Etymology of Names: Meaning, Origin, Character, Interesting Facts

The origin of proper names has deep roots. They have existed since time immemorial. Even when creating man, God called him Adam, that is, “from clay”. Adam gave names to animals, and after he called his wife Eve, that is, "life." Since then, the property of a person to give names to everything, or, as the Russian proverb says, “call a spade a spade”, has become an integral feature of it.

Therefore, do not be surprised that often a person bears several names - one official, two or three affectionate home, one - a nickname in a narrow circle of friends, one - a nickname in a team. So, for example, the boy Vanya Nosov can be both the Sun and Masik at home, the Nose at school and Vano with friends.

Now it is customary to use an official name to identify an individual. It is recorded in the passport or birth certificate. But that was not always the case. Names and nicknames used to be circulated along with official names.

In ancient times

People in ancient times believed that the name carries a magical beginning, that it determines the character. The meaning of the name was taken very seriously. Being dependent on the forces of nature, the harvest and the location of the powerful of this world - priests, princes, military leaders and the like in power - they were at the same time afraid of falling out of favor with evil spirits. It is now clear why sometimes the true name was hidden, giving the child a nickname. It was intended to avert evil and was used more often than the true name.

Using their real name, the priests performed rites of initiation, marriage, taboo for sins and others. On behalf of the clan sacrifices were made to the gods. The rulers gave their child a name whose origin comes from the name of a totem or common ancestor.

In the third century BC, the philosopher Chrysippus identified names as a separate group of words. In fact, it can be called the ancestor of the modern science of names - anthroponymy (Greek ἄνθρωπος - man and ὄνομα - name).

How did the word "name" appear?

In the dictionaries there is an explanation of this word as tracing paper from the Latin nōmen or Greek ὄνομα. There are versions that it comes from the special term jm-men, which means the accepted sign of the tribal system. In general, it is noticeable that the Slavic languages ​​have a similar pronunciation and spelling of the word.

One version is that it came from the Pre-Slavic imeti - to have, to identify with someone, to take for someone, to consider someone. Another connects it with the concept of yuyoti, which means in Sanskrit separation or separation of someone from each other. Interestingly, the origins of the English name are the same as the Greek onoma. It turns out that in the Indo-European group of languages, according to this version, one source of the word "name" is for both Western European and Eastern European languages.

But mostly dictionaries agree that the true etymology of the word "name" is unclear.

In ancient times

Greek names often coincide with the names of mythical characters. To give the baby the name of the hero was considered in some way to anticipate his fate. And, on the contrary, they were afraid to call the names of the gods babies. It was believed that the use of the name of God in this vein would be regarded by him as familiarity, degrading his position.

For the daily designation of the gods, there were many epithets, which sometimes became the name of a person. The etymology of the names of ancient times goes back to similar titles. These, for example, are extant Zeus substitutes, such as:

• Victor is the winner.
• Maxim is the great.

Or a description of Mars, the god of war, who wore a winner’s wreath of laurel leaves:

• Laurel.
• Lawrence.

Other gods wore a diadem, they were called "crowned." From this name came the names:

• Stephen.
• Stepan.
• Stephanie.

The names of not the supreme gods, but the patrons of hunting, of various types of art were considered not to be shameful to give to a person:

• Muse.
• Diana.
• Aurora.

These ancient names are known now.

Name in Ancient Russia

Attitude to the name in Russia rather resembled ancient pagan ideas. Therefore, only the initiates knew the real name - parents, close people and priests. It carried a positive charge, meant happiness, wealth, health, and all that the baby usually wants. These are names of Russian origin, such as:

• Love.
• Zlata.
• Force.
• Bogdan.
• Waited.

An interesting custom of the Slavs after the child was named with a real name is to stage the finding of a foundling. The baby was wrapped in unfit fabric - matting, for example, and carried out of the doorway. For evil spirits they pronounced a second name-nickname, a kind of amulet, which should direct evil spirits on a false trail. The etymology of name-charms is from the imaginary flaws that were attributed at this moment:

• Nekras.
• Unexpected.
• Winter.
• Crooked.
• Chernyak.
• Whitewash.

The real name did not sound in everyday life. To the question: "What is your name?" they answered evasively: "They call her Callout, call her a duck." This was done for fear of damage.

How did the adoption of Christianity

Starting from the eleventh century, everything Slavic was systematically supplanted from the life of the people: a system of worship, a way to bury the dead, tales and epics. This includes the naming of names. The Greek form of Christianity came to Russia, therefore the Byzantine culture began to be planted.

