1814-1881).

An Icelandic form is Jenný.

Another Swedish form is Jennika.

Designated name-days are: August 15 (Estonia); October 6 (Sweden)

Source

  1. http://www.behindthename.com/name/jenny

Zita

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Gender: Feminine
Origin: Italian
Meaning: “little girl; maiden; virgin.”
(ZEE-ta)

The name is derived from the Tuscan medieval dialectical term referring either to a little girl or unmarried woman. Over time, the term has taken on various meanings depending on the region of Italy. In some instances, it was used as a term of endearment for a young girl, in others, it was used to refer to a “spinster.” In modern Sicilian, zita literally means “girlfriend” while zito is boyfriend.

The name was borne by a famous medieval Italian saint, Zita of Lucca (1218-1227). Since she was a poor servant of unknown background, Zita may have actually been an affectionate nickname given by her devout followers, her true name being lost to history.

St. Zita was known for her piety and selfless acts. She was known for taking her megre earnings and food to the poor. She is also known for many miracles. She is considered the patron saint of servants and lost keys. Due to her cult, the name became popular outside of Italy and in other Catholic countries.

In German, the name could also be considered a contracted form of Felizitas.

As of 2009, Zita was the 65th most popular female name in Hungary and the 65th most popular female name in Belgium (2006)

Other forms of the name include:

Zita (Czech/French/German/Hungarian/Italian/Latvian/Lithuanian/Portuguese/Slovak/Slovene)
Zite (French)
Zitella (French)
Zéra (French)
Zérane (French)
Cita (Italian)
Zyta (Polish)

Nicknames include the Czech, Zitka, Zituška, Zitunka, Zituš, Zituna, Zitule and Zitulka. The Polish Zytka.

Italian masculine forms include: Zito, Zitolo, Cito and Citolo

The designated name day is April 2 (Slovakia); April 24 (Italy; Poland) April 27 (Lithuanian); August 11 (Latvia); September 19 (Czech Republic)

Sources

  1. http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zita
  2. http://www.behindthename.com/php/find.php?name=zita

Bernard, Bernadette

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Gender: Masculine
Origin: Old German
Meaning: “brave as a bear; hardy as a bear.”
(Am. Eng) (ber-NARD); (Brit. Eng) (BER-nerd)

The name is composed of the Old High Germanic elements, bern (bear) and hard (brave; hardy).

The name was introduced into England by the conquering Normans in the 10th-century, replacing the more Anglo-Saxon version of Beornheard.

It became quite prevalent throughout Western Europe during the middle ages due to the associations with St. Bernard of Menthon, a Swiss monastic credited to building hospices in the Alps, (it is from him that the breed of dog, the St. Bernard, takes its name) and St. Bernard of Clairvaux, an influential 12th-century French theologian who is revered as both a saint and Doctor of the Church by the Catholic Church.

As of 2009, the name fell out of the U.S. top 1000 most popular male names. The highest he ever ranked in U.S. naming history was at # 45 in 1919 and again in 1921.

Its more popular feminine version of Bernadette became prevalent, especially among Catholics throughout the Western World, after the Canonization of St. Bernadette Soubirous (née Marie-Bernarde Soubirous). St. Bernadette was a 19th-century French peasant girl credited to seeing visions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France.

Before her recognition throughout the world, Bernadette was primarily a diminutive, used as an affectionate form of the French feminine name, Bernarde.

The last time Bernadette ranked in the U.S. top 1000 was in 1993, coming in at # 891. The highest she ever ranked in U.S. naming history was in 1946, coming in as the 188th most popular female name. Its Hungarian cognate of Bernadett currently ranks in as the 76th most popular female name in Hungary (2009).

Variations

Bernard

Bernardi (Albanian)
Bernal (Aragonese/Galician)
Beñat (Basque)
Bernarta (Basque)
Bernez (Breton)
Bernat (Catalan)
Bernardu (Corsican/Sardinian)
Bernard (Croatian/Czech/English/French/German/Polish/Romanian/Romansch/Slovenian/Swedish)
Bernhardt/Bernhart (Danish/Finnish/German/Norwegian/Swedish)
Berend (Dutch)
Bernaard (Dutch)
Bernhard (Dutch/Estonian/German)
Päärn/Pärn/Pärno (Estonian)
Pääro (Estonian)
Pearn/Pearu (Estonian)
Bernardin (French/Romansch)
Bent (Frisian)
Bernaldo (Galician)
Bernaldino (Galician)
Berendt (German)
Berinhard (German: archaic)
Bernd/Berndt (German/Swedish)
Bernárd (Hungarian)
Bernát (Hungarian)
Bennardo/Bennardino (Italian)
Berardo (Italian)
Bernadetto (Italian)
Bernardino (Italian)
Bernardo (Italian/Portuguese/Spanish)
Bernoardo (Italian)
Bearnárd (Irish-Gaelic)
Bernardus (Late Latin)
Bernards (Latvian)
Bierants (Latvian)
Biernis (Latvian)
Bernardas (Lithuanian)
Beurnard (Poitevin)

