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.

William, Liam

Posted on January 15, 2010 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: German
Meaning: “desire; helmet protection.”
(WIL-yem)

The name is of Norman origins and is derived from the Old Germanic elements wil meaning “desire” and helm, meaning “helmet; protection.”

In the early Middle Ages, the name was especially popular among Norman nobility and royalty. It was borne by an 8th-century saint, William of Gellone, a monk and cousin of Charlemagne.

The name was introduced into England in the 11th-century by William the Conqueror, and remained an extremely common name in England from thereon.

In the United States, William stands as the 8th most popular male name (2008), the lowest he has ever ranked in U.S. history was in 1992 and then again in 1995 when it came in as the 20th most popular male name.

At the turn of the last century, for 30 years in a row, William remained the 2nd most popular male name in the United States, (1880-1909).

His rankings in other countries is as follows:

# 2 (Australia, 2008)
# 16 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
# 10 (England/Wales, 2008)
# 83 (France, 2006)
# 44 (Ireland, 2007)
# 402 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 5 (New Zealand, 2009)
# 19 (Norway, 2007)
# 46 (Scotland, 2008)
# 4 (Sweden, 2008)

Another popular up-and-coming form is Liam, which is an Irish contracted form of William. Currently, he stands as the 75th most popular male name in the United States (2008). His rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 17 (Australia, 2007)
# 48 (Belgium, 2006)
# 10 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
# 22 (England/Wales, 2008)
# 26 (Ireland, 2008)
# 82 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 7 (New Zealand, 2009)
# 4 (Scotland, 2009)
# 13 (Sweden, 2007)

The name is borne by Irish actor, Liam Neeson.

Other cognates of William include:

Guildhelm (Afrikaans/Old Dutch)
Uilliam (Albanian)
Willelm (Anglo-Saxon)
Guillén (Aragonese)
Gwilherm (Breton)
Uiliam Уилиам (Bulgarian)
Guillem (Catalan)
Vilém (Czech)
Vilhelm (Danish)
Willem (Dutch)
Wim (Dutch)
William (English/Scandinavian)
Villem/Villu (Estonian)
Vilhelmi (Finnish)
Vilho (Finnish: contracted form)
Viljami (Finnish)
Ville (Finnish: contracted form)
Guillaume (French)
Jelle (Frisian: originally a diminutive form, used as an independent given name)
Pim (Frisian: originally a diminutive form, used as an independent given name)
Wilke/Wilko (Frisian)
Guillerme (Galician)
Wilhelm (German/Polish)
Gouliélmos Γουλιέλμος (Greek: Modern)
Vilmos (Hungarian)
Vilhjálmur (Icelandic)
Uilleag (Irish-Gaelic)
Uilliam (Irish-Gaelic)
Ulick (Irish: anglicization of Uilleag)
Guglielmo (Italian: most common offshoot)
Lemo (Italian: contracted form)
Velmo/Velmino (Italian: obscure)
Villelmo (Italian: obscure)
Villermo (Italian: obscure)
Vilio (Italian: obscure)
Guilielmus (Latin)
Viljams (Latvian)
Vilis (Latvian)
Wöllem/Wullem/Wum (Limburgish)
Vilhelmas (Lithuanian)
Vilius/Viliumas (Lithuanian)
Wellëm (Luxembourgish)
Illiam (Manx)
Wiremu (Maori)
Gllâome (Norman)
Guilhem (Occitanian)
Willahelm (Old German)
Vilhjálmr (Old Norse)
Willken/Wilm/Willm (Plattdeutsch)
Guilherme (Portuguese)
Zelmino/Zelmo (Romanesque)
Vilhelm (Romanian/Scandinavian)
Wellem (Ripoarisch)
Vilgelm Вильгельм (Russian/Ukrainian)
Vėljams (Samogaitian)
Uilleam (Scottish-Gaelic)
Gugghiermu (Sicilian)
Vilim Вилим (Serbian)
Viliam (Slovak)
Viljem (Slovene)
Guillermo (Spanish)
Gelmo/Gilmo (Venetian)
Gwil (Welsh)
Gwilim/Gwilym (Welsh)
Velvel װֶעלװֶעל (Yiddish: also the Yiddish word for wolf but commonly used as a diminutive form of Wilhelm)

Notable bearers include: Swiss national folk hero, William Tell (14th-century), Scottish national hero, William Wallace (13th-century).

It was also borne dramatist, William Shakespeare (1564-1616), poet William Blake (1757-1827), dramatist, William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), author William Faulkner (1897-1962), including the current Crown Prince of England, Prince William of Wales (b.1982), and it has also been borne by several U.S. presidents.

Common English diminutives England: Bill, Billy, Will, Willy and Wills/Wils.

Italian diminutives include: Gelmino, Ielmo, Memmo (Tuscan dialectical form), Memo and Lemmo.

Feminine offshoots include Willa, Wilhelmina, Wilma, Mina and Minnie.

Wilhelmina is a German/Dutch form that was briefly used in the United States in the early part of the 20th-century but is in rare use today, in fact, she does not appear in the U.S. top 1000. It is, however, currently the 297th most popular female name in the Netherlands (2008)

Wilhelmina was borne by several Danish princesses, and was extremely common in German and Dutch royalty.

Its contracted English form of Willa, seems like it should be an up-and-comer, but currently does not rank in the U.S. top 1000.

The name was borne by famous American author, Willa Cather (1873-1947) née Wilella, another feminine form of William which should be noted.

Minnie was quite fashionable as a stand alone name at the turn of the 20th-century. In 1880, she was the 5th most popular female name in the United States. She was out of the top 1000 by 1971.

The name is usually associated with the Disney Character and girlfriend of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, hence is probably why she fell out of usage.

Wilma is another form that has not been in the U.S. top 1000 for quite some time, introduced into the 19th-century by German and Scandinavian immigrants, Wilma is currently very trendy in both Norway and Sweden. More so in Sweden, it is currently the 9th most popular female name (2008).

An early English feminine form that might be appealing to the surname lovers was Wilmot, which appears as early as the 16th-century. It may have been an anglicization of an early French feminine name, Wilmette.

Other feminine forms are:

Wilma/Vilma (Czech/English/German/Portuguese/Scandinavian/Slovak/Spanish)
Elma (Dutch/German/Slovene: contracted form)
Willemina (Dutch)
Willemijn (Dutch)
Mina (English/German: contraction of Wilhelmina)
Minnie (English/German)
Velma (English/German)
Wilella (English)
Willa (English)
Willia (English)
Wilmot (English)
Wilhelmina (English/German/Dutch/Polish)
Helmi (Finnish: also means “pearl” see Helmi)
Miina (Finnish: contraction of Wilhelmina)
Minna (Finnish/German)
Vilhelmiina (Finnish)
Guillaumette/Guillaumine (French)
Guilette (French)
Minette (French)
Wilhelmine (French/German/Dutch)
Wilmette (French)
Jeltje/Jeltsje (Frisian: contractions of Wilhelmina)
Helma (German: contraction of Wilhelmina)
Helmine (German: contraction of Wilhelmina)
Vilhelma (Hungarian)
Vilhelmina (Hungarian/Scandinavian)
Azelma (Italian)
Gilma (Italian)
Guglielma/Guglielmina (Italian: diminutive forms are Mema and Memma)
Velma/Velmina (Italian)
Villelma/Vilelma/Villelmina/Villermina (Italian)
Vilia/Villa (Italian)
Zelma/Zelmina (Italian)
Mien (Limburgish: originally a short form of Wilhelmina, now used as an independent given name)
Guilhermina (Portuguese)
Wilja (Scandinavian)
Willamina (Scottish)
Guilla/Guillerma/Guillermina (Spanish)
Ilma (Spanish: contraction of Guillierma)
Gelma/Gelmina (Ventian)
Velvela (Yiddish)

A Finnish/Scandinavian diminutive is Mimmi.

A Czech and Polish diminutive is Minka and a popular English diminutive was Billie.

