Ian < scottish
Ian
< middle english Jan / Jon (= John) < old french Jan
/ Jean
/ Je(h)an < medieval latin
Johannes < late latin
Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης
| Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan
(= God is gracious) < Yah /
Yoh,
a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan
(= he was gracious).
Inca < spanish Inga
< quechea Inca
(= lord, king).
India < old
english India / Indea < latin India < ancient greek Ινδία | India < Ινδός
| Indos (= Indus [river], an Indian) < old persian Hindu
[the province of Sind] < sanskrit
sindhu
(= river).
Innuit < inupiaq [of Eskimo] inuit (= the people),
plural of inuk (= man, person).
Iran < persian Iran < middle persian Ērān,
genitive plural of Ēr- (= an Iranian) <
old iranian *arya- (= Iranian) < indo-iranian
*arya-
(= (?) compatriot).
Iraq < (?) 1. arabic ‘araqa
(= deeply rooted, well-watered) or 2. sumerian Uruk, an ancient town
< uru
(= city).
Ireland < middle
english Ireland < old english Iras (= inhabitant of
Ireland) (< old norse irar < old irish Eriu (= Erin) < old celtic *Iveriu) + old
english land / lond (= ground, soil, territory) (< proto-germanic *landja-).
Irene < french Irène < latin Irene < ancient greek Ειρήνη
| Oerēnē (= peace).
Irish < middle english Irish
< old english Iras (= inhabitant of Ireland) < old
norse irar < old irish Eriu (= Erin) < old celtic *Iveriu.
Irma < german Erma
< Ermendrud
< ermen (= whole) + thrud (= strength).
Irvin < Irvine
/ Irving
(= green water).
Irwin < old
english Eoforwine < eofor (= boar) + wine
(= friend).
Isaac < late latin Isaac
< ancient greek Ισαάκ
| Issaak < hebrew Yitzhaq
(= he laughs).
Isabel < provençal
Isabel < late latin
Elizabeth < ancient greek Ελισάβετ | Elissabet < hebrew
Elishebha (= God is abundant /
God is an oath).
Isaiah < hebrew Yesha’yah(u)
< yesh(u)a (= salvation) + Yah / Yoh, a shortening of Yahwah
/ Yahweh (= God).
Istanbul < turkish
Istanbul
< medieval greek εις την Πόλιν | oes tēn Polin (= to the City [= Constantinou-polis]) < ancient greek εις |
oes (= in, to) + την |
tēn (= [female] the) + πόλιν
| polin, accusative of πόλις
| polis (= city).
Italy < latin
Italia < 1. old latin Vitalia
(= land of cattles) < vitulus (= calf) or 2. illyrian
source.
Ivan < russian Ivan
(= John) < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah / Yoh,
a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan
(= he was gracious).
Jack < middle
english Jack < 1. (?) anglo-french Jake, Jaikes < old french Jacques
< a diminutive of late latin
Iacobus < ancient greek
Ιάκωβος
| Iakōbhos < hebrew Ya’aqobh
(= one that takes by the heel, a
supplanter) a derivative of ‘aqebh (= heel) or 2. John <
Jan
/ Jon
< old french Jan
/ Jean
/ Jehan
< medieval latin Johannes
< late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah / Yoh,
a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan
(= he was gracious).
Jacob < middle english Jacob
< late latin Iacobus
< ancient greek Ιάκωβος | Iakōbos < hebrew Ya’aqobh (= one that takes by the heel, a supplanter) a derivative of ‘aqebh
(= heel).
Jake < a diminutive
of middle english Jacob < late latin Iacobus < ancient greek
Ιάκωβος
| Iakōbos < hebrew Ya’aqobh
(= one that takes by the heel, a supplanter)
a derivative of ‘aqebh (= heel).
Jamaica < arawakan xaymaca
(= rich in springs).
James < middle
english James < late latin Jacomus < latin
Jacobus
< ancient greek Ιάκωβος
| Iakōbos < hebrew Ya’aqobh
(= one that takes by the heel, a
supplanter) < ‘aqebh (= heel).
Jane < french Jeanne
< old french Jehane < medieval latin Johanna, female of Johannes
< late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah / Yoh,
a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan
(= he was gracious).
January < middle english Ieneuer
< old french Genever
/ old french Jenvier < latin Januarius [mensis] (= [month] of Janus) < Janus, a Roman god,
having two faces, one in front and the other in back [to whom this month was
sacred as the beginning of the year according to later Roman calendar].
Japan < portuguese
Japao
/ dutch Japan < malay Japang < chinese jih
pun
(= sunrise) < jih (= sun) + pun (= origin).
Jason < 1. latin Jason < ancient greek Ιάσων
| Iassōn < ιάομαι | iaomae [inf. ιάσθαι | iasthae] (= to
heal) or 2. hebrew Yehoshua (= God is salvation).
Jasper < Caspar
/ Gaspar,
one of the Three Kings < (?) persian origin.
Java < sanskrit Yavadvipa
< yava (= barley) + dvipa
(= island).
Jean < french Jean
< Jeanne < old
french Jehane < medieval
latin Johanna, female of Johannes < late latin
Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης
| Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan
(= God is gracious) < Yah /
Yoh,
a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan
(= he was gracious).
Jeffrey < old french Je(u)froi < Geuffroi < medieval latin Gaufridus < old high german gewi
(= district) + fridu (= peace).
Jehovah < hebrew Yahwah
/ Yahweh
(= God) < hawah (= the one who
is, the existing) < hayah (= he was) [as transliteration of hebrew (Tetragrammaton)
YHWH
(the full name being too sacred for utterance), taken as the principal and
personal name of God].
Jemmy < middle
english James < late latin Jacomus < latin
Jacobus
< ancient greek Ιάκωβος
| Iakōbos < hebrew Ya’aqobh
(= one that takes by the heel, a
supplanter) < ‘aqebh (= heel).
Jennifer < welsh Gwenhwyvar < gwen (= fair, white) + (g)wyf (= smooth, yielding).
Jenny < Jane
/ Janey
/Janet
< 1. a shortening of Jennifer (q.v.) or 2. female of Jack
(q.v.).
Jeremy < Jeremiah
< late latin Jeremias < ancient greek Ιερεμίας | Ieremias < hebrew 1. Yirmeyah (= may Jehovah exalt) or 2. Yirmeyahu
(= the Lord casts, the Lord founds).
Jericho < ancient
greek Ιεριχώ | Ierichō < hebrew Yerihho
< yareakh (= moon, month).
Jerome < french Jérome < late latin Hieronymus < ancient greek ‘Ιερώνυμος | hIerōnymos (= holy name) < ‘ιερός | hieros (= holy) + όνυμα
| onyma (= name).
Jerry < Jeremy
< Jeremiah
< late latin Jeremias < ancient greek Ιερεμίας | Ieremias < hebrew 1. Yirmeyah (= may Jehovah exalt) or 2. Yirmeyahu
(= the Lord casts, the Lord founds).
Jerusalem < ancient greek ‘Ιερουσαλήμ | hIeroussalēm [by influence of
‘ιερός | hieros (= sacred)] < hebrew Yerushalayim
(= foundation of peace) < yarah (= he threw, cast)
+ shalom
(= peace).
Jesse < latin Jessae
< ancient greek Ιεσσαί | Iessae < hebrew Yishay (= (?) gift).
Jessica < late latin Jesca < ancient greek Ιεσχά
| Ieskha < hebrew Yiskah
(= to behold).
Jesus < middle
english Jesus < late latin Jesus < ancient greek Ιησούς
| Iēssous < aramaic Jeshua
/Joshua
(= God is salvation) [hebrew
Yeshua / Yoshua].
Jethro < hebrew Yithro
< Yether
(= abundance) < semitic y-t-r (= to remain).
Jew < middle english Giw
/ Jeu
< old french giu
/ anglo-french iuw < latin Judaeus < ancient greek Ιουδαίος | Ioudaeos < aramaic jehudhai (= a Jew) < Y’hudah (= Judah).
Joan < middle
english Joan / Jone < Jane / Jean < medieval
latin Joanna, female of late latin Joannes < ancient
greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs <
hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious)
< Yah, a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan
(= he was gracious).
Joe < Joseph
< late latin Joseph(us) < ancient
greek Ιωσήφ | Iōssēph < hebrew
Yoseph
(= adds, increases) < yasaph
(= he added).
John < middle
english Jan / Jon < old french Jan / Jean / Jehan
< medieval latin Johannes
< late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah / Yoh,
a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan
(= he was gracious).
Jonah / Jonas < late latin Jonas < ancient greek Ιωνάς | Iōnas < hebrew Yonah (= dove, pigeon).
Jonathan < ancient greek Ιωνάθαν | Iōnathan < hebrew Yonathan
< Yehonathan
(= the Lord has given).
Jones < middle
english Jan / Jon < old french Jan / Jean / Jehan
< medieval latin Johannes
< late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah / Yoh,
a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan
(= he was gracious).
Jordan < ancient
greek Ιορδάνης | Iordanēs < hebrew Yarden
(= a flow, discharge) < yarad (= go down).
Jose < spanish José
< late latin Joseph(us)
< ancient greek Ιωσήφ | Iōssēph < hebrew Yoseph (= he adds, increases) < yasaph (= he added).
