Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/50

 CHILDREN 32 GIRL»S' CHRISTIAN MAMES Broadly speaking, the majority of names can be traced back to Greek, Latin, and Teutonic sources, many of these, of course, having their common root in the old Sanscrit, Persian, and Hebrew languages ; and they have been imported, so to speak, by successive invaders and conquerors, and, in more peaceful times, by friendly visitors, and left as legacies to our islands* The more modern European forms are usually merely national variants of the original A Abigail (Hebrew) — " A father's joy," or "exulta- tion." Derived from " abi " (father), and " giyl " (to dance). It became perverted from its original meaning when Abigail, David's wife, styled herself " handmaid of the Lord." It is interesting to note that the latter part of the term still re- tained its true meaning, " abi " being a divine title ; but the invented first part is the portion that has survived, and become degenerated into a term for a " help," or " maid-of-all-work." Ada (Anglo-Saxon) — " Rich-gift," or " happi- ness." This is a contraction of Eaditha. The Anglo-Saxon prefix "ead" signifying happiness or riches. Other forms are Ida, Edgytha, and Githa. From this source also come the masculine names Edwin, contraction of Eadwine, happy friend ; Edgar (Eadgar), happy spear ; and Edward (Ead ward), happy guardian, Adah (Hebrew) — " Ornament." Adelaide (Anglo-Saxon) — "Noble maiden." An expansion of the root name Ethel (noble). Ethel, Adel, and Edel all signify " noble " ;■ and many suffixes were added in quahfica- tion, such as Ethel-burga (noble protectress) : or Adelgonde — "Noble warrioress," or "noble lady." Adelheid — A variant of Adelaide, Adeline, Adele, Adela, Adeliza, Alicia, Ahce and Elsa. All signify" noble maiden." Adelhilda — " Noble heroine." Adolfine (Teutonic) — "Noble wolf." Originally Aethelwulf in the masculine English form, it became contracted into Athaulf, and finally into Adolf, which lengthened into the familiar Adolphus. Aedon (Greek) — " Lamenting." The story runs that Aedon, the wife of the King of Thebes, was envious of the family of her sister-in- law, Niobe, and killed her own son, Itylus, in mistake for her eldest nephew. To assuage her frantic grief, Zeus transformed her into the nightingale, whose pathetic warbUngs are supposed to represent Aedon's sorrow for her lost child. Aflfrica (Celtic)—" Pleasant." Afra (Greek) — " Peaceful ruler." Agape (Greek)—" Love." Agata — Spanish and Italian variants of — Agatha (Greek) — " Good." From Greek " Aga- thos " — (good). Agave (Greek)— " Uigh-horn,'' or "illustrious one." Aglaia (Greek)—" Brightness and splendour." Agnes (Greek) — " Pure, chaste." Some authori- ties refer this name to the Latin (agnus, lamb), and think this latter was taken from the Greek first, as " agnos " signifies " chaste " and " pure," hence the Greek adjective was transformed into the Latin noun, purity and innocence being sym- boUcal of a lamb. Agneta— English and Swiss variants of Agnes. AgPippina (Latin) — " Illustrious." A Roman name used as a family surname. Agrippa is the masculine form. Agueda — Spanish, and Agata, the Swedish and German forms. Inez is also another Spanish variant. Aileen — Celtic form of the Greek name Helen (" Light "). Sometimes spelt Eileen. Ailna (Celtic) — " Beauty, joy." Aimee — French form of Amy. Ala (Teutonic) — " Holy." Alberta (Teutonic) — " Nobly bright." A Teutonic contraction of the old Anglo-Saxon Adelbert or Ethelbert ("noble, bright"). When the name travelled to Germany, it was shortened from Aethelbright through Albrecht to Albert. Albertine and Albertina— French diminutives. Albinia (Celtic) — " White maiden." Alcyone (Greek) — " Peaceful, serene." Alcyone or Halcyone, as the name is sometimes written, was the daughter of ^olus, and out of love for her shipwrecked husband, Cetyx, flung herself into the sea. Both were transformed into kingfishers, and henceforth, during the fourteen days while these birds are breeding (December 14-28), the sea is always calm ; hence the expression " halcyon days," or " weather." Aldgitha (Teutonic)—" " Noble gift." Alethea (Greek) — " Truth, frankness." Aletheia was the Greek name for the emblem of truth, a sapphire ornament worn by the Egyptian high - priests ; when mentioned by Greek writers, they naturally referred to it in their own language. Alexandra (Greek) — " Defender of men." From two Greek words, alexis (help, or defence), and andreios (brave), from aner (a man), bravery being the essential characteristic of manhood. Alexandrina and Alexandrine are the English and French feminine diminutives. Alexandrovna — Russian form of Alexandra. Alexia — A German contraction, signifying " help." The masculine forms are Alexander, Aleck, Alick, Alexis, and Sandy. Alice and Alicia (Teutonic) — " Noble." A derivative of the Anglo-Saxon Ethel, through the German form Adelicia (noble cheer). Alix is the French form of AUce. Aline (Teutonic) — " Noble." Alisa (Teutonic) — " Nobly born." Alison (Teutonic) — "Famous war." Descended through the French Heloise or Aloys. Alma (Hebrew) — " Maiden " ; and (Celtic) — " all good." The present use of the name, how- ever, dates from the Crimean War, and is thus a Russian place-name. Aloisia — A variant of Alison. (This alphabetical list will be continued) The following are good firms for supplying materials mentioned in this Section: Messrs. Allen & Hanbury, Ltd. (Patent Food); Klcinert Depot (Baby Pants) ; Dintel Neal (Children's Footwear) ; Rid^fe's Food Co. (Patent Food); Shynall Chemical Co. (Dolls); Wulfing & Co. (Patent Foodi.