Designated name-days are: January 10 (France/Lithuania/Poland), April 6 (Finland/Hungary/Poland), May 26 (Finland/Lithuania/Poland/Sweden), May 28 (Germany/Latvia/Poland/Slovakia), June 8-24-25 (Hungary/Lithuania/Poland), July 5 (Poland), September 2 (Poland), September 19 (Hungary/Lithuania), October 25 (Poland).

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.

Alexander, Alexandra

Posted on January 9, 2010 by Sebastiane

Origin: Greek
Meaning: “defender of man.”

The name is composed of the Greek elements, ἀλέξω (alexos), meaning “to defend; to help” and the genitive Greek noun, ἀνδρός (andros) “belonging to man.” Hence, the name would roughly translate as “defender of man” or “helper of man.”

The name is extremely ancient, and possibly, even pre-Hellenistic, the oldest record of the name dates back to the Mycenean period, where the feminine form of Alexandra, is found written in Linear B.

In Greek mythology, Alexander was another name used for the hero, Paris and Alexandra was used as an epithet for the goddess, Hera.

The name is also found several times in the Bible and the most famous bearer in history has to possibly be attributed to Alexander the Great, a 4th-century Greek emperor who expanded his empire as far away as Asia, spreading his fame and his name.

Later the name was borne by several saints and kings throughout Europe, including Tsar Alexander I of Russia.

Currently, Alexander is the 6th most popular male name for boys in the United States, (2008), the lowest that Alexander ever ranked in U.S. naming history was in 1959, coming in at # 233.

In other countries, his rankings are as follows:

# 19 (Australia, 2008)
# 8 (Austria, 2008)
# 37 (Belgium, 2006)
# 3 (Bulgaria, 2008)
# 14 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
# 44 (Chile, 2006)
# 19 (England/Wales, 2008)
# 1 (Estonia, 2007)
# 9 (Finland, among Finnish-speakers)
# 99 (Hungary, 2008)
# 5 (Iceland, 2004-2007)
# 5 (Isle of Man, 2008)
# 2 Alessandro (Italy, 2007)
# 4 Alecsander/Alessandro (Liechtenstein, 2008)
# 1 Aleksander (Macedonia, 2006)
# 5 Alejandro (Mexico, 2008)
# 97 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 10 (Norway, 2008)
# 14 Aleksander (Poland, Warsaw, 2009)
# 2 Alexandru (Romania, 2008)
# 1 (Russia, Moscow, 2007)
# 11 (Scotland, 2008)
# 2 Alejandro (Spain, 2008)
# 2 Àlex (Spain, Catalonia, 2008)
# 6 (Sweden, 2008)
# 1 Alessandro (Switzerland, among Italian-speakers, 2008)

Other forms of Alexander include:

Aleksandër/Sandër/Skënder (Albanian: Aleko, Aleks, Leka, Lekë, Leksi and Leks are diminutive forms)
Eskender (Amharic/Ethiopian)
Iskander الاسكندر / اسكندر (Arabic)
Alixandre (Aragonese)
Aleksandr/Alexandr Ալեքսանդր (Armenian)
Aleksan/Alexan Ալեքսան (Armenian)
Aleq/Alik Ալեք/ Ալիկ (Armenian: originally diminutive forms, now used as independent given names)
Alexandru (Asturian/Romanian)
İsgəndər (Azeri)
Alakshendra/Alekzandar (Bangali)
Iskandar/Skandar (Bangali)
Iskәndәr Искәндәр (Bashkir)
Alesander (Basque)
Aliaksandr Аляксандp (Belarusian: Aleś Алeсь is usually the diminutive form)
Alaksander Аляксандаp (Belarusian: Tarashkevitsa spelling)
Aleksandar (Bosnian/Croatian: Saša is the diminutive form)
Aleksandar Александър (Bulgarian: Sasho Сашо and Aleks Aлекс are the diminutives)
Alexandre/Àlex/Xandre (Catalan/Galician)
Lisandru (Corsican/Lombard)
Alexandr (Czech)
Alexander (Czech/Dutch/English/Estonian/German/Icelandic/Norwegian/Swedish)
Alexander/Aleksander (Danish)
Xander (English)
Sander (Dutch/Estonian/Norwegian: contracted form)
Aleksander (Estonian)
Alejandru (Extrumaduran: a dialect of Spanish)
Aleksandur (Faroese)
Aleksanteri (Finnish)
Santeri/Santtu (Finnish: contracted forms)
Alexandre (French)
Aleksander (Frisian)
Alexandré/Aleksandre ალექსანდრე (Georgian)
Aleko ალეკო/Lexo ლექსო (Georgian: contracted forms)
Aléxandros Αλέξανδρος (Greek: Modern)
Alakshendra अलक्षेन्द्र (Hindi)
Sándor (Hungarian)
Iskandar (Indonesian/Malay)
Alasandar/Alastar/Alsander (Irish-Gaelic)
Alessandro (Italian: Ale is a diminutive form)
Alessandrino (Italian: obscure)
Sandro (Italian: a diminutive form now used exclusively as an independent given name)
Sandrino (Italian: originally a diminutive form, used as an independent given name, obscure)
Askander/Eskander/Îskenderê (Kurdish)
İskender Искендер (Kyrgyz)
Aleksandrs (Latvian)
Alexandrus (Latin)
Aleksandras (Lithuanian)
Lisandor (Lombard)
Aleksandar Александар (Macedonian: Alek Алек, Atse Аце, Atso Ацо and Sasho Сашо are diminutive forms)
Chandy ചാണ്ടി (Malayalam)
Lixandru (Maltese)
Alxandre (Mirandese: a dialect of Portuguese)
Aleksandr/Alexandr Алєѯандръ (Old Church Slavonic)
Sikandar سکندر (Persian)
Aleksander (Polish: more common form, diminutives include, Alek, Aleks and Olek.)
Oleksander (Polish: archaic form)
Alexandre (Portuguese)
Alexandro (Portuguese: obscure)
Alesch (Romansch)
Alexi (Romansch)
Aleksandr Александр (Russian: diminutive forms include: Alik Алик, Sasha Саша, Sashka Сашка, Sashok Сашок, Sashkin Сашкин, Shura Шура, Shurik Шурик and Sanyok Санёк )
Alasdair/Alastair/Alistair/Alisdair/Aldair (Scotch-Gaelic)
Aleksandar Александар (Serbian: Aca Аца, Aleks Алекс, Sale Сале, and Saša Саша are diminutives)
Alessandru (Sardinian)
Alissandru (Sicilian)
Lisciànniru/Lisciànnuru/Lisciànnaru (Sicilian)
Aleksander (Slovene: Aleks, Sandi and Sašo are the diminutives)
Alejandro (Spanish: Alejo, Alex, Jano and Jandro are the diminutive forms)
Aleksandar (Tamil)
İskender (Turkish)
Olexandr/Oleksandr Олександр (Ukrainian: Oles Олесь and Sashko Сашко are the diminutives)
Iskandar (Uzbek)
Alecsander (Welsh)
Sender/Senderl סענדער (Yiddish)

As for its feminine form, it has also been borne by several monarchs and saints throughout history. Currently, she is the 61st most popular female name in the United States, the highest she ranked was at # 26 in 1995-1996, the lowest she ever ranked was in 1936 coming in as the 991st most popular female name. Her rankings in other countries is as follows:

# 74 (Australia, 2007)
# 5 (Bulgaria, 2008)
# 53 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
# 45 (Chile, 2006)
# 90 (England/Wales, 2008)
# 21 (Hungary, 2008)
# 67 (Ireland, 2007)
# 7 (Macedonia, 2006)
# 397 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 99 (Norway, 2007)
# 8 Aleksandra (Poland, 2oo8)
# 4 (Romania, 2008)
# 77 (Sweden, 2007)

Alexandra has also spun off Sandra, which is currently the 7th most popular female name in Estonia, and ranks in as the # 441st most popular female name in the United States.

In the United States, the highest she peaked was in 1947, coming in as the 5th most popular female name. Sandy is the preferred pet form.