Bernadette

Bernardete (Albanian/Portuguese)
Bernada (Catalan/Occitanian)
Bernadeta (Catalan/Occitanian/Polish)
Bernarda (Croatian/German/Italian/Slovene/Spanish/Polish/Portuguese)
Bernadette (English/French)
Bernarde (French)
Bernardine (French)
Bernadett (Hungarian)
Bernadetta/Bernardetta (Italian)
Bernardina (Italian)
Bernadetė (Lithuanian)
Bernardka (Slovenian)
Bernardita (Spanish)

Common English diminutives for both names are Bernie & Benny.

In French it is Bébère, Nanard and Bernie for males.

A Polish female diminutive is Bernardetka.

The designated name-day is August 20.

Source

  1. http://www.behindthename.com/name/bernard

Tamar, Tamara

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Gender: Feminine
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “date palm, palm tree.”
Тамара
თამარ

The name was borne in the Old Testament by a daughter-in-law of Judah (Genesis 38) and also by the daughter of King David (2 Samuel 13) .

The name is derived from the Hebrew meaning, “date palm” or “palm tree.”

Since both characters are involved in some seamy controversy, the name was never historically a common name among Jews or Christians. Its popularity may have been awakened when it was introduced into the Western World via the Ballet Russe where a few Russian ballerinas of Georgian descent bore the name. Its popularity may have been further realized via Polish cubist painter Tamara de Lempicka (born Maria Gorska) 1898-1980.

The name had always been common in Russia, Armenia and Georgia, but in this case, the name seems to have been borne by a sky goddess in Georgian mythology and was also the name of a famous Georgian queen and saint and therefore has no relation to the Biblical name.

During the 1940s-50s, the spin-off diminutive form of Tammy became popular as a given name in its own right, most likely due to the popularity of the Tammy movies. In 1966, it was the 8th most popular female name, as of recent years, she does not appear in the U.S. top 1000.

Tamara’s popularity has spread outside of Russia and Georgia. Her rankings in other countries are as follows:

  • # 52 (Chile, 2006)
  • # 147 (Germany, 2009)
  • # 57 (Hungary, 2008)
  • # 59 (Slovenia, 2005)

The designated name-days are: January 26 (Slovakia), March 22 (Latvia), April 28 (Russia), May 1 (France), May 2 (Russia), June 3 (Czech Republic/Poland), December 29 (Hungary).

Tamara also happens to coincide with a Sanskrit word for spice and in Malayalam and Tamil, Tamara means “lotus flower.”

Other forms of the name include:

  • T’amar (Georgian)
  • Tamari (Georgian)
  • Tamro (Georgian)
  • Tamuna თამუნა (Georgian)
  • Tamwili (Georgian)
  • Tako (Georgian)
  • Támár (Hungarian)

An Armenian diminutive is Tamarig and a  Russian short form is Toma.

Sources

  1. http://www.askoxford.com/firstnames/tamara?view=uk
  2. http://www.behindthename.com/php/find.php?name=tamara
  3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamar_of_Georgia

Peter

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Gender: Masculine
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “rock.”
Eng (PEE-ter)

The name is derived from the Greek Πετρος (Petros) meaning, “rock.”

The name is found in the New Testament as a vernacular translation for the Aramaic Cephas (rock) a nickname designated to the Apostle Simon Bar-Jonah by Jesus. He is known as St. Peter, and Catholics traditionally attribute him as being the first Pope.  Among other denominations, he is considered to be one of Christ’s most prominent apostles.

Due to the associations with the apostle, Peter became an extremely prevalent male name throughout the Christian world.

The name seems to have been in usage in England since early times, but became especially popular after the Norman invasion. During this period, the form of Piers was preferred, being gradually replaced in popularity by Peter over the centuries.

