[3]. Every form of every name given in the index is not to be found in the text; but in all cases where a reference is given, the history, as far as ascertainable, of the leading portion of the original name will be found.
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN NAMES.
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
THE SPIRIT OF NOMENCLATURE.
Much has been written upon the Surname, a comparatively modern invention, while the individual, or, as we term it, the Christian name, has barely received, here and there, a casual notice from English authors, and has seldom been treated of collectively or comparatively. Yet there is much that is extremely curious and suggestive in the rise and signification of the appellations of men and women, their universal or partial popularity, the alterations by which they have been adapted to different languages, their familiar abbreviations, the patronymics formed from them, and the places or articles called from them. In fact, we shall find the history, the religion, and the character of a nation stamped upon the individuals in the names which they bear.
It is to Christian names, properly so called, that our attention will chiefly be directed. Other names, not acknowledged at any time as baptismal, or only given so exceptionally as not to deserve notice, are here omitted, or only treated of when their analogy is needed to illustrate the history of a true Christian name.
The original proper names of men and women arose—
First, from some circumstance connected with the birth, such as Esau, hairy; Jacob, taking by the heel; Agrippa, born with the feet foremost.
Secondly, from the complexion, e. g., Edom, red; Flavius and Fulvius, yellow; Don, brown; Ruadh, red; Boidh, yellow; Blanche, fair.
Thirdly, from the qualities desired for the child, such as David, meaning beloved; the Persian Aspamitas and Greek Philippos, both lovers of horses; the Keltic Eochaidh, a horseman; the Teutonic Eadgifu, happy gift; the Slavonic Przemyszl, the thoughtful.
Fourthly, from an animal, Deborah, the bee; Jonah, Columba, Golubica, the dove; Zeeb, Lycos, Lupus, Ulf, Yuk, all signifying that strangely popular wild beast the wolf.