Joseph < late
latin Joseph(us) < ancient greek Ιωσήφ
| Iōssēph < hebrew Yoseph
(= he adds, increases) < yasaph
(= he added).
Joshua < late latin Jeshua
/ Joshua
< hebrew Yehoshua (= Lord is salvation). [Joshua-tree,
(?) so called because its shape compared to biblical pictures of Joshua
brandishing a spear].
Joyce < Josse
/ Goce
< celtic origin.
Juan < spanish Juan
< medieval latin Johannes < late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης
| Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan
(= God is gracious) < Yah
/ Yoh,
a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan
(= he was gracious).
Judah < hebrew Yehudah < semitic y-d-h
(= praised).
Judas < latin
Judas
< ancient greek Ιούδας | Ioudas < hebrew Yehudha (= son of Judah) < Yehudah (= Judah) < [stem] y-d-h
(= praised).
Jude < Judah
< hebrew Yehudah < [stem] y-d-h (= praised).
Judith < latin Judith
< ancient greek Ιουδήθ | Ioudēth < hebrew Yehudith, female of Yehudha
(= son of Judah) < Yehudah (= Judah) < semitic y-d-h (= praised).
Julius < latin Julius.
July < middle english Iulius
< anglo-french Julie / old french Juil
/ Jule
< latin Julius [mensis] (= [month] of
Julius) < [Gaius] Julius
[Caesar] (in honor of this emperor,
who was born in this month).
June < middle english Jun(e) / Juin < latin Junius [mensis] (= [month] of Juno)
< Juno,
a goddess.
Jupiter < middle english Jup(p)iter
< latin Jupeter
/ Jupiter
/ Juppiter (= Jove),
chief of the Roman gods) < I.E.
*dyeu-peter-
(= god-father) < *deiw-os
(= god) (< *dyeu- (= to shine)) + peter (= father).
Justin < latin Justinus
< justus (= righteous,
lawful) < jus [gen. juris] (= right, law).
Karen < danish Karen
< a shortening of Katherine (q.v.).
Kashmir < Cashmere
< sanskrit Kashypamara
(= land of Kashyap).
Kate < a shortening
of Katherine
(q.v.).
Katherine < Catherine
< french Catherine [(?) by influence of folk etymology
from ancient greek καθαρός | katharos (= pure)] < medieval latin Katerina < latin Ecaterina < ancient greek Αικατερίνη | Aekaterinē.
Kathmandu < nepalese Kathmandu < kath (= wooden) + mandu
(= temple).
Kayla < Kay
< a shortening of Katherine (q.v.).
Kazakhstan < Kazakh
(< turkic kazak (= nomad)) + iranian
-stan
(= country, land).
Kelly < irish
Kelly < old irish ceallach
(= war).
Kennedy < irish
Kennedy
< (?) old Irish cinneide (= ugly head).
Kenneth < scottish Kenneth < gaelic
Caioneach
(= handsome, comely).
Kenya < (?) a shortening of [Kikuyu] Kirinyaga [a name for the
high mountain Kenya, which is snowcapped at the top] < kere nyaga (= white mountain).
Korea < chinese Gao
li
(= high serenity), a name of
a dynasty.
Kremlin < Cremelena < old russian kremlin
< kremlinu
< kreml’ (= citadel,
fortress) < (?) tartar origin.
Kuwait < arabic al-kuwayt < al (= the) + kuwayt, a diminutive of kut
(= a kind of fortress-like house) < (?) persian origin.
Kyoto < japanese Kyoto
< kyo
+ to
(= capital).
Lancelot < old
french Lancelot < a diminutive of frankish Lanzo.
Laos < laotian Lao,
a legendary founder of this country.
Larry < Lawrence
< old french Lorenz
< latin Laurentius
(= of Laurentum) < Laurentum,
a Roman town < laurus
(= laurel tree).
Latin < old english Latin
< latin Latinus
(= belonging to Latium, Roman, in latin) < Latium, the region of
Italy around Rome.
Laura < italian Laura
< latin Laurentia, female of Laurentius
(= of Laurentum) < Laurentum,
a Roman town < laurus
(= laurel tree).
Laurence < old french Lorenz
< latin Laurentius
(= of Laurentum) < Laurentum,
a Roman town < laurus
(= laurel tree).
Lazarus < late
latin Lazarus < ancient greek Λάζαρος | Lazaros < hebrew El’azar
(= God has helped him).
Lebanon < semitic ləbn (= white) [(?) in
reference to snow-capped top of mountain Lebanon or to its limestone cliffs].
Lent < middle english Lent
< Lenten
(= the forty days of fasting before
Easter) < old english lencten
(= spring, the fast of Lent) < west
germanic *langitinaz (= long-days) < (?) *langaz (= long) + *tina-
(= day).
Leo < latin leo
(= lion) < ancient greek λέων | leōn (= lion).
Leonard < french Léonard
/ old french Leonard < german Leonhard
< old high german *Lewenhart < lewo (< latin leo < ancient greek λέων
| leōn (= lion)) + hart (= hard).
Leopold < french Léopold < old high german Leutpald
/ Liutbald < leudi / liut (=
people) + bald (= bold).
Letitia < latin laetitia
(= joy, gladness, pleasure) < laetus
(= glad, happy).
Levant < middle
english Levant < middle french levant (= the Orient) < levant, present
participle of lever (= to rise) [because this region is in the direction of
sunrise] < latin levo [inf. levare] (= to raise).
Levi < hebrew lewi
(= joining, pledging, attached) < lawah (= he joined).
Lewis < anglo-french Lewis
< french Louis < old french Loois < (?) medieval latin
Ludovicus
< old high german Hlud(o)wig (= famous in war)
< proto-germanic *hluda-
(= heard of, famous) + *wiga (= war).
Lhasa < tibetan
Lhasa
(= city of the gods) < lha (= god) + sa
(= city).
Liberia < latin
liber
(= free) [the country was a resettlement of freed American slaves from 1822].
Libra < latin libra
(= a balance, pair of scales, pound) < proto-italic
*leithra- (= pound).
Lima < spanish Lima
< quechua (of Inca) Rimak, a god < rima (= speak).
Lincoln < Lincolnshire
< old english Lindcylene < latin Lindum Colonia < british
*lindo
(= pool, lake) + latin colonia (= settled land, colony) (< colonus
(= tenant farmer, settler in new land)
< colo [inf. colere] (=
cultivate, inhabit)).
Lionel < french Lionel
< old french lionel
(= young lion), a diminutive of lion
< latin leo
[gen. leonis] < ancient greek λέων | leōn (= lion).
Lisbon < portuguese
Lisboa
< (?) phoenician origin.
Lithuania < lithuanian Lietuva
< (?) related to latin litus (= shore).
Liverpool < middle
english Liuerpul < old
english lifer (= thick, clotted water) + pol (= pool).
Lloyd < welsh Llwyd
(= gray) < I.E. *pel-(1) (= pale).
Lola < a diminutive
of spanish Dolores < [Maria de los] Dolores
(= [Mary of the] Sorrows) < dolores, plural of dolor (= sorrow) < latin dolor (= pain, sorrow).
Lolita < a diminutive
of Lola
(q.v.).
London < latin
Londinium.
Los Angeles < a shortening of its full
name spanish [El pueblo de la Reyna de] los
Angeles
(= [The village of the Queen of] the Angels) < late latin angelus < ancient greek
άγγελος
| anggelos (= messenger).
Louis < french Louis < old french Loois
< medieval latin Ludovicus < old high german
Hlud(o)wig (= famous in war) < proto-germanic
*hluda-
(= heard of, famous) + *wiga (= war).
Louisiana < french
Louisiana < Louis [XIV] [as a french colony named in honor
of that king of France].
Lucia < italian
Lucia
< latin Lucia, female of Lucius
< lux [gen. lucis] (= light).
Lucille < french Lucille,
a diminutive of latin Lucia, female of Lucius
< lux [gen. lucis] (= light).
Lucy < french Lucie
< latin Lucia, female of Lucius
< lux [gen. lucis].
Ludwig < old high german Hlud(o)wig
(= famous in war) < proto-germanic *hluda- (= heard of,
famous) + *wiga (= war).
Luke < latin Lucas
< Lucanus
(= of Lucania) < Lucania,
a district in Italy < Lucani [plural], a nation in Italy.
Luxemb(o)urg < germanic lutilla
(= little) + burg (= fort, castle).
Luxor < arabic al-uqsur,
plural of al-qasr < al (= the) + latin castrum
(= fort, castle).
Mac- < scottish
and irish [prefix in names] Mac- < old celtic *makko-s (= son).
Machu Picchu < quechua (of Inca) machu (= old man) + pikchu
(= peak).
Madagascar < Mogadishu, city in
Somalia < arabic mukaddas
(= holy).
Madeira < portuguese madeira
(= wood) [from the formerly large wood of this island] < latin materia (= wood, matter).
Madeline < french Magdalene
< latin [Maria] Magdalena < ancient greek [Μαρία] Μαγδαληνή
| [Maria] Magdalēnē (= [Mary] of
Magdala) < aramaic Maghdela
(= tower), a town in Israel < gadal (= be great, be
high).
