Strange foreign names. Beautiful Japanese names for girls

Women's full names in England have their own distinctive feature. They consist of three parts, two of which are written with a hyphen, and a surname. The first name is the main one. The second is the average. The third is the surname. The main thing is the first name; it is this name, or a diminutive form of it, that a girl is called in life. The list of English female names is constantly growing, because any word can become a name, even the surname of a relative or a celebrity.

History of the origin of the English name

Initially english names, like all other peoples, was a common nickname, consisting of two words - a noun and an adjective. They reflected the character of a person, his main features and characteristics. Further development led to the fact that people began to assign names (nicknames) to girls born that reflect the most desirable qualities that would predetermine and influence their fate.

Original English female names

For England itself, truly English names are rare. Of the total, they occupy less than 10%. But this is not only in England. In any Christian country, the basis is made up of names borrowed from the Bible, that is, they have Jewish, Latin or Greek roots. List of English female names having English origin:

• Mildred - Mildred. Tender and strong.
• Alice - Alice. Translated it means "noble class".
• Alfreda - Alfreda. Wisdom, mind.
• Yvonne - Yvonne. Archer.
• Eloise - Eloise. A daughter close to God.

Nevertheless, some Britons remain true to their traditions and name their daughters. The conquest of England by the Vikings reduced the number of English names. Instead, the Normans appeared. Currently, in Britain, not all women's names are English; the list is constantly growing due to famous foreigners, after whom democratic Britons name their babies.

Names from Christian calendars, the Bible

The spread of Christianity in England greatly influenced women's names. At baptism, babies were named after saints and characters in the Bible. People reinterpreted these words in their own way, and new English female names began to appear. A list of them is given below:

• Mary - Mary. Serene. Derived from the Hebrew name Mary. This was the name of the mother of the Lord Jesus.
• Ann - Ann. Mercy, Grace. This name was the name of the mother of the prophet Samuel.
• Maryanne - Maryanne. Serene grace. This name combined two - Mary and Anne.
• Sarah - Sarah. Name Means "possessing power, princess."
• Sophia - Sophie. Wisdom. Came into English from Christianity.
• Katherine - Katherine. Purity. The name comes from Christianity.
• Eva - Eva. Life. It came from the Bible. That was the name of the ancestor of people.
• Agnes - Agnes. Innocent, immaculate. The name comes from Christianity.
• Susanna - Suzanne. Little lily.
• Judyt - Judith. Glorification. Biblical name.
• Joan - Joan. A gift from a merciful God.

A large number of names that are still used today owe their appearance to Protestants and Puritans, who opposed themselves to the Anglican Church and gave their children new names that were different from the usual ones. They were mostly of a rather strange nature, consisting of sentences. For example, The-Work-of-God Farmer, which means God's Work Farmer. But life defeated religious fanaticism. Simple people gave their daughters beautiful and new names:

• Daniel - Daniel. God is my judge.
• Sarah - Sarah. Bossy.
• Susan - Susan. Lily.
• Hannah - Hannah. Derived from the name Anna. Grace. Grace.
• Dinah - Dina. Derived from Diana. Divine.
• Tamar - Tamara. Date palm.

The modern list of English female names that appeared in Puritan families is quite significant. Many representatives of this movement were forced to hide and went to Australia or North America.

American names

America was settled by people from different countries. Mostly people from the British Empire: British, Scots and Irish. Most of them were commoners and criminals fleeing persecution in their homeland. It was they who brought here the shortened form of names, which took root well and gained popularity. The list of English female names has been replenished with new ones, such as Ben, Ed, Mud, Mel, Dan, Meg, Ellie, Tina, Lina.

In addition to the residents of Britain, thousands of residents from all over Europe moved here, coming with their own traditions and names, which were partly remade by the English-speaking population in their own way.

