Delta

[Lulabel27]

Due to have twin girls very soon and saw in my baby name book that "Delta" means "4th born girl" but looking on Internet can't see any evidence to back that up. Twin 2 would be my DH's 4th daughter (my3rd) so it'd be quite nice to give it as a middle name but has anyone else heard of this meaning?

[MeerkatMerkin]

Well it is the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet so it does have numerical meaning.

[hatebeak]

It makes sense, but because alpha can be used to mean strongest or best (ie alpha male) it also sounds a bit like a euphemism for "not as good, lower-ranking". Like in Brave New World, where the caste system is Alphas (highest), Betas, Gammas, Deltas, Epsilons (the lowest caste)...

[PurpleGentian]

It makes sense in a way, if you think about the order of the Greek alphabet - but I just think of the way it's used in maths/ science, which means a change in values, because I see that a lot at work.

i.e. if the temperature changes from 15 deg C to 20 deg C, then the delta temperature is 10 deg C.

I think that there's also some sort of river formation that's called a delta, but it's a while since I did geography, so not totally sure on that.

[showtunesgirl]

I think Quadrant but then I watched too much Star Trek growing up.

[SomersetONeil]

I'm going to lower the tone right down and say 'Goodrem'...

[sparkle12mar08]

My first thought was Goodrem, closely followed by Quadrant, too!!! It's pretty enough but not one for me I'm afraid.

[Lulabel27]

Ha to be fair my first thought was also "Goodrem" then the mathematical meaning of difference between two figures... Hmm I think my baby name book is the only place it means 4th born daughter. I will blame my
Pregnancy hormones! Thank you everyone

[Greenwing]

I think she might prefer a middle name with a nice meaning, a family name ... or just a pretty name you liked!
Since not that many people know the Greek alphabet (I am guessing?) the meaning that jumps out and hits me is the geographical term of a river delta.

To my ears it is as odd as naming using 'tributary' or 'source' as a middle name!

[Allalonenow]

Delta Air Lines was the first thing I thought of.

[SuiGeneris]

It was also the name of a fairly ugly car. And the brave new world castes were my first thought.