Name meanings

[Mamabear04]

Do you think that someone's name dictates what their personality will be like?

No not at all, but if a person is treated differently because of their name that might have an affect on how they are as a person

I think it has an effect because of what they learn and associate their name with and what everyone else does too. Personally we also chose names that ‘suited’ them once they were here; but I realise that is probably a bit nonsense but they seem to suit their names and everyone comments on that!

Not at all. My husband should be a warmongering usurper, but I haven’t really seen that side of him (or at least yet!). I don’t really place any value on name meanings. A lot of names are so old that the meanings have altered or become obfuscated throughout the years. Many websites confidently assert that Claudius (and its derivatives) mean ‘lame/crippled’ but it’s not certain that this was the original meaning. Similarly with Mary, it’s widely said to mean ‘bitter’, though it’s most likely, though still not certain, to have derived from ‘beloved’ or ‘love’. And I read and watch YouTube videos on some name meanings with a pretty skeptical look.

I agree with previous posters though, that if value is placed on the child’s name then they are likely to be affected by that. Similar to how there is a correlation between star signs and personality traits, but only in the section of the population who know the personality traits they should have.

I really don't believe that. A lot of people don't even know what their name means to begin with. And sometimes names can have two different - and perhaps contradictory - meanings. A name might mean something entirely different in Japanese than in Hebrew. Which is the meaning that will influence someone's personality?

No. If they are given an outlandish name and are bullied for it then it could have some impact on their behaviour of course but generally speaking I don't think a name much shapes the person. Polly is supposed to mean sorrowful and the only Polly I know is very upbeat and optimistic.

Of course not. Besides, names don't have meanings in the sense that most people use the term on these boards. They have etymology, and it's not the same thing at all.

Obviously, all names come from somewhere. They might share a root with a word from a classical language, or in the case of some modern word names, be used in a living language. But these are the only names that truly have meanings, ie River means a body of water, Rose is a flower, Luna is moon in Italian, etc.

When people say that a name "means" this or that I always want to ask "in which language? In which country?"

For example, my daughter has a Welsh name that is supposed to mean soul or spirit - but if I ask my Welsh FIL to say spirit to me in his language, it's not the same word. It's similar, the root is obviously there, but not exact. So does her name really "mean" that - or is it just a name?

I think people worry too much about name meanings - a lot of it is guesswork and conjecture anyway. But I suppose people love the gravitas of a "meaning", and if it makes their choice feel more special, who am I to judge.

I think so, of course. The choice of a name affects a person's character, his fate, etc. When choosing a name, you should be careful and thoughtful, because it will affect the life of your child. Here is a link to the website www.kidnamemeaning.com , where you can read in detail and learn everything you need.

Of course not

Is Grace graceful? Is Cecilia blind? Is Claudia disabled?

Of course not. What an odd question.

I feel like the personality of the parents tends to determine what name they will pick for their child. Then the child may often have a similar personality to their parent(s). So in that way, yes possibly can.

@elfran, I can guess your DD's name. If it is the one I think it is, it is similar to the word, but if you use the anglicised pronunciation, it sounds different. The name is lovely BTW but the anglicised pronunciation isn't. Won't say the name as it might out you.
Welsh baby name sites generally aren't reliable.

If a name I like has a nice meaning then I see that as a nice bonus but I wouldn't be put off by a name without a nice meaning.

One of my favourite names is Tesni, a Welsh name meaning 'the warmth from the sun'. I think that's a lovely meaning. I'd like the name without the meaning but I see the meaning as a nice plus.

One of my other favourite names is Mari, one of the Welsh variants of Mary and a family name. Apparently it means 'bitter'. Doesn't put me off the name at all.

If I had two DDs and named them Tesni and Mari I can't imagine Tesni would have a warmer or sunnier personality because of her name or that Mari would be bitter and unpleasant because of hers.