George

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Greek Γεωργιος
Meaning: “farmer.”
Eng (JORJ)

The name is an English and Romanian form of the Greek, Georgios Γεωργιος, which is derived from the Greek γεωργος (georgos) meaning, “farmer; earth worker.”

The name was borne by a 4th-century Christian saint and martyr, a Roman soldier of Greek ancestry who refused to sacrifice to pagan gods as demanded by the Roman Emperor at the time. He was popularized in the Western Christian Church after the Crusades, when soldiers brought the story back to Western Europe. The saints’ story was embellished and his story appears in the Golden Legend.

The most famous legend was that during the saint’s life, he managed to rescue a maiden who was about to be sacrificed to a dragon by slaying it with his lance. This legend has been the subject of art for centuries.

Though revered as the patron saint of England, the name itself did not catch on in until the 18th-century, following the accession of George I of England. The name has been borne by several kings throughout Europe. It was also borne by the first president of the United States, George Washington.

In Medieval times, English troops would chant “by George“, as a invocation to the saint to protect them in battle.

Between 1880 and 1937, George remained in the U.S. top 10. As of 2010, he only ranked in as the 164th most popular male name. His rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 1 (Georgi, Bulgaria, 2007)
# 1 (Georgios, Greece, 2010)
# 2 (Giorgi, Georgia, 2011)
# 5 (Yegor, Belarus, 2011)
# 9 (England/Wales, 2010)
# 12 (Yegor, Russia, 2011)
# 16 (Jorge, Spain, 2010)
# 19 (Jiří, Czech Republic, 2010)
# 20 (Romania, 2009)
# 22 (Jordi, Catalonia, 2010)
# 27 (Jure, Slovenia, 2010)
# 42 (Jorge, Chile, 2010)
# 53 (Juraj, Croatia, 2010)
# 69 (Jure, Croatia, 2010)
# 73 (Australia, NSW, 2010)
# 75 (Jurij, Slovenia, 2010)
# 76 (Jørgen, Norway, 2010)
# 78 (Jorge, Mexico, 2010)
# 80 (Joris, Netherlands, 2010)
# 82 (Jordi, Spain, 2010)
# 84 (Jurica, Croatia, 2010)
# 100 (Scotland, 2010)
# 168 (Jorge, United States, 2010)
# 233 (Joris, France, 2009)
# 420 (Jordi, Netherlands, 2010)

Other forms of the name include:

Gjergj (Albanian)
Jorgo (Albanian)
Giorgis ጊዮርጊስ (Amharic)
Jurj(us) جرج جرجس (Arabic)
George جورج (Arabic/English/Romanian)
Khodor خضر (Arabic)
Chorche (Aragonese)
Gev(or) Գեվ Գեվոր (Armenian)
Gevorg Գեվորգ (Armenian)
Kevork Գեւորգ (Armenian)
Xurde (Asturian)
Gorka (Basque)
Jury Юры (Belarusian)
Yegor Егор (Belarusian/Russian)
Jord (Breton)
Jorj (Breton)
Georgi Георги (Bulgarian)
Jordi (Catalan)
Juraj (Croatian/Slovak/Slovene)
Jurica (Croatian)
Jure (Croatian/Slovene)
Jiří (Czech)
Jørgen (Danish/Norwegian)
Joris (Dutch/Frisian)
Sjors (Dutch)
Georg (Faroese/Estonian/German/Icelandic/Romansch/Scandinavian)
Jurjen (Frisian)
Jüri (Estonian/Volapuk)
Jørundur (Faroese)
Jokora (Finnish)
Jori (Finnish)
Jyr(k)i (Finnish)
Yrjänä (Finnish)
Yrjö (Finnish)
Georges (French)
Xurxo (Galician)
Giorgi გიორგი (Georgian/Monegasque)
Jörgen (German/Swedish)
Jörg (German/Swedish)
Jürgen (German)
Jürg (German)
Georgios Γεώργιος (Greek)
Joorut (Greenlandic)
Juulut (Greenlandic)
Keoki (Hawaiian)
György (Hungarian)
Seoirse (Irish-Gaelic)
Giorgio (Italian/Venetian)
Georgius (Latin)
Jur(g)is (Latvian)
Jurgis (Lithuanian)
Gjoko Ѓок (Macedonian)
Gjorgje Ѓорѓе (Macedonian)
Gjorgji Ѓорѓи (Macedonian)
Gheevargees ഗീവര്‍ഗീസ് ( (Malayalam)
Gheevarugees ഗീവറുഗീസ് ( (Malayalam)
Varghees വര്‍ഗീസ്‌ (Malayalam)
Verghese വെര്‍ഗീസ് (Malayalam)
Varughese വറുഗീസ് (Malayalam)
Ġorġ (Maltese)
Jore (Norman)
Jørn (Norwegian)
Ørjan (Norwegian)
Jordi (Occitanian/Provençal)
Jerzy (Polish)
Jorge (Portuguese/Spanish)
Gheorghe (Romanian)
Georgy Георгий (Russian/Ukrainian)
Yuri Юрий (Russian)
Deòrsa (Scottish)
Seòrsa (Scottish)
Đorđe Ђорђе (Serbian)
Đorđo Ђорђо (Serbian)
Đurađ Ђурађ(Serbian)
Jurij (Slovene)
Göran (Swedish)
Örjan (Swedish)
Gewarges ܓܝܘܪܓܣ(Syriac)
Gorges ܓܪܓܣ (Syriac)
Yorgo (Turkish)
Heorhiy Георгій (Ukrainian)
Yur Юр (Ukrainian)
Sior (Welsh)