Currently, Peter is 191st most popular male name in the United States, (2009). He has been steadily declining in the United States for the past 10 years, in 2000 he ranked in at # 125. His rankings in other countries, however, has not faltered. His rankings including his vernacular forms are as follows:

  • # 7 Pedro (Brazil, 2009)
  • # 9 Petar (Bulgaria, 2008)
  • # 15 Petr (Czech Republic, 2009)
  • #38 Pierre (France, 2006)
  • # 3 (Greenland, 2003-2004)
  • # 8 (Hungary, 2008)
  • # 33 Petur (Iceland, 2008)
  • # 70 (Ireland, 2008)
  • # 25 Pietro (Italy, 2007)
  • # 8 Pēteris (Latvia, 2005)
  • # 9 Petar (Macedonia, 2006)
  • # 10 Piotr (Poland, 2008)
  • # 3 (Slovakia, 2004)
  • # 59 (Slovenia, 2005)
  • # 50 Pedro (Spain, 2008)

Other forms of the name include:

  • Petrus (Afrikaans/Dutch/German/Indonesian/Latin/Limburgish/Plattdeutsch/Swedish)
  • Pieter (Afrikaans)
  • Pjetër/Pjetri (Albanian)
  • Ṗeṭros ጴጥሮስ (Amharic/Ethiopian)
  • Pero (Aragonese)
  • Bedros/Pedros Պետրոս (Armenian)
  • Botros/Boutros/Butros بطرس (Arabic/Coptic)
  • Pedru (Asturian/Konkoni)
  • Pyotr (Azeri)
  • Betiri (Basque)
  • Kepa (Basque)
  • Peio (Basque)
  • Peru (Basque)
  • Petri (Basque)
  • Piatro Пятро (Belarusian)
  • Piotr Пётр (Belarusian/Polish)
  • Pêr (Breton)
  • Pierrick (Breton)
  • Penko Пенко (Bulgarian)
  • Petar Петар (Bulgarian/Croatian/Macedonian/Serbian)
  • Pere (Catalan)
  • Peder (Cornish/Danish/Lombard/Norwegian)
  • Petru (Corsican/Romanian/Sicilian)
  • Pyè (Creole)
  • Pero (Croatian/Serbian)
  • Petar Петар (Croatian/Macedonian/Serbian/Slovene)
  • Petr (Czech)
  • Pelle (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish: originally a diminutive, now occasionally used as an independent given name. PEL-le)
  • Peer (Danish/Dutch/German)
  • Per (Danish/Faroese/Norwegian/Swedish)
  • Peter (Danish/Dutch/English/German/Luxembourgish/Norwegian/Slovak/Swedish)
  • Peeter (Estonian)
  • Peiru (Extramadura)
  • Pætur/Petur (Faroese)
  • Patras پطرس (Farsi)
  • Pekka (Finnish)
  • Petteri (Finnish)
  • Petri (Finnish)
  • Pietari (Finnish)
  • Pierre (French)
  • Piter/Pier/Pit (Frisian)
  • P’et’re პეტრე (Georgian)
  • Petros Πέτρος (Greek)
  • Pathros (Hindi)
  • Péter (Hungarian)
  • Petres (Hungarian)
  • Peto (Hungarian)
  • Pétur (Icelandic)
  • Peadar (Irish-Gaelic)
  • Pietro (Italian/Albanian)
  • Petronius (Latin)
  • Pēteris (Latvian)
  • Petras (Lithuanian)
  • Pir (Luxembourgish)
  • Petre Петре (Macedonian/Romanian)
  • Pathrose (Malayalam)
  • Pietru (Maltese)
  • Peddyr (Manx)
  • Petera (Maori)
  • Petter (Norwegian/Swedish)
  • Pèir/Pèire/Pèr (Occitanian)
  • Pedro (Portuguese/Spanish)
  • Pêro (Portuguese: archaic)
  • Pidru (Quecha)
  • Peadar/Peader/Peder/Peidar/Peider (Romansch)
  • Pyotr Пётр (Russian)
  • Pedru/Perdu/Pretu (Sardinian)
  • Peadar/Peadair (Scottish-Gaelic)
  • Pyjter/Piter (Silesian)
  • Pětr (Sorbian)
  • Petero (Swahili)
  • Pär (Swedish)
  • Pethuru (Tamil)
  • Raayappar (Tamil)
  • Petro Петро (Ukrainian)
  • Piter (Uzbek)
  • Piero (Venetian)
  • Piitre (Vöro: an Eastern Estonian dialect)
  • Pedr (Welsh)

In French, Pierre is used in a number of compound names. Some of the most common include:

Some common Italian compound names include: Piergiuseppe, Pietropaolo, Pierpaolo, Pietrantonio, Pierantonio, Pierluigi , Piergiorgio , Pietrangelo, Pierangelo, Pierce, Pierfrancesco, Piermaria and Piersilvio