The most popular American female names (list at English language):

• Mary - Mary. Derived from Mary. Serene.
• Patricia - Patricia. Noble.
• Linda - Linda. Beautiful.
• Barbara - Barbara. Foreigner.
• Elizabeth - Elizabeth. God is my oath.
• Jennifer - Jennifer. Enchantress.
• Maria - Maria. Serene.
• Susan - Suzanne. Little Lily.
• Margaret - Margaret. Pearl.
• Dorothy - Dorothy. A gift from the gods.
• Nancy - Nancy. Grace.
• Karen - Karen. Generous.
• Betty - Betty. Oath to the Gods.
• Helen - Helen. Sunbeam.
• Sandra - Sandra. Male protector.
• Carol - Carol. Derived from Caroline - princess.
• Ruth - Ruth. Friendship.
• Sharon - Sharon. Princess, plain.

English Catholics, Protestants, and Puritans brought their own rules for naming to America. They, just like in England, consist of three parts - the main, middle and surname. The British borrowed many American names.

New female names

In the 18th century, a new tradition arose in England of giving children a middle (middle) name. This brought back to life Old English and Gothic names such as Matilda, Diana, Emma. New beautiful English female names have also appeared. Their list was supplemented by famous English writers. Jonathan Swift, William Shakespeare and others gave English women the following names:

• Stella - Stella. Star.
• Vanessa - Vanessa. Butterfly.
• Juliet - Juliet. Born in July.
• Ophelia - Ophelia. Exalted.
• Viola - Viola. Violet.
• Silvia - Silvia. Lesnaya.
• Julia - Julia. Girl with soft hair.
• Clara - Clara. Clear. Light.
• Pamela - Pamela. Wanderer. Pilgrim.
• Wendy - Wendy. Girlfriend.
• Candida - Candida. Clean. White.
• Clarinda - Clarinda. Light. Purity.
• Belinda - Belinda. Beautiful.
• Fleur - Fleur. Flower. Blooming.
• Sybil - Sybil. Prophetess. Oracle.

Beautiful female names

Every parent wants, first of all, for their child to be healthy and beautiful. The British choose euphonious and gentle names for their newborn daughters. They hope that the girl will have the character traits that the name denotes. Therefore, names are chosen that are sonorous and meaningful. If there is no such name, then the child can be called any word you like. The legislation allows this, which is why new beautiful English female names are appearing. The list is given below:

• Agata - Agata. Kind, good.
• Adelaida - Adelaide. Noble.
• Beatrice - Beatrice. Blessed.
• Britney - Britney. Little Britain.
• Valery - Valerie. Strong, brave.
• Veronica - Veronica. The one that brings victory.
• Gloria - Gloria. Glory.
• Camilla - Camilla. Worthy of serving the gods.
• Caroline - Caroline. Princess.
• Melissa - Melissa. Honey.
• Miranda - Miranda. Amazing.
• Rebecca - Rebecca. Trap.
• Sabrina - Sabrina. Noble.

English surnames

It so happened historically that the personal name is primary, and the surname, which denotes belonging to the clan, family, is secondary. English women's names and surnames are formed in the same way. List of the most popular and frequently occurring surnames:

• Anderson - Anderson.
• Baker - Baker.
• Brown - Brown.
• Carter - Carter.
• Clark - Clark.
• Cooper - Cooper.
• Harrison - Harrison.
• Jackson - Jackson.
• James - James.
• Johnson - Johnson.
• King - King.
• Lee - Lee.
• Martin - Martin.
• Morgan - Morgan.
• Parker - Parker.
• Patterson - Patterson.
• Richardson - Richardson.
• Smith - Smith.
• Spencer - Spencer.
• Taylor - Taylor.
• Wilson - Wilson.
• Young - Young.

For the most part, like most peoples, they came from personal names. In some cases they do not undergo any changes - Allen, Baldwin, Cecil, Dennis. Others are associated with the names of the gods and Teutonic mythology - Godwin, Goodiers, Godyears. The part is derived from the Scandinavian names - Swain, Thurston, Thurlow.

Some surnames consist of a personal name, to which the ending - son is added, which meant “son of such and such”: Thompson, Abbotson, Swainson. Residents of Scotland use the prefix - Mac, which also means "son". For example, MacDonald - “son of Donald”, MacGregor - “son of Gregor”.

Some surnames have a professional connotation, that is, Stuart - “royal seneschal”, Pottinger - “cook who cooks the royal soup”. Surnames, like given names, can be given in honor of the place of residence; these can be the names of counties, countries, cities.