In other countries, her rankings are as follows:

# 58 (Norway, 2008)
# 30 (Spain, 2006)

Its more elaborated version of Alexandria, currently ranks in as the 189th most popular female name in the United States (2008).

Other forms of Alexandra include:

Aleksandra Александра (Bulgarian/Croatian/Estonian/Polish/Russian/Serbian/Slovene)
Aleksandrina Александрина (Bulgarian/Russian)
Alexandra (Catalan/Czech/Dutch/English/French/German/Greek/Hungarian/Portuguese/Romanian/Scandinavian/Slovak)
Alexandrine (Danish/French/German)
Sandra (Dutch/English/Finnish/German/Italian/Latvian/Lithuanian/Portuguese/Scandinavian/Slovene)
Xandra (Dutch)
Alexandria (English/German)
Alexandrina (English: the first name of Queen Victoria)
Sandrine (French)
Szandra (Hungarian)
Alessandra (Italian)
Alessandrina (Italian)
Sandrina (Italian/Spanish)
Lisandra (Maltese)
Alexandreina (Romanian)
Sanda (Romanian/Croatian)
Alastríona/Alastrina (Scotch-Gaelic)
Alissandra (Sicilian)
Alejandra (Spanish)
Oleksandra Олександра (Romanian)

Common English diminutive forms for both genders are Alex, Lex, and Sandy. For males, Ander, Andy and Xander, for females, Alexa, Lexa, Lexie, Sandra and Xandra.

The designated name-days for Alexander are: February 27 (Slovakia), November 19 (Russia) and December 12 (Sweden).

The designated name-days for Alexandra are: April 21st (Czech Republic), May 6/31 (Russia), May 18 (Hungary), June 23 (Russia), August 30 (Greece), Janury 2nd (Slovakia) and February 17 (Sweden)

A Hungarian male diminutive is Sanyi.

Polish diminutives are: Ola, Olka and Olusia.

In Russian, common unisexual diminutives, are Sasha and Shura. Popular feminine diminutives are: Lesya Леся,

A Romanian male diminutive form is Sandu.

An obscure Scottish male diminutive is Sawney.

Michael

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “who is like God?”
Eng (MI-kel)

One of the most prevalent male names in the Western World, and to a certain extent, the Middle Eastern world, the name is derived from a rhetorical Hebrew question מִיכָאֵל (Mikha’el) meaning “who is like God?” or “who is like El” the answer being that no one is like God.

This is in reference to the legend of when one of God’s most powerful angels, (Lucifer depending on the theological tradition), became so arrogant and prideful that he built an army of angels in order to overthrow the throne of God, thinking that he himself could be like God, Michael is believed to have smite the fallen angel, asking him the question “who is like God?” after casting him out of the gates of heaven.

According Mormon saint theology, “who is like God?” refers to the idea that Michael was Adam before he was created by God in human form. The meaning of the name explains that all humans are created in God’s image.

Michael is believed to be a powerful angel in Islamic, Christian and Jewish tradition. He appears several times in the Bible, being mentioned in the Book of Daniel, the Book of Jude and the Book of Revelations. He even appears in the apocryphal Book of Enoch.

In Roman Catholicism, Michael is referred to as St. Michael the Archangel and is considered a powerful saint, especially powerful against demonic attacks and is the patron saint of chivalry, the warrior, police officers, paratroopers, firefighters, soldiers and fighter pilots. Among German Catholics, he is the patron saint of Germany, and in Belgium, he considered the patron saint of Brussels.

In the Eastern Christian tradition, is known as Taxiarch Archangel Michael or simply as Archangel Michael.

In Jewish tradition, Michael is the protector and heavenly warrior of Israel and the advocate of the Jews.

In Islam, he is mentioned in the Qu’ran once, in Sura 2:98 and that Michael was a good angel who stood on the left hand of God (Allah’s) throne.

The archangel is also important in the Bahai faith and the New Age religions.

He plays a role in John Milton’s epic poem, Paradise Lost.

There is no reason to explain why Michael is so popular, especially in the U.S. As of 2008, Michael was the 2nd most popular male name. He was moved down from the 1st position down to the 2nd position back in 1999, when he was overthrown by Jacob.

Between the years 1954 and 1999, Michael was the most popular male name. The lowest that Michael ever ranked in U.S. naming history was in 1892 when he came in as the 59th most popular male name in the United States. In other countries, Michael’s rankings are as follows:

# 36 (Australia, 2007)
# 36 (Canada, B.C. 2008)
# 4 (Denmark, 2009)
# 52 (England/Wales, 2008)
# 10 (Ireland, 2007)
# 239 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 33 (Scotland, 2008)

The Michael form is also used in Afrikaans, Danish, Czech, German and Ripoarisch.

Other forms of the name include:

Mëhill/Mhill (Albanian)
Mighel (Amazigh/Moroccan)
Mikhael/Mikail ميخائيل‎, (Arabic/Coptic)
Miguel (Aragonese/Galician/Portuguese/Spanish: mee-GEL)
Mikael Միքաել (Armenian)
Micael (Asturian)
Mikayıl (Azeri)
Mikel (Basque)
Mitxel (Basque)
Miquèu (Bearnais/Occitanian/Gascon/Provençal)
Mickaël (Breton)
Mikael (Breton/Finnish/Icelandic/Norwegian/Swedish: a Finnish diminutive form is Mika)
Mihail Михаил (Bulgarian/Russian: Misha is the most common diminutive form)
Michjeli (Calabrian: Chjeli is the diminutive mee-KYAY-lee)
Miquel (Catalan: mee-KEL. Quelo is a common diminutive form)
Myghal (Cornish)
Michal (Czech/Slovak: mee-HAHL: 15th most popular male name in the Czech Republic-2007)
Mihajlo/Mihovil (Croatian: diminutive form is Miho)
Mihail Михаил (Croatian/Serbian)
Mikkel (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish: 6oth most popular male name in Norway-2007)
Maikel (Dutch: MY-kel)
Michaël (Dutch/Frisian: mee-kah-EL)
Michiel (Dutch: 307th most popular male name in the Netherlands-2008)
Miikael/Mikhel (Estonian)
Mikko (Finnish)
Michel (French: MEE-shel)
Michêl (Fruilian)
Mícheál (Gaelic-Irish)
Mìcheal (Gaelic-Scotch)
Micheil (Gaelic-Scotch)
Mikheil მიხეილი (Georgian)
Mikhael/Mikhalis Μιχάλης/Μιχαήλ (Greek: Μίκης (Mikis) is the common pet form))
Mikala (Hawaiian)
Micha’el מִיכָאֵל‎, (Hebrew)
Mihály (Hungarian: 60th most popular male name in Hungary-2008. Misi and Miska are the most common pet forms. MEE-hie)
Mikhael (Indonesian)
Michea (Italian: obscure/archaic mee-KAY-ah)
Michele (Italian: mee-KAY-lay)
Michelino (Italian: obscure)
Miķelis/Mihails (Latvian)
Mykolas (Lithuanian)
Mikail (Malayalam)
Mikiel (Maltese)
Mikaere (Maori)
Migueltzin (Nahuatl)
Michè (Neopolitan)
Miché/Michi (Norman)
Miqueu (Occitanian)
Mikhailu Мїхаилъ (Old Church Slavonic)
Michał (Polish/Sorbian: mee-HOW)
Mihai/Mihail (Romanian: diminutive form is Mihaita)
Micheli/Mikelli/Migali (Sardinian)
Mihailo Михаило (Serbian)
Miceli (Sicilian: Celi is a diminutive form. mee-KAY-lee)
Miha (Slovene: originally a diminutive form of Mihael, now used exclusively as an independent given name, it was the 11th most popular male name in Slovenia-2005)
Mihael (Slovene: 86th most popular male name in Slovenia-2005)
Mikâil (Turkish)
Mikhailo/Mykhailo Михайло (Ukrainian)
Michełe (Venetian)
Meical (Welsh)

English diminutive forms are: Mick, Micky, Mike and Mikey. German diminutive forms are Maik (pronounced like Mike), Maiki, Michi and Micki. A Swiss-German dialectical diminutive is is Michu (Bern)

There are also forms that mean “Michael Archangel” and are used in reference to the angel. These are:

Michelangelo (Italian)
Michelarcangelo (Italian)
Michelangiolo (Romansch)
Mihangel (Welsh)

Michelangela is an Italian feminine form.