Madge < Mag
< a diminutive of Margaret < old french Margaret < late latin Margarita (= pearl) < ancient
greek μαργαρίτης [λίθος] | margaritēs [lithos] (= pearl [stone]).
Madison < middle
english Madison < 1. (?) Mathieson (= son of Matthew) < Matthew
+ son
or 2. *Maddison (= son of Maddy) < Maddy, a diminutive of Maud < old french Mahaut < medieval latin Matilda < old
high german Mahthilda < mahti (= might, power) + hildi
(= battle).
Madonna < italian madonna < old italian ma
donna
(= my lady) < ma (= my) + donna (= lady) < latin mea domina (= my lady) < mea, female of meus (= mine) + domina (= lady, mistress
of the house) (< latin domus (= house)).
Madrid < spanish Madrid
< Majerit.
Magdalene < latin
[Maria] Magdalena < ancient greek [Μαρία] Μαγδαληνή
| [Maria] Magdalēnē (= [Mary] of
Magdala) < aramaic Maghdela
(= tower), a town in Israel < gadal (= be great, be
high).
Maggie < a diminutive
of Margaret
< old french Margaret
< late latin Margarita
(= pearl) < ancient greek μαργαρίτης [λίθος] | margaritēs [lithos] (= pearl [stone]).
Majorca < spanish Majorca
(= greater) [so called because it is the largest of the three islands] < latin major,
comparative of magnus (= great, large).
Malaga < spanish Malaga
< (?) phoenician malha (= salt).
Malcolm < old irish Máel
Coluim
(= servant of [St.] Columba) < máel
(= servant) + Coluim (= Columba).
Maldives < (?) sanskrit
maladvipa
(= garland of islands) < mala
(= garland) + dvipa (= island).
Malta < latin Melite
< ancient greek Μελίτη | Melitē < (?) phoenician melita
(= place of refuge) < malat (= he escaped).
Manchester < Mameceastre
< celtic Mamucio
< (?) *mamm (= breast, breast-like hill), + old english ceaster
(= town, castle).
Manila < tagalog
may
(= there is) + nila (= a kind of indigo).
Manuel < a shortening
of Emmanuel
< ancient greek
Εμμανουήλ | Emmanouēl < hebrew ‘Immanu’el
(= God with us) < ‘immanu (= with us) (< ‘im (= with)) + El (= God).
Marcella < latin Marcella,
female of Marcellus, a diminutive of Marcus < (?) Mars [gen. Martis], the god of war.
March < middle english March
< anglo-french marche / old french marz < latin Martius
[mensis] (= [month] of Mars) < Mars [gen. Martis], the god of war.
Marcus < latin Marcus
< (?) Mars [gen. Martis],
the god of war.
Margaret < middle english Margaret
< old french Margaret < late latin Margarita (= pearl) < ancient
greek μαργαρίτης [λίθος] | margaritēs [lithos] (= pearl [stone]).
Mark < Marcus
< latin Marcus
< (?) Mars [gen. Martis],
the god of war.
Marlborough < Marl-borough
(= (?) Mærla’s barrow).
Marley < old english mære
(= boundary, landmark) + leah (= open field, meadow).
Mars < middle
english Mars < latin Mars [gen. Martis], the god of war.
Marseilles < french Marseille
< ancient greek Μασσαλία | Massalia < (?) ligurian mas (= spring).
Martha < ancient
greek Μάρθα | Martha < aramaic Maretha
(= lady, mistress), female of mar(a)
(= lord, master).
Martin < latin Martinus,
a derivative of Mars [gen. Martis],
the god of war.
Mary < old
english Maria | Marie < latin Maria < ancient greek Μαριάμ, Μαρία | Mariam, Maria < aramaic
Maryam < hebrew Miryam (= (?)
rebellious).
Massachusetts < algonquian Massachusett
(= at the large hill), the Great Blue Hill, southwest of Boston.
Matilda < french Mathilde
< old high german Mahthilda < mahti (= might, power) + hildi
(= battle).
Matterhorn < german Matte
(= meadow, pastureland) + Horn (= horn).
Matthew < old french Mathieu < late latin Matthaeus < ancient greek Ματθαίος
/ Mat-thaeos < Ματταθίας
| Mattathias < hebrew Mattathyah
(= gift of God) < mattath
(= gift) + Yah / Yoh, a shortening of Yahwah
/ Yahweh (= God).
Matthias < late latin Matthias < ancient greek Ματθίας | Mat-thias < Ματταθίας | Mattathias < hebrew Mattathyah
(= gift of God) < mattath
(= gift) + Yah / Yoh, a shortening of Yahwah
/ Yahweh (= God).
Maurice < french Maurice < medieval latin Mauritius < Maurus < ancient
greek Μαύρος | Mavros (= inhabitant of Mauretania,
Moor).
Maximilian < latin Maximus
+ Aemilianus.
Maxwell < middle
english Maxwell (= (?) the
well of Macc), a town < Macc(a) + well.
May < middle
english Mai < old french Mai < latin
Majus
[mensis] (= [month] of Maja) < Maja,
a goddess.
Mecca < arabic
Makkah
< 1. arabic mahrab (= sanctuary) or 2. phoenician
maqaq
(= ruined).
Mediterranean < middle
english Mediterranie < late
latin Mediterraneum [mare]
(= Mediterranean [sea]) < latin
mediterraneus
(= midland, in the middle of the earth) < medius (= middle) + terra
(= land, earth).
Melanie < latin Melania < ancient greek μελανία
| melania (= blackness) < μέλας | melas [gen. μέλανος | melanos] (= black).
Melissa < latin Melissa
< ancient greek μέλισσα, μέλιττα | melissa, melitta (= honeybee) < μέλι | meli [gen. μέλιτος | melitos (= honey).
Melvin < old english Mælwine
(= friend of the council) < mæl (= council) + wine (= friend).
Memphis < ancient greek Μέμφις
| Memphis < egyptian Mennefer
(= his beauty) < men (= his) + nefer (= beauty) [as a reference to
pharaoh Pepi I].
Mercedes < spanish Mercedes
< an abbreviation of [Maria de las]
Mercedes
(= [Mary of the] Mercies) < mercedes,
plural of merced (= mercy, grace)
< latin merces [gen. mercedis] (= pay, price, income) < merx [gen. mercis] (= merchandise).
Mercury < middle
english Mercurie < latin
Mercurius
(= Mercury), the god of tradesmen <
1. merx
[gen. mercis] (= merchandise) or 2. etruscan
origin [by influence of merx].
Merlin < old french merlin
< welsh Myrddhin < old celtic
*Mori-dunon
(= of sea-hill) < *mori (= sea) + dunom (= hill).
Messiah < middle english Messias
< late latin Messias < ancient greek Μεσσίας
| Messias < aramaic meshiha
/ hebrew mashiah (= the anointed) <
mashah
(= anoint).
Methusela(h) < middle english Methusela(h)
< hebrew Metushelah (= man of the dart) < methim
(= men) + shelah (= dart).
Mexico < spanish Mexico
/ Mejico < 1. nahuatl
(of Aztec) mexihco or 2. nahuatl Mexicas, an Aztec tribe
< (?) Metztlixihtlico (= in the middle of the moon).
Michael < late latin Michael
< ancient greek Μιχαήλ | Mikhaēl < hebrew Mikha-el (= who is like God?).
Michigan < ojibwa
*meshi-gami
(= big lake).
Milan < latin
Mediolanum < gaulish medios
(= middle) + lanu (= plain).
Minnesota < dakota (of Siouan) mnisota
(= cloudy water, milky water) < mni (= river, stream) + sota (=
slightly clouded).
Miranda < latin Miranda,
female gerundive of mirror [inf. mirari]
(= to wonder at) < mirus
(= wonderful).
Mitchell < middle
english Mitchell < 1. Michael (< late latin Michael < ancient greek
Μιχαήλ | Mikhaēl < hebrew Mikha-el
(= who is like God?)) + 2. middle
english mic(h)el / mycel (= big, great,
long) (< proto-germanic *mekilaz).
Mohammed < arabic
Muhammad
(= praiseworthy), the prophet of Islam < hamida (= praise).
Mohican < algonquian ma:hi:kan (= people of the tidal
estuary).
Moldavia < Moldova
< romanian Moldova (= dark, darkish water, soiled), a river.
Moll(y) < Mary < old
english Maria / Marie < latin Maria < ancient greek Μαριάμ, Μαρία | Mariam, Maria < aramaic
Maryam < hebrew Miryam
(= (?) rebellious).
Monday < middle english monedai < old english mondæg
< monandæg
(= day of the moon) < mona (= moon) + dæg
(= day) < proto-germanic *menon-
(= moon) + *dages- (= day).
Mongol < mongolian Mongghol
< mengu
/ mong(u)
(= brave, untamed).
Montana < spanish montaña
(= mountain) < latin mons
[gen. montis] (= mountain).
Monte Carlo < italian Monte
Carlo (= Mountain of Charles) [named for Charles III of Monaco] < latin
mons
[gen. montis] (= mountain) + medieval latin Carolus (< middle high german Karl
(= man, husband) < proto-germanic *karlon- (= man,
husband)).
Montenegro < venetian Monte
Negro
(= black mountain), a translation of slavonic
Crnagora < latin mons [gen. montis] (= mountain) + niger
[gen. nigris] (= dark, black).