Abkhazia has been influenced by various cultures since ancient times. Representatives of many nationalities lived on its territory. This influenced the formation of Abkhaz names. And yet, Abkhazians remain faithful to their national names to this day.

There are still many controversial issues in the history of the Albanian people; even the meaning of a certain part of the ancient names remains unknown. However, Albanians remain true to their names, receiving a powerful charge of positive energy from them.

How American names different from the names of other English-speaking countries? Why is it so difficult for a foreigner to understand who, a man or a woman, we are talking about? How can we explain so many female names associated with flowers? What else do the names of America say?

Thanks to the widespread use of English throughout the world, the wealth English literature– English names are quite familiar to our ears. Moreover, there is some similarity between them and Russian names - the melody of pronunciation and the formation of diminutive forms. As in many other languages, the history of the origin of English names became a reflection of historical processes that took place in England.

Traditional Arabic names are very complex. Each element of such a name has a strictly designated purpose. A classic Arabic name can tell a lot of interesting things about its bearer. What is the meaning of modern Arabic names?

National Armenian names are, of course, a symbol that allows representatives of this ancient people maintain their national unity.

Some ancient Armenian names that have survived to this day appeared in the pre-Christian era. These are the names pagan gods(Haik, Anahit, Vahagn), names of Armenian kings and military leaders (Tigran, Ashot, Gevorg). Many names, both male and female, were formed from the names of various objects, abstract concepts, plants and animals. They evoke positive emotions - Arevik (sun), Vard (rose), Gohar (diamond), Mkhitar (consolation), Makrui (clean). Special group names are associated with religion - Arakel (apostle), Sbrui (saint), Mktich (baptist).

Among the foreign names in the Armenian name book, the most are Persian and biblical borrowings - Suren, Gurgen, Movses (Moses), Soghomon (Solomon). During the Soviet period, Armenians willingly called children Russian names, reinterpreting them in their own way - Valod, Volodik (Vladimir), Serozh, Serzhik (Sergei). This is how they are written in official documents. In the last century, Armenians became fashionable for Western European names. Henry, Edward, Hamlet and Juliet can still be found among Armenians today.

Talking briefly about African names is not an easy task. After all, Africa is a huge continent inhabited by various peoples. Nowadays, there are more than three thousand tribal and clan groups that have different traditions, religions, languages, morals, and customs.

African Americans, descendants of slaves taken from Africa several centuries ago, for a long time did not have the opportunity to choose a name for a child “by the call of blood.” They were called by biblical names from the Old Testament. Now they are returning their native national names.

The Aztec culture lasted only 300 years and was swept away by the Spanish conquerors. But thanks to her bright personality and tragic story, she still excites the imagination. The mysterious names of the Aztecs contribute to this to a large extent.

The Bible is the most read and most quoted book in the world. Therefore, each of us is familiar with the names mentioned in it. But few people thought about the meaning of these ancient names. But all biblical male and female names have a deep meaning and contain quite full description about their first bearers. First of all, this concerns Hebrew names. In classical Hebrew, words have hidden content and are associated with the essence of objects and phenomena. The similarity between the essence of a person and the name he bears distinguishes many biblical names.

Perhaps no Slavic people has preserved as many ancient names as in Bulgaria. The history of the origin of most Bulgarian names has Slavic roots - Zhivko (living), Iveylo (wolf), Lyuben (love), Iskra, Rositsa (dew), Snezhana (snow woman). Two-part names are still very popular - Krasimir, Lyubomir, Vladimir, Borislava, Desislava. Favorite national names are found in a variety of variants; many new names are formed from the same root. For example, “zora” (zorya, star) – Zoran, Zorana, Zorina, Zorka, Zoritsa. And how many “joyful” names are there - Radan, Radana, Radko, Radka, Radoy, Radoil, Radostin and simply Radost.

When we talk about Holland, we invariably remember tulips, mills, cheese and, of course, Dutch surnames, which are easily recognizable all over the world by the prefixes -van, -van der, -de. And few people know that names in the Netherlands not only appeared much earlier than surnames, but are still more important for the Dutch.