Its feminine form of Petra was once a very popular name in German-speaking countries, but is now considered rather dated. Throughout Central Europe, however, she is experiencing a strong trend. Her current rankings are as follows:

  • # 46 (Czech Republic, 2009)
  • # 9 (Hungary, 2008)
  • # 46(Slovenia, 2005)

Feminine forms include:

  • Peta (Afrikaans/English)
  • Penka Пенка (Bulgarian)
  • Petra(Bulgarian/Croatian/Czech/Dutch/Finnish/German/Greek/Hungarian/Scandinavian/Serbian/Slovak/Slovene/Spanish)
  • Petrina (Croatian/German)
  • Pernille (Danish/Norwegian)
  • Petrea (Danish)
  • Petrine (Danish/German/Norwegian)
  • Petronella (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish)
  • Pietronella (Dutch)
  • Parnel/Pernel (English: archaic)
  • Peronel (English: archaic)
  • Petronel (English: archaic)
  • Petriina (Finnish)
  • Pernelle (French)
  • Pernette (French)
  • Péroline (French)
  • Péronelle (French)
  • Perrenotte (French)
  • Perrette (French)
  • Perrine (French)
  • Pétronelle (French)
  • Peyronne (French)
  • Pierrine/Pierrette (French)
  • Pétronille (French)
  • Peekje (Frisian)
  • Peterke (Frisian)
  • Petje (Frisian)
  • Petke (Frisian)
  • Pierke/Pierkje (Frisian)
  • Pieterke (Frisian)
  • Pietje/Piertje (Frisian)
  • Petrónia (Hungarian)
  • Petronia (Italian/Latin/Polish)
  • Petronilla (Italian/Latin)
  • Piera/Pierina (Italian)
  • Pieretta (Italian)
  • Pieruccia (Italian)
  • Pietra/Pietrina (Italian)
  • Pietruccia (Italian)
  • Petronela (Polish/Romanian)
  • Petrona (Spanish)
  • Pernilla (Swedish)

Italian female compound forms include: Pierangela and Pieranna.

Common German pet forms are: Pedi, Petzi and Pezi

The designated name-days are: April 29 (Hungary) and June 29 (Hungary, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden).

Sources

Matthias, Mathias

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Gender: Masculine
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “gift of yahweh.”
Eng (muh-THIGH-us); Germ/Scand (mah-TEE-ahs)

Matthias is a form of Matthew, but has been treated as a different name for centuries. He has been a staple in Central and Northern Europe, especially in Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia.

In the New Testament, the name was borne by the replacement of Judas Iscariot. Matthias was considered an apostle and according to legend, he went on to convert the Georgians where he died a martyr by crucifixion.

He is currently one of the most popular male names in all of Europe, his rankings are as follows:

  • # 8 Mathis (Belgium, 2008)
  • # 13 Matyáš (Czech Republic, 2009)
  • # 10 Mathias (Denmark, 2009)
  • # 8 Mattias/Mathias (Estonia, 2008)
  • # 60 Mathias (France, 2006)
  • # 71 Matthis/Mathis/Mattis/Matis (Germany, 2009)
  • # 131 Matthias (Germany, 2009)
  • # 54 Mátyás (Hungary, 2008)
  • # 31 Matthías (Iceland, 2008)
  • # 7 Mattia (Italy, 2007)
  • # 5 Mathias (Liechtenstein, 2008)
  • # 1 Matas (Lithuania, 2009)
  • # 1 Matthias (Malta, 2008)
  • # 6 Thijs (the Netherlands, 2009)
  • # 52 Ties (the Netherlands, 2009)
  • # 92 Matthijs (the Netherlands, 2009)
  • # 5 Mathias/Matias (Norway, 2009)
  • # 11 Maciej (Poland, 2008)
  • # 35 Matija (Slovenia, 2005)
  • # 90 Matjaz (Slovenia, 20o5)
  • # 97 Mattias (Sweden)
  • # 33 Mathis (Switzerland, among French-speakers, 2008)
  • # 4 Mattia (Switzerland, among Italian-speakers, 2008)
  • # 4 Mattia (Switzerland, among Romansch-speakers, 2008)

Other forms of the name include:

  • Matthias Ματθιας Матті́й (Afrikaans/English/French/German/Greek/Maltese/Scandinavian/Ukrainian)
  • Matthes (Afrikaans)
  • Mattheis (Afrikaans)
  • Matthies (Afrikaans)
  • Matta متى (Arabic)
  • Matai (Aramaic)
  • Matta/Mətta (Azeri)
  • Matia (Basque)
  • Maciej Maceй (Belarusian/Polish: MAHT-chay)
  • Matties (Catalan)
  • Matija Матија (Croatian/Serbian/Slovene)
  • Matyáš (Czech)
  • Matthijs (Dutch)
  • Thijs (Dutch: originally a diminutive form, now a very popular independent given name. TIES)
  • Ties (Dutch: originally a diminutive form, now a very popular independent given name. TEES)
  • Madis (Estonian)
  • Matias (Finnish/Portuguese)
  • Mat’at”a მატათა (Georgian)
  • Mathias (French/German/Scandinavian)
  • Mathis (French/German)
  • Matis (German)
  • Mattias (German/Swedish)
  • This (German)
  • Mathaios Ματθαιος (Greek: Biblical)
  • Makaio (Hawaiian)
  • Mattithyahu מַתִּתְיָהוּ (Hebrew)
  • Mátyás (Hungarian)
  • Maitiú (Irish-Gaelic)
  • Mattia (Italian)
  • Mathia (Kiswahili)
  • Matiass (Latvian)
  • Matas (Lithuanian)
  • Motiejus (Lithuanian)
  • Mathai (Malayalam)
  • Matius (Malay)
  • Matthia Матѳіа (Old Church Slavonic)
  • Täis (Plattdeutsch)
  • Matia (Romanian)
  • Mateias/Matteias (Romansch)
  • Teias (Romansch)
  • Tia (Romansch)
  • Tias (Romansch)
  • Maitias (Scottish-Gaelic)
  • Matia (Sardinian)
  • Maćij (Sorbian)
  • Matías (Spanish)

An obscure Feminine form is the Polish: Macieja

In France, the designated name-day is May 14.

The name has been borne by several Hungarian kings.

Sources

  1. http://www.behindthename.com/php/find.php?name=matthias
  2. http://www.askoxford.com/firstnames/matthias?view=uk
  3. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10066a.htm

Susan, Susannah

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Gender: Feminine
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “lily; rose.”

Susannah is the anglicized form of the Biblical Greek Sousanna (Σουσαννα) which in turn, is a translation of the Biblical Hebrew שׁוֹשַׁנָּה (Shoshannah). Shoshannah is derived from the Hebrew word ששון (shoshan) which means “lily” in ancient Hebrew, but in modern Hebrew has evolved to mean “rose.”

The Hebrew word of shoshan has been traced to the ancient Egyptian element, sšn meaning “lotus” and is also believed to be linked with the Hebrew word ששון (sasson) meaning, “joy”.

It is also interesting to note that in modern Farsi, the word for lily is sausan compare to shoshan.

The ancient place name of Susa is also believed to be related to the Semitic botanical word, due to the so-called abundance of lilies that used to thrive in the area.

In the Old Testament (or Apocrypha) the name is borne by a woman falsely accused of adultery. She is rescued by the prophet Daniel who tricks her accusers and reverses the accusations against them.

It is also borne in the New Testament by a companion of Mary and a disciple of Christ. She is revered as a saint in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Susan is a Middle English knock off, most likely influenced by the French Suzanne, which might have been introduced by the Norman conquerors in the 11th-century.

Currently, Susannah does not appear in the U.S. top 1000, (2008), but she has become especially trendy in many Central and Eastern European countries (in her various vernacular forms of course).

Her rankings in other countries are as follows:

  • # 22 Zuzana (Czech Republic, 2009)
  • # 96 Zsuzsanna (Hungary, 2009)
  • # 8 Suzana (Macedonia, 2006)
  • # 3 Zuzanna (Poland, 2008)
  • # 3 Zuzana (Slovakia, 2004)

In the English-speaking world, Susan was especially popular after World War II. In the United States, it is often considered dated and is usually associated with someone in their early 60s to late 50s. In fact, she remained a staple among the Baby-Boom Generation all the way to the early beginnings of the Generation Xers. She remained strong in the top 10 for over 20 years. The highest she peaked was between 1957 and 1960, coming in as the second most popular female name. Currently, she stands at a meagre #711.

