Gender: Feminine
Origin: Latvian
Meaning: “gentle; mild.”
(LEE-gah)
The name comes directly from the Latvian word liegi meaning “gentle” or “mild.” Its name day is August 11.
Liega
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Tag Archives: Latvian Names
Laima
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Lithuanian/Latvian
Meaning: “luck”
(LYE-mah)
Limey Laima! The name has a rather acidic sound, but its associations and meaning in Baltic culture is rather interesting. The name is associated with the Latvian and Lithuanian words for luck or fate, in Baltic mythology, it was borne by the goddess of childbirth and midwifery. Known as one of the three fates, her sisters were Dekla and Karta and it is often believed by scholars that Laima is related to the Hindu goddess, Lakshmi Mata, the goddess of luck and wealth. Since the Baltic languages are some of the very few European tongues that still retain a lot of ancient Indo-European roots, both linguistically and culturally, Baltic mythology had very strong similarities to modern Hindu religions. The three sisters, known as the Laimas, or the fates so to speak, were a sort of trinity that was in charge of the future and destiny of each and every individual. It is believed that they were actually one in the same being, Laima being the most powerful personification. Laima was also associated with two other goddesses, Laimė and Dalia, both of whom were considered consorts to the more powerful Laima. Laima was often associated with the cuckoo and it was believed that she was the one in charge of deciding who young maids would marry. She was also in charge of dispensing destiny to newborns. Even after the advent of Christianity, Laima still plays a significant role in Latvian and Lithuanian folklore. She is often the subject of folksongs, any song to do with a cuckoo and a lime tree are usually in reference to her (the lime tree was sacred to her). She even inspired a Latvian chocolate company to take her name. The company is such a big household name throughout the Baltic States that in Riga there is a clock commissioned by the company entitled the Laima Clock. It is one of Riga’s prized centre pieces and it is a popular meeting spot for friends, lovers and tourists. Despite its chocolatey associations, the name is still considered a rather ordinary female name in both Latvia and Lithuania. Its designated name day is August 12. Other forms include the Lithuanian forms of Laimona (lye-MOH-nah) and the male version of Laimonas.
Mudīte
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Latvian
Meaning: possibly “impelled; encouraged.”
(moo-DEE-teh)
This Latvian female name seems to be more common among folks of an older generation. If googled, you will find a few Latvian Mudites in their 6os to late 50s. It also seems to be borne by a minor Latvian starlet by the name of Mudite Arums, she starred in a 1960s b-rated horror film entitled Something Weird. Fans of cult movies may be quite familiar with her. That said its origins are a bit murky, but its possibly derived from the Latvian verb mudinat meaning “to impel, to encourage or to goad.” Its designated name day is August 8.
Helara
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Greek/Latvian
Meaning: unknown.
Lat (HEL-uh-ruh); Grk (ay-LAH-rah).
Origin: Greek/Latvian
Meaning: unknown.
Lat (HEL-uh-ruh); Grk (ay-LAH-rah).
The name is borne in Greek mythology by a daughter of a Orchomenus. She was impregnated by Zeus and gave birth to the hut god Tityus. Zeus had to hide her away from the wrath of Hera by concealing her under a mound of earth. The name is sometimes listed as Helare and it is most often used in Latvia where its designated name day is Aug 7th.
Daina
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Lithuanian/Latvian
Meaning: “song.”
(DY-nuh) homonym: Dinah
The name comes directly from the Lithuanian and Latvian words for song. The daina is a traditional form of music and poetry found in both Latvian and Lithuanian culture. A lot of dainas have to do with pre-Christian themes, such as heros and gods from ancient Baltic mythology. The name became a popular Latvian and Lithuanian given name around the 19th century. It is currently borne by Latvian-born mathematician Daina Taimina who is known for crocheting objects to illustrate hyperbolic space (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daina_Taimina). The name’s pronunciation is identical to that of the English pronunciation of the Biblical Hebrew name Dinah. Its designated name day is Aug 7.
