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Wonder why English-language girls' names include the nouns for "virtues" (e.g. "Prudence"), but boys' names don't

26 replies

PrincessFiorimonde · 13/03/2017 19:51

Just musing. In English we have several girl names that are the same as nouns for what might be called "virtues" - e.g.
Faith
Hope
Charity
Prudence
Patience
Constance
Grace
Verity

Nothing wrong with any of these names - I think they are lovely!

But I'm just wondering why these girl names refer to the noun, whereas if there are similar boy names they refer to the adjective, e.g.

Frank
Earnest
Constant

Any reason for this, you think?

And is it different in other languages?

e.g. I think in Dutch there is the boy name 'Justus', meaning 'Justice'. But I think in England it would be unusual to name a boy 'Justice'?

Apologies if this would all be different in Wales and Scotland.

Like I say, I'm just musing.

OP posts:
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Rockaby · 14/03/2017 20:26

I have noticed this too OP! I have no idea why it might be.

Capability, (as in Brown), was the only male, virtue name I could think of which is a noun and I've just found out that Capability Brown's actual name was Lancelot; Capability was just a nn apparently!

Apparently these below are boy names, but I've only ever heard of Pax:

Justice
Credence
Pax
Comfort

I also used to work with men called Blessing and Prince.

I think that male virtue names just aren't popular anymore. I can't think of many at all. I have no idea why.

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