The official name was recorded in the parish book. The etymology of names of this type has Greek and Jewish roots, which is due to the language of church books. The official name was used in ceremonies of baptism, marriage, anathema and others. A two-name system began to be practiced among the people: now the need for a name-amulet has disappeared, but trust in the Greek names did not arise. Some were so difficult to pronounce that they transliterated into forms that became Russian:

• Fedor - Theodore (God's gift).
• Avdotya - Evdokia (benevolence).
• Aksinya - Ksenia (hospitable).
• Lukeria - Glyceria (sweet).
• Egor - George (farmer).

Both names began to be indicated in legal documents: one by baptism, the other worldly: "By baptism Peter, according to the worldly Mikula." When surnames were introduced in Russia, often it became a worldly name.

Names in Saints

Since birth registration was only possible in the church, even in the case of unbelieving parents, everyone went through the baptismal ceremony. The name was given by the priest, choosing him from the month of the word. This is a book in which every day there is a list of saints whom the church should honor. It was popularly called "Saints". The etymology of names from the month of the word has not only Greek or Jewish roots. Many saints canonized in Russia bear Latin, Germanic, and Scandinavian names.

Some names are found more often than others in the month of the month. This explains that there are so many Ivanovs in our country: they are commemorated in Saints 170 times. The origin of female names in Svyattsy has foreign roots, and therefore is often dissonant for Russians:

• Christodule.
• Yazdundokta.
• Chionia.
• Filicitata.
• Pulcheria.
• A pre-signal.
• Perpetuating.
• Mommy.
• Kazdoy.
• Blast furnace.
• Golindukha.

Parents were offered several names. If the priest was located to the parents of the baby, he made concessions and allowed him to choose a name from the Saints. But in the event of a disagreement, he could be strict or even give the child an unpronounceable name.

Names of girls: origin and meaning

The impossibility of free-thinking, which included the independent choice of a name for the daughter, which is not listed in the Saints, led to the spread of female names of Slavic or European origin. Many holy women canonized by the church bore beautiful names.

It is therefore understandable that mainly in Russia there were female names Maria, Martha, Praskovya, Anna, Tatyana, Natalya, Olga and several others. The names Hope and Love were popular, although they were mentioned only once in the Saints. Faith had two references.

After the 1917 revolution, the church registration system was canceled. This influenced the choice of names. There were some excesses: the origin of the names of girls now depended on the parents' loyalty to the new government and admiration for their technological progress.

Names in the USSR

The origin of some female names of the early twentieth century is amazing. Nevertheless, these names really existed, and they are now recorded in the acts of the registry offices. To imagine the scale of what is happening then, just look at the following table.

Fortunately, this was a short period. After many changed their names, choosing the usual common Marys and Tatyana. With the development of the era of cinema, the names of screen heroines and film actresses, who often have a Western origin, began to spread.

Russian names of foreign origin

Perhaps some will be surprised that the name Ivan, considered to be the original Russian, is actually Jewish John. It means "God had mercy." Danila - also an old Russian name - translated from Hebrew means "God is my judge." And these are not the only Jewish names on the list:

• Sysoy - white marble.
• Fadey is worthy of praise.
• Thomas is a twin.
• Gavril - my power is God.
• Matvey is a gift from God.

Names with Scandinavian roots:

• Olga is a saint.
• Igor is warlike.
• Oleg is a saint.

Statistics argue that the distribution of modern names by origin is as follows:

• 50% are Greek, thanks in large part to Christianization and the prohibition of pagan names that are not in the Saints.
• 20% are Hebrew, for the same reason.
• 15% - Latin, spread due to the development of trade and the Enlightenment.
• 15% - other.

It is sad that history has not preserved many ancient names. But now there is an interesting trend in society that can correct the situation.

Modern names

Old Slavonic names are now in fashion, many of which have a beautiful sound and explanation. Girls are called like this:

• Vladislav (famous).
• Lada (favorite).
• Rusalina (fair-haired).
• Yarina (fiery).
• MILANA (caring).
• Alina (honest).

Boys have these names:

• Vsevolod (owning everything).
• Lubomyr (beloved by the world).
• Yaroslav (bright glory).

And parents choose a name to their liking, no one obliges to name children on the approved list. The part -fame included in the composite name means the generic name of the Slavs. There is a return to historical roots.

Conclusion

Now you can call any name. Of course, extremes should be avoided. In some countries it is forbidden to be called demonic names, recognized common names of world criminals or numerals.

Loving parents think about how the child will go through life. And it depends a lot on the name.