An Italian smush is Michelantonio.

The feminine form of Michelle (an English corruption of the French feminine form Michèle), has been used in the English speaking world since the early 20th-century.

It currently ranks in as the 103rd most popular female name, and the highest it peaked was # 2, in the years 1968, ’69 and again in ’71, ’72.

Its Latinate feminine form has recently sparked in popularity as well (see Michaela for more details)

Other feminine forms include:

Micaela (Asturian)
Mikelle (Basque)
Miquèla (Bearnais)
Mikaela (Breton)
Miquela (Catalan/Occitanian/Gascon/Provençal)
Michelle (English/German: a phonetic corruption of the French Michèle)
Michèle (French)
Michéline (French: mee-shay-LEEN)
Michaelina/Michaeline (Irish: an Irish corruption of the French Micheline and the Italian, Michelina, common diminutive form is Micki/Micky. MY-keh-LEEN-ah; MY-keh-LEEN)
Michela (Italian: mee-KAY-lah)
Michelina (Italian: mee-kay-LEE-nah)
Michalina (Polish: mee-ha-LEE-nah: Michalinka and Misia are the diminutive forms)
Miguela (Spanish)
Miguelina (Spanish)

The designated name-day for Michael is September 29.

Casper/Jasper

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Persian
Meaning: “treasurer; treasure bringer.”

Caspar, Casper and Jasper are Greek corruptions of an ancient Chaldean or Persian word, gizbar, which means “treasurer.” In modern Hebrew, gizbar is still the word for “treasurer.”

Traditionally, the name is attributed to one of the three Magi, or the Three Wise Men, who are noted for bearing the Christ child gifts. Gaspar is supposedly the one who brought frankincense.

The names of the Magi first appeared in Latin texts which date from the 9th-century C.E. Since then, the name has been in usage in Europe since the Middle Ages, and Gaspar/Caspar is attributed as a saint.

Currently, Jasper ranked in as the # 451st most popular male name in the United States. In Belgium, it is the 51st (2006) and in the Netherlands, the 35th (2008).

Casper did not make it into the U.S. top 1000, the name has not been in the top 1000 since 1933, when it came in as the 978th most popular male name for that year. Its disfavor may have been due to the popular children’s cartoon series, Casper the Friendly Ghost.

His rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 77 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 86 (Norway, 2007)
# 46 (Sweden, 2007)

Other forms of the name include:

Karsudan (Amharic/Ethiopian)
Kagpha (Armenian)
Gasparu (Corsican)
Kašpar (Czech)
Jesper (Danish/Dutch/Norwegian/Swedish: YES-per. The 97th most popular male name in the Netherlands-2008, 56th most popular in Norway-2007 and the 74th most popular in Sweden-2007)
Kasper/Kaspar (Danish/Dutch/German/Maltese/Norwegian/Swedish)
Casper/Caspar (Dutch/English)
Jasper (Dutch/English/German: pronounced YAHS-per in Dutch and German)
Gaspard (French/Portuguese)
Jaspert (Frisian)
Gaspare (Italian: gahs-PAH-re)
Gasparo/Gaspero (Italian)
Gasparino/Gasperino (Italian)
Caspar/Gasparus (Latin)
Gaspars (Latvian)
Kasparas (Lithuanian)
Ġaspar (Maltese)
Kacper (Polish: most common form)
Kasper/Gaspar (Polish)
Gašpar (Prekmurian)
Chasper/Chispar (Romansch: diminutive is Chasprot)
Hasper (Romansch)
Papper (Romansch)
Tgasper (Romansch)
Aspano/Asparinu (Sicilian)
Gašpar (Slovene/Croatian)
Gaspar (Spanish/Basque/French/Occitanian)
Gushnasaph (Syrian)

Feminine forms are the Dutch Jasperine, the French Gasparine and the Italian Gasparina.

The designated name-day is January 6th.

Adam

Posted on December 25, 2009 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “man”

The name is found in the Old Testament as the name of the first man created by God. Whether Adam is used as a personal name or in a generic sense is up to debate, many Biblical scholars agree that the authors of Genesis were not using Adam as a personal name, but more of a generic term.

Though in modern Semitic languages, the modern word for man is many times Adam, or Ben-Adam (son of Adam), its actual etymology is also debated. Some believe it is ultimately derived from the Hebrew אדם (‘adam) meaning “red” referring either to human skin tone, or to the colour of earth, which in the Bible, is what God created Adam from. Other sources suggest that it may be related to an Akkadian source, Adamu, meaning “to make.”

The name is a popular choice among Christians, Jews and Muslims alike. In Europe, it has been in use since the early Middle Ages. Among Christians, Christ is often given the title of the “New Adam.”

Its designated name-day, along with Eve, is usually December 24.

Currently, Adam is the # 78th most popular male name in the United States. In other countries, his rankings are as follows:

# 35 (Australia, 2007)
# 28 (Belgium, 2006)
# 47 (Canada, BC, 2008)
# 8 (Czech Republic, 2008)
#32 (England/Wales, 2008)
# 34 (France, 2006)
# 7 (Hungary, 2008)
# 7 (Ireland, 2008)
# 10 (Israel, among Muslim boys, 2004)
# 1 (Israel, among Druze boys, 2004)
# 76 (the Netherlands, 2008)
# 6 (Northern Ireland, 2009)
# 19 (Scotland, 2008)
# 75 (Spain, 2006)
# 28 (Sweden, 2007)

In addition, the Adam form is also used in Armenian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian/Serbian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, German, Icelandic, Polish, Romanian, Slovakian and Slovenian.

Other forms of the name include:

Adami (Albanian)
Ādam آدم (Arabic)
Adəm (Azeri)
Adame (Basque)
Adem (Bosnian/Kurdish)
Aadam (Estonian)
Ádam (Faroese)
Aadam/Aatami (Finnish)
Adám Αδάμ (Greek)
Akamu (Hawaiian)
ʼĀḏām אָדָם (Hebrew: Modern)
Ádám (Hungarian)
Ádhamh/Ádam (Irish)
Adamo (Italian)
Adamus (Latin)
Ādams (Latvian)
Adomas (Lithuanian)
Adamu (Old Church Slavonic)
Adão (Portuguese)
Aden/Adom (Romansch)
Adam Адам (Russian/Ukrainian)
Adàmu (Sardinian)
Addamu (Sicilian)
Aadam (Somalian)
Adán (Spanish, ah-DAHN)
Adan (Tagalog)
Âdem (Turkish)
Odam (Uzbek)
Adda (Welsh)

A feminine version is the Spanish and Scotch, Adamina.

A Polish diminutive form is Adaš

Lucia, Lucille, Lucy, Lucian, Lucius

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Sebastiane

Origin: Latin
Meaning: “light.”

Today is December 13, said to be the darkest night of the year, and also the feast of St. Lucy, whose name appropriately means “light.” Contrary to popular belief, Lucy is the English form of Lucia, and is not a nickname that later became an independent given name, in fact, Lucy was fairly common in Medieval England, particularly after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The latinate form of Lucia, is a feminine version of the Latin, Lucius, which was a Roman praenomen derived from the Latin word lux meaning “light.”

The name was popularized by a 4th-century Sicilian martyr, who, according to legend, was a beautiful Christian woman of noble lineage. She was particularly known for her striking eyes, and when a local pagan suitor tried to force her to marry him, she spent the entire night gouging her own eyes out, presenting them on a platter to the lovelorn nobleman the next day, proclaiming that if he loved her eyes so much, he could marry them instead of her. St. Lucy was immediately tortured and put to death and as a result, she is considered the patron saint of the blind.