Irina, Alexey, Tamara, Kirill, Alexander, Polina and many other names have become so familiar, “ours”, that it’s hard to believe in their “overseas” origin. Meanwhile, these are names born before our era and imbued with the spirit of ancient Hellas. We can say with complete confidence that Greek names are the soul of the people. For example, many male Greek names reflect the idea of ​​the inevitability of fate, and their male bearers in our time not only see the “hand of providence” in all events, but are also ready to fight circumstances and are not afraid of the intensity of passions.

The mystical power and enormous popularity of Greek names lies in their origin story. Some of them originate from ancient mythology– Aphrodite, Odysseas, Pinelopi. Others are associated with Christian values ​​- Georgios, Vasilios. Hebrew and Latin names easily adapted to Greek pronunciation - Ioannis, Konstantinos. Most male and female ancient Greek names had an analogue of the opposite sex, some forms have survived to this day - Eugene-Eugene, Vasily-Vasilisa.
Greek names are surprisingly melodic and characterized by positive energy - Eleni (bright), Partheonis (chaste), Chryseis (golden). In the rich nomenclature of the Greeks, there was also a place for foreign borrowings, which had to slightly change their sound, for example, Robertos. And each official name has a colloquial form (Ioannis-Yannis, Emmanuel-Manolis).

The meaning of a large group of ancient Georgian names is associated with the languages ​​of numerous ethnographic groups of Georgians - Khevsurs, Pshavs, Imeretians, Mingrelians, Svans, Gurians. Folk names formed from various concepts and common nouns.

Dagestan is a country of mountains. This small territory is inhabited by Avars, Dargins, Kumyks, Lezgins, Chechens and other mountain peoples who speak more than thirty languages. But, despite such a number of languages, the system of names of all Dagestan peoples is largely the same.

Jewish names have a special history, and it is connected with difficult fate of this ancient people.
Most of the ancient Jewish names have survived to this day thanks to their mention in the Old Testament. There are more than two thousand of them in the Bible. Many male names formed from various names of God - Michael, Tsurishaddai, Yohanan. Sometimes theophoric names mean entire concepts - Israel (God-fighter), Elnatan (God gave).
Not all biblical names have religious connotations. Like many other nations, separate group Jewish names are distinguished by some characteristic of a person - Yedida (sweet), Barzilai (hard as iron) or correlated with plants and animals - Rachel (sheep), Tamar (palm tree), Deborah (bee).

Even in Old Testament times, Jews had names borrowed from the languages ​​of neighboring peoples. The Chaldeans “gave” Bebai and Atlay to the Jews, and the Babylonians - Mordechai. In Jewish families one could find Greek and Roman names - Antigonus, Julius. And Alexander, popular in many countries, became Sender among the Jews.
As Jews became scattered throughout the world, some Hebrew names were forced to adapt to the indigenous languages. In Arab countries, Abraham turned into Ibrahim, David into Dawood. In Georgia, Yosef became Joseph, in Western Europe, Moshe became Moises. In Russia, many Jews used Russian names, which were close in pronunciation to traditional Jewish names - Boris-Berl, Grigory-Gersh, Lev-Leib. And such ancient Jewish names as Sarah, Dina, Solomon, Anna, Tamara, Elizabeth, Zakhar have long become international.

Many Indians name their children with names or epithets of gods. This is how they invoke divine mercy on their child. But in addition to the personal name, there is also a collective name. How can one determine the caste affiliation of a resident of India using this name?

At the end of the last century spanish names literally poured into our lives from television screens. The craze for Mexican and Brazilian TV series has led to Russia having its own Luis-Alberto, Dolores and, of course, “just Maria.” It’s no wonder that some Russian parents liked exotic names, as if filled with the hot sun. Another question is how such a Luis Alberto lives among the Pets and Fedorovs.

It remains a mystery whether it is the life-loving Italians who make their names so attractive, or whether the Italian name endows its bearers with positive energy. One way or another, but Italian names have a special charm and warmth. Perhaps the secret is that almost all Italian names end with a vowel. This gives them melodiousness and melody.