In ancient Greece, Georgos may have also been used as an epithet for Zeus.

As for its feminine forms, I shall save that for a separate post 🙂

Joseph, Josephine

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Hebrew יוֹסֵף
Meaning: “He shall add; God shall add.”
Eng (JOH-sef)

The name is derived from the Biblical Hebrew male name, יוֹסֵף (Yosef).

In the Old Testament, the name is borne by the first son of Rachel and the eleventh son of Jacob. After being sold off as a slave by his brothers, Joseph ended up in Egypt, later becoming an important advisor to the pharoah.

In the New Testament, it is borne by the husband of the Virgin Mary. Known as St. Joseph among Catholics, he is a particularly revered saint among Italian Catholics, considered the patron saint of stepfathers and carpenters.

Another important character with this name in the New Testament, is Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple of Christ and also the man who provided a burial spot for Jesus after his death.

The name has always been very prevalent throughout Europe and the Middle East.

In the United States, its popularity can be due to several factors: it was common among both various Christian and Jewish immigrants. The name is even very common among Muslim families.

Currently, Joseph is the 20th most popular male name in the United States, (2010). In fact, Joseph has never ranked outside of the Top 20. Common English nicknames are Joe and Joey. His rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 1 (Yusif, Azerbaijan, 2012)
# 1 (Yusuf, Turkey, 2010)
# 2 (Yusuf, Tajikistan, 2009)
# 2 (Youssef, Tunisia)
# 3 (Yousef, Arab-World, 2011)
# 4 (José, Equitorial Guinea, 2011)
# 5 (Joosep, Estonia, 2011)
# 5 (Isle of Man, 2009)
# 5 (Yousouf, Israel, among Muslim and Christian boys, 2010)
# 5 (José, Philippines, 2011)
# 5 (Jose, Puerto Rico, 2010)
# 7 (Youssef, Morocco)
# 8 (Josip, Croatia, 2010)
# 8 (Yosef, Israel, among Druze boys, 2004)
# 9 (Yosef, Israel, among Jewish boys, 2010)
# 14 (Giuseppe, Italy, 2010)
# 15 (England/Wales, 2010)
# 16 (Joseph/Giuseppe, Malta, 2010)
# 29 (Northern Ireland, 2010)
# 36 (New Zealand, 2010)
# 37 (Ireland, 2010)
# 41 (Australia, NSW, 2010)
# 41 (József, Hungary, 2010)
# 43 (José, Spain, 2010)
# 44 (Scotland, 2010)
# 51 (José, United States, 2010)
# 62 (Josef, Sweden, 2010)
# 68 (Josip, Bosnia & Herzegovina, 2010)
# 68 (Josep, Catalonia, 2010)
# 71 (José, Catalonia, 2010)
# 74 (Canada, BC, 2010)
# 149 (France, 2009)

Other forms of the name include:

Josef (Afrikaans)
Isuf (Albanian)
Jozef/Jozif (Albanian: Zef is a diminutive form)
Sepp (Alsatian)
Hovsep Հովսեփ (Armenian)
Yūsuf/Youssef/Yussef يوسف, (Arabic)
Yusif/Yusuf/Usub (Azeri)
Joseba/Josepe (Basque)
Joseph ДЖО́ЗЕФ (Belarusian/English/German/French)
Josip (Bosnian/Croatian: Joso, Jozo and Joško are diminutive forms)
Jusuf (Bosnian)
Yosif Йосиф (Bulgarian)
Josep (Catalan, Pep is a common diminutive form)
Ghjaseppu (Corsican)
Jozèf (Creole/Haitian)
Josef (Czech)
Joep (Dutch: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name)
Joop (Dutch: originally a diminutive form, used as an independent given name)
Joost (Dutch: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name)
Jozef (Dutch)
Joseph (English/French/German)
Joséphin (French: obscure)
Joosep (Estonian)
Jósef (Faroese)
Jooseppi (Finnish)
Juuso (Finnish)
Bepùt/Bepi/Bepo (Fruilian)
Xosé (Galician)
Ioseb იოსებ (Georgian)
Ioses/Joses Ιωσης (Greek: Biblical)
Iōséph Ἰωσήφ/Iosepos, Iosipos Ιώσηπος (Greek: Modern)
Yosef יוסף (Hebrew)
Isuppu (Hindi)
József (Hungarian: Jóska is the diminutive form)
Yusuf/Yusup/Ucup (Indonesian)
Giuseppe (Italian: diminutive forms are Beppe, Peppe and Peppino)
Giuseppino (Italian)
Pino (Italian: diminutive form now used as an independent given name)
Seosamh (Irish-Gaelic)
Ujöp (Ladino)
Iosephus/Josephus (Latin)
Jāzeps (Latvian)
Gioxeppe (Ligurian)
Joep (Limburgish)
Juozapas (Lithuanian)
Juozas (Lithuanian)
Giüsèpp (Lombard: Pèpp and Bèpp are diminutive forms)
Ousep/Ousef/Yosef (Malayalam)
Ouseppachen/Kochaappu (Malayalam)
Ġużeppi (Maltese: Ġużi, Ġuż, Peppi, Pepp, Żeppi and Żepp are diminutives)
Hohepa (Maori)
Jupp (Moselfrench)
Josef (Norwegian)
Josèp (Occitanian)
Iosifu Іѡсифъ (Old Church Slavonic)
Yūsuf/Youssef/Yussef يوسف, (Persian)
Joosef (Plattdeutsch)
Józef (Polish)
Gèseppe (Puglian)
Jüppes/Jüppke (Ripoarisch)
Iosif (Romanian)
Gisep (Romansch)
Iosif/Osip Иосиф (Russian)
Jisepu (Sardinian)
Josif Јосиф (Serbian)
Seòsaidh (Scots-Gaelic)
Giuseppi (Sicilian)
U’Seppi (Sicilian)
Zefel/ Zeflik (Silesian)
Jozef (Slovakian)
Jožef/Jože (Slovene)
Sefer (Swabian)
José (Spanish/Portuguese: Pepe and Pepito are the diminutive forms)
Yusup/Usup/Ucup (Sudanese)
Yoseppu (Tamil)
Yusuf (Turkish)
Yosyp (Ukrainian)
Josep (Valencian)
Juxepe (Venetian: diminutives are Bepi and Bepin)
Joseff (Welsh)
Yissl/Jayzl/Yussel (Yiddish)

Bavarian diminutive forms are Pepi, Perperl, Sepp, Seppi, Seppl and Söpp.

Other German diminutives include: Seb, Seffi and Beppal is a Swiss-German diminutive form.

A Rheinish diminutive is Jupp.

Czech diminutives are: Pepík, Pepek, Pepan and Pepin.

Dutch short forms are Jef, Zef and Jos.

A common Hebrew short form is Yosi.

Italian diminutives and its dialectical forms include: Scepp (Calabrian); Pepp’, Pè, Peppiniéllo, Peppì, Peppinié (Campanese); Gioxe, Bepi, Bepin (Ligurian); Gepe and Pinin (Piedmontese); Seppud, Bapèpp, Peppo, Peppin, G’sip, Giusè, Pinucc, Peppon, ‘Mbà Peppe and P’pen (Puglian); Peppe and Pippo (Sicilian); Bepi and Beppe (Tuscan) and Bepìn and Bepo (Venetian).

Standard Italian diminutives are: Bepi, Beppe, Beppino, Geppetto, Geppino, Peppe, Peppenuzzo, Peppi, Peppino, Peppinello, Peppiniello, Peppinetto, Peppo, Peppuccio, Pino Pinello, Pinuccio, Peppone, Pippo Puccio and Seppe.

Portuguese diminutives include: Zé, Zézinho, Zéca and Zécinha.

Slovakian diminutives are: Jožko, Jojo and Dodo.

Slovene short forms are: Pepe, Pepi and Pepc.

A common Spanish compound name is José Maria

Its more common feminine form of Josephine became prevalent throughout Europe at the end of the 18th-century and at the beginning of the 19th-century, due to the popularity of Josephine Bonaparte, (1763-1814), the wife of Napoleon.

Originally, Joséphine was a French diminutive form of Josèphe. Joséphine became the standard form around the same time Josephine Bonaparte became famous and has remained the more common French feminine form of Joseph, since.

Currently, in the United States, she is the 186th most popular female name, (2010). In the Netherlands, she was the 153rd most popular female name, (2010).