Other forms of the name include:

  • Sawsan (Arabic)
  • Shushan (Armenian)
  • Sjusanna (Bulgarian)
  • Zulisja (Bulgarian)
  • Susanna (Catalan/Estonian/Finnish/German/Italian/Romansch/Swedish/Ukrainian)
  • Suzana (Croatian/Macedonian/Romanian/Serbian/Slovene)
  • Zuzana (Czech/Slovak/Lithuanian)
  • Sanna/Sanne (Danish/Dutch/Finnish/Norwegian/Swedish)
  • Susanne (Dutch/German/Norwegian/Swedish)
  • Susan (English)
  • Soosan سوسـن (Farsi)
  • Suzanne (French)
  • Suzette (French: originally a diminutive, but long regarded as an independent given name)
  • Šušanik შუშანიკ (Georgian)
  • Sousanna Σουσαννα (Greek)
  • Susann (German/Scandinavian)
  • Shoshana שושנה (Hebrew: Modern)
  • Zsuzsanna (Hungarian: ZHOO-zhawn-naw)
  • Zane (Latvian)
  • Zuzanna (Latvian/Polish: zoo-ZAHN-nah; zoo-ZAHN-ne-nah)
  • Sosamma (Malayalam)
  • Huhana (Maori)
  • Żużanna (Polish: archaic, possibly based off the Hungarian form. zhoo-ZHAHN-ne-nah)
  • Susana (Portuguese/Spanish)
  • Sana (Romansch)
  • Susauna (Romansch)
  • Sjusanna Сюзанна (Russian)
  • Suzan (Turkish)

Bulgarian diminutives include: Susa, Suzanka and Susak
Czech/Slovak short for is Zuza
English short forms are: Sue, Suzie and occasionally, Sukie/Sookie.
French affectionate forms include: Suzelle/Suzel, Suzette, Suzie and Suzon
Hungarian short forms are: Zsazsa, Zsuzsa and Zsuzsi.
Lithuanian diminutives are: Zune and Zuze
Polish diminutives include: Zanna, Żanna, Zanka, Zańka, Zuchna, Zula, Zuzia and Zużka
Spanish diminutives are: Susanita & Susi

The designated name-day is August 11 in (Estonia, Finland and Sweden).

Sources

Dominic

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Gender: Masculine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “of the Lord; Sunday”
Eng (DOM-ih-nic)

The name is derived from the Late Latin, Dominicus, meaning “of the Lord.” In Medieval Europe, it was often given to children born on sunday. The Spanish form of this name, Domingo is also the Spanish word for sunday, while in modern Italian, the feminine version, Domenica, is the Italian word for sunday.

The name was borne by a 12th-century Catholic saint who is attributed as being the founder of the Dominican Friars (1170-1221). The name has been borne by several other saints since then.

The name was occasionally used in Medieval England, but completely fell out of usage after the Reformation.

In the United States, Dominic is the 93rd most popular male name, (2008). His rankings in other countries are as follows:

  • # 91 (Australia, 2008)
  • # 75 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
  • # 6 Dominik (Croatia, 2009)
  • # 12 Dominik (Czech Republic, 2009)
  • # 45 Dominik/Dominic (Germany, 2009)
  • # 74 Domonkos (Hungary, 2008)
  • # 7 Dominykas (Lithuania, 2008)
  • # 18 Dominik (Poland, 2008)
  • # 24 Domen (Slovenia, 2005)
  • # 5 Men (Switzerland, among Romansch-speakers, 2008)

Other forms of the name include:

  • Dominik Домінік (Albanian/Croatian/Czech/German/Hungarian/Polish/Slovak/Slovene/Ukrainian)
  • Domingu (Asturian)
  • Txomin (Basque)
  • Daminik Дамінік (Belorusian)
  • Domènec (Catalan)
  • Dominicus (Dutch/Latin Latin)
  • Dominic (English/German/Romanian)
  • Dominique (French)
  • Dominikus (German)
  • Doménikos Δομήνικος (Greek: Modern)
  • Dóminik (Icelandic)
  • Domhlaic (Irish-Gaelic)
  • Doiminic (Irish-Gaelic)
  • Domenico (Italian)
  • Domenichino (Italian: obscure)
  • Domenicuccio (Italian: obscure)
  • Mimmo (Italian: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name)
  • Domán (Hungarian)
  • Domonkos (Hungarian)
  • Domos (Hungarian)
  • Dominiks (Latvian)
  • Domeneg(h)/Dumeneg(h) (Lombard)
  • Dominykas (Lithuanian)
  • Duminku (Maltese)
  • Dumini (Piedmontese)
  • Domingos (Portuguese)
  • Domeni/Dumeni (Romansch)
  • Dumeng (Romansch)
  • Dumenic (Romansch)
  • Men (Romansch: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name)
  • Dominigu (Sardinian)
  • Domenicu/Dumènicu/Duminicu/Dumìnicu (Sicilian)
  • Mimmu (Sicilian)
  • Domen (Slovene)
  • Domingo (Spanish)

Croatian diminutive is Dinko
An English diminutive is Dom and occasionally Nick
French pet forms are: Do, Dodo, Dom, Domi, Doum, Doumé and Mingo.
Italian diminutives include: Menico, Micuccio, Mico, Micu, Micuzzu, Mimmo, Mingo, Minguccio, Mimì and Minicu.
Polish short form is Domek
Romansch diminutives are: Maini, Mang, Mec, Menisch and Mic.