Most Italian names have ancient origin. Latin names were a distinctive sign of a person - Flavio (blond), Luca (who came from Lucania). Commoners received names derived from the titles of their owners - Tessa (countess), Regina (queen). Names such as Elena and Ippolito were borrowed from the myths of Ancient Greece, and Western European peoples enriched the Italian naming book with their names, rearranged in the Italian way - Arduino, Theobaldo.

Christianity not only brought some Hebrew and Arabic names to the Italians, but also forbade calling children “barbarian” names. The name for the newborn could only be chosen from the Catholic calendar, and the same names in the same family were repeated from generation to generation. This was due to the fact that children were traditionally named after their maternal and paternal ancestors. This custom has survived to this day. It led to the appearance of many derivative names in the Italian nomenclature. For example, Antonio - Antonello, Antonino, Giovanna - Giovanella, Ianella, Janella.

In any Kazakh family, the birth of a child is a big holiday. Therefore, the choice of a name for a newborn has always been treated with responsibility. Traditionally, the name was chosen by the grandfather or a respected person so that the baby would grow up to be a worthy person.

Modern Azerbaijani names varied in origin and meaning. In religious families, children are most often called by Muslim names. By folk tradition children are given the names of respected people, prominent figures, literary heroes.

Chinese names name a person’s personal characteristics and distinguish him from the numerous members of the collective name. Traditionally, male Chinese names celebrate masculine character traits, military prowess, and intelligence. What do women's names emphasize?

Classic male Roman names were a reflection of the way of life and traditions of Ancient Rome. All of them consisted of at least two parts - a personal and family name. Sometimes personal nicknames or names of branches of the main genus were added to them.

For Lithuanians at all times, a name has been a key word for determining a person’s identity. In ancient times, each of the Lithuanian names had its own individual meaning. If the name given at birth did not fit with the character or behavior of its bearer, then a nickname was chosen for him, reflecting internal and external qualities - Juodgalvis (black-headed), Majulis (small), Kupryus (humpbacked), Vilkas (wolf), Jaunutis (young).

Muslim names are a special layer of names that are permitted by Sharia law. Most of them are of Arabic origin, but there are names with Turkic and Persian roots.

In Muslim countries, there are certain rules that are strictly observed when choosing a name for a child. Allah has 99 names, but man cannot bear the name of God. Therefore, the prefix “abd” (slave) is added to names - Abdullah (slave of Allah). The names of prophets and their companions are traditionally popular among Muslims - Muhammad, Isa, Musa. At the same time, Shiites do not recognize the names of the caliphs who came to power after the Prophet Muhammad (Umar), and Sunnis do not name children after the names of Shiite imams (Jawad, Kazim). Naturally, everything said concerns male Muslim names.

Women's Muslim names captivate with their melody. According to custom, names for girls should delight the ear with a harmonious sound and emphasize the beauty and virtues of the fair sex. Women are compared to flowers (Yasmine-jasmine), the moon (Ayla-lunar-like), and their external attractiveness is highlighted (Alsu-beautiful). But the most popular Muslim female names remain the names of the mother of the Prophet Isa - Maryam, the wives and daughters of the Prophet Muhammad - Aisha, Fatima, Zeinab.

In German families, when choosing a name for a newborn, simple rules are strictly followed. The name must indicate gender and cannot be fictitious. Indeed, why invent non-existent names when there is already a large selection. Moreover, the law does not limit the number of registered names, and some parents give up to ten of them to their beloved child. Moreover, short forms names, for example, Katya, can be considered official.

The oldest German names appeared before our era. As in other languages, they described the virtues and characteristics of a person - Adolf (noble wolf), Karl (brave), Ludwig (famous in battle). In modern German There are only a few such names left, about two hundred. From the second half of the 8th century, Christian names gradually began to gain more and more popularity. Children are increasingly being called by biblical names of Hebrew, Greek or Roman origin. At the same time, the actual German names associated with religion appeared - Gotthold (power of God).

The close ties of the Germans with other peoples brought borrowings from the languages ​​of Western Europe and even the Russian language into German culture. German parents give their children the names of famous actors and show business stars. Nowadays original ones are often becoming popular in Germany. foreign names, which do not always comply with the laws of German spelling. So, Gertrude is next to Natasha, and Hans is next to Lucas. But traditional German names have always “won” over extravagant inclusions.