Other feminine forms include:

Jozefina (Albanian)
Josepa (Catalan: diminutive is Pepa)
Josipa (Croatian)
Josefa (Czech/Portuguese/Spanish)
Josefina (Czech)
Jozefien (Dutch)
Joetta (English)
Josephina/Josephine (English)
Josefiina (Finnish)
Josée (French)
Josèphe (French)
Joséphine (French)
Josette (French)
Josefine (German/Danish)
Josepha (German)
Iosiphina Ιωσηφίνα (Greek: Modern)
Jozefa (Hungarian/Slovene)
Jósefína (Icelandic)
Seosaimhín (Irish-Gaelic)
Giosetta (Italian)
Giuseppa/Giuseppina (Italian)
Iosephina (Latin)
Ġużeppa (Maltese: Ġuża is the diminutive form)
Józefa (Polish)
Józefina (Polish)
Jožefina/Jožefa/Joža (Slovene)
Jožica (Slovene: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name)
Josefa/Josefina (Spanish)
Josefin/Josefine (Swedish)
Yosipa/Osipa/Yuzefa (Ukrainian)

Croatian diminutive form is Pepica.

Czech diminutives are: Pepa, Pepca, Pepicka, Pepina, Pepka, Jóža, Jožka and Jóžin.

Common English short forms for Josephine include: Fifi, Jo, Jody, Jojo, Josie and Posey.

Common French diminutive forms are Fifi and Fifette.

German diminutives are Pepa.

Italian diminutives are: Giusy, Pina, Pinuccia, Pinella and Pippa.

Slovene diminutive form is Pepca

Marie-Josée is a common French compound form.

Designated name-days are March 19 and May 1.

Eva, Eve

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Sebastiane

Gender: Feminine
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “life.”
Eng (EEV); (EE-vuh); Germ/Sp/Pol (EV-ah)

The name is borne in the Bible and in the Quran by the first woman created by God. She and her husband were expelled from the Garden of Eden after eating from the Tree of Knowledge.

The name is believed to be derived from the Hebrew roots חַוָּה, Ḥavvāh, from the Hebrew root ḥāyâ meaning “life” and the Semitic element, ḥyw “to live.” Both the Hebrew word chavah meaning “to live” and chayah meaning “to breath” share the same root.

Despite Eve’s fall from Grace in the Bible, the name was always in usage among Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities. In England, its usage can be traced back to the 12th-century. Its Latinate form of Eva, has always been a classic in continental Europe, especially in Germany, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

As of 2010, Eva was the most popular female name in the Faroe Islanda and in Slovenia. Eve, Eva and all her various forms’ rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 3 (Iceland, 2010)
# 4 (French-speaking, Switzerland, 2010)
# 5 (Netherlands, 2010)
# 7 (Ieva, Lithuania, 2010)
# 10 (Armenia, 2010)
# 10 (Evie, England/Wales, 2010)
# 14 (Northern Ireland, 2010)
# 15 (France, 2009)
# 17 (Scotland, 2010)
# 20 (Belgium, 2009)
# 24 (New Zealand, 2010)
# 26 (Australia, NSW, 2010)
# 29 (Croatia, 2010)
# 31 (Evie, Scotland, 2010)
# 33 (Evie, Australia, NSW, 2010)
# 37 (England/Wales, 2010)
# 44 (Eevi, Finland among Finnish-speakers, 2010)
# 44 (Ireland, 2010)
# 46 (Austria, 2010)
# 47 (Canada, BC, 2010)
# 48 (Spain, 2010)
# 55 (Catalonia, 2010)
# 55 (Éabha, Ireland, 2010)
# 56 (Eve, Northern Ireland, 2010)
# 59 (Eve, Ireland, 2010)
# 86 (Norway, 2010)
# 91 (United States, 2010)
# 92 (Eve, England/Wales, 2010)
# 99 (Eve, Australia, NSW, 2010)
# 201 (Eve, France, 2009)
# 589 (Eve, United States, 2010)
# 705 (Evie, United States, 2010)

Other forms of the name include:

Eva Ева ევა
(Afrikaans/Albanian/Armenian/Basque/Belarusian/Bosnian/Catalan/Croatian/Czech/Dutch/Faroese/French/Frisian/Galician/Georgian/German/Icelandic/Italian/Portuguese/Romansch/Spanish/Scandinavian)
Evis (Albanian)
Mahalet/Mahlet (Amharic)
Hawa حواء Хауа (Arabic)
Yeva (Armenian)
Həvva (Azeri)
Yeva Ева Эва (Belarusian/Russian/Ukrainian)
Yevga Евга (Belarusian)
Hava (Bosnian)
Evy (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish: initially a diminutive form, occasionally used as an independent given name)
Eveke (Dutch: initially a diminutive form, used as an independent given name, EV-eh-ke)
Eve (English/Estonian/Walon)
Evie (English)
Hawat/Hewa (Egyptian/Coptic)
Eeva (Estonian/Finnish)
Eevi (Estonian/Finnish)
Evi (Estonian)
Ivi/Iivi (Estonian)
Iivika (Estonian)
Ève (French)
Eefje, Eefke (Frisian)
Hawwa ሕይዋን (Ge-ez)
Eua Ευα (Greek)
Chava חַוָה (Hebrew: Modern: KHAH-vah, gutteral CH sound)
Éva (Hungarian: AY-vaw, diminutive form is Évike)
Hawa (Indonesian/Malayalam)
Éabha (Irish-Gaelic)
Ieva (Latvian/Lithuanian: YEH-vah)
Evuzus (Malaysian)
Aaue (Manx)
Èva (Occitanian)
Ewa (Polish: EH-vah, diminutive forms are Ewka, Ewunia and Ewusia)
Evá (Sami)
Evelia (Spanish)
Evita (Spanish)
Eba (Tagalog)
Havva (Turkish)
Efa (Welsh)

Italian masculine form is Evo.

Traditionally, in most European countries, the name-day for Adam and Eve is December 24.

Evan

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Welsh
(EV-en)

The name is an anglicized form of the Welsh male name Iefan, which is the Welsh form of John.

Evan can also be a Breton form of John.

It is one of the most popular male names in the Anglophone world and elsewhere as well. It is currently the 14th most popular male name in French-speaking, Switzerland (2010). His rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 22 (Canada, BC, 2010)
# 25 (France, 2009)
# 27 (Ireland, 2010)
# 34 (Italian-speaking, Switzerland, 2010)
# 36 (United States, 2010)
# 73 (Scotland, 2010)
# 76 (England/Wales, 2010)
# 79 (Northern Ireland, 2010)
# 276 (Netherlands, 2010)

Anna, Anne

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Sebastiane

Gender: Feminine
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Meaning: “grace.”
(ANN; AHN). (ANN-uh; AHN-nah). (HANN-uh; HAHN-nah)

Anne is possibly one of the quintessential classic English and French female names. Prior to the 18th-century, it seems that every other girl born in England was either named Anne, Jane or Mary. There were several British and French queens who bore this simplistic moniker, including the ill fated Anne Boleyn, the mother of Elizabeth I. The history of Anne is rather long and complicated.

It was foremost popularized through the cult of St. Anne, a legendary figure who was said to be the mother of the Virgin Mary and the grandmother of Christ.

In Brittany, the name became especially popular because it happened to coincide with the name of an ancient Celtic goddess, her cult being replaced by St. Anne’s. In fact, it was borne by one Breton Princess, Anne of Brittany.

The name was introduced into Britain by the French-Normans after the invasion in 1066. Previously, there had been a minor Saxon king named Anna, but in this case the name is related to the Saxon arn (eagle). Anna and Anne are still occasionally used as male given names in Friesland.

Other than the apocryphal saint, the name Anne can be traced directly back to the Bible. In the New Testament, it is the name of a prophetess who predicts the Crucifixion of Christ.

Anna (Αννα), is the Greek translation of the early Hebrew Channah חַנָּה, usually transliterated as Hannah, meaning “grace.”

Hannah is borne in the Old Testament by the faithful mother of the prophet, Samuel.

Hannah has always been popular among Jewish families, but was virtually unheard of among non-Jews before the Reformation, except in some cases where it may have been used as a diminutive form of Johanna, spelled Hanna.

It was the Byzantines who had introduced the Anna form to the world, making it popular throughout Eastern and Southern Europe. It was a very popular name among the Byzantine royal family and it was borne by the majestic Anna of Byzantium.

Anna may be the more melodic form of the bunch, but Anne’s minimalistic qualities are charming. Short, to the point, no frills. It’s not a bad name, though it does lack some spice, which is why parents are probably more attracted to its more exotic alternatives. In fact, Anne only comes in at # 608 in the top 1000 female names of the United States. It is safe to say, however, that she is very much loved in the middle name spot.

Anna is currently one of the most popular female names in Europe and abroad. Her rankings are as follows:

# 1 (Austria, 2010)
# 1 (Estonia, 2011)
# 2 (Hungary, 2010)
# 3 (Ana, Georgia, 2010)
# 3 (Iceland, 2010)
# 4 (Ana, Croatia, 2010)
# 4 (Czech Republic, 2010)
# 4 (Germany, 2011)
# 4 (Ukraine, 2010)
# 5 (Faroe Islands, 2010)
# 5 (Ana, Portugal, 2010)
# 6 (Armenia, 2010)
# 6 (Ane, Greenland, 2002-2003)
# 6 (Ana, Romania, 2009)
# 6 (Ana, Serbia, 2010)
# 7 (Latvia, 2011)
# 7 (Russia, 2011)
# 8 (German-speaking Switzerland, 2010)
# 9 (Denmark, 2011)
# 10 (Netherlands, 2010)
# 10 (Northern Ireland, 2010)
# 10 (Norway, 2010)
# 11 (Italy, 2010)
# 12 (Ireland, 2010)
# 14 (Poland, 2010)
# 16 (Catalonia, 2010)
# 26 (Canada, B.C., 2010)
# 28 (Italian-speaking Switzerland, 2010)
# 28 (United States, 2010)
# 29 (Scotland, 2010)
# 40 (France, 2009)
# 46 (French-speaking Switzerland, 2010)
# 53 (Belgium, 2009)
# 63 (England/Wales, 2010)
# 71 (Australia, 2010)
# 81 (Sweden, 2010)
# 83 (Spain, 2010)

Other forms of the name include:

Anneen (Afrikaans/Low German)
Anna Анна (Afrikaans/Albanian/Armenian/Breton/Bulgarian/Catalan/Corsican/Czech/Dutch/English/Estonian/Faroese/Finnish/French/Frisian/German/Greek/Hungarian/Icelandic/Italian/Latvian/Limburgish/Maltese/Polish/Russian/Ukrainian/Scandinavian/Slovak)
Anne (Basque/Dutch/English/French/Scandinavian)
Gánna Га́нна (Belarusian)
Annaig (Breton)
Annick (Breton)
Maina (Breton)
Mannaig (Breton)
Mannick (Breton)
Naig (Breton)
Ana Ана ანა (Bulgarian/Croatian/Galician/Georgian/Lombard/Macedonian/Portuguese/Romanian/Samogaitian/Serbian/Slovene/Spanish/Venetian)
Jana (Croatian/Ladino)
Aneta (Czech/Polish/Samogaitian/Slovak)
Aina (Catalan)
Anica (Croatian/Serbian/Slovene)
Ane (Danish)
Anika (Danish)
Anneke (Dutch)
Anneken (Dutch)
Annika (Dutch/Finnish/German/Latvian/Scandinavian)
Anka (Dutch/Frisian/German)
An(n)ke (Dutch/Frisian)
Anouk (Dutch/French)
Ans (Dutch)
Enneke (Dutch)
Enneken (Dutch)
Anita (English/German/Polish/Spanish)
Annette (English/French/German)
Anissa (English)
Annelle/Annella (Estonian)
Anete (Estonian/Latvian)
Anett (Estonian)
Anu (Estonian)
Anni (Finnish)
Annikki (Finnish)
Anniina (Finnish)
Annukka (Finnish)
Niina (Finnish)
Anaïs (French/Provençal)
Annouche (French)
Ninette (French)
Ninon (French)
Ninouk (French)
Anje (Frisian)
Ankea (Frisian)
Antje (Frisian)
Antjen (Frisian)
Anute (Fruilian)
Anano (Georgian)
Annchen (German)
Annel (German)
Annele (German/Latvian)
Anneli(e) (German/Finnish/Swedish)
Annet (German)
Anina (German)
Anja (German/Slovene)
Anouschka (German/Italian/Russian)
Annaki (Greek)
Annoula (Greek)
Noula (Greek)
Anikó (Hungarian)
Annuska (Hungarian)
Panni (Hungarian)
Áine (Irish)
Ánna (Irish)
Annarella (Italian)
Annella (Italian)
Annetta (Italian)
Annettina (Italian)
Nona (Italian/Romansch)
Ance (Latvian)
Annija (Latvian)
Anninya (Latvian)
Ona (Lithuanian)
Annamma (Malayalam)
Annam (Malayalam)
Onnee (Manx)
Âone (Norman)
Aenna/Aenne (Old High German)
Annehe (Old High German)
Änna/Änne (Old High German)
Neta (Piedmontese)
Noto (Piedmontese)
Anke (Plattdeutsch)
Anneke(n) (Plattdeutsch)
Analia (Romansch/Spanish)
Annina (Romansch)
Annotta (Romansch)
Anca (Romanian)
Anicuta (Romanian)
Anėta (Samogaitian)
Anėkė (Samogaitian)
Annag (Scottish)
Ghianna (Sicilian)
Janna (Sicilian)
Nanna (Sicilian)
Anniken (Swedish)
Ann (Welsh)
Nan (Welsh)
Nanno (Welsh)
Nanw (Welsh)
Aana (Wolof)

As for the Hannah forms

Hanna without an H is the prefered form on Continental Europe, usually pronounced (HAHN-nah) and in French like Anna. Hanna and Hanne (HAHN-neh) are also used as diminutive forms of Johanna/Johanne in the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany. There is the Hungarian Hajna pronounced (HOY-no). The Czech/Slovak form of Hana nickname Hanka. There are the Yiddish forms of Heyna, Hayna, Hejna (all pronounced like HAY-nah) including the diminutive forms of Hena, Hende, Hendel and Henye. The Polish diminutive form of Hania, which might make an interesting alternative to Anya or Hannah. Hannah, Hanna and Henna are all used in the Middle East.

