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BABY NAME ORIGINS
A free online resource crammed with advice about choosing baby names & their origins...
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Check
out the Baby Name Meanings and the Names Dictionary Sections!
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Name Origins!
If you have searched for name origins then perhaps you have an interest in your own name meaning or
the meanings of the name of someone who is close to you. It
might also mean that "Congratulations" might be in order. Whether you are the mother or father of a new
baby or just interested in
names and their origins we hope that the information that we
provide will be of help. And perhaps will be interested in a few
different points of view on the subject of names and their
meanings and origins.
The
Origins of First Names
Name origins
are infinite!
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Traditional
Christian name origins stem from the Bible and are
common across many countries. These
Christian first names derive from various languages
including Hebrew, Greek and Latin. The Romans conquered the
known Western world and first names which derived from
Celtic, Germanic or Slavic languages are also, therefore,
included in this category of name origin.
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Muslim name
are derived from the Koran and Arabic and
Persian languages
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Indian name stem from Sanskrit the Indian language
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Hindu name
are derived
from
the Hinduism
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Chinese name
stem from Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism
and famous figures from the various dynasties
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Japanese name
stem from
Buddhism
using
Hiragana, Katakana and
Kanji texts.
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African name origins
are derived from African tribal religions, Islam, Muslim or
Christianity using Afrikaans, Arabic, Hausa, Swahili, Yoruba, Xhosa,
Zulu and European languages
This
category
also include place names, mythology and
history, colours, plants and other types of
nature. Fictional, historical and
characteristic words relating to virtues such as Patience
and Mercy. We then move on to name origins which can be
classed as Descriptive, Speciality,
Nationalities and finally unique (or created baby names).
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Place
Surnames (Toponymic - origin derived from a place or a
region)
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The
most common surname origins are derived from actual place names. This is
particularly relevant to English surnames. People were given
surnames that indicated a specific place name such as
London, Ireland, England, Eaton, York or Washington.
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Another
type of place surname origins
described actual residences,
locations or workplaces such as Hall, Smith, Heath, Bridges,
Brook, Castle or Woods
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Trades,
Professions or status related to English Surnames
The following names
are
derived from Trades,
Crafts, Professions or Official
and other forms of status. These types of name
origins
are legion
but many of their origins have been lost in time. Here are some
examples of common name meanings and their often forgotten origins:
| Archer |
A
professional Archer |
| Bailey |
A
bailiff |
| Carter |
A
cart maker |
| Carver |
A
sculptor |
| Chaplin |
A
chaplain |
| Chandler |
A
candle maker |
| Cooper |
A
barrel maker |
| Day |
A
dairy worker |
| Fletcher |
An
arrow maker |
| Frobisher |
Polished
armour and swords |
| Gardner |
A
gardener |
| Hooper |
Fitted
hoops on barrels |
| Kellogg |
A
killer of hogs |
| Leach |
A
doctor |
| Machin |
A
stone worker |
| Naylor |
A
nail maker |
| Proctor |
A
steward |
| Redman |
A
thatcher (reed man) |
| Sawyer |
A
wood sawer |
| Trinder |
A
wheel maker |
| Ward |
A
watchman |
Descriptive
Surname Meanings and Origins
The
original meaning of last names were often derived from physical or
characteristic attributes. The origins and meanings of many of these
descriptive names have also been lost over the years:
| Armstrong |
A
strong arm |
| Brown |
A
brown haired man |
| Crippen |
Curly
hair |
| Grant |
A
tall man |
| Moore |
Dark
complexion like a Moor |
| Russell |
A
red haired man |
| Shakespeare |
A
soldier, who carried, or shook, a spear |
| Turnbull |
A
strong man |
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Surname
origins with family connections!
Last name origins
often come from family connections such as Johnson (John's
son) Robertson and even Nixon (Nick's son). Similar names in
this category are those beginning with Mc, Mac or Fitz
such as McDonald or Fitzpatrick. There were also the first names
such as William, Phillip, Edward, and Hugh which were changed to
create the surnames Williams, Phillips, Edwards, and Hughes. ( From,
for example, William's son or Edward's son). These
origins
were
extremely important as adopting such names provided permanent proof of verifiable ties of
blood, family and kin. Therefore the history connected to a
powerful ancestor and its
origin
could be passed down the generations. Gaelic
name
origins
beginning with O or Mac immediately identify
significant family ties and the heritage of a specific
nationality such as Irish or Scottish.
Baby
Name Origins - the relevance
Baby name origins
are interesting but do not play a decisive role in the selection
criteria. Parents tend to select a name and might then
have a look at the origins of the name. Name origins do not
appear to be a major factor when making the final decisions in
relation to choice of names! But it is nice to know that these and
the meanings are
favourable! First
names, surnames, meanings and origins
We hope that the wealth of information contained on this site
will provide you with inspiration and lots of ideas. The Site
Map details all of the sections and information available -
a comprehensive resource for
those making important decisions
and finding appropriate names and searching for a name with
origins and meanings. The information and advice takes a balanced view of the pleasure and the pitfalls
when making these important decisions and researching name
origins. A name is incredibly important
and people will always be judged by it.
Baby
Name Origins
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"Remember! A Name isn't just for a
Birth Day -
it's for Life!"
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