The history of the origin of Polish names, like that of other Slavic peoples, goes back to the pre-Christian era. Early Polish names arose from common nouns, which were essentially nicknames for people - Wilk (wolf), Kowal (blacksmith), Goly (naked). A child was often named in honor of a deceased relative, so some names were passed down from generation to generation and became entrenched in the popular name book. The division of society into classes singled out the nobility. In this environment, names formed from two components (Vladislav, Kazimir) became popular, which are still found in our time.

IN Ancient Rome the attitude towards names was more than serious. There was even a saying: “Names are not to be made public.” Therefore, the Roman priests avoided pronouncing the names of the patron gods of Rome - enemies would recognize these names and lure the gods to themselves. And slaves did not have the right to tell the name of their master to a stranger.

The vast majority of Russian names, so familiar to our ears, actually do not have Slavic roots. They appeared in Russian names during the period of the establishment of Christianity in Rus'. And, oddly enough, the original Slavic names were almost completely forced out of use. What did our distant ancestors call each other?

The pagan Slavs lived in harmony with nature, believed in the existence of souls in plants and animals, and endowed natural phenomena with mystical powers. The name served not only to distinguish people. It was both a personal amulet and a characteristic of a person. To discourage " evil spirits", the child was often given an unsightly name - Kriv, Zloba. The affectionate name that the parents called the child was kept secret so that no one could use it to spoil the baby. The teenager, when some of his personal qualities were already manifested, was given a new name. Children were called names from the plant and animal world (Wolf, Nut). IN large families the name indicated the order of birth - Pervak, Nine. The names assessed the personality and appearance of their bearers - Durak, Krasava, Malusha. Old Slavic names and nicknames have long disappeared from use, but at one time they became the basis for the formation of surnames - Volkov, Durakov, Karasin.

Ancient names consisting of two stems, which were originally a privilege princely families, continue to live in modern world- Yaroslav, Svyatoslav, Miroslava. Already in Christian Rus', the female names Vera, Nadezhda and Lyubov, popular at all times, were born. This is a direct translation of the Greek words pistis, elpis and agape (faith, hope, love). The Slavic names Olga, Oleg, Igor were included in the calendar, their use was legalized by the church.

Serbs are a South Slavic people who, despite the centuries-long domination of the Ottoman Empire, were able to maintain national culture and language. Serbian names testify to this. The history of the origin of most Serbian names has Slavic roots.

The warlike nature of the numerous tribes that inhabited the lands of Scandinavia in ancient times left its mark on the origin and meaning of most Scandinavian names. Even the custom of naming itself was quite harsh - the father had every right to recognize the newborn as a member of the family and give him a name in honor of his ancestors or abandon the baby.
Many ancient Scandinavian names originated from common nouns that name distinctive features of a person, names of animals, objects or abstract concepts. Such nicknames could change as a new individual characteristic appeared.

The rich mythology of the Scandinavians also could not remain aloof from the peculiar “fashion” for names - children were willingly named after mythical heroes. Even women's names often had a menacing connotation - Hilda (battle), Ragnhild (battle of the defenders). Most of these names have two stems, which makes them similar to the ancient ones Slavic names– Vigmarr (glorious war), Alfhild (battle of the elves).
The commitment of the Scandinavian peoples to their national names, which came from time immemorial, is worthy of respect. Even the spread of Christianity and the power of the church could not supplant patriarchal names. In the Middle Ages, a child could generally be baptized under any pagan name. Even later, the baptismal name remained secret, and in everyday life people used familiar old names. And representatives of the military elite even called Christian names only illegitimate children.

Soviet names, the fashion for which swept the inhabitants of the Soviet Union in the first half of the twentieth century, amaze with their “originality”. It is impossible to imagine that now anyone would want to name their son Uryuvkos or Jarek. What do these names mean?

It so happened that the Tatar people “responded” to almost every historical event by forming or borrowing new names.
Pagan names were common to everyone Turkic peoples roots. Usually they indicated belonging to one or another clan and social status people - Ilbuga (homeland of the bull), Arslan (lion), Altynbike (golden princess).