Feminine forms include:

  • Dominika (Croatian/Czech/German/Hungarian/Polish/Slovene)
  • Domenika (German)
  • Dominica (German/Late Latin)
  • Domenica (Italian)
  • Domia (Italian)
  • Dominica (Italian)
  • Dominichella (Italian: obscure)
  • Mimma (Italian)
  • Domnika Домника (Macedonian)
  • Duminka (Maltese)
  • Domingas (Portuguese)
  • Dumengia (Romansch)
  • Dumenia (Romansch)
  • Dumina (Romansch)
  • Memma (Romansch)
  • Menga (Romansch: originally a diminutive, now used as an independent given name)
  • Mengia (Romansch: originally a diminutive, now used as an independent given name)
  • Fidula (Sardinian)
  • Dominga (Spanish)

Italian diminutives are: Menica, Micuccia, Mimma and Mimì
Romansch diminutives are: Meca, Mena and Mica

Sources

  1. http://www.behindthename.com/name/dominic
  2. http://www.askoxford.com/firstnames/dominic?view=uk

Charles, Caroline

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3

Gender: Masculine
Origin: German
Meaning: “man; free man”

The name is derived from a Germanic root word describing someone who is of the farm or peasant class. It corresponds with the Anglo-Saxon term ceorl (churl) and the Old German word karl. Both words were used to describe a male member of society who came from the lowest ranks but was not considered a servant or thrall. It is believed that its Old High German counterpart, karal, was originally used to describe any man. Interestingly enough, in the Poetic Edda, the progenitor of the peasant class is named Karl.

Its usage as a given name seems to have begun with the Frankish King and Holy Roman Emperor, Charles the Great also known as Charlemagne. As a result, the name became extremely common among French royalty and was later introduced to the British Royal Line when Mary Queen of Scots named her son Charles, later known as Charles I Stuart. Since Mary of Scots grew up in France, it is believed that her naming choices may have been influenced by her early habitation among French royalty.

The name was also extremely common among Swedish, German and Spanish Royalty.

It has also been borne by several saints.

Charles remains a fairly prevalent name throughout the Western World. In the English-speaking world, Charles’ rankings are as follows (vernacular forms are italicized):

  • # 72 (Australia, 2008)
  • # 85 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
  • # 2 Karlo (Croatia, 2009)
  • # 56 (England/Wales, 2008)
  • # 21 Carlos (Spain, 2008)
  • #63 (United States, 2008)

Its diminutive form of Charlie is often used as an independent given name, sometimes ranking even higher on the charts than its formal counterpart. His rankings are as follows:

  • # 26 (Australia, 2008)
  • # 7 (England/Wales, 2008)
  • #29 (Ireland, 2008)
  • # 1 (Isle of Man, 2009)
  • # 8 (Northern Ireland, 2009)
  • # 22 (Scotland, 2009)
  • # 42 (Sweden, 2009)
  • # 307 (United States, 2008)

Other forms of the name include:

  • Karlo (Albanian/Croatian/Finnish/Serbian)
  • Kirollis كيرولوس(Arabic: used primarily among Arab Christians if used at all)
  • Carllos (Asturian)
  • Carlos (Asturian/Galician/Portuguese/Spanish)
  • Karla/Karlos (Basque)
  • Karol (Basque/Polish/Slovak)
  • Xarles (Basque)
  • Charlez (Breton)
  • Carl/Karl Карл (Bulgarian/Finnish/German/Russian/Scandinavian/Ukrainian)
  • Carles (Catalan)
  • Charlys (Cornish)
  • Carlu (Corsican/Sicilian)
  • Karel (Czech/Dutch/Limburgish/Slovene)
  • Karelius (Danish/Norwegian: archaic)
  • Carolus (Dutch/Latin)
  • Kaarel (Estonian)
  • Kaarle/Kaarlo (Finnish)
  • Charles (French/English)
  • Charlot (French: originally a diminutive form, now completely out of usage. SHAR-lo)
  • Keerl/Kerll (German: rare form)
  • Karolos Κάρολος (Greek: Modern)
  • Kale (Hawaiian)
  • Károly (Hungarian: Kah-roi)
  • Séarlas (Irish-Gaelic)
  • Carlino/Carolino (Italian)
  • Carlo (Italian/Welsh)
  • Kārlis (Latvian)
  • Charel (Lexumbourgish: KAH-rel)
  • Sjarel (Limburgish. SHAH-rel)
  • Karolis (Lithuanian. kah-roh-lis)
  • Karlu (Maltese)
  • Carol (Romanian)
  • Carli (Romansch)
  • Carule/Carlus (Sardinian)
  • Tèarlach (Scottish-Gaelic)
  • Korla (Sorbian)
  • Kalle (Swedish: a diminutive form commonly used as an independent name. KAHL-le)
  • Siarl (Welsh: SHARL)

