7 THE INDICATOR. There he arriving round about doth flie, No. XVIII.-WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9th, 1820. NAMES. THE object of this article is to call to mind the significations of the Christian names most in use with us; to recommend the revival of others; to shew who has given any of them a grace or a lustre; and to suggest the advantage of paying attention to this apparently trifling matter. We think it a greater objection than appears at first sight, to our names in general, that they are unmeaning sounds by which individuals are merely known. A man of the name of George or Thomas might as well, to all understood purposes, be called Spoon or Hatband. Names are usually given after some family relation; and doubtless this is often a good and social thing; but as it is done in general to please the elder people, and not the younger, who may grow up without any very fond recollections of them, or perhaps scarcely remember them at all, the least that can be done for the possessors is to give them an additional Christian name; by which they may be called, if they prefer it, when they arrive to maturity. The next principle, upon which children are named, is that of the sound or beauty of the name; and this we think too much undervalued. People in humble life, it is true, are sometimes justly laughed at for giving their children fine names: but it is only when they do so out of an obvious and unmeaning vanity. It is as well certainly not to call a parcel of idle and ragged young rogues by the titles of Augustus, Orlando, and Theodore: nor does it sound very fitting and heroical to hear a father cry out pompously to his little boy, as we did once,-" You, Sir, there,-Maximilian, come out of the gutter." But if elegant names, not pompous, are given in humble life by sensible parents, they may influence the holders afterwards to very good purpose. They may assist in producing an unvulgar spirit, properly so called; one that sees how vulgarity and the reverse of it may be produced by circumstances, and are not confined to this or that rank in life;-one that is just conscious enough of something graceful and peculiar, to feel that it has a kind of title upon it without any actual privileges, and that it must resort to a sentiment to maintain and warrant it. To give a child the name of a 2nd Edition, favourite hero or heroine is also a good thing. A boy, christened after Alfred the Great, by a father who really feels the merits of that wonderful man, is likely, if he inherits any thing of his father's sense, to turn the name into a perpetual memorandum of worthiness. Care however must be taken not to give great professional names,—as that of Michael Angelo to a boy intended for an artist, or Shakspeare to one that is meant to be literary. If the youth does not turn out clever, his name becomes a burlesque; and if he should be otherwise, the comparison will still be awkward. The notion that a name is not to be changed without legal sanction, and the habit of acquiescing in a name disagreeable to the possessor, appear to us to be equally erroneous. Had a name been given us of this sort, we should have made no scruple to take another, just as an actor changes his surname. We sometimes think it would be an excellent custom, if people, without forsaking the names that might have pleasant family associations with them, were to give themselves new ones when they arrived at years of discretion, or at whatever subsequent time they might think it proper to wait for. They might make it one of the best holidays in their life, and assume the name in the same spirit they would assume a motto or device, for their conduct in future to abide by. They would hardly chuse a mean or a useless one. now. A name, to be complete, and serve it's just purposes, should either have a good and understood meaning, or an equally good and understood association. It should also be good to the ear if possible; but at all events, good to the understanding and the feelings. The names of our Saxon ancestors were compounded, like those of the ancients, of words in ordinary use; so that they were not mere sounds, as they are Thus Edmund or Eadmund signified Happy Peace; Edward was Happy Warden or Keeper; Leofwin (Love-win) answered to the Greek