Her feast day in Sweden is an especially popular celebration. Each year a girl is chosen to represent the saint, while leading a procession of singing white clad men and women. In older traditions, it was usually the oldest girl in the household who was picked, but since becoming a school or city festival, the title is either given to the prettiest girl or the most popular girl, sometimes done by popular demand of the populace, or school, in which the procession is held. The Sankta Lucia wears a wreath of lit candles upon her head and a red sash around her waist, afterwards, glög and lussekatte, (a type of Saffron biscuit),are served. Its popularity in Scandinavia may be due to some ancient pre-Christian roots, in which the early Germanic tribes would fend off the dark wintery nights with a procession of candles, its true origins have been somewhat lost to history, but there is a Scandinavian legend that claims that Saint Lucy appeared to a band of lost vikings, and lead them back safely to shore. Thereafter, Lucy became a popular saint among the Scandinavians.

The holiday is also celebrated in some parts of the United States, especially in Minnesota, where there are large Scandinavian enclaves, as well as in Norway, and among the Swedish speaking populations of Finland and in Estonia and Latvia.

Lucille is a derivative of the Latin feminine name, Lucilla, which was an old Latin diminutive form of Lucia. It was popularized as an independent given name, early on, due to the popularity of a 3rd century Roman martyr.

A modern famous bearer was Lucille Ball (1911-1989), a famous American actress and comedienne, known for her popular sitcom, I Love Lucy.

Lucille currently ranks in as the 613th most popular female name in the United States, she did experience a peak in popularity a the beginning of the 20th century, ranking in the highest back in 1919, coming in as the 27th most popular female name.

Its masculine form of Lucius, was a fairly common Roman praenomen during the Roman Republic and Roman Empire. It was borne by two kings of Etruria, and it was also borne by the Roman statesman, orator and philosopher, Lucius Annaeus Seneca. Lucius is also found in the New Testament, the name of a minor character, an Antiochan Christian. In addition, it was borne by three popes and a 3rd century male saint.

Lucianus, another male praenomen, is related to Lucius, but with slightly different meaning, the meaning refers to one who carries or bears light.

As of 2008, Lucian was the 810th most popular male name in the United States.

Other forms of the names include:

Lucia

Drita (Albanian: literally means “light” in Albanian, it is sometimes used as an alternative for Lucia).
Luzía (Aragonese)
Lusia (Breton)
Llúcia (Catalan)
Lucija Луција (Croatian/Latvian/Serbian: loot-SEE-yah)
Jasna (Croatian/Serbian: literally means “light” occasionally used as an alternative for Lucy. YAHS-nah)
Lucie (Czech: LOOT-syeh)
Lucia (Danish/Dutch/Corsican/Estonian/Norwegian/Romanian/Slovakian/Slovene/Swedish)
Luus (Dutch/Limburgish)
Lucy/Lucia (English: older pronunciation of the latter is LOO-shah, and in modern times, often pronounced loo-SEE-ah)
Lusia (Faroese)
Lukki/Lukka (Finnish)
Luusi/Luusia (Finnish)
Luce/Lucie (French)
Lucette (French: initially a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name, though considered very dated)
Luzie (Fruilian)
Lucia/Luzei/Luzia/Luzie/Luzi (German)
Zeia (German: old Pet form of Luzei, very obscure)
Loukia Λουκία (Greek: Modern)
Luca/Lúcia (Hungarian: former is pronounced LOOT-sah)
Lúcía/Lúsía (Icelandic)
Luce (Italian: LOO-chay)
Lucetta/Lucietta (Italian: initially diminutive forms, now used as independent given names)
Lucia (Italian: loo-CHEE-ah)
Luciella (Italian: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name)
Lux (Latin: directly from the Latin word for “light” it is occasionally used as a given name in the English speaking world, and it was further popularized by the Eugenides book The Virgin Suicides, in which the lead character is named Lux Lisbon).
Liucija (Lithuanian: lyoot-SEE-yah).
Luċija (Maltese: loo-CHEE-yah)
Ruhia/Ruihi/Ruruhi (Maori)
Løssi (Norwegian: dialectical form of Lucy, from the regions of Møre and Romsdal).
Lucja (Polish: LOOT-syah)
Łucja (Polish: WOOT-syah)
Lúcia (Portuguese: LOOS-yah)
Luzia (Portuguese: loo-ZEE-uh)
Luziya/Svetlana (Russian: the latter is from the Old Slavonic meaning “light” and is sometimes used as an alternative form Lucy)
Liùsaidh (Scottish)
Lucìa (Sicilian)
Lucía (Spanish/Galician: loo-THEE-ah in Iberian Spanish and loo-SEE-ah in Latin American Spanish)
Luz (Spanish/Portuguese: literally ” light” in Spanish and Portuguese, it has been used as a variation for the Latin Lucia. LOOTH-Iberian Spanish LOOS-Latin American Spanish, LOOZH-Portuguese)
Luci (Swedish/Norwegian)
Lussa (Swedish: very old and obscure form of Lucy)
Lukia/Lucia (Ukrainian)
Lùsia (Venetian)
Lleucu (Welsh)

Lucian

Luken (Basque)
Lukian (Breton/Danish/German/Norwegian/Polish)
Lusian (Breton)
Llucià (Catalan)
Lucian (English: LOO-shen)
Lukianos (Finnish)
Lucien (French)
Lukianosz (Hungarian)
Lúkíanos (Icelandic)
Luciano (Italian/Galician/Portuguese/Spanish: Italian diminutives are Ciano, Luci and Lucio)
Lucianus (Latin/Dutch)
Lukiāns (Latvian)
Lukianas (Lithuanian)
Lucjan/Łucjan (Polish)
Luchian/Lucian (Romanian)
Lukián/Lucián (Slovakian)

Feminine forms are:

Liczenn (Breton)
Lucienne (French: luy-SYEN)
Luciana (Italian/Latin/Portuguese/Romanian/Spanish: Italian loo-CHAH-nah, Latin loo-KYAH-nah, Portuguese loo-SYAH-nah, Spanish: loo-THYAH-nah or loo-SYAH-nah)
Luciane (Brazilian Portuguese: loo-SYAH-nay)

Lucilla

Lucille/Lucile (French; English)
Lucilla (Italian/Latin: loo-CHEEL-lah in Italian)
Lucélia (Portuguese)
Lucília (Portuguese)
Lucila (Spanish/Portuguese)

An Italian masculine form is Lucilio

Lucius

Lucius (English LOO-shus)
Luvcie (Estruscan)
Lucius/Luzius (German)
Lúciusz (Hungarian)
Lucietto (Italian: obscure)
Lucido/Lucidio (Italian: obscure)
Lucio (Italian: loo-CHEE-o)
Luciolo (Italian: obscure)
Lucione (Italian: obscure)
Lugh (Manx)
Ruhiu (Maori)
Lucjusz/Łucjusz (Polish: LOOT-syoosh)
Lúcio (Portuguese)
Luci (Romanian)
Luzi (Romansch)
Lucio (Spanish: loo-THEE-o, loo-SEE-o)

Elisabeth, Elizabeth

Posted on November 28, 2009 by Sebastiane

Gender: Feminine
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “God is my oath; God is abundance.”

The name is a transliterated form of the Biblical Greek Ελισβετ (Elisabet), which is a Hellenized version of the Biblical Hebrew feminine name, אֱלִישֶׁבַע‎ (Elisheva).

Elizabeth appears twice in the Bible, once in the Old Testament as the name of Aaron’s wife and once in the New Testament as the wife of Zachariah and the mother of John the Baptist.

Elizabeth has remained fairly consistent in the U.S top 100 for over a hundred years. She currently ranks in at # 9 and the lowest she has ever come in the U.S. charts was in 1945 at # 26.

In Australia she is the 37th most popular female name (2007), in Canada, she ranks in at # 20 (2008), in England/Wales she came in at # 40 (2008), in Ireland at # 63 (2007) and in Scotland at # 68 (2008).

