Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning "Who is like God"), I'm really proud of my name. And I think that I ? mostly - live up to the title! Of course, my mother would probably disagree; I think the phrase "little devil" would probably pass her lips if she was describing me during many stages of my childhood.
But then, my mother has her own issues; apparently her name (Kathleen) is a Celtic name meaning "Little Darling". Hmmm, that isn't the way I used to think about her during those regular occasions when she was punishing me for my "not like God" behaviour?!
And that's the fun of baby name meanings ? parents make naming decisions based on many, many different reasons, including family traditions, religion, culture, uniqueness and "it just sounds really nice." But ? in the Western world ? we rarely do any real research into the history or real meaning of names. So when the poor/lucky child finally finds out the meaning of his/her "really nice sounding" name, the results can be interesting, ironic, unfortunate or just sometimes hilarious.
You can have a lot of fun thinking up family/friends names, finding out the meanings and trying to make a connection between the two. For example, my eldest brother Clive is apparently "a cliff dweller", which is coincidental, since he lives at the top of a very long steep hill! Or why not play the game with celebrities ? consider the following:
Badu (as in r n'b singer Erykah Badu): African name meaning "Tenth born child"
Winona (as in actress Winona Ryder): Sioux name meaning "Firstborn daughter"
Aaliyah (the late r n'b singer): Arabic name meaning "High, exalted"
Hilary (as in actresses Duff/Swank): Latin name meaning "Cheerful"
Some cultures have very interesting traditions when it comes to baby name meanings. For example, Hindu names usually have connections with very positive things such as truth, beauty, happiness, blessings, etc, or one of the Hindu gods. In the Sikh culture, girls traditionally have the middle or surname "Kaur", meaning "Princess", whilst the boys have the middle or surname "Singh", meaning "Lion".
An African friend of mine once mentioned that many Africans are given a second name corresponding to the day of the week on which they were born. I think is a really nice tradition, but in my case, my middle name would be "Sondo" (born on Sunday)!! Hmmmm?
Whatever type of name you have chosen, or are thinking about for your "bundle of joy", its worth doing a little research into the meaning. And it's never been easier, with the wealth of Internet resources and books available, including my own site at www.all-about-baby-names.com, which is jam-packed with resources, tips and information on baby names, baby name meanings and baby products.
Your search may yield some surprises; for example, the lovely-sounding name "Malory" is French and means "Bad luck". You could get round this by spelling it "Mallory", but this means "Without good fortune" in Old German!
Alternatively, you may end up a little confused by different meanings of the same name; for example "Leah" is a beautiful girl's name, but what does it mean? Well?
? In Hebrew it means "Cow" or "Weary one" ? uugghhh!
? In Greek it means "Glad tidings"
? In Assyrian, it means "Mistress, ruler"
And a final warning: if you are planning to go for a funky, unusual-sounding name, be sure to avoid "Bacia," ? its Ugandan meaning is "Family deaths ruined the home!"
For more information and advice, check out the baby name meaning resources at www.all-about-baby-names.com.
Enjoy your search and happy baby naming!
Michael Barrows is a web publisher specialising in niche marketing. Check out the wealth of baby resources and pick up his FREE ebook "Baby Tips for New Parents" at his website; http://www.all-about-baby-names.com
Culver prom limo ..I recently heard a story that has literally changed the... Read More
This is one of the most common questions asked of... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
My husband and I have a 12-year-old daughter who wanted... Read More
Recently, a much-anticipated game of mini-golf with my children soon... Read More
It has been a long day. Home from work, you... Read More
I've often thought that in 6 million years, archaeologists will... Read More
We want our children to do the right thing, especially... Read More
You want your daughter to wear a dress to the... Read More
1. Boundaries are necessary for control and safety.All children need... Read More
AD/HD (attention deficit disorder) is one of the most common... Read More
Angie was brought up by rigid, authoritarian parents who kept... Read More
Managing money is one of the most critical skills we... Read More
"In general my children refuse to eat anything that hasn't... Read More
I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder... Read More
Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More
There are many parenting styles. Yours may be very different... Read More
My daughters and I went to the beach several weeks... Read More
Nanny 911 Interview with Montel WilliamsI saw an interview with... Read More
Research published by University of Rochester neuroscientists C. Shawn Green... Read More
Once, as a Learning Support Teacher, I made my way... Read More
A number of scientific studies have shown the way a... Read More
Many children who suffer from the psychological effects of child... Read More
Everyone needs friends, and, as parents, you and I both... Read More
The Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to Avoid... Read More
Wood Dale limo ..Remember when cash was a tangible commodity in all of... Read More
I was reading "A Modern Infant Armada", a humor column... Read More
Information is gold when you are adopted. Every tiny piece... Read More
In an actual war, to be attacked means to have... Read More
I have always found the notion of toilet training a... Read More
Many times, we are so conditioned in how we speak... Read More
10 Fun Things You Can Do With Your Children this... Read More
When it's time to put your child into a daycare... Read More
Many people still think that the game of chess is... Read More
What Children Look for in a Friend?Is this child fun... Read More
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain... Read More
How excited do kids get with the start of school... Read More
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
Detox To Conceive.. If you're having trouble conceiving... Read More
To the untrained eye, it might look like a piece... Read More
"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds... Read More
What's in a name? Er?well, everything, really! Of course your... Read More
My kids ask me all the time to take them... Read More
I was in the life insurance sales industry for over... Read More
Until about the age of six, children do not generally... Read More
My son, Dakota is now 7 yrs old. He is... Read More
Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey... Read More
Let's be honest! When it comes to parenting, men expect... Read More
17 Quick Ways to Strengthen the Bonds of LoveOn Mother's... Read More
There is no doubt that the benefits of being a... Read More
Parenting |