Lithuanian masculine forms are Dainas, Dainis (DYE-nis), Dainys (DYE-nees), Dainius, Dainotas and Dainutis.
Designated name-days for the masculine forms in Lithuania are November 11.
Other feminine forms include: Dainė, Daineta, Dainida and Dainutė.
Sources
Aisma
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Latvian
Meaning: unknown
(ICE-mah)
Today in Latvia is the official name-day for Aisma. If you google search her, you will find several women in Latvia named Aisma. However, its meaning seems to be lost. All I can gather is that it is an ancient Baltic name. There are a few traditional Latvian names that have been around forever, yet seem to lack meaning. There is Baiba, which is another ancient Latvian name; a name whose meaning nobody seems to know or remember. I’m guessing that Aisma is another one of these. I do know that it has a very sweet, homey, down to earth feel.
Rūta
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Lithuanian/Latvian
Meaning: “rue.”
(ROO-tah).
The name has a very similar sound to Ruth but is actually derived from the Lithuanian word for the rue plant, albeit, it is occasionally used as a cognate for Ruth, (see Ruth).
Its name day in Latvia is July 31.
Mádara
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Latvian
Meaning: “cleavers.”
(MAH-duh-ruh)
This sweet, exotic and uber feminine, Baltic gem, is derived from the Latvian plural word meaning, “cleavers”, a type of flowering plant indigenous to Latvia.
In ancient Baltic folk medicine, the plant was used to cure and treat skin diseases and other ailments. The name has inspired a Latvian cosmetics company. Mádara, which is an eco-based brand of cosmetics, differs from other European cosmetic chains as it claims to use 100% natural plants indigenous to the Baltic countries.
The name is also a very popular Latvian first name.
Its designated name day in Latvia is July 29.
Cilda
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Latvian
Meaning: “noble.”
(TSIL-duh)
The name is derived from the Latvian word, cildens, meaning, “noble.”
Its designated name day is July 27.
Magdalena, Madeleine, Madeline
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “of Magdala.”
We have the exotic and sophisticated Magdalena, the French classic Madeleine and the English trend setter Madeline. The origins of these names go all the way back to the Bible, the New Testament to be exact. It is derived from a title given to the famous Catholic saint, Mary Magdalen, also known as Mary of Magdala. Magdala, being the town that the former prostitute turned follower of Christ, hailed from, a town on the sea, near Galilee, its meaning being “tower.”
In the Middle Ages, St. Mary Magdalen was a beloved saint, making the name popular in virtually every European country, evolving into myriad different forms. The cult of St. Mary Magdalen was especially popular in France, where she was known as La Madeleine (lah mah-deh-LEN). In fact, tradition holds that, after the death of Christ, Mary Magdalen travelled to France, where she converted many of the early inhabitants to the new faith. She is considered one of France’s patron saints and it is believed that her bones were buried in France. La Madeleine gave her name to several communes in France as well as a river. It is even the name of a famous French pastry.
While you are out rushing to work, standing in line, getting your daily fix of Starbucks, you may notice that at the front counter there are packages of a soft little sponge-like cookie. These are madeleines or petit madeleines. They are a popular snack in France, made from lemon and butter, and are known for their distinctive shell shape. Legend has it that they acquired their name from the lady who invented them, Madeleine Paulmier. They are a delightful little treat, and I recommend that the next time you are at Starbucks, you should try them yourself.
Likewise, Madeleine has been a very popular choice in Great Britain and currently ranks in as the 80th most popular feminine name in Britain and Wales for 2007, while in its home country of France, it comes in rather low. It was the 454th most popular feminine name in France for 2006.
Let us not forget the fun and sweet version of Madeline (MAD-eh-LINE), Madeline seems to be specifically a North American version of the French form. Originally pronounced (MAD-eh-LIN), its preferred pronunciation has switched over to the former in the last decade, no doubt due to the popular children’s series of books of the same name.