In the 10th century, Islam, Arab and Persian names are strengthened in the Tatar nomenclature. Some of them undergo changes, adapting to the Tatar language - Gabdulla, Gali. Women's ones are still especially popular today. Tatar names Arabic origin. They are filled with positive energy and have a melodic sound - Latifa (beautiful), Valiya (saint).
IN Soviet time There was no longer a need to name children only by Muslim names; ancient names of Turkic-Bulgar origin - Aidar, Chulpan, Bulat - reappeared in everyday life. And outdated names (Chanysh, Bikmulla) were replaced by new ones - Leysan, Azat. In many Tatar families children began to be called by European and Slavic names - Svetlana, Marat, Rosa, Eduard.

Tatar names great amount. Their diversity is associated not only with extensive borrowing, but with the creative imagination of the Tatar people. This manifested itself in the formation of new names with components from different languages– Zhantimer (Persian-Turkic-Tatar), Shahnazar (Arabic-Persian). Female analogues of male names appeared - Ilhamiya, Farida. Despite the fact that the meanings of many Tatar names are difficult to determine, they are remembered for their beauty and originality.

In the Turkish naming book, names of various origins and meanings occupy a worthy place. Muslim families try to name their children by the names mentioned in the Koran. Folk names have a beautiful sound and interesting meaning.

Turkic names are an ancient mirror that reflects the Turkic ideas about the world, their way of life, and relationships in society. Names tell about the warlike character of their bearers, who the Turks worshiped, and what character traits they valued.

Uzbek names amaze with their diversity, bizarre construction patterns and multifaceted meanings. To some, these names may seem exotic and unusual. Their true meaning becomes clear if we consider the history of the origin of Uzbek names as a reflection of the way of life, traditions and customs of the people.

Ukrainian names differ little from Russian and Belarusian names and have a similar history of origin. This is explained historical community East Slavic peoples, close traditions and a common faith.

The history of the origin of ancient Finnish names is closely connected with the Finns’ subtle perception of nature. In the old days, names were formed from the names of objects and phenomena of the surrounding world - Ilma (air), Kuura (frost), Villa (grain), Suvi (summer). Until the 16th century, the Finns did not have their own written language, and the Finnish language was considered the language of the common people until the middle of the 19th century. Folk names were passed on from mouth to mouth, forgotten over time, and were replaced by new names borrowed from other peoples.

Ah, these luxurious French names! How mesmerizing they were Russian society in the 19th century. All you had to do was change the name a little and put the emphasis on the last syllable, and the rustic Masha turned into the sophisticated Marie, and the bumpkin Vasya into the aristocrat Basil. At the same time, few people knew that French names, in fact, are “foreigners” in their homeland. Their origin is related to historical events, which led to numerous borrowings from the name books of various ancient tribes and peoples.

Since ancient times, on the territory of France, the population has used Celtic (Bridget, Alain-Alain), Greek and Hebrew names (Dion, Eva). The Romans left their "inheritance" to the French family names(Mark, Valerie). And after the German invasion, German names appeared in the name book (Alphonse, Gilbert). In the 18th century, the Catholic Church prohibited naming children with names not included in the Catholic naming calendar. The choice of names for French newborns has become limited, and borrowing has ceased.
IN modern France these restrictions have been lifted, and parents are free to choose any name they like for their child. Foreign names have become popular again - Tom, Lucas, Sarah. The French are quite warm towards Russian names, using them in a short form. Calling a little French girl Tanya or Sonya is especially chic. How to pronounce a Russian name with a “French pronunciation” in Russia.

Gypsies living in different countries not only preserve their traditions, but are also forced to adapt to different cultures and languages. This determines the complex system of gypsy names and the history of their origin. In the modern world, every Roma has an official first and last name, registered in their passport in full accordance with the laws and customs of the country of residence. But along with the official name, it is customary for Gypsies to have their own, Gypsy, “internal” or “secular” name. “Secular” names can be divided into gypsy names, foreign names adapted to Gypsy culture, and directly borrowed names from other languages.

