What's in a Name?

What's in a Name?

In ancient times, names meant something. For example, Abraham (“father of many” [Hebrew]), Gabriel (“strong man of God” [Hebrew]), Daphne (“laurel” [Greek]), and Iris (“rainbow” [Greek]). Today, it seems a name is meaningful mostly by association, because it reminds us of someone famous or popular (like the sports fan who names his son after a favorite player), or because it represents a significant trend.

The same can be said about last names, many of which were originally patronyms, components of personal names based on those of one's father, grandfather or an earlier ancestor. Patronyms were used throughout the world. Among the better known ones are the prefixes O’ (O’Reilly) and Mac/Mc (Mackenzie). Here are a few examples:

Spanish: suffix ez meaning “son of”
Fernandez – son of Fernando
Rodriguez – son of Rodrigo

French: prefix fitz meaning “son of”
Fitzgerald – son of Gerald
Fitzhugh – son of Hugh

Greek: suffixes opoulos, akos, atos, eas (regional variations) meaning “son of”
Demetropoulos
Demetrakos
Demetratos
Demetreas

Nordic countries: suffix son or sen meaning “son of”
Magnusson – son of Magnus
Petersen – son of Peter

If you wish to know the origin of your name or last name visit http://www.behindthename.com/ and http://genealogy.familyeducation.com/family-names . You may be surprised.