The name was borne by several saints and European royalty. Among the most notable bearers were, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, a 12th-century Hungarian princess who was known for her acts of kindness and charity toward the poor and Queen Elizabeth I of England, including the current reigning Queen, Elizabeth II.

The name Isabel/Isabella are relatives, but have becomes so far apart from its original source, that they often occur concurrently in many European countries with Elizabeth, hence is why I shall devote a different post to Isabel/Isabella, but I shall cite her several times in this article as a variation whenever needed.

I believe one of the reasons why Elizabeth has been a long time favorite, is because of her versatility. She can be shortened to a variety of different nicknames, especially in English. The most popular are: (I have cited the ones that have commonly been used as independent given name with a black club)

Bess, Bessie, Beth♣, Bets, Betsy, Bet, Bettie/Betty, Bezzy, Bit, Bitsy, Biz, Buffy, Elisa♣, Elise♣, Elle♣, Eliza♣, Ella♣, Ellie, Elsa♣, Elsie♣, Ibbie, Lib, Libby, Lilly, Lisa♣, Liz, Lizzie, Liza♣, Tetty, Tibby and Tizzy.

Other forms of the name include:

Latinate Forms
Forms found in Latinate/Romance languages

Sabela (Asturian)
Elisabèt, Lisabèt (Bearnais)
Elisabet (Catalan)
Babette (French: originally a diminutive form, used as independent given name, now considered extremely dated)
Élisabeth (French)
Élise (French)
Lise (French)
Lisette (French: originally a diminutive form but exclusively used as an independent given name)
Bettina (Italian)
Elisa (Italian/French/Portuguese: appears in Boccaccio’s Decameron as the name of one of the female story tellers).
Elisabella (Italian: obscure)
Elisabetta (Italian/Romansch)
Elisa (Italian/Sardinian/Spanish)
Elisanna/Elisena (Italian: obscure)
Elisetta (Italian)
Lelisa (Italian: obscure)
Lisa (Italian/Spanish)
Lisella (Italian: obscure)
Lisena (Italian: obscure)
Lisetta (Italian)
Lisina/Lisinda (Italian: obscure)
Lisanna (Italian)
Elisabetha (Late Latin)
Elizabetta (Liguru: a minor language spoken in Italy)
Elisabeta/Elisèu/Eliso (Occitanian)
Elisabete/Elisete/Elsa (Portuguese)
Babèu/Eisabèu/ Lisabèu (Provencal: Babeu is a diminutive)
Elisabeta (Romanian/Spanish)
Lisabetta (Romansch/Corsican)
Lisabbetta (Sicilian)
Isabel/Ysabel (Spanish/Aragonese/Catalan/Galician/Portuguese)

Germanic Forms
Forms used in Germanic languages

Elsabe (Afrikaans)
Liesel (Alsatian)
Elisabet (Danish/Faroese/Swedish/Norwegian)
Elsebeth (Danish)
Else (Danish)
Lise (Danish/German)
Lis (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish)
Lisbet (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish)
Lisbeth (Danish/German)
Els (Dutch: a diminutive form, occasionally used as an independent give name)
Elsa (Dutch/German/Swedish)
Liesbeth/Lijsbeth (Dutch)
Liesje (Dutch)
Eliza (English: originally a diminutive, exclusively used as an independent given name)
Elsba/Elsbet/Elsuba/Elusbet (Faroese)
Elspa (Faroese)
Lisabet/Lisbet (Faroese)
Elsebe/Elsche/Eske/Telsa (Frisian)
Bettina/Bettine (German: a borrowing from the Italian)
Elisa (German: a borrowing from Romance languages)
Elisabeth (German/Dutch)
Elise (German/Danish/Dutch/English/Norwegian: a borrowing from the French)
Elli (German: diminutive form, occasionally used as an independent given name)
Elsbeth (German/Swiss-German dialectical form)
Ilsa/Ilse (German/Dutch: initially a diminutive form, popularly bestowed as an independent given name, now considered dated. il-SEH)
Lies/Liesa/Liese (German/Dutch)
Liesel/Liesl (German: originally a diminutive form, used as an independent given name, now considered dated)
Lilli (German: originally a diminutive form, used as an independent given name due to its association with the flower)
Lisa/Lise (German/Dutch/English/Swedish/Danish/Norwegian)
Sabeth (German: obscure)
Aileisabaiþ (Gothic)
Elísabet (Icelandic)
Ellisif/Ellisiv (Norwegian)
Lieken, Lüke, Lücken (Plattdeutsch)
Bettan (Swedish: originally a diminutive form, occasionally used as an independent given name, but now considered dated)
Lisen (Swedish: originally a diminutive form, used as an independent given name)

German diminutive forms are Betti, Elis, Elli, Elschen, and Lieschen.

Slavic Forms
Forms used in Slavic speaking countries

Elisaveta Елисавета (Bulgarian)
Elizabeta (Croatian)
Alžběta (Czech: alzh-BYEH-tah)
Eliška (Czech: originally a diminutive form, used as an independent given. eh-LEESH-kah)
Elisabeti Елїсабеть (Old Church Slavonic)
Eliza (Polish: eh-LEE-zah)
Elżbieta (Polish: elsh-BYEH-tah)
Halszka (Polish: archaic. HAHLSH-kah)
Halżbieta (Polish: archaic. halsh-BYEH-tah)
Elizaveta/Yelizaveta Елизавета (Russian)
Jelisaveta (Serbian)
Alžbeta (Slovak)
Ažbeta (Slovene)
Betina (Slovene)
Elica (Slovene: originally a diminutive form, used as an independent given name. eh-LEET-sah)
Elisa/Elis (Slovene)
Elizabeta/Elizabet (Slovene)
Elza (Slovene)
Jelisava (Slovene)
Lizabeta (Slovene)
Špela (Slovene: originally a diminutive form, exclusively used as an independent given name. SHPEH-lah)
Hilža (Sorbian)
Lisaveta/Yelysaveta (Ukrainian)

Czech diminutive forms are Běta, Bětka, Bětuška, Betynka, Bětuše, Betyna, and Líza. Slovakian diminutives include: Beta, Betka, Betuška, Betinka, Betuša and Betina. Polish diminutive forms are Bieta, Ela (the most prevalent), Elka, Elunia and Elżunia. Slovene diminutives are: Beta, Beti, Betika, Ela, Eli, Elzi, Špelca, Špelica, Špelka, Jelica, Lili, and Lizika.

Baltic Forms
Forms used in the Baltic States

Eliisabet (Estonian)
Elts (Estonian)
Etti (Estonian)
Ilze (Estonian)
Liisa/Liisi/Liis (Estonian/Finnish)
Liisu (Estonian)
Eliisa (Finnish)
Elizabete (Latvian)
Līze/Lizina (Latvian)
Elžbieta (Lithuanian)
Eliissá/Liisá/Liissá (Saami)

Celtic Forms
Forms used in Celtic based languages

Elesbed (Breton)
Eilís (Irish: IE-leesh)
Ealisaid (Manx: ALE-is-sed)
Ealee (Manx)
Ealish (Manx)
Ealasaid (Scottish)
Elspeth (Scottish)
Bethan/Betsan (Welsh)

Other forms

Elizabeta (Albanian)
Ilizabith إليزابيث (Arabic)
Il-Shvai ܐܠܝܫܒܥ \ܐܠܝܫܒܚ (Aramaic)
Elsapet (Armenian)
Yeghisapet (Armenian)
Zabel (Armenian)
Elixabete/Elixabet/Elizabete (Basque: former are pronounced eh-LEE-sheh-BEH-tah and eh-LEE-shah-Bet)
Elixi (Basque: eh-LEE-shee)
Elisheba (Biblical Hebrew)
Eliso ელისო (Georgian)
Lizi (Georgian)
Elisavet Ελισαβετ(Greek: Modern)
Zeta (Greek: Modern)
Ilsipat (Greenlandic)
Elikapeka (Hawaiian)
Elisheva (Hebrew: see Hebrew script above)
Lizzamma (Hindi/Indian)
Erzsébet/Orzebet (Hungarian: ER-zhey-bet)
Aley/Aleyamma/Aleykutty (Malayalam)
Eli/Eliamma (Malayalam)
Elizabetta (Maltese)
Erihapeti (Maori)
Elizabet (Turkish)

Hungarian nicknames includes Bözsi, Erzsi (ER-zhee), and Zsóka (ZHO-kaw).