Montmartre < latin Mons
Martyrum
(= Mount of Martyrs) < mons [gen. montis] (= mountain) + martyr
(< ancient greek μάρτυς
| martys [gen. μάρτυρος | martyros) (= witness, martyr)).
Montreal < french
[Ville Marie de] Montréal < Mont Réal (= royal mountain) < latin mons
[gen. montis] (= mountain) + regalis (= of the king) (< rex [gen.
regis] (= king)).
Morris < 1. Maurice
< french Maurice < medieval latin Mauritius < Maurus < ancient
greek Μαύρος | Mavros (= inhabitant of Mauretania,
Moor) or 2. middle english Moorish < old french More
< medieval latin Maurus < ancient greek
Μαύρος | Mavros.
Mortimer < Mortemer, a place in
Normandy.
Moscow < russian
Moskva,
the river of this town < (?) slavonic moskva (= wet, marshy).
Moses < middle
english Moises < latin Moises
< ancient greek Μω(υ)σής | Mō(y)sēs < hebrew Moshe(h).
Mosul < arabic al-Mawsul
(= the joined) [in reference to a
bridge of Tigris river].
Mozambique < portuguese Moçambique
< arabic musa malik (= king Musa), a ruler.
Muhammad < [Mohammed] < arabic Muhammad
(= Praiseworthy), the prophet of Islam < hamida (= praise).
Munich < german
München < Mönch (= monk) < proto-germanic *muniko-
< vulgar latin *monicus < late latin monachus (= monk) < ancient greek μοναχός
| monakhos (= solitary, monk) < μόνος | monos (= single, alone).
Murphy < irish
Murphy
< gaelic Murchadh (= sea-warrior).
Muse < middle english Muse
< old french Muse < latin Musa < ancient greek Μούσα
| Moussa (= Muse), the goddess of
arts.
Nagasaki < japanese
Nagasaki < naga (= long) + saki
(= headland).
Nancy < Ancy
< a diminutive of middle english Annis < old
french Agnes < ancient
greek ‘Αγνή | hAgnē, female of ‘αγνός | hagnos (= holy, pure,
chaste).
Naomi < hebrew Na’omi
(= delight) < no’am (= pleasantness) < na’em (= was pleasant).
Naples < italian Napoli < ancient greek Νεάπολις | Neapolis (= New city) < νέα | nea, female of νέος | neos (= new) + πόλις | polis (= city).
Napoleon < french Napoléon
< germanic origin
[by influence of italian Napoli],
related to Nibelungen, a mythical
tribe [not from italian Napoleone (= lion of Naples / nose of a lion)].
Natalie < french Natalie < late latin Natalia < [dies] natalis (= [day] of birth, Christmas day) < latin natalis (= pertaining to birth) < natus, past participle of
nascor
[inf. nasci] (= be born).
Natasha < russian Natasha
< Natalya
[see Natalie].
Nathaniel < late latin Nathanael < ancient greek Ναθαναήλ | Nathanaēl < hebrew Nethan’el
(= God has given) < nathan (= he has
given) + El (= God).
Navajo < spanish [Apaches de] Nabaju < tewa Navahu
(= large field) < nava
(= field) + hu (= valley).
Nazareth < hebrew Natzerath
/ Natseret
< (?) 1. Gennesaret (= sea of Galilee) or 2. netser (= sprout, grow).
Neanderthal < german Neanderthal
(= Neander valley) < Neander, graecized form of [Joachim]
Neumann
(= New man), German pastor and poet
< ancient greek νέος | neos (= new) + ανήρ | anēr [gen. ανδρός | andhros (= man)].
Ned < an
abbreviation of Edward < old
english Eadweard < ead
(= wealth, prosperity) + weard (= guardian).
Neil < gaelic / old irish
Niall
(= champion).
Nelly < a diminutive
of Nell
< 1. Helen or 2. Eleanor.
Nepal < sanskrit Nepala
< nipat
(= fly down) (< ni (= down) + pat (= to fly)) + alaya
(= house).
Neptune < middle
english Neptune < latin
Neptunus,
the god of the sea.
Netherlands < dutch Nederland
(= lower land) < neder
(= down, lower) (< proto-germanic *nitheraz, comparative of I.E.
*ni-
(= down, below)) + land (< proto-germanic
*landja-).
Nevada < spanish
[Sierra] Nevada (= Snowy [mount range]) < nevada, female of nevado
(= snowy) < I.E. *sneigwh-
(= snow).
New York < new + York,
a city of England (< old english Eoforwic < Eborakon,
related to Ebores, a tribe < celtic source) [it was the
former dutch Nieuw Amsterdam, renamed after British acquisition
(1664) in honor of the Duke of York].
New Zealand < dutch Nieuw
Zeeland
[former dutch Staaten Landt] < nieuw
(= new) + Zeeland (= Sea land), a province of Holland.
Niagara < (?) 1. iroquoian nee-agg-arah (= dashing waters) or 2. a
similar source, meaning (= land divded in two) or (= between two bodies of
water).
Nicaragua < Nicarao,
a native chief + spanish agua (= water).
Nice < french Nice
< ancient greek Νίκαια | Nicaea < Nίκη | Nikē (= Nike), the goddess of victory < νίκη | nikē (= victory).
Nicholas < french Nicolas < latin Nic(h)olaus < ancient greek Νικόλαος | Nikolaos < νίκη | nikē (= victory) + λαός | laos (= people).
Nick < a diminutive
of Nicholas
(q.v.).
Niger < tuareg
n-igereouen,
the river Niger < n-igereouen,
plural of egereou (= big river, sea) [(?) by influence of latin niger (= black)].
Nike < ancient
greek Nίκη | Nikē, the goddess of victory < νίκη | nikē (= victory).
Nile < latin Nilus
< ancient greek Νείλος | Noelos < (?) semitic nahal
(= river).
Nina < 1. russian
Nina
< a shortening of Annina < a diminutive of ancient
greek Άννα | Anna <
hebrew Hannah (= grace) or
2. spanish Niña (= child, infant).
Noah < hebrew Noach
(= rest).
Noel < middle english nouel
/ nowel
(= Christmas) < old french
noel
(= the Christmas season) < nael < latin natalis [dies] (= birth [day], Christmas) < natus, past participle of nascor [inf. nasci] (= be born).
Nora < irish Nora, a shortening of
1. Honora
< late latin Honoria, female of Honorius
(= honour) < latin honor (= honor, reputation) or 2. italian Leonora
< provençal Alienor < alia Aenor (= the other
Aenor) [a queen of Aquitaine, so called to distinguish her from hers mother
with the same name, Aenor] < latin alia, female of alius
(= other) + old germanic Aenor.
Norma < italian Norma
< (?) latin norma (= rule) or 2. Norma,
female of Norman (q.v.).
Norman < middle english Norman
< old french Normand
/ Normant
(= North man) < proto-germanic *nurtha- + *mann-.
Norse < dutch Noorsch
(= Norwegian) < noordsch
(= northern, nordic) < noord
(= north) < proto-germanic *nurtha-.
Norway < middle english
Nor-weie < old english Norweg
/ Norþweg
< old norse Norvegr
(= north way) < norðr
(= north) + vegr (= way) < proto-germanic
*nurtha-
+ *wegaz
(= way).
November < middle
english November < old french novembre < latin
November
[mensis] (= ninth [month]) [of the
old Roman calendar, which began with March]
< novem (= nine) + [suffix] -ber (< -bris).
Nuremberg < german Nürnberg
< medieval latin Norinberga < Norin, (?) related to scandinavian Norn,
a god of fate + Berg (= mountain).
Oceania < modern
latin Oceania < french Océanie < old french occean
< latin oceanus < ancient greek ωκεανός
| ōkeanos (= the great river
surrounding the Earth).
Octavian < latin Octavian
< Octavius < octavus
(= eighth [child in birth order]) <
octo
(= eight).
October < old
english October < latin October [mensis] (= eight [month]) [of the old Roman calendar, which began with
March] < octo (= eight) + [suffix] -ber (< -bris).
Olaf < old norse An-leifr
(= ancestor’s relic) < old
high german ano (= ancestor) + leifr, related to old english
læfan
(= to leave).
Oleg < russian Oleg
< norse Helge < Helgi (= holy) < proto-germanic *hailaga < I.E. *kailo-
(= whole, uninjured).
Olga < russian Olga
< norse Helga (= holy) < proto-germanic
*hailaga < I.E. *kailo-
(= whole, uninjured).
Oliver < middle
english Oliver < french Olivier [by influence of olive (= olive tree)] <
middle low german Alfihar (= elf-host, elf-army) <
alf
(= elf) + hari (= host, army).
Olivia < italian Olivia < latin oliva
(= olive, olive tree) < ancient
greek ελαία | elaea
(= olive, olive tree).
Olympic < ancient greek Ολυμπικός
| Olympikos < 1. Όλυμπος
| Olympos, a mountain [home of the twelve great gods] or 2. Ολυμπιακός | Olympiakos < Ολυμπία | Olympia, a town [with a famous temple of
Zeus, where every four years athletic contests were held in his honor from 776
B.C.].
Ophelia < ancient greek ωφέλεια
| ōpheloea (= help, aid) < ωφελώ | ōphelō (= to help, aid) < όφελος
| ophelos (= advantage, help) < I.E. *obhel-
(= to avail).