Nowadays, the vast majority of Chechens try to adhere to established traditions when choosing a name for a child. 90% of modern Chechen names are of Arabic origin. At the same time, borrowed Russian and Western names, mostly female, sometimes “penetrate” the Chechen name book. Some of them are even a short form of names - Lisa, Sasha, Zhenya, Raisa, Tamara, Rosa, Louise, Zhanna.

The history of the origin of Scottish names is like a mosaic. Each period of the difficult, eventful life of the Scottish people left its mark on the names. The most ancient population In Scotland, the legendary Picts, representatives of the Celtic tribes (Scotts and Gaels), Roman conquerors - they all influenced the composition and meaning of Scottish names.

The Yakuts have always been very responsible when choosing a name for a child. Their names became the parents' wish to see their children strong, healthy and happy. If the name did not match the character or appearance, the person received a new name.

The choice of names for newborns is unlimited. Parents can create any name for their child. The main thing is that you can only use permitted hieroglyphs, of which there are about two thousand. How did the ancient samurai clan influence the formation of new names?

In the variety of English names you can find an option for every taste. In this article, we will look at the main English girl names and their meanings, and you can safely choose your favorite.

The choice of a name has long been taken seriously. It was believed that the meaning of a name could largely determine a person’s fate and the qualities of his character. But even today, great attention is paid to the meaning of the name and its origin.

Meaning of the name

Before choosing a name for a child, many people want to know what the origin of the names are and what they meant in their original form.

Let's analyze popular female English names with translation. There may be different versions about their origin and meaning, and it is not always possible to unambiguously establish the translation - we will give the most established meanings.

• Melanie: comes from Greek and means “dark”
• Florence: Latin for “blooming”
• Agatha: Greek for "good"
• Zoe: Greek for "life"
• Rebecca (Rebecca): originates in Hebrew and means “to bind, to fasten”
• Ruth (Ruth): translated from Hebrew as “friend”
• Barbara (Barbara): from Greek - “stranger”
• Amanda (Amanda): derived from the Latin amandus - “worthy of love”
• Victoria (Victoria): translated from Latin as “victory”
• Irene (Irene): in Greek - “peace, tranquility”
• Miranda: from the Latin word mirandus (“wonderful”)
• Bridget: an Irish name that was originally Brighid, meaning "exalted, enthusiastic"
• Sophia (Sophia): translated from Greek as “wisdom”
• Margaret: from the Greek word for "pearl"
• Katherine (Catherine): Greek name, the most common version of the meaning is "pure"
• Deborah (Deborah): translated from Hebrew as “bee”
• Vivian: Derived from Latin vivus "living"
• Emma (Emma): from Germanic names meaning “whole”

Some girls' names in English have transparent origins. Ruby is similar to the word ruby ​​and is of Latin origin meaning “red”. And the name Harper, which was borne by the famous American writer Harper Lee, originally served as a surname and referred to harpists (harp - harp).

It's even easier to guess the meaning of names like Daisy and April. The first repeats the word daisy (daisy), and the second - April, which, in turn, is related to the Latin verb aperire "to open." Both of these names did not come into active use in English until the 19th century.

When choosing names for girls in English, we pay attention to the meaning; it is not always possible to find out. And it’s not just that it’s difficult to establish the history of a word: the meaning may simply be missing. like this interesting story has a female name Vanessa (Vanessa). It was invented by Jonathan Swift for the poem "Cadenus and Vanessa", combining the first letters of his friend's name.

Royal names

If we are talking about Great Britain, then for many the first association with it is the royal family. Although politics has historically been a man's business, women have also had their influence. What beautiful female names in English do we find at the royal court?

Perhaps one of the main women in British history and the most famous queen is Queen Victoria. She ruled the country for more than 60 years until 1901. Victoria is her first name. At birth she was also given the middle name Alexandrina. But the main one was Victoria, and it was this that was entrenched in history: the era of her reign is called Victorian. Many geographic areas are named after the queen, such as a city in Canada and a state in Australia. The name Victoria remains popular today.

The current Queen of Great Britain is Elizabeth II. Her full name sounds like Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. Every element in it is a tribute to other members of the royal family. She received the name Elizabeth in honor of her mother, Alexandra in honor of her great-grandmother, and