A History of Baby Names
The history of names is so ancient that no one know quite where it began. Oral and written history both profess people having names. Earlier names seem to have some sort of meaning, usually descriptive. In contrast, today's names are usually given based upon their popularity or pleasing sounds.
Early in prehistory, descriptive names were used continuously. Eventually, a collection of names were formed that identified that particular culture. Today, the meanings of many names are not known, due to the aging history of a name. As time goes on, languages change, and words that formed the original name are often unrecognizable.
The rise in Christianity transformed the history of names. Christians were encouraged to name their children after saints and martyrs of the church. Because of this influence, we now see names such as Mary, Martha, Joseph, James, Mark, Paul, and John prominent among many cultures. These names were spread by early missionaries throughout Europe.
By the Middle Ages, Christian names were seen predominantly. Each culture had its collection of names, which were a combination of native and early Christian names. However, the naming pools continued to evolve. Modern names often bear little resemblance of their predecessors. Surprisingly, the early Christian names changed very little in comparison.
Bynames are additional identifiers used to distinguish two people with the same name. From these bynames, surnames were developed. Surnames are a comparatively recent development. These usually started out as being specific to a person and then became inherited from father to son. This was a common practice between the twelfth and sixteenth century. This practice was adopted first by the aristocracy and later on by the peasants. Bynames came in various types. The patronymic referred to the father, a matronymic referred to the mother, a locative or toponymic indicated where a person was from,and an epithet described the person in some way ( such as their occupation, office, or status).
Patronymics are common in almost all European cultures. For example, a man named Ivan whose fatherâ??s name is Nikolay would be know as Ivan Nikolayevich or â??Ivan, son of Nikolayâ??. In Gaelic, the prefix â??Macâ?? is used to form a patronym. An example would be â??MacKenzieâ?? - son of Kenneth. The use of the matronymic is much less common.
Common occupational names included Baker, Shepherd, Carpenter, and Wright.
The Romans adopted surnames as far back as 2,000 years ago, while other areas of the world were slower to begin using surnames. However, by the Middle Ages, they were used regularly, first by the nobility and then by the gentry. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Ireland was one of the first countries to adopt surnames. These Irish surnames are found as early as the tenth century.
Today's names are influenced by celebrities, common popular names, and biblical names. To find out more about the meaning of your name go to our website.
GranMamma is the webmaster at the Baby Names Box - Where you can explore over 6,000 baby names and their meanings.
Sub-categories include Disney, J.R. Tolkien names, Fantasy and Folklore names, and many names from the literary classics. Read articles ranging from parenting and family to home and gardening. Be sure to say hi to GranMamma!
MORE RESOURCES:
Properly secured baby, toddler escape injury in fatal rollover Ottawa Citizen, Canada - A newborn baby and a toddler escaped a fatal single-car rollover unscathed thanks in part to being properly secured in their car seats, Ottawa Paramedics ... |
Health chiefs share ideas for children Staunton News Leader, VA - By Nicole Barbano/staff • nbarbano@newsleader.com • November 20, 2008 STAUNTON — State Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Health, Dr. Karen Remley, ... |
Woman charged over home alone baby, toddler ABC Online, Australia - A 22-year-old woman has been charged with child cruelty after two children were found alone in a Townsville house in north Queensland this week. ... |
Baby, toddler hurt Family car rolls off road The Standard - Warrnambool, Australia - BY ANDREW THOMSON TWO Simpson children have been flown to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital with serious injuries after being involved in a ... |
Custom Doll Maker My Twinn Enriches Playtime With 'My Twinn My World' International Business Times, NY - Through itsbaby business, the company is a leading online retailer of brand-name baby,toddler and maternity products sold through the BabyUniverse.com ... |
BabyUniverse.com Announces Top 10 Best Holiday Gifts for Baby Earthtimes (press release), UK - Through its baby business, the company is a leading online retailer of brand-name baby, toddler and maternity products sold through the BabyUniverse.com and ... |
Woman arrested after leaving baby and toddler home alone Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - A woman was arrested after a baby and toddler were found alone in a house, police said. The woman, aged 20, was arrested yesterday after police found a ... Home-alone youngsters taken into care |
 Washington Post | Safety inquiry ordered after UK toddler death Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - British Schools Secretary Ed Balls has ordered an independent inquiry into the care of children in the London borough of Haringey where a toddler died a ... Britain in shock over abuse death of toddler Father devastated over death of Baby P |
Guilty of baby's death The Australian, Australia - LONDON: A baby boy, who died after a series of horrifying assaults, had been "used as a punching bag" by his mother's boyfriend, a court has heard yesterday ... |
 Telegraph.co.uk | Baby and toddler stabbed to death BBC News, UK - A three-month-old baby and toddler have been found stabbed to death at a property in Greater Manchester. Officers discovered the bodies of the baby and a ... Police question 21-year-old over deaths of baby and toddler Baby and toddler 'stabbed to death' Bodies of baby and toddler discovered at house |
|
RELATED SITES Apply Online for Credit Card. Bad Credit, No Credit, No Problem.