Medieval Forms
Forms no longer in usage from Medieval Europe

Ysabel/Ysabet (Catalan, Valencia, 16th-century)
Elisaued (Cornwall, England, 10th-century)
Elizabez (England, 13th-century)
Lylie/Lilion (England, 13th-century, possibly nicknames)
Elisota (England, 14th-century)
Elseby (Finland)
Isabelot (France, Paris, 13th-century)
Yzabé (France, Bordeaux, 15th-century)
Besina (14th-century Italy, Venice, possibly a diminutive form)
Isabetta (Italy, Florence 15th-century)
Bechte (Germany, 15th-century, most likely a diminutive form)
Beth (Germany, 15th-century, diminutive form)
Bettlin (Germany, 15th-century, probably a diminutive form)
Bytzel (Germany, 15th-century, diminutive form)
Els (Germany, 15th-century, diminutive form)
Elsslein (Germany, late 15th-century)
Elsslin (Germany, 15th-century, probably a diminutive form)
Eltzabet (Germany, late 15th-century)
Lyse (Germany, 15th-century, diminutive form)
Elsebeth (Germany, 15th-century)
Elzebeth (German, in Silesia, 14th-century)
Nele/Neleke (German, in Silesia, 14th-century, most likely than not, diminutive forms)
Elysant (Normandy, 1190)
Helisent (Normandy, 1221)
Isabellis (Normandy, 12th-century)
Ysabels/Yzabels/Yzabela (Occitan, Saint Flour, 14th-century)
Elitze (Sweden, 15th-century)
Elsika/Elsiko/Elzeke (Sweden, 15th-century)
Elsby/Elzeby (Sweden, 16th-century)
Aleseta (Switzerland, Sion, 14th-century)

Name-days are: November 17 and November 19.

Catherine/Katherine

Posted on November 28, 2009 by Sebastiane

Gender: Feminine
Origin: Debated
Meaning: Debated

Katherine and Catherine have to be one of the quintessential female classics of the Western World, according to the United States Social Security Administration’s popularity charts, Katherine has not fallen out of the top 100 for over a 100 years. She has remained a staple, bouncing the lowest to 105th position in 1938 and bouncing the highest to the 25th place in 1991. She currently ranks in as the 45th most popular female name in the United States (2008). Her elder English and French counterpart, Catherine, comes in slightly lower, but has remained fairly high in the American charts since 1880. Her highest position being at # 18 in 1914 and then again in 1917 and came in the lowest just this past year, ranking in at # 149.

In other countries, the rankings of Katherine are as follows:

# 78 (Canada-BC, 2008)
# 63 (Chile, 2006)

Her popularity in other incarnations are as follows: (divided alphabetically by cited country)

Katharina (# 8, Austria, 2008)
Catalina (# 3, Chile, 2006)
Kateřina (# 7, Czech Republic, 2008)
Katrin (# 6, Faroe Islands, 2008)
Aikaterini (# 3, Greece, 2004)
Katrín (# 4, Iceland, 2004-2007)
Katie (# 2, Ireland, 2008)
Kate (# 10, Ireland, 2008)
Karin (9th most popular female name among Palestinian Christians in Israel, 2004)
Katharina (# 5, Liechtenstein, 2008)
Katerina (# 10, Macedonia, 2006)
Katie (# 1, Northern Ireland, 2008)
Yekaterina (# 1, Russia-St. Petersburg, 2003)
Yekaterina (# 6, Russia-Moscow, 2007)
Katie (# 8, Scotland, 2008)
Katarina (# 7, Serbia, 2005)
Katarína (# 4, Slovakia, 2004)
Kaitlyn (# 10, United States-Combined Spellings, 2007)

As for the etymology of the name, it has always been popularly believed to mean “pure” but its history and origins are far more complicated and muddled. There are several theories as to its derivations and linguistic origins, the most popular are that it is either derived from the Greek word, ΚαΘαροσ, (katharos), meaning, “pure”, or the Greek Εεκατερινε, (Hekaterine), a feminine form of the Greek, Hekáteros, meaning “each of the two; singly.” It has also been suggested that it is a form of the Greek goddess name, Hecate, which means “from a far”, or it is possibly from the Greek word, αικια (aikia) meaning, “torture; injurious treatment.” According to Behindthename, another theory suggests that it could be from a Coptic name meaning “my consecration of your name.”

The name was introduced into Western Europe after European Crusaders encountered the Christians of the Middle East, among them, the devotion of a popular 4th-century, Christian saint was discovered, St. Katherine of Alexandria. According to legend, the saint was spiked and tortured on a wheel after refusing to deny her Christian convictions and converting several members of the Alexandrian royal family to Christianity. Her cult was very popular among Christians in Syria, many centuries before her story even reached Europe. After its introduction, European Latin scholars assumed that the name was associated with the Greek Katharos meaning “pure.”

The name was first recorded in England in 1196. It was thereafter an extremely popular name in Christian Europe.

Catherine has several name-days, but the most popular, and the most widely celebrated during the Middle Ages, took place on November 25th. There is an old French celebration that took place on November 25th. It was a day for unmarried women, twenty-five years and older, (labelled Catherinette’s in French). They would make caps, attend balls and crown the local St. Catherine of Alexandria statue with a custom hat. This was to ensure that the saint would provide the single ladies a partner by the end of the year. The term “capping st. Catherine” was used in reference to a single woman 25 years and up. This tradition died out somewhat, but remains a popular festivity among hat-makers and dress-makers even till today, particularly in the 2nd arrondisment of Paris. Any women who is single, working in the fashion industry, 25 years old and older, can attend a ball in a specially made hat, and go to the City Hall to present their creations for judging.

Though the term is a bit old fashioned, catherinette is a French word used to refer to a single women who is 25 years and older.

Other notable bearers, place and things include:

Catherine of Aragon

Catherina is the name of a crater on the moon, named for St. Catherine of Alexandria.

The Monastery of St. Catherine’s in Sinai Egypt, which is said to be the oldest Christian monastery and boasts one of the largest collections codices and manuscripts in the world.

St. Katherine Municipality lies in the North Sinai Governorate of Egypt, its city is St. Katherine’s.

Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), a renowned Catholic saint, theologian, Doctor of the Church and tertiary of the Dominican order. She was known for her mystical experiences and her papal counseling.

St. Catherine of Bologna (1413-1463) another Italian saint, she is considered the patron saint of Bologna, artists and against temptations.

Catherine of Aragon (1485-1536) the first wife of Henry VII of England. Actually, Henry went on to marry two other Catherines, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680) was a Catholic Algonquin woman affectionately termed Lily of the Mohawks, she was also the daughter of a chief. At a young age she was ravished by the scars of small-pox and lived a life of devotion till she died at the age of 24.

Now to delve into her sundry variations.

Latinate Forms

Variations from various Romance based languages

Catèlena (Artapan)
Catin/Catineta/Catinon (Bearnais)
Caterina (Catalan/Italian/Spanish)
Catalina (Corsican/Gascon/Occitanian/Spanish)
Catherine (French)
Katia (Italian: a borrowing from the Russian but very popular in Italy)
Rina (Italian diminutive form, used as an independent given name)
Catharina (Late Latin)
Catarina (Portuguese/Occitanian/Galician/Romansch)
Cátia (Portuguese: originally a diminutive form or either a Portugeusized form of the Slavic Katya, particularly common in Brazil, where it was most likely introduced by Russian and Ukrainian immigrants)
Catarino (Provencal)
Ninoun (Provencal: originally a diminutive, now becoming more common as an independent given name)
Cătălina/Ecaterina (Romanian)
Catinca (Romanian: a romanianized form of the Russian diminutive, Katinka, used as an independent given name)
Catina (Romanian/Sicilian)
Catrina (Romanian)
Catrina/Chatrina (Romansch)
Caderina/Catellina (Sardinian)

Obscure French diminiutives are Catherinette, Trinette and Rinette.

