What are the origins of unusual first names?

Question

Some of my ancestors had unusual first names. I have a grandfather with the first name Flavy and a great-grandmother named Theodora Thankful. The name Flavy sounds like a short version of Flavius (a noble Roman???? Not likely in my family tree!) Some of the old names are so interesting. I have wondered if the geneology buffs on Yahoo Answers research the origin of first or given names.

Answer 1

Surname etymology is the exact term for researching last name origins, and has a distinct different goal than genealogy. There are many websites, relating to this, but many of those are what I consider to be misleading if not verging on fraudulent. In most cases, those are ones selling family crests, so forth.  There are also websites that have definitions or such of first names.

One thing that is common in historical genealogy is that names are passed down, and in many cases, a mother gives a child her maiden surname as a first name. Names also tend to go in "trends" or popular. An educated family may well use Roman or classical names, and I agree that Flavy seems like a pet name for Flavius.

The MAIN difference between etymology of names and genealogy, is that genealogy itself is more directly involved with identifying relationships, lineage, and exact persons. I always pay attention to first names that seem to be possible surnames, since I frequently learn that it did come from mom's side of the family.  I also am very strong on the belief that new persons attach too much importance to a surname origin as being proof that if the name is Irish (for example) that this means they have Irish ancestry.  That is an assumption that is FREQUENTLY flat out wrong.

There are many persons here who enjoy studying the origins of names. I personally lean more towards the focus of actual persons and ancestry, but that is more a personal preference.

Answer 2

Flavius    

First name origins & meanings:

Italian: Gold or blond

Latin: Blond, yellow-haired

First name variations: Flabio, Flavias, Flavious, Flavyo, Flavio, Flavian

Theodora  

First name origin & meaning:

Greek: Gift of God

First name variations: Theora, Theda, Teodora, Theodosia, Thedora, Tedra, Feodora, Fedora, Dora, Theone, Theophania, Theophilia

Answer 3

Theodora is rare but not unusual. It is the feminine form of "Theodore".

Lots of odd names came from the Bible. Some came from classical literature. "Calpurnia", the housekeeper / cook / teacher in "To Kill a Mockingbird", for example.

Some were the mother or grandmother's maiden surnames.

There was a fad for a while to give children names associated with good character - Faith, Hope and Charity being the most common.

There was a fad for a while among African-Americans to make up names, but it was recent and most of them are still living. "LaToya" is the one that springs to mind,  from Ms. Jackson of the exposed nipple fame. (No, they didn't expect it to happen. They were SHOCKED. Right. No TV executive wants the name of his show to be splashed across newspapers for weeks, even if it is the SuperBowl and doesn't need any more publicity.)

Answer 4

It is not impossible for you to have ancestors of roman nobility. My father's ancestors came from the UK, and the bloodline was found to be connected to a woman who was married to Sir Walter Bacon and she did writings for Shakespear, we were derived from the Normands and the Vikings.

Answer 5

Yeah, sometime you gotta wonder, eh?



My gxgrandmother

Atarah b1836 Buckinghamshire - daughter of ag lab. What's with the rare (as rocking horse manure) biblical name?

Answer 6

FLÁVIA   f   Portuguese

FLAVIA   f   Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Ancient Roman

FLAVIE   f   French

FLÁVIO   m   Portuguese

FLAVIO   m   Italian, Spanish

FLAVIU   m   Romanian

FULVIA   f   Italian, Ancient Roman

FULVIO   m   Italian

English would be Flavy

no idea for meanings