Of course, how could we ever forget the popular diminutive forms of Annie and Nan.

Ilan

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Hebrew אִילָן
Meaning: “tree.”
(EE-lahn)

The name is derived from the modern Hebrew word for tree.

It is currently the 43rd most popular male name in French-speaking Switzerland, (2010) and the 71st most popular in France, (2009).

Its sudden popularity outside of Israel, and furthermore, outside the Jewish community is a mystery. Perhaps it was brought to attention via French cinematographer, Ilan Duran Cohen (b.1963).

The name may also be used in reference to the Welsh male name. In this case, the name is of uncertain origin but was borne by an obscure Welsh saint.

A feminine form is Ilana.

Paul

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “short; small; humble; few.”
Eng (PAWL)

The name is derived from the Latin Roman family name, Paulus, which could translate as meaning, “small, short; humble; few.”

Paul and his various forms has to be one of the most common male names used throughout the Christian world. It has been used equally among Orthodox Christians, Roman Catholics and Protestants.

Its most famous bearer was Paul of Tarsus, whose real name was Saul. St. Paul, as referred to by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, is attributed as being the author of much of the New Testament.

The name was borne by several popes, royals and saints thereafter.

Currently, its Germanic form of Paul is the 8th most popular male name in Germany, (2011). His rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 13 (Austria, 2010)
# 22 (France, 2009)
# 41 (Romania, 2009)
# 90 (Ireland, 2010)
# 130 (Scotland, 2010)
# 178 (United States, 2010)
# 485 (Netherlands, 2010)

His foreign equivalents rankings are as follows:

# 3 (Pablo, Spain, 2010)
# 4 (Páll, Faroe Island, 2010)
# 4 (Pau, Catalonia, 2010)
# 17 (Paweł, Poland, 2010)
# 26 (Pablo, Chile, 2010)
# 29 (Pavel, Czech Republic, 2010)
# 31 (Pablo, Catalonia, 2010)
# 44 (Pau, Spain, 2010)
# 91 (Pál, Hungary, 2010)
# 144 (Pablo, France, 2009)
# 202 (Paolo, France, 2009)
# 361 (Pablo, United States, 2010)

Other forms of the name include:

Pali (Albanian)
Paulë (Albanian)
Boulos/Bulos بولس (Arabic)
Faulus (Aramaic)
Boghos Պողոս (Armenian)
Poghos Պողոս (Armenian)
Paul (Basque/Dutch/English/Estonian/German/French/Romanian/Scandinavian/Silesian)
Paweł Павeл (Belarusian/Polish)
Polus (Berber)
Paol (Breton)
Pavel Павел (Bulgarian/Czech/Russian/Slovene)
Pavolo (Calabrian)
Pavulu (Calabrian)
Pau (Catalan/Occitanian)
Pawl (Cornish/Welsh)
Paulu (Corsican/Sardinian/Sicilian)
Pavao (Croatian)
Pavle პავლე Павле (Croatian/Georgian/Macedonian/Serbian)
Pavo (Croatian)
Palle (Danish)
Poul (Danish)
Pauwel (Dutch)
Paavel (Estonian)
Paavo (Estonian/Finnish)
Páll (Faroese/Icelandic)
Paavali (Finnish)
Pauli (Finnish)
Pol (Flemmish/Romansch)
Paale (Frisian)
Pals (Frisian)
Paulus पौलुस (Frisian/Hindi/Latin)
Pay (Frisian)
Powles (Frisian)
Pouw (Frisian)
Pauli (Fruilian)
Pódhl (Gaelic)
Pól (Gaelic)
Paulo (Galician)
Pavlos Παυλος (Greek)
Pāl पॉल (Hindi)
Pál (Hungarian)
Pósa (Hungarian)
Paolo (Italian/Portuguese)
Paolino (Italian/Portuguese)
Paulinus (Latin)
Pāvils (Latvian)
Paulius (Lithuanian)
Povilas (Lithuanian)
Paol (Lombard)
Paulose (Malayalam)
Pawl (Maltese)
Pawlu (Maltese)
Payl (Manx)
Paora (Maori)
Pål (Norwegian/Swedish)
Pavel (Romanian)
Paulin (Romansch)
Polet (Romansch)
Polin (Romansch)
Pulegn (Romansch)
Pàl (Scots-Gaelic)
Pawůł (Silesian)
Pavol (Slovak)
Pawoł (Sorbian)
Pablo (Spanish)
Paoro (Tahitian)
Pàul (Tuscan)
Pavlo Павло (Ukrainian)

For a Reference a Female forms See Paula and Paulina (soon to come)

Marvin, Marwin

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Debated
Meaning: Debated
Eng (MAR-vin); Germ (MAR-veen)

The name is of debated origin and meaning, the two consistent theories are 1) it is from the Welsh male name Merfyn, meaning, “famous marrow”, or 2) it is from a Old High German name, being composed of the elements mar (famous) and wini (friend). It has even been suggested that Merfyn is actually a Welsh corruption of the latter, being introduced into Wales by the Anglo-Saxons.