Czech diminutives: Karlík, Karlíček.
English diminutives: Charlie, Chas, Chaz, Chip, Chuck, Chuckie
French diminutives: Charlie, Charlot
Hungarian diminutives: Karcsi
Italian diminutives: Carletto, Carluccio
Polish diminutives: Karolek, Lolek
Portuguese/Spanish diminutives: Carlito, Carlitos

Its feminine offshoot of Caroline is a French borrowing. Pronounced (kare-uh-LINE) in English, it has always been a common name. She is currently the 94th most popular female name in the United States, (2008), her rankings in other countries are as follows: (vernacular forms are italicized)

  • #5  (Denmark 2009)
  • # 6 Carolin/Caroline (Estonia, 2007)
  • # 9 (Luxembourg, 2008)
  • # 74 (Norway, 2009)

Its more elaborate versions of Carolina/Karolina are also fairly prevalent in other countries. Carolina has had a history of usage among English-speakers as well, but among Americans, the name is usually associated with the States, both of which were named in honour of Charles I.

Currently, Carolina is the 355th most popular female name in the United States, (2008). Her rankings in other countries are as follows:

  • # 33 (Chile, 2006)
  • # 4 Karolína (Czech Republic, 2009)
  • # 14 Karolina (Poland, 2009)
  • # 54 (Spain, 2008)

Charlotte (see Charlotte entry for more info)

  • Carlota/Carlotta (Liechtenstein, 2008)
  • Carlota # 41 (Spain, 2008)

Carla/Karla

  • Carla (Catalonia Spain, 2008)
  • # 39 (Chile, 2006)
  • Karla # 7 (Croatia, 2009)
  • # 42 (France, 2006)

Other feminine forms include:

  • Carolina (Catalan/English/Italian/Portuguese/Spanish/Swedish)
  • Karla (Croatian/Czech/Dutch/German/Scandinavian)
  • Karola (Croatian/Czech/German/Hungarian)
  • Karolina (Croatian/German/Hungarian/Latvian/Lithuanian/Polish/Scandinavian/Slovak/Slovene)
  • Karolína (Czech)
  • Karoline (Danish/German/Norwegian/Swedish)
  • Carla (Dutch/English/German/Italian/Portuguese/Spanish)
  • Carola (Dutch/German/Italian/Scandinavian)
  • Carolien (Dutch: cah-ro-LEEN)
  • Caroline (Dutch/English/French/German/Scandinavian)
  • Charlotte (Dutch/English/French/German/Scandinavian)
  • Carly (English: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name)
  • Carolyn (English)
  • Charla (English: contraction of Charlene)
  • Karoliina (Finnish)
  • Carole (French)
  • Charlène (French/English: In French pronounced shahr-LEN, imported into the English speaking world where it is pronounced shar/char-LEEN)
  • Charline (French: shahr-LEEN)
  • Carolin (German: cah-ro-LEEN)
  • Karline (German)
  • Sarlott (Hungarian)
  • Séarlait (Irish-Gaelic)
  • Carletta (Italian)
  • Carlina (Italian)
  • Carlotta (Italian)
  • Carlottina (Italian)
  • Carluccia (Italian)
  • Tèarlag (Scottish-Gaelic)
  • Carlota (Spanish)
  • Charlotta (Swedish)

Their bearers are too numerous to list. Its designated name-days are: March 2 (France), November 4 (France).

For Caroline and her variations, May 9 (Poland), May 20 (Sweden), June 3 (Slovakia), July 5 (Lithuania/Poland), July 18 (Poland), August 6 (Lithuania) and February 2 (Hungary).