Germanic Forms
Variation from various Germanic based languages

Caja (Danish)
Catharina/Cathrine/Katarina/Katherina (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish)
Karen (Danish)
Karin (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish)
Katharine (Danish)
Katrina/Katrine/Kathrina/Kathrin (Danish)
Trine (Danish)
Catharina (Dutch/Swedish)
Cato (Dutch)
Kaatje (Dutch)
Katelijne/Katelijn (Dutch)
Katrien (Dutch)
Katrijn (Dutch)
Nienke (Dutch)
Tineke (Dutch: originally a diminutive form, used as an independent given name)
Toos/Truus (Dutch: initially diminutive forms, used as independent given names)
Trijn/Trijntje (Dutch)
Kate/Katie (English: originally diminutive forms, now often used as independent given names in most English speaking countries)
Katherine/Karen (English)
Katarina/Katrin (Faroese/Danish)
Katrina (Faroese)
Kaja (Frisian)
Käthe/Caatje (Frisian)
Katryntje (Frisian)
Keetje (Frisian)
Nine/Nynke (Frisian)
Cathrin/Catrin/Kathrin (German)
Carin/Karin/Karina/Karine (German/Swedish/Norwegian/Danish)
Katarina/Katerine/Katharina (German)
Kathrein (German)
Katinka (German/Dutch: Germanized form of the Russian diminutive, Katenka)
Katja (German)
Trina (German)
Kaðlín (Icelandic: kahth-LEEN)
Karín (Icelandic)
Kata/Katarína/Katrín (Icelandic)
Kett (Lëtzebuergesch)
Kaia (Norwegian)
Kari (Norwegian)
Trina (Plauttdeutsch)
Cajsa/Kajsa (Swedish)
Katarina (Swedish)
Reina (Yiddish)

Obscure German diminutive forms are Käthchen and Trinchen. A Swiss German dialectical diminutive is Käti. English diminutive forms are Cat, Cathy, Kate, Kathy, Katie, Kay, Kiki, (also used in Sweden and Norway), Kit and Kitty.

Celtic Forms
Variations from various Celtic based languages

Katarin (Breton)
Katell/Kattelig (Breton: latter is pronounced kah-tel-LEEK)
Katik (Breton: kah-TEEK)
Katou (Breton: kah-TOO)
Cáit/Cáitín (Irish)
Catraoine/Caiterína (Irish)
Caitlín (Irish)
Caitria/Caitrín (Irish)
Caitríona (Irish)
Cathleen/Kathleen (Irish: anglicized form of Caitlin)
Catreena/Catreeney (Manx)
Catrìona (Scottish)
Cadi (Welsh)
Catrin (Welsh)

Slavic Forms
Variation used in Slavonic based languages

Kacjaryna (Belorusian: kahts-yah-REE-nah)
Ekaterina (Bulgarian/Macedonian/Russian)
Kateřina (Czech: kah-teh-ZHEE-nah)
Katarzyna (Polish: kah-tah-ZHIH-nah)
Jekaterina/Yekaterina (Russian)
Katarina (Serbo-Croatian/Slovenian)
Katarína (Slovakian)
Katica (Slovenian: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name. kah-TEET-sah)
Katja (Slovenian: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name. KAHT-yah)
Katherine/Kateryna (Ukrainian)

Russian Diminutives include: Katenka, Katiusha and Katya, Czech pet forms are,Káťa, Kačka, Káča, Kačí, Kačenka, Kača, Kačaba, Kačík, Kačuda, Kaťulka, Katerinka, Katica, Katja, Katka, Katla, Katuška and Rina. The most popular diminutive form in Poland is Kasia (KAH-shuh), but there is also Kachna, Kaśka, Kasienka and Kasiunia. Serbo-Croatian diminiutive forms are Kata, Kate (final E is pronounced), Katica, Katja, Katarincica and Rina. A Bulgarian diminutives is Katriška.Ukrainian diminutives are: Katrusya, Katya and Katerynka. Belorusian diminutive forms are Kasja and Katra.

Baltic Forms
Various forms used in the Baltic States

Kaarin (Estonian)
Kadi/Kadri/Kadrin (Estonian)
Kairi/Kari (Estonian)
Kaisa/Kaisu (Estonian/Finnish)
Katre/Katri/Katrin (Estonian)
Triina/Triin/Triinu (Estonian)
Kaija (Finnish)
Kata (Finnish)
Katariina (Finnish/Estonian)
Kati (Finnish)
Katja (Finnish)
Katri/Katriina (Finnish)
Riina (Finnish)
Jekaterina (Latvian)
Kate (Latvian: final E is pronounced)
Katrīna (Latvian)
Trine (Latvian: final E is pronounced)
Katerina/Katrina (Lithuanian)
Katrė (Lithuanian)
Katryna (Lithuanian)
Kotryna (Lithuanian)

Other Languages

Katarina/Katjusha/Katerina/Katha (Albanian)
Gadara/Gadarine/Kadara/Kadarine (Armenian)
Karine (Armenian)
Katalina (Basque)
Katalin (Basque/Hungarian)
Katarin (Basque)
Ekaterina (Georgian)
Kattak (Greenlandic)
Aikaterine/Aikaterini (Greek Modern)
Katerina (Greek Modern)
Katina (Greek Modern)
Kakalina/Kalena/Kalina (Hawaiian)
Kathani (Hindi/Arabic)
Katarina (Hungarian/Turkish)
Kasari (Japanese)
Katarina (Maltese)
Kataraina (Maori)
Kateri (Mohawk)
Gáddjá (Saami)
Gáhte (Saami)
Gáhteriinná/Káhtariinná (Saami)
Gáre/Káre (Saami)
Gáren (Saami)
Kasrin ܟܐܣܪܝܢ (Syriac/Assyrian)
Akaterina (Turkish)

Hungarian diminutive forms include Kata, Kati, Katica, Katinka, Kató, Katóka, Kitti and Koto.

Medieval Forms

Variations used in the Middle Ages and are most likely out of usage

Catelinòta (Bearnais)
Cathelinen (Dutch, 14th-century)
Verkateline (Dutch, 13th-14th centuries)
Catelina/Catelin/Catlin (English 12th-century)
Cattel/Cattle/Catin (English 12th-century)
Katelina/Kateline/Katelin/Katlin (English 12th-century)
Caterina/Katerina/Katerine (English 14th-century)
Kateryna/Kateryn (English 15th-century)
Catant (French, obscure medieval diminutive form)
Cateline/Catelot/Caterine (French in Paris, 13th-century, the final T on Catelot is silent).
Cathereau (French; obscure medieval form; KAH-teh-RO)
Kateline/Katerine (French, in Paris, 13th-century)
Ka(e)therlin/Ketlin/Keterlin/Ketterlin (German 15th-century)
Keth/Ketherlein (German 15th-century)
Katusch/Kethe/Keterlyn (German in Silesia, 13th-century)
Kaþareina (Gothic, extinct Germanic language)
Quataryna/Quatalina (Provencal, 16th-century)
Kaithren (Scottish, 15th-century)
Katrein (Scottish, 16th-17th-centuries)
Kadrin (Swedish 12th-century)
Karinae (Swedish 12th-15th centuries)
Katena (Swedish 14th-century)
Kättilö (Swedish 14th-century, though may also be a corruption of the Old Norse Katla)

There are a few masculine forms, the Italian Caterino, Catterino, Cattalino, Catinu (Sicilian dialectical form), and the Romanian Cătălin.

Legitimate Baby Names

names that are not made up and have had a history

Category Archives: Sicilian Names

Mary, Maria, Miriam

William, Liam

Anthony, Antonia

Alexander, Alexandra

Michael

Casper/Jasper

Adam

Lucia, Lucille, Lucy, Lucian, Lucius

Elisabeth, Elizabeth

Catherine/Katherine