Merfyn was borne by a 9th-century Welsh king.

Currently, Marvin/Marwin is the 97th most popular male name in Germany, (2011).

His rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 309 (France, 2009)
# 431 (United States, 2010)

A feminine form is Marva.

Benedict, Benedikt

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “blessed.”

The name comes directly from the Late Latin name Benedictus meaning “blessed.” The name was borne by a 6th-centuy Italian monk and saint who credited for being the founder of the Order of the Benedictines.

The name was very common throughout Medieval Europe, being borne by 16 popes, it was fairly popular in England, in the form of Bennett.

The name was also commonly used among German-Jews, being used as a cognate of the Hebrew male name Baruch בָּרוּךְ (blessed).

In the United States, the name became taboo to use due to its associations with Benedict Arnold (1741-1801) a famous American deserter and traitor to the British.

The name recently skyrocketed in Germany after the succession of the German born Pope Benedict XVI. It is currently the 93rd most popular male name in Germany, (2011). It is especially popular in Bavaria.

His rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 1 (Bence, Hungary, 2010)
# 32 (Benedek, Hungary, 2010)
# 294 (Benoît, France, 2009)

Other forms of the name include:

Benedikti (Albanian)
Benedet (Aragonese)
Benedictu (Asturian)
Benedita (Basque)
Beñat (Basque)
Benead (Breton)
Benet (Catalan)
Benedettu (Corsican/Maltese/Sardinian)
Benedikt Венедикт (Croatian/Czech/German/Icelandic/Norwegian/Russian/Serbian/Scandinavian/Ukrainian)
Ben(d)t (Danish/Norwegian)
Benedictus (Dutch/Late Latin)
Benedict (English/German/Romanian/Scandinavian)
Bennett (English)
Pentti (Finnish)
Bénédict (French)
Benoît (French)
Beinidict (Gaelic)
Bieito (Galician)
Benedikhti ბენედიქტე (Georgian)
Bendix (German/Norwegian)
Bennet (German)
Benz (German)
Venediktos Βενέδικτος (Greek)
Bence (Hungarian)
Benedek (Hungarian)
Benett (Hungarian)
Benedetto (Italian)
Benito (Italian/Spanish)
Bettino (Italian)
Bendiks (Latvian)
Benediktas (Lithuanian)
Bendik (Norwegian)
Benedix (Plattdeutsch)
Benedykt (Polish)
Benedito (Portuguese)
Bento (Portuguese)
Benezet (Provençal)
Banadet (Romansch)
Banadegt (Romansch)
Bandet (Romansch)
Benedegt (Romansch)
Binidittu (Sicilian)
Beňadik (Slovak)
Bengt (Swedish)
Bened (Welsh)
Benesh (Yiddish)

Feminine forms include:

Benedetta (Corsican/Maltese/Italian/Sardinian)
Benedikta (Czech/German)
Benedikte (Danish/Norwegian)
Bénédicte (French)
Benoîte (French)
Benita (Italian/Spanish)
Bettina (Italian)
Benedicta (Latin/Romansch)
Benedykta (Polish)
Benedita (Portuguese)
Bengta (Swedish)

Emilian

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “rival.”

The name is derived from the Roman cognomen, Aemilianus, which is derived from the Latin, aemulus, meaning “rival.”

Emilian is currently the 146th most popular male name in Germany, (2011) while Émilien is the 174th most popular male name in France, (2009).

Other forms of the name include:

Emilian Емилиан (Bulgarian/German/Polish/Romanian)
Émilien (French)
Emilián (Hungarian)
Emilían (Icelandic)
Emiliano (Italian/Spanish)
Aemilianus (Latin)
Yemelyan Емельян (Russian)
Omelan Омелян (Ukrainian)
Emlyn (Welsh)

Feminine forms include:

Emiliána (Hungarian)
Emilíana (Icelandic)
Emiliana (Italian/Polish/Romanian/Spanish)
Émilienne (French)
Aemiliana (Latin)

Legitimate Baby Names

names that are not made up and have had a history

Category Archives: Welsh Names

George

Joseph, Josephine

Eva, Eve

Evan

Anna, Anne

Ilan

Paul

Marvin, Marwin

Benedict, Benedikt

Emilian