September 4, 2024
Many of us involved in genealogical research search for meanings in our ancestors' surnames. But what about their given names? A given name is the one most often used to get your attention, call you to dinner, etc. Ever wonder about your ancestor's given name?
For example, many of us have an ancestor named Mary. Did you know that Mary is considered an English/Biblical name? Some theories suggest it originated in Egypt and was “derived in part from mry, meaning ‘beloved,’ or mr, meaning ‘love.’” Due to the Virgin Mary in Christian Biblical literature, this name is very popular in the Christian world. In England, it has been in use since the 12th century. The name Emily wasn’t a common given name until the 18th century, when the House of Hanover occupied the British throne. It became popular in the 20th century, especially in the late 1990s. Iveta is a Czech, Slovak, and Latvian form of the given name Yvette. Other forms include the Danish Yvonne, the Portuguese Ivonette, and the Caribbean Ivelisse.
What about a masculine name like Cole? This name comes from an English surname, a medieval short form of Nicholas, and was a popular name for boys in the early 1980s and 1990s. The name Nathan, from the Hebrew name Natan, meaning "he gave," has been used since the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. Russell has been used both as a given name and a surname, deriving from the Normans and meaning "little red one." This name was popular throughout the 20th century, particularly in the 1960s.
Are you curious about your ancestors' names (first, middle, and last)? There are websites that provide name meanings, popularity, and other statistics, such as Behind the Name, Ancestry, Namsor, and others. There are also books on surnames and given names, such as American Given Names: Their Origin and History in the Context of the English Language by George R. Stewart, and audio CDs like What Did They Name the Baby? Genealogical Clues to Given Names by Patricia Law Hatcher. Microforms like Origin and History of the Name of Collins and Biographies of All the Most Noted Persons of That Name are also available at the Midwest Genealogy Center.
Sheri V.
Midwest Genealogy Center
