| Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning | | | | meanings. For example, Hindu names usually |
| "Who is like God"), I'm really proud of my | | | | have connections with very positive things |
| name. And I think that I - mostly - live up | | | | such as truth, beauty, happiness, blessings, |
| to the title! Of course, my mother would | | | | etc, or one of the Hindu gods. In the Sikh |
| probably disagree; I think the phrase "little | | | | culture, girls traditionally have the middle |
| devil" would probably pass her lips if she | | | | or surname "Kaur", meaning "Princess", whilst |
| was describing me during many stages of my | | | | the boys have the middle or surname "Singh", |
| childhood. | | | | meaning "Lion". |
| | | | |
| But then, my mother has her own issues; | | | | An African friend of mine once mentioned that |
| apparently her name (Kathleen) is a Celtic | | | | many Africans are given a second name |
| name meaning "Little Darling". Hmmm, that | | | | corresponding to the day of the week on which |
| isn't the way I used to think about her | | | | they were born. I think is a really nice |
| during those regular occasions when she was | | | | tradition, but in my case, my middle name |
| punishing me for my "not like God" | | | | would be "Sondo" (born on Sunday)!! |
| behaviour…! | | | | Hmmmm… |
| | | | |
| And that's the fun of baby name meanings - | | | | Whatever type of name you have chosen, or are |
| parents make naming decisions based on many, | | | | thinking about for your "bundle of joy", its |
| many different reasons, including family | | | | worth doing a little research into the |
| traditions, religion, culture, uniqueness and | | | | meaning. And it's never been easier, with the |
| "it just sounds really nice." But - in the | | | | wealth of Internet resources and books |
| Western world - we rarely do any real | | | | available, including my own site at which is |
| research into the history or real meaning of | | | | jam-packed with resources, tips and |
| names. So when the poor/lucky child finally | | | | information on baby names, baby name meanings |
| finds out the meaning of his/her "really nice | | | | and baby products. |
| sounding" name, the results can be | | | | |
| interesting, ironic, unfortunate or just | | | | Your search may yield some surprises; for |
| sometimes hilarious. | | | | example, the lovely-sounding name "Malory" is |
| | | | French and means "Bad luck". You could get |
| You can have a lot of fun thinking up family | | | | round this by spelling it "Mallory", but this |
| friends names, finding out the meanings and | | | | means "Without good fortune" in Old German! |
| trying to make a connection between the two. | | | | |
| For example, my eldest brother Clive is | | | | Alternatively, you may end up a little |
| apparently "a cliff dweller", which is | | | | confused by different meanings of the same |
| coincidental, since he lives at the top of a | | | | name; for example "Leah" is a beautiful |
| very long steep hill! Or why not play the | | | | girl's name, but what does it mean? |
| game with celebrities - consider the | | | | Well… |
| following: | | | | |
| | | | • In Hebrew it means "Cow" or "Weary |
| Badu (as in r n'b singer Erykah Badu): | | | | one" - uugghhh! • In Greek it means |
| African name meaning "Tenth born child" | | | | "Glad tidings" • In Assyrian, it means |
| | | | "Mistress, ruler" |
| Winona (as in actress Winona Ryder): Sioux | | | | |
| name meaning "Firstborn daughter" | | | | And a final warning: if you are planning to |
| | | | go for a funky, unusual-sounding name, be |
| Aaliyah (the late r n'b singer): Arabic name | | | | sure to avoid "Bacia," - its Ugandan meaning |
| meaning "High, exalted" | | | | is "Family deaths ruined the home!" |
| | | | |
| Hilary (as in actresses Duff/Swank): Latin | | | | For more information and advice, check out |
| name meaning "Cheerful" | | | | the baby name meaning resources at |
| | | | |
| Some cultures have very interesting | | | | Enjoy your search and happy baby naming! |
| traditions when it comes to baby name | | | | |