Given Names
Many common given names in the West come from Hebrew, Greek, or Latin, or from Teutonic languages.
Hebrew names taken from the Bible have provided the most important source of Christian names. The most common boy’s name is John, which means gracious gift of God. The most common girl’s name is Mary, which may mean bitter. Other common Hebrew names include David (beloved), Elizabeth (oath of God), James (may God protect, or one who takes the place of another), and Joseph ( the Lord shall add), Hannah ( God has favored me), and Samuel (God has heard). These biblical names occur in various forms among all Christian nations.
Greek and Latin names often refer to abstract qualities. Common Greek names include Alexander (helper of humanity), Barbara (stranger), George (farmer), Helen (light), Margaret (pearl), Philip (lover of horses), and Stephen (crown or garland). Latin names include Clarence (famous), Emily (industrious), Patricia (of noble birth), Victor (conqueror), and Virginia (pertaining to spring).
Teutonic names are widely used and are among the most popular Christian names, especially boys’ names. They usually consist of two elements joined together without regard to their relationship. For example, William is composed of two name elements, Wille (will, or resolution) and helm (helmet).
But the name William does not mean ‘ helmet of will ” or “ resolute helmet”. It means “ will, helmet.”
Origin of Family Names
It is difficult to work out a simple classification of family names, because of corruption and changes in spelling and pronunciation. For many years, the spelling of names depended on the discretion of the writer. The same name might be spelled in different ways in the same document.
Family names have come down to us in various ways. They may have grown out of a person’s surroundings or job, or the name of an ancestor.
Place names came from a person’s place of residence. For example, if a man lived on or near a hill or mountain, he might be Mr. Maki, if from Finland; Mr. Dumont in France; Mr. Zola in Italy; Mr. Jurek in Poland; or Mr. Hill in England.
Family names also come from a person’s job. Names like Baker, Carpenter, Clarke, Cook, Miller, and Taylor are quite common.
The most common surname in English is Smith. It is also common in many other countries. It takes the form of Schmidt in Germany, Lefevre in France, Ferraro in Italy and Kuznetsov in Russia.
Many people took surnames from their father’s given name. Practically every language has a suffix or prefix meaning “ son of ”. Some names that include the term “ son of ” include Irish names beginning with O’ , German names ending in – sohn or – son, and Scandinavian names ending in –sen or – son, Russian and Serbian names ending in – ovitch and Romanian names ending in – escu have the same meaning. Those describing the bearer of the name as the son of John include Johnson or Jackson in England; Johns or Jones in Wales; Jensen and Hansen in Denmark; Jonsson and Johanson in Sweden; Janowicz in Poland; Ivanov in Russia and Bulgaria and MacEoin in Ireland.