Madeline has been quite popular the last few years, she ranked in at a whopping 61 in the 2007 most popular feminine names in the United States. She has also made her mark in other non-British English speaking countries, such as Canada and Australia. In Canada she came in at 85, while in Australia 93.
There is also the trendified corrupted form of Madelyn, which currently comes in at # 104, however, it is advisable to use the French spelling if you prefer the (Mad-eh-lin) pronunciation, which seems to be the goal of the parents of the Madelyns.
Nicknames include Maddie, Leine and Lynn. The name is borne by Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Madeleine Albright, and author Madeleine L’Engle.
Let us now move on to its Eastern European alternative of Magdalena (MAHG-dah-LAY-nah). This form is used in Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Poland. It is especially popular in both Poland and the Czech Republic where it is often shortened to Magda, and occasionally Lenka. There are the Czech spin offs of Alenka and Madlenka, used as an independent name.
Magdalena might be appealing to English speaking parents who love the nickname Maggie but really dislike Margaret. On top of that, it can be shortened to appealing and trendy Laney or even Lena.
Other forms of the trio include:
- Magdalawit (Amharic/Eritrean)
- Maialen (Basque: MY-ah-LEN)
- Madenn (Breton)
- Miglena (Bulgarian)
- Alena (Czech-Slovak and occasionally used in Germany. Diminutive form is Alenka)
- Magdaléna (Czech)
- Mahulena (Czech: a form created by Czech author, Julius Zeyer, for his his Ráduz and Mahulena-1898)
- Magdalene (Danish)
- Magdalone/Malene/Lone (Danish)
- Malle/Madli (Estonian pronounced MAHL-leh and MAHD-lee) other forms include Mall, Leen (LANE), Leena and Made (MAH-deh)
- Matleena (Finnish pronounced maht-LAY-nah) diminutive forms now commonly used as independent names include: Leen, Leena and Lenita)
- Magdeleine (French: archaic form)
- Leni (German: originally a diminutive form, it has recently become trendy in German speaking countries as an independent name)
- Madelene (German: mah-deh-LEH-neh: other forms include, Madlene and Madlen)
- Magdalini (Greek Modern-pronounced mahg-dah-LEE-nee)
- Magdolna (Hungarian, pronounced mog-DOH-noh) diminutive forms now popularly used as independent name in Hungary are Lenke (LEHN-keh) and Duci (DOOT-see).
- Madalein (Irish-Gaelic)
- Mailin (Irish-Gaelic)
- Maddalena (Italian pronounced mahd-dah-LAY-nah. Other forms include Maida, Madina and Magdala)
- Madala (Latvian) another form is Magone
- Talena (Latvian/Scottish)
- Maguelone (Occitanian)
- Madalena (Portuguese pronounced mah-dah-LAY-nah)
- Maclaina (Romansch pronounced mugg-LIE-nah) other Romansch forms include Madina, Madlaina (mudd-LIE-nah) and Madlena (mudd-LEH-nah).
- Madalina (Romanian pronounced mah-dah-LEE-nah)
- Magdalina Магдалина (Russian)
- Manda (Serbo-Croatian/Macedonian/Slovene)
- Madlena (Sorbian)
- Malin/Målin (Swedish/Norwegian pronounced MAW-lin, other forms include Malena and Madicken (MAH-dee-KEN)
- Mädi (Swiss-German: dialectical form from Bern MAD-dee)
- Magdalyna (Ukrainian)
- Madałena (Venetian)
Other popular offshoots include the English corrupted form of Madelaine (MAD-eh-LANE): given to the daughter of David Duchovny and Téa Leoni. The dated German forms of Marlene (Eng mar-LEEN; Germ mahr-LEH-neh) & Marla and the Polish Marlena.The designated name day for all of these names is July 22.
French diminutives are Mado and Madelon. Polish diminutive forms are: Madzia, Magda, Magdunia, Magdusia and Magdeczka. Hungarian diminutives are, Duci
There are a few Italian masculine forms and that includes, Maddaleno, Magdalo and Maido.