Planning a wedding day soon? Everything you need for a beautiful and memorable wedding day
|
Shared Dancing has Benefits for Babies and New Moms Alike
Every parent knows the calming effects on their baby of rocking and gentle motion. After all, who among us has not paced the floor at 2 am trying to entice a little one back to sleep by rocking, bouncing or swaying?While you may not be able to do much about those late night pacing sessions, you can capitalise on your baby's love of rhythmical movement to benefit both of you in many other ways as well.
Baby's First Shoes: How to Choose the Right Ones
Any parent of an active toddler has asked this question: "When should my child start wearing shoes?"There is no clear consensus. Some parents buy shoes as soon as their baby pulls herself into a first tentative stand; others wait as long as possible, preferring not to constrict their children's feet.
Baby Clipart for All Your Baby Shower Printing Needs
Baby clipart is the perfect accent to all of your baby shower printing needs. Whether announcements, invitations, thank you notes or stationery.
The 7 Biggest Baby Sleep Mistakes That Parents Make
When parents face difficulties with infant and child sleep issues, they can often feel helpless and alone. Although it seems like everyone has advice to give, it seems like nobody offers a definitive plan as to how to get your child to sleep through the nightThe topic of infant sleep is foremost in every new parent's mind, and the information available on the subject is highly varied.
The Top Diaper Bags for Stylish and Savvy Moms
Forget bears and bunnies. Today's diaper bags are all aboutmom and her needs: The need to be organized.
The Best Way To Give Medicine To A Baby
So you carefully fill a spoon with medicine for baby, move it near her mouth and the mouth doesn't open! Maybe it's the smell, but there's no way she is going to open her mouth. Frustrating isn't it.
Finding the Right Baby Soap for Your Babys Skin
Baby SoapAren't all soap the same, especially baby soap? Do you really need to look at which baby soap you use with your new born baby? Bath time can be worrisome enough for new parents with a new baby. Is the water too hot or too cold? How do I hold the baby specially when they are all wet and slippery? Am I doing things right? With all these things to worry about, we should be completely sure that the baby soap we use is completely safe and gentle for your baby's skin.
How to Make a Lovely Baby Shower Cake
Baby shower cakes are terrific centerpieces for showers. Guests always laugh when they see one and the expectant mom is thrilled to receive a very useful gift.
How to Buy Infants' Best Educational Toys?
Buying educational toys for infants can be difficult, because infants seem to do so little that educating them right after birth might strike you as a bit rushed. However, the fact is that your baby is learning at a great speed, taking in everything that is around, and picking up habits, information and words.
Baby Dangers New Parents Need to Know About
This Spring many new parents will welcome new additions into their family. Prior to taking on this important task, most parents hear and become knowledgeable about common safety precautions like preventing poisoning or selecting the right toys but there are big, hidden dangers that parents need to be aware of.
Introducing Your New Baby to Your Pet
Having a child is a life altering event for you and your family. If you own a pet and are concerned about how your pet will respond to the bringing home of a little bundle of joy, then you are not alone.
Baby Yoga and Me
Having carried a sizable bump around for a very long, very hot summer, I really wasn't in the mood for a work out.As Gwyneth Paltrow and all of my other coat-hanger thin celebrity peers snaked their way, all skin and bone about the tabloids, I scowled and knew that, even if the mood did ever take me as I sat covered in powered milk, I would just never have the time to get back in shape now that I always had my baby in toe.
20 Popular Quotations About Babies
1. "A baby is God's way of saying the world should go on.
The Colic Baby
When a baby has colic, the family environment is stressful and many family members may become upset or on edge. This is most often seen in new parents.
Baby Shower Decorations
When decoration for a baby shower, there are a few key aspects that should be considered:1) Will your baby shower adhere to a theme?Visit our baby shower theme for ideas about selecting a theme. If you are using a theme, then it is good to be consistent.
Choosing Baby Names for Twins
Choosing a baby name for your new born can be quite a stressful decision. With thousands upon thousands of names at your disposal, you may begin to feel a little over whelmed.
Baby Shower Game Distraction
The best baby games for baby showers to entertain all of your guests and let the mother-to-be benefit from the experience of others. Your baby shower then will become more than a party.
Important Safety and Styling Features of Baby Cribs
Baby Cribs are the feature item in any baby's nursery. Most parents can get away with keeping their newborn in a bassinet for the first few weeks of life; eventually however, all parents will have to invest in some type of baby crib to ensure their newborns safety during the early years.
Baby Pool Floats - Teach Babies To Swim With Fun and Safety
There is nothing more fun than getting your baby used to the water on a warm sunny day. If you are trying to acclimate your baby to the water or just teaching the basics of kicking and splashing, you will want a quantity of baby pool floats available.
Naming Ceremonies: Advice for First Time Godparents
Congratulations! It is a great honour your friends have done you, because being asked to be a godparent (aka as mentor, supporting adult, guideparent or guardian) is a significant responsibility and signals that they really trust you to look out for their child.Many first-time godparents are hazy about what their role is and what is expected of them during the Naming Ceremony.