Ophiuchus < latin ophiuchus
< ancient greek οφιούχος | ophioukhos (= holding a
serpent) < όφις | ophis (= serpent, snake) + έχω
| ekhō (= hold, have).
Orlando < italian
Orlando
< french Roland < old high german Hrodland < hrod
(= famous) + land).
Orleans < french
Orléans < latin Aurelianum
< Aurelian,
an emperor.
Osbo(u)rn(e) < scandinavian Osbo(u)rn(e)
(= god-bear) < os (= god) + proto-germanic *beranan (= bear).
Oscar < old
english Osgar (= god’s spear)
< os (= god) + gar (= spear).
Oslo < norwegian
Oslo
< (?) 1. old norse os (= estuary, river mouth) or 2. old
norse As, a god + Lo, a river.
Osmond < old english Osmund
< os (= god) + -mund
(= protection).
Oswald < old english Osweald
(= god-power) < os
(= god) + (ge)weald (= power).
Otto < german
Otto
< old high german Odo / Udo < proto-germanic *aud- (= wealth).
Owen < celtic
Owen
< gaelic Eòghann / old irish Eogán
/ old welsh Eugein, Ougein < latin Eugenius < ancient greek Ευγένιος
| Evgenios < ευγενής | evgenēs (=
nobleman, gentle) < ευ | ef, ev (= well) + γένος | genos
(= parentage).
Oxford < middle
english Oxforde < old
english Oxnaforda (= oxen ford) < ox + ford.
Paddy (= an Irishman) [slang] < Patrick < old irish Patraicc
< latin Patricius
(= a patrician) < patres (= senators), plural
of pater
[gen. patris] (= father).
Padua < italian
Padova < latin Patavium
< (?) gaulish *padi (= pine).
Paige < page
(= young servant) < old french page
(= youth, servant) < medieval
latin pagius (= servant) < (?) ancient greek παιδίον
| paedion (= little child, boy), a
diminutive of παις | paes [gen. παιδός | paedos) (= child).
Pakistan < P.A.K.-istan
< an acronym from [Punjab,
Afghan, Kashmir] + persian -stan (= country) (< indo-iranian *stanam (= place)).
Palestine < latin
Palestina
< ancient greek Παλαιστίνη
| Palaestinē < hebrew P(e)lesheth
(= Philistia, land of the Philistines)
< hebrew P’lishtim (= people of Philistia).
Pamela < ancient
greek παμ-, παν- | pam-, pan- (< παν | pan, neuter of πας | pas [gen. παντός | pantos]
(= everyone, all)) + μέλι | meli (= honey).
Panama < spanish Panama
< (?) guarani source, meaning (= place of many fish).
Pandora < ancient greek Πανδώρα
| Pandōra (= giver of all) < παν | pan, neuter of πας | pas [gen. παντός | pantos]
(= everyone, all) + δώρον | dōron (=
gift).
Pangaea < ancient greek παν
| pan, neuter of πας | pas [gen. παντός | pantos]
(= everyone, all) + γαία | gaea (=
earth).
Panthalassa < ancient greek παν
| pan, neuter of πας | pas [gen. παντός | pantos]
(= everyone, all) + θάλασσα | thalassa (=
sea).
Papuan < Papua
< malay papuah
(= frizzled).
Paris < gallo-latin [Lutetia] Parisorum (= Parisian [swamp]) / late latin
Parisii,
a fortified town < Parisii, a Gaulish tribe < (?) celtic
par
(= boat).
Parthenon < ancient greek Παρθενών
| Parthenōn (= the girl’s apartments
of a house, a temple of the Virgin goddess Athena) < παρθένος | parthenos
(= virgin, maiden).
Patricia < latin Patricia,
female of Patricius (= patrician) <
patres
(= senators), plural of pater
[gen. patris] (= father).
Patrick < old irish Patraicc
< latin Patricius
(= patrician) < patres
(= senators), plural of pater
[gen. patris] (= father).
Paul < latin Paulus
< paulus
(= small).
Pearson < Peter < old english Petrus
< latin Petrus < ancient greek Πέτρος
| Petros < πέτρα | petra (= stone, rock).
Peggy < Maggie
< Margaret
< old french Margaret < late latin Margarita (= pearl) < ancient
greek μαργαρίτης [λίθος] | margaritēs [lithos] (= pearl).
Peirce < middle
english Peirce < old french Piers < Pierre
< latin Petrus < ancient greek Πέτρος
| Petros < πέτρα | petra (= stone, rock).
Peking < chinese
Beijing
(= northern capital) < bei (= north) + jing
(= capital) [as opposed to Nanking (= southern capital)].
Penelope < ancient greek Πηνελόπη
| Pēnelopē < πηνέλοψ | pēnelops [gen. πηνέλοπος | pēnelopos], a kind of duck.
Pentecost < old
english Pentecosten < late
latin Pentecoste < ancient
greek πεντηκοστή [‘ημέρα] | pentēkostē [hēmera] (= fiftieth [day]) < πεντηκοστή, female of πεντηκοστός
| pentēkostos (= fiftieth) < πεντήκοντα | pentēkonta (= 50) < πέντε | pente (= 5).
Percy < 1. Percy, a place < old french percer
(= to pierce) < (?) vulgar latin *pertusio [inf. pertusiare] < latin pertusus,
past participle of pertundo [inf. pertundere]
(= beat through) < per (= through)
+ tundo
[inf. tundere] (= to beat) or 2. a shortening of Percival
< old french Perceval < percer (= to pierce) + val
(= valley) (< latin vallis (= valley)).
Pericles < latin Pericles
< ancient greek Περικλής | Periklēs < περί
| peri (= around) + κλέος
| kleos (= glory, fame).
Peru < spanish Peru
< quechua (of Inca) pelu (= river).
Pete < a diminutive
of Peter
(q.v.).
Peter < middle english Peter
< old english Petrus
< latin Petrus < ancient greek Πέτρος
| Petros < πέτρα | petra (= stone, rock) [a translation of Cephas (< syriac kefa (= stone)), the name given by Jesus Christ
to apostle Simon].
Philadelphia < ancient greek Φιλαδέλφεια | Philadelphia < φίλος | philos (= loving, friend) + αδελφός
| adelphos (= brother).
Philip < latin Philippus < ancient greek Φίλιππος
| Philippos (= fond of horses) < φίλος | philos (= loving) + ‘ίππος | hippos (= horse).
Philippines < spanish
[Islas] Filipinas (= [Islands] of
Philip) [named for Philip II, king of Spain] < latin Philippus < ancient greek Φίλιππος | Philippos (= fond of horses)
< φίλος | philos (=
loving) + ‘ίππος | hippos (= horse).
Phoebe < middle
english Phoebe < latin Phoebe < ancient greek Φοίβη | Phoebē [a name of goddess Artemis],
female of Φοίβος | Phoebos (=
bright, pure) [a name of her brother and god Apollo].
Phyllis < latin Phyllis
< ancient greek Φυλλίς
| Phyllis (= foliage) < φύλλον
| phyllon (= leaf).
Pierre < french Pierre
< latin Petrus < ancient greek Πέτρος
| Petros < πέτρα | petra (= stone, rock).
Pilate < latin Pilatus
(= armed with javelin) < pilum (= javelin).
Pisces < old english Pisces
< latin pisces, plural of piscis (= fish).
Pluto < latin Pluto(n), the god of the underworld < ancient greek Πλούτων | Ploutōn, the god of wealth and
underworld [where there are metals
and gems] < πλούτος | ploutos (= wealth, riches).
Pocahontas < algonquian
Pokachantesu
(= she is playful).
Poland < Pole
(< german Pole,
singular of Polen < polish
Polanie
(= Poles) < pole (= field)) + land.
Pole < german Pole,
singular of Polen < polish
Polanie
(= Poles) < pole (= field).
Polynesia < french Polynésie
< ancient greek πολύς | polys (= many) + νήσος | nēsos (= island).
Pompeii < oscan
pompe
(= five) [so called in reference to five districts of this town] < I.E. *penkwe-
(= five) {> latin quinque}.
Portugal < middle english Portyngale < medieval latin Portus
Cale
1. (= warm Port) (< latin
portus
(= harbor, port), caldus (= warm)) or 2. (=
Port of Gaya).
Prague < czech
Praha
< (?) 1. related to pražiti (= forest cleared by
burning) or 2. < prah (= threshold).
Priscilla < latin Priscilla,
female of Priscillus, a diminutive of Priscus < priscus (= antique,
ancient, primitive).
Prussia < medieval latin Borussi
/ Prusi,
a Lithuanian people < (?) slavic *Po-Rus (= near the
Russians).
Puerto Rico < spanish Puerto
Rico (= rich harbor) < puerto
(< latin portus (= harbor, port)) + rico
(< old french riche (= wealthy) < frankish *riki (= powerful)).
Punjab < hindi Panjab < persian panj
(= five) (< I.E. *penkwe- (= five)) + ab
(= water) (< iranian *ap- < I.E. *ap-(2) (= water))
[in reference to the five rivers of this region].
Pyongyang < korean Pyongyang
< p’yong
(= flat) + yang (= land).
Pyrenees < french Pyrénées < latin Pyrenæi
< ancient greek Πυρήνη
| Pyrēnē, a mistress of Hercules,
buried in these mountains < πυρ | pyr (= fire).
Qatar < (?) arabic
katran (= tar, resin) [in
reference to petroleum].
Quebec < canadian-french
Quebec < algonquian /kepe:k/
(= strait, narrow).
Quentin < french Quentin
< latin Quin(c)tianus (= fifth [child in
birth order]) < quintus (= fifth), related
to quinque (= five).
Rachel < late latin Rachel
< ancient greek 'Ραχήλ | hRakhēl < hebrew Rahel (= ewe).
Ralph < a shortening
of Radulf < old norse Raðulfr
< rað (= counsel) + ulfr
(= wolf).
Randal < a shortening
of old english Randwulf < rand (= shield) + wulf
(= wolf).
Randolph < old norse Rannulfr
(= shield-wolf) / frankish *Rannulf (= raven-wolf) (< wulf
(= wolf)).
Raphael < late latin Raphael
< ancient greek ‘Ραφαήλ | hRaphaēl < hebrew Repha’el (= God has healed) < rapha (= he healed) + El (= God).
Raymond < old french Raimund < frankish *Raginmund < ragin (= counsel) + mund
(= hand, protection) (< proto-germanic *mundo).
Rebecca < late latin Rebecca < ancient greek ‘Ρεβέκκα | hRebekka < hebrew Ribhqeh
(= connection) < semitic r-b-q (= to tie, join).
Reginald < old high german Reginald
(= ruling with power).
Renaissance < french renaissance
[des letters] (= rebirth [of letters]) <
old french renaissance (= rebirth) < renastre
(= be reborn) < vulgar latin
*renasco
[inf. renascere] < latin renascor [inf. renasci] (= be born again)
< re- (= back, again) + nascor [inf. nasci] (= be born).
Reykjavik < old
norse Reykjavik (= bay of
smoke) [so called from the many hot
springs being there] < reykja
(= to smoke) + vik (= bay).
Reynard < middle english Reynald
< old french Renart / Reynard [name of a fox] < old high german Reginhart
(= counsel-brave).
Reynold < old french Reinald
< old high german Reginald
(= counsel-strong).
Rhine < german Rhein < middle high german Rin
< gaulish Renos (= that which flows) < I.E.
*rei-
(= to run, flow).
Rhodes < ancient greek ‘Ρόδος
| hRodhos < (?) 'ρόδον
| hrodhon (= rose).
Richard < middle
english Rycharde < old
french Richard < old
high german Ricohard < proto-germanic
*rik-
(= ruler) + *harthu (= hard).
Rio de Janeiro < italian Rio
de Janeiro (= River of January) [named by Amerigo Vespucci, Italian
explorer, because he discovered it on 1 January 1502] < latin rivus
(= brook, stream) + de (= of, from) + Januarius [mensis] (= [month] of Janus) < Janus, a Roman god,
having two faces (cf. January).
Robert < old french Robert
< old high german Hrodberht < hrod- (= fame, glory) +
*berht
(= bright).
Robin < old french Robin,
a diminutive of Robert (q.v.).
Roderick < old high german Hroderich
< hruod- (= fame, glory) + proto-germanic
*rikja
(= rule).
Roger < old french Rogier < old high german Hrotger
< hruod- (= fame, glory) + ger
(= spear).
Roland < french Roland
< old high german Hrodland < hruod- (= fame, glory) + land.
Rolf < old norse Hrolfr,
related to old high german Hrodulf < hruod- (= fame, glory) + wolf.
Rom (= male gypsy)
< romany rom (= man, husband, Gypsy) [plural roma] < sanskrit domba-s
(= male member of a low caste of
musicians).
Roman < old english Roman
< latin Romanus (= of Rome, Roman) < Roma (= Rome).
Romania < latin Romani
(= people from Rome) [used to describe the Roman colonists in this country]
< Romani,
plural of Romanus (= of Rome, Roman)
< Roma (= Rome).
Romany (= Gypsy) < romani, female of romano
(= Gypsy) < romany rom (= man, husband, Gypsy) [plural roma] < sanskrit domba-s
(= male member of a low caste of
musicians).
Rome < old
english Rome < old french Rome < latin Roma < (?) etruscan
origin.
Ronald < old norse Rögnvaldr
< rögn (= gods), plural of regin
(= decree) + valdr (= ruler).
Rosa < latin Rosa
< rosa
(= rose).
Roxanne < french Roxanne
[by influence of Anne] < latin Roxane < ancient greek ‘Ρωξάνη
| hRōxanē [the wife of
Alexander the great] < persian origin.
Rudolph < german Rudolf
< old high german Hrodulf < hruod- (= fame, glory) + wolf.
Rufus < latin rufus
(= red, reddish, red-haired).
Rupert < (?) a blend
of 1. german Ruprecht + 2. english Robert.
Russell < old french rousel,
a diminutive of rous (= red) < latin
russus
(= red).
Russia < medieval latin Russi
(= the people of Russia) < Rus,
the native name < (?) finnish Ruotsi < old norse Roþrslandi
(= the land of rowing) < old norse roðr
(= steering oar) < proto-germanic
*rothra-
(= rudder).
Ruth < hebrew Ruth
< (?) reuth (= companion, friend, fellow woman).
Sabbath < old english sabat
< latin sabbatum < ancient greek Σάββατον
| Sabbaton < hebrew shabbath
(= day of rest) < shabath (= he rested).
Sabrina < Sabrina, romanized
form of river Severn [welsh Hafren / Habren] (= (?) boundary) < celtic
source.
Sadie < Sarah
< hebrew Sarah
(= princess) < sarah, female of sar (= prince) < sarar (= he ruled).
Sagittarius < latin sagittarius (= archer) < sagitta
(= arrow).
Sahara < arabic çahara, plural
of
çahra (= desert) < çahra, female of asharu
(= yellowish red).
Salome < late latin Salome
< ancient greek Σαλώμη | Salōmē < hebrew shalom
(= peace).
Sammy < british [slang] Sammy
(= American soldier in WWI) < [Uncle]
Sam
[in political cartoons of USA] < Samuel (< late latin Samuel
< ancient greek Σαμουήλ | Samouēl < hebrew Shemiel (= the name of God) < shem
(= name) + El (= God)).
Samson < late latin Samson
< ancient greek Σαμψών | Sampsōn < hebrew Shimshon < (?) shemesh
(= sun).
Samuel < late latin Samuel
< ancient greek Σαμουήλ | Samouēl < hebrew Shemiel (= the name of God) < shem
(= name) + El (= God).
San Francisco < spanish San Francisco
[named for St. Francis of Assisi] < latin sanctus
(= holy) (< sanctus, past participle of sancio [inf. sancire] (= consecrate)) + medieval
latin Franciscus (= Frankish)
< Francus (= Frank) < frankish
*Frank.
Sandra < a shortening
of Alexandra
< ancient greek Αλεξάνδρα | Alexandra,
female of Αλέξανδρος | Alexandros < αλέξω | alexō (= repulse, protect) + ανήρ | anēr [gen. ανδρός | andros] (= man).
Sandy < a shortening of Alexander
< ancient greek Αλέξανδρος | Alexandros
< αλέξω | alexō (= repulse, protect) + ανήρ | anēr [gen. ανδρός | andros] (= man).
Santa Claus < american english
Santa Claus < dutch
[dialectal] Sante Klaas < middle dutch Sinter Niklaas (= Saint
Nicholas) < latin sanctus (= holy) (< sanctus,
past participle of sancio [inf. sancire]
(= consecrate)) + Nicolaus (<
ancient greek Νικόλαος | Nikolaos < νίκη | nikē (= victory) + λαός | laos (= people)).
Sara < Sarah
(q.v.).
Sarah < hebrew Sarah
(= princess) < sarah, female of sar (= prince) < sarar (= he ruled).
Saturday < old english sæterdæg
/ sæternesdæg
(= Saturn day) < Sætern
(= Saturn) + dæg (= day).
Saturn < old
english Sætern < latin
Saturnus,
the Italic god of agriculture < (?) etruscan origin.
Saudi Arabia < arabic Sa’ud, family name of rulers (< sa’d
(= good fortune, happiness)) + ‘arab (= (?) inhabitant of the
desert).
Saul < latin Saul
< hebrew Shaul < shaul (= asked for), passive participle of sha’al
(= he asked for).
Saxon < middle english Saxon
< late latin Saxo < proto-germanic *sahsa- (= knife).
Scandinavia < late latin Scandinavia
< proto-germanic *skadinaujo
(= Scadia island) < *skadin (= Scadia) + *aujo
(= thing on water).
Scorpio < middle english Scorpio
< latin scorpio < scorpius < ancient greek σκορπιός
| skorpios (= scorpion).
Scotch < Scottish < Scot
(+ [suffix] -ish) < old
english Scottas [plural] (= Irishmen, Irish settlers of England) < late latin Scotti
< (?) celtic source.
Sean < irish Sean
/ Shaun
/ Shawn
< John
< Jan
/ Jon
< old french Jan
/ Jean
/ Jehan
< medieval latin Johannes
< late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah / Yoh,
a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan
(= he was gracious).
Sebastian < latin Sebastianus
< ancient greek Σεβαστιανός | Sebastianos (= man of Sebastia) < Σεβάστια | Sebastia, a city in Asia Minor < σεβαστός | sebastos (= venerable) < σέβας
| sebas (= respect).
Selene < ancient greek Σελήνη
| Selēnē (= the moon, the moon
goddess) < σέλας | selas (= light, brightness).
Selina < french
Céline < latin caelina
(= heavenly) < caelum
(= heaven, sky).
Semite < french Sémite
< modern latin Semita < late latin Sem
< ancient greek Σημ | Sēm <
hebrew Shem (= name), son of Noah and ancestor of Semites.
Seoul < korean Seoul
< seoul
(= capital).
September < old
english September < latin September [mensis] (= seventh [month]) [of the old Roman calendar, which began with
March] < septem (= seven) +
[suffix] -ber (< -bris).
Serb < serbian Srb
(= man).
Serena < latin serena,
female of serenus (= clear, bright, joyous).
Sergius < latin Sergius
< etruscan origin.
Servian < medieval latin Servia < Serb < serbian Srb (= man).
Seville < spanish
Sevilla
< phoenician sefela (= plain, valley).
Seychelles < french
[Jean Moreau de] Séchelles, a minister of
finance [named in honor of him].
Shanghai < chinese
Shanghai
(= by the sea) < shang (= on, above) + hai (= sea).
Sharon < hebrew Sharon,
a shortening of yesharon (= the plain)
< yashar (= was straight, was even).
Sherlock < old english scir
(= bright) + locc (= lock of hair).
Sicily < latin Sicilia < ancient greek Σικελία
| Sikelia < Σικελοί | Sikeloe [plural] (= Sicilians), an ancient
people.
Siegfried < german
Siegfried
< high german sigu
(= victory) (< proto-germanic *seges- (= victory)) + old
high ferman *frithu
(= peace).
Sigismund < german Sigismund < old high german sigu
(= victory) (< proto-germanic
*seges-
(= victory)) + munt (= hand, protection)
(< proto-germanic *mundo (=
hand)).
Silas < late latin Silas
< ancient greek Σίλας | Silas
< Σιλουανός | Silouanos < latin Silvanus
(= living in the forest) < silva (= forest).
Singapore < sanskrit
Simhapuram
< simhah (= lion) + puram
(= city).
Sirius < middle english Sirius
< latin Sirius < ancient greek Σείριος | Soerios.
Slav < middle english Sclave
< medieval latin Sclavus (= Slav, slave) < medieval greek Σκλάβος
| Sklabos (= Slav, slave) < old church slavonic Sloveninu
(= Slav).
Solomon < ancient greek Σολομών
| Solomōn < hebrew Sh'lomoh
< shelomo (= peaceful) <
shalom
(= peace).
Sophie < french
Sophie
< ancient greek σοφία | sophia (= skill, knowledge, wisdom) < σοφός | sophos (= learned, clever, wise).
Spain < middle
english Spain < anglo-french Espayne < late latin Spania < latin Hispania < ancient greek ‘Ισπανία
| hIspania (= Spain) <
(?) celt-iberian origin.
Sparta < ancient
greek Σπάρτη | Spartē < (?) 1. σπαρτή | spartē, female
of σπαρτός
| spartos (= sown) or 2. σπάρτον | sparton (= spanish rush), a type of
broom.
Spencer < middle english Spencer
< anglo-french espencer / old french despencier
(= dispenser, butler, steward) < despense (= larder) < despenser (= distribute)
< latin dispenso [inf. dispensare] (= distribute) < dis- (= out) + pendo
[inf. pendere] (= to hang).
Sri Lanka < sanskrit sri (= beauty) + Lanka,
the older name of the island.
Stella < latin stella
(= star).
Stephanie < female of Stephen
(q.v.).
Stephen < latin Stephanus < ancient greek Στέφανος
| Stephanos < στέφανος | stephanos (= crown, wreath, crown of
victory) < στέφω | stephō (= to encircle, crown).
Stonehenge < middle english Stanenges
(= stone gallows) [(?) so called from
resemblance to old-style gallows with two posts].
Stuart < old
english stiward / stigweard (= house guardian,
housekeeper) < stig
(= hall, part of a house) + weard (= guard) (< proto-germanic
*wardaz
(= guard)).
Sudan < arabic [Bilad-al]-sudan (= country of the blacks) < sud, plural of aswad
(= black).
Sue < Susan
< french Susanne < late latin Susanna
< ancient greek Σωσάννα | Sōssanna < hebrew Shoshannah
(= a lily).
Suez < arabic as-suways < egyptian suan
(= beginning) [in reference to the port at the beginning of the Red Sea].
Sunday < old english sunna(n)dæg (= day of the sun) < sunnan
(< sunne (= sun) < proto-germanic
*sunno)
+ dæg
(= day) (< proto-germanic *dages-
(= day)).
Susan < french Susanne < late latin Susanna
(q.v.).
Susanna(h) <
late latin Susanna < ancient greek Σωσάννα | Sōssanna < hebrew Shoshannah (= a lily).
Susie < Susan
< late latin Susanna (q.v.).
Sussex < old
english Suþ Seaxe (= South Saxons) <
old english suð (= to the south) (<
proto-germanic *sunthaz) + Saxon (< late latin Saxo
< proto-germanic *sahsa-
(= knife)).
Swahili < arabic sawahil,
plural of sahil (= coast).
Swede < low german Swede
< middle low german Swede < Sweon (= Swedes) <
(?) 1. proto-germanic *sweba (= free, independent) or 2. *geswion
(= kinsman).
Swiss < middle french Suisse < middle high german Suizer < Suiz (= Switzerland).
Sydney < [Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount] Sydney,
Home secretary of England [named in his honor] (< Sidney / Sydney
< old english sid
(= side) + ieg (= island)).
Sylvanus < latin Silvanus,
a god of woods and fields < silvanus
(= of the forest) < silva
(= wood, forest, grove).
Sylvester < latin silvestris
(= of the forest) < silva (= wood, forest, grove).
Sylvia < latin silva
(= wood, forest, grove).
Syria < latin
Syria < ancient greek Συρία
| Syria.
Tabitha < late latin Tabitha
< ancient greek Ταβιθά | Tabitha < aramaic tabhyetha < tabhya
(= gazelle).
Taiwan < chinese Taiwan
(= platform bay) < tai (= terrace, platform) + wan (= bay).
Tanzania < swahili
Tanganyika, a lake + Zanzibar (< Zengi,
a tribe + arabic barr (= shore).
Tasmania < dutch [Abel] Tasman, a navigator [who
discovered it].
Taurus < old english Taurus < latin taurus (= bull) < I.E. *tau-ro- (= bull) {> ancient
greek ταύρος | tavros, old prussian tauris}.
Teddy < a shortening
of 1. Edward or 2. Edmund or 3. Theodore.
[teddy
boy
(1954) < Edward (from the
preference of such boys for Edwardian styles (1901-1910)].
Teh(e)ran
< iranian Tehran (= flat, level) or (= warm place) (< old persian teh
(= warm) + ran (= place)).
Texas < spanish Texas
/ Tejas
< caddo (of Indian
tribe) taysha [plural] (= friends, allies).
Thaddeus < latin Thaddaeus < ancient greek Θαδδαίος | Thaddaeos < hebrew Tadday.
Thames < old
english Temese < latin
Tamesis
< british Tamesa
< celtic origin (= (?)
the dark one).
Thea < ancient greek θεά | thea (= goddess), female of θεός | theos (= god).
Theodore < latin Theodorus < ancient greek Θεόδωρος | Theodōros (= gift of god) < θεός | theos (= god) + δώρον | dōron (= gift).
Theodosia < ancient greek Θεοδοσία | Theodosia (= gift of god) < θεός | theos (= god) + δόσις | dosis (= a giving) (< δίδωμι | didōmi (= give)).
Theresa < french Thérèse < latin Therasia
< (?) ancient greek Θηρασία | Thērasia, a small island near to island Θήρα | Thēra (= Santorine).
Thomas < ancient greek Θωμάς | Thōmas < aramaic Te’oma
(= a twin).
Thursday < old english þurresdæg
< þunresdæg
(= Thor’s day) < þunor [gen. þunre] (=
Thor) + old english dæg (< proto-germanic
*dages- (= day)) < proto-germanic
*thonaras
daga.
Tiffany < old french Tifinie
/ Tiphanie
(= Epiphany) < late latin
Theophania
< ancient greek Θεοφάνια | Theophania (= the manifestation of a
god) < θεός | theos (= god) + φαίνω | phaenō (= to show).
Timothy < french Timothée < latin Timotheus < ancient greek Τιμόθεος
| Timotheos < τιμή | timē (= honor,
respect) + θεός | theos (= god).
Todd < middle english Todd
< todde
(= fox).
Tokyo < japanese Tokyo
< to (= east) + kyo (= capital).
Tom < a shortening
of Thomas
(q.v.).
Tony < a shortening
of Anthony
< latin Antonius < (?) etruscan
origin.
Toronto < Tarantou, a native village < (?) iroquoian 1. taron-to-hen
(= wood in the water) or 2. huron deondo (= meeting place).
Trafalgar < arabic 1. taraf-al-garb
(= end of the west) or 2. taraf-agarr (= end of the
column) [in reference to the column by which the giant Atlas supported the sky,
in Greek mythology].
Travis < Travers
(= (?) gatekeeper, toll collector of a bridge) < old french traverser (= to cross, place across)
< vulgar latin *traverso
[inf. traversare] (= to cross) < latin
transverso
[inf. transversare] (= to cross,
throw across) < transversus,
past participle of transverto [inf. transvertere]
(= turn across) < trans
(= across, over, beyond) + verto [inf. vertere] (= to turn).
Trento < italian
Trento
< latin Tridentum < tri- (= three) (< tres,
tria
(= three)) + dens [gen. dentis] (=
tooth) [in reference to the triple-peaked mountain nearby].
Tripoli < ancient
greek τρία | tria (= three)
+ πόλις
| polis (= city).
Tuesday < old english tiwesdæg < Tiwes, genitive of Tiw
(= Tiu) (< proto-germanic *Tiwaz (= god of the sky))
+ dæg
(< proto-germanic *dages-
(= day)).
Turk < middle english Turk
< french Turc < medieval latin Turcus < medieval greek Τούρκος
| Tourkos < turkish Turk.
Tuscan < middle english Tuscan
< italian Toscano < late latin Tuscanus (= belonging to the Tusci)
< Tusci,
a people of Italy < Tuscus
< *Truscus < Etruscus < Etruria.
Ukraine < russian
/ polish Ukraina (= border,
frontier) [so called from being as
the southern frontier of Russia or Poland] <
u-
(= at) + krai (= edge).
Ulysses < latin Ulysses
< Ulixes
(= Odysseus), king of island Ithaca in Greece.
Ural < (?) 1. vogul
urala
(= mountain peak) < ur (= mountain) + ala
(= peak, roof) or 2. tatar ural (= boundary).
Urania < latin Urania < ancient greek Ουρανία
| Ourania < ουρανία, female of ουράνιος | ouranios (= heavenly) < ουρανός
| ouranos (= heaven, sky).
Uranus < latin Uranus
< ancient greek Ουρανός | Ouranos (= heaven, sky),
a god, father of the Titans.
Ursa < old
english Ursa < latin ursa (= she-bear).
Ursula < latin Ursula,
a diminutive of ursa (= she-bear).
Uruguay < spanish Uruguay,
a river < american indian uru (= bird) + guay (= tail).
Valencia < spanish Valencia
< latin Valentia [Edetanorum] (= fort [of the Edetani]) < valentia (= strength,
capacity) < valens, present
participle of valeo [inf. valere]
(= be well, be strong).
Valentine < middle english Valentine
< late latin Valentinus
< latin valentia (= strength, capacity) < valens, present
participle of valeo [inf. valere]
(= be well, be strong).
Valerie < french Valerie
< latin Valeria, female of Valerius
< valeo [inf. valere] (= be well, be strong).
Valkyrie < old norse valkyrja
(= chooser of the slain) < valr
(= those slain in battle) + kyrja (= chooser).
Vanessa < a pseudonym
for Esther
Vanhomrigh,
a close friend of author Jonathan Swift [who coined it by rearranging the
syllables and published it in his poem “Cadenus
and Vanessa”].
Vaughan < welsh
fychan
< bychan
(= small).
Venetian < middle english Venetian
< medieval latin
Venetianus < Venetia < Veneti, a people of
Illyrian origin.
Venezuela < spanish Venezuela,
a diminutive of Venecia (= Venice) [a name given by Spanish sailors, when they
saw a village built on piles on lake Maracaibo] < medieval latin Venetia < Veneti, a people of Illyrian origin.
Venice < medieval latin Venetia < Veneti, a people of
Illyrian origin.
Venus < old english Venus
< latin Venus, the goddess of beauty and
love < venus [gen. veneris] (= beauty, love, desire).
Vera < latin Vera
< vera, female of verus
(= true).
Verona < italian Verona
< celtic Vernomago < verno (= elder tree) + mago (= field, place).
Veronica < french
Veronique
< ancient greek Βερενίκη | Berenikē < φέρω | pherō (= bring) + νίκη | nikē (= victory).
Vesuvius < latin Vesuvius
< 1. celtic *ves- (= mountain) or 2. oscan
fesf
(= smoke, steam).
Victoria < latin Victoria
< victoria
(= victory) < vinco [inf. vincere] (= to overcome, conquer).
Viking < old norse vikingr
(= freebooter, sea-rover, pirate) <
vik
(= creek, inlet, small bay) [in reference to those who came from the
fjords] or 2. related to old
english wic (= village, camp) [in reference to temporary camps of the
Viking raids].
Vincent < french Vincent
< latin Vincentius < vincens [gen. vincentis],
past participle of vinco [inf. vincere]
(= to overcome, conquer).
Viola < latin viola
(= violet, violet color).
Virgo < latin
virgo
[gen. virginis] (= virgin, maiden).
Vivian < latin Vivianus
(= living, alive) < vivus (= alive).
Vladimir < old church slavonic Vladimiru
< vlasti (= to rule over) +
miru
(= peace) (< proto-slavic *miru
(= commune, joy, peace)).
Wallach < german Wallache < old church slavonic Vlachu < old high german wahl (=
foreigner, one speaking a foreign language).
Walloon < middle french Wallon
(= foreigner) < germanic
origin.
Wally < Walter
< old french Waltier
< proto-germanic *waldan (= to rule).
Walter < old french Waltier
< proto-germanic *waldan (= to rule).
Waterloo < flemish Waterloo
< water
(= water) + loo (= sacred wood).
Wednesday < old english wodnesdæg
(= Woden’s day) < Woden (= Odin), chief Teutonic god
(< proto-germanic *Wodanaz)
+ dæg
(< proto-germanic *dages- (= day)).
Welsh < old english Wielisc
/ Wylisc
/ Welisc
/ Wælisc (= foreign,
British, Welsh, not free) < Wealh
/ Walh
(= Celt, Briton, Welshman) < proto-germanic *Walkhiskaz < celtic source.
Whitsunday < old
english Hwita Sunnandæg (= white Sunday) [(?) so
called from the white baptismal robes of newly baptized on this day] < hwit
(= bright, clear, fair) + sunna(n)dæg (= day of the
sun) (< sunnan (< sunne (= sun)) + dæg
(= day)).
Wilhelm < german
Wilhelm < old high german Willahelm
< willio
(= will) (< proto-germanic
*willjan)
+ helma
(= helmet) (< proto-germanic *helmaz (= protective
covering)).
William < old french Willaume
< Guillaume
< old high german willio
(= will) (< proto-germanic
*willjan)
+ helma
(= helmet) (< proto-germanic *helmaz (= protective
covering)).
Winfred < old english Winfrið
(= friend of peace) < wine (= friend) (< proto-germanic
*wennanan
(= to seek to gain)) + friðu (= peace) (< I.E.
*pri-
(= to love)).
Xmas (= Christmas) [1551] < X’temmas
< X (< ancient greek X (= khi [pronunciation]), as an
abbreviation for Χριστός | Khristos (= Christ) [also Xρ- | Xr- for Chr-] + anglo-saxon Xres mæsse [= Christmas]
{< ancient greek [Ιησούς] Χριστός | [Iēssous] Khristos (= the Anointed) < χρίω | khriō (= to rub, anoint)}.
Yankee < (?) 1. dutch Janke
(= Little John), a diminutive of Jan
[1683, a nickname for English colonists by Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam
(later New York) in neighboring Connecticut] or 2. Jan Kes (= John Cornelius) or 3. Jan
Kees
< Jan
Kaas
(= John Cheese) [a nickname for
Dutchmen by Flemings].
Yemen < arabic Yemen
(= the country of the south) < yaman (= right side [if
facing at east]).
York < old
english Eoforwic < Eborakon, related to Ebores,
a tribe < celtic source.
Yugoslav < serbo-croatian jugo-
(= south) (< jug (= south, south wind)
< old church slavonic jugu (= south, south wind, noon)) + Slav
(< old church slavonic Sloveninu
(= a Slav)).
Zachariah < late
latin Zacharias < ancient
greek Ζαχαρίας | Zakharias < hebrew Zekharyahu
(= the Lord has remembered) < zakhar
(= he remembered) + Yah / Yoh, a shortening of Yahwah
/ Yahweh (= God).
Zanzibar < Zengi (= black), a local people + arabic
barr
(= coast, shore).
Zebulon < hebrew Zebhulun < zebhul (= a dwelling).
Zenobia < ancient greek Ζηνοβία | Zēnobia (= force of Zeus) < Ζην | Zēn, poetic form of Ζευς | Zefs (= Zeus) [the master of gods] + βίος | bios (= strength, force).
Zeus < ancient greek Ζευς | Zefs [gen. Διός | Dios] < I.E. *dewos- (= god).
Zimbabwe < bantu zimba
we
bahwe
(= houses of stones) < zimba,
plural of imba (= house) + bahwe (= stones).
Zion < old english Sion < ancient greek Σιών | Siōn < hebrew Tsiyon
[a hill fortress in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish nation].
Zoe < ancient
greek Ζωή | Zōē (= life) < ζήω, ζω | zēō, zō (= to live).
Zulu < bantu Zulu,
a native name.
Zurich < german
Zürich
< late latin Turicum < (?) celtic
*dur-
(= water).