name Erasmus; Horsa was a Horseman, like Hippias or Hipparchus; and we hereby inform all our readers of the name of Henry that they are neither more nor less than so many Plutarchs, both the words signifying Rich Lord. But the remainder of what we intended to say on those matters will be gathered from the following nomenclature. We put the male and female names together, to avoid the ungallant trouble of making out two separate lists. Aaron, Hebrew. A Mountain. Haroun al Raschid. Abel, Heb. Camden says Just; some say Vanity, which is curious. We know nothing of Hebrew, and must leave the point to others. Abigael, Heb. The Father's Joy. The Jewish names are generally very expressive, and in pleasant taste; but for obvious reasons, they have acquired either a great gravity in modern use, or something the reverse. A female servant is nicknamed an Abigael, perhaps after Nabal's wife, who was so submissive to David. Abraham, Heb. The Father of Many. This is the same word as Patriarch in Greek. It was the Christian name of Cowley. Adam, Heb. Red Earth. These scripture names of men are more prevalent among the Scotch than the English, and have given rise to some curious inapplicabilities, as Adam Smith and David Hume, two infidel philosophers. On the continent, almost all Christian names came from the Virgin or the Saints, and at last produced similar misnomers; as Denys Diderot, Peter Bayle, Francis Mary Arouet de Voltaire,-after St. Francis and the Virgin: for nothing was more common among the Catholics than to give her name to men as well as women. The celebrated constable Montmorency was called Anne, after the scriptural saint. Adelaide, German. We believe it means Princely. Adolphus, Latinized from the Saxon Adolph or Eadulph. Happy Help.. Agatha, Greek. Good. Agnes, Gr. Chaste. It was an unlucky name for the beautiful patriotic mistress of Charles the Seventh, Agnes Sorel; who was nevertheless a noble creature. Alan, Sclavonian. A Hound: or as Camden thinks, a British or Welsh corruption of Elianus, Sun-bright. Alain Renè le Sage, the French novelist. Alan Chartier, whose mouth was kissed for his poetry, as he lay asleep, by Queen Margaret of Navarre. Albert, Saxon. All Bright. Borne by Albert Durer, the celebrated old artist; and Albertus Magnus, the philosopher. Alexander, Gr. A Helper of Men. Alexander the Great. Scanderbeg, or Lord Alexander, the name given to the celebrated Prince of Epirus, John Castriot. Alexander Pope. Alfred, Sax. All Peace. Alfred the Great. Alistasia. We have met but once with this name, which is thought to be a corruption of Anastasia. Otherwise it might be twisted into an allusion to the sea, or being born at or near the sea; Sea-rising; as Anadyomene, spoken of Venus. Almeria, female of Amery or Almericus, Germ.? Always Rich. Amadeus, Amadis, Amias, Lat. A Lover of God; same as the Greek Theophilus. It is the name of one of the most celebrated heroes of chivalry. A late illustrious musician was named John Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Ambrose, Gr. Immortal, from the same adjective as the word Ambrosia. Taken by the early Christians, and borne by one of the most celebrated of the Fathers. Amelia, Amie or Amy (Emily?) Lat. Beloved. The name of Fielding's celebrated conjugal heroine. } Anastasia, Gr. Uprising; an allusion to the Resurrection. It was the name of the celebrated singer, and mistress of the great Lord Peterborough, Anastasia Robinson; whom he afterwards married. Andrew, Gr. Manly. Most fortunately given to our patriot, Andrew Marvell. the architect. Andrew Dacier, the commentator. Andrea Palladio, Anne, Anna, Hannah, Nancy or Ninon, Heb. Gracious or Kind. See Joan and Jane. Anne Killigrew, the young poetess whose memory was so honoured by Dryden. Anne Dacier, famous for her learning. Ninon de l'Enclos, the modern Leontium. See Adam. Anthony, Gr. Flourishing. Marc Anthony, the Triumvir. Antonio Allegri, called Correggio, from his birth-place, the great painter. Anthony Vandyke, the great portrait painter. Anthony Watteau, the painter of elegant intercourse. Anthony Ashley Cooper, Lord Shaftes bury, the philosopher. Anthony Francis Prevot, the French novelist. Anthony Benezet, an American philanthropist. Arabella, Lat. A Fair Altar. Arabella Fermor, the heroine of the Rape of the Lock under the title of Belinda. Archibald, Germ. A Bold Observer. Arthur, Gr. from the constellation Arcturus or Great Bear. According to others, from a British word signifying Mighty. It was first rendered famous by the old hero of British romance. Augustus, Augusta, Lat. Increasing. Waxing in Honour. Unless it rather come from the Greek, and mean Splendid, or Illustrious. It was first given as a name to Octavius Cæsar, and has ever since been common in princes' families. Barbara, Gr. Foreign. Bartholomew, Heb. The son of him who made the waters to rise. An evident allusion to the passage of the Red Sea. Basil, Gr. Kingly. Beatrice, Lat. Happy, or Happy-making. favourite. Benedict, Benet or Bennet, Lat. Blessed. philosopher. The name of Dante's Benedict Spinoza, the Benjamin, Heb. The Son of the Right Hand, or the Son of Days. Ben Jonson. Benjamin Franklin. Bertha, Germ. Bright. Bertram, Bertrand. Bright or Clear. Blanche, Fr. Bianca, Ital. White or Fair. ་་་ Cæsar. Some say a Moorish word for an Elephant: others, a name significant of the operation called Cæsarian: others, Grey Eyes; and others, Well Haired, or Born with Hair. From Julius Cæsar it became an imperial family name, and title of honour. 1- Caleb, Heb. Hearty. Caroline, the Latin female of Charles or Carolus. -Catharine, Gr. Pure. Cecil, Cecilia, Cicely, Lat. Grey-eyed. It has been chiefly used after Cecilia, the Musical Saint. Charity, Gr. The Delight of Doing Good; Beneficence; Love to all both in Thought and Deed. It originally comes from a word signi fying a Saluting Joy; and was the same, among the Greeks, as Grace, and the Sentiment of Beauty, The three goddesses whom the Romans called Graces, the Greeks called Charities. Charles, Germ. Valiant, Prevailing, the same word as the Valens of the Romans, or the more modern Valentine. Charlemagne, or Charles the Great. Carl Von Linne (Linnæus) the great naturalist. Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu, the philosopher. Charles Mordaunt, Earl of Peterborough. Charlotte, the German female of Charles. Christian, Christiana, Gr. A follower of Christ. Christopher, Gr. Christ's-Bearer. An allusion to the patient duty of Christians; but by some brought from a legend of a saint, who is said to have carried Christ over a piece of water. Christopher Columbus. Christopher Marlowe. Christopher Martin Wieland. Sir Christopher Wren. Clara, Clarissa, Lat. Clear. The name of Richardson's heroine; most likely adopted by him intentionally. Clement, Clemence, Clementina, Lat. Kind and Forgiving. Perhaps originally from a Greek word signifying a vine; when it would mean Tenderly Inclining; Apt to Embrace. Clement Marot, the early French poet. Comfort, Lat.? Strong with; Helping to Bear. A female name, rare and good. Constance, Constantia, Constantine, Lat. Firm, Constant; literally Withstanding, or as we now say, Standing by us. A name of noble meaning. Cornelia, Lat. From Cornu, a Horn, the ancient emblem of plenty. It has been made a favourite with posterity by that fine maternal Spirit who produced the Gracchi. Cuthbert, Sax. Bright Knowledge. Cyprian, Gr. A native or inhabitant of Cyprus, the isle of Venus. The fortune of this name is singular. It is given to women in reproach; but men were first christened by it after a father of the church. Daniel, Heb. Judgment of God. Daniel de Foe. } Beloved. David Rizzio. David Teniers. David Garrick. See Adam. Denys, Dennis, from Dionysius or Dionysus, the Greek name of Bacchus. According to some, it comes from a Syrian word alluding to lameness or pain in the thigh, in reference to the birth of Bacchus. Others make it a Greek compound, signifying the Divine Mind or the Spirit of the Universe. The modern use of it came from St. Denis of France. See Adam. Diana, Gr. It means Jove's Daughter. It used to be a favourite name in the times of the old stately French romance; and has survived chiefly among people of rank. Dorothy, Dorothea, Dora, Gr. God's. Gift. The same as Theodora. It was the name of our late cordial actress, Mrs. Jordan. The Italians, who make pretty words of every thing, turn it into Dorabella, or Dora the Fair. T Drusilla, Heb. Dewy Eyes. The familiar abbreviation of it is. Dru, which appears to have been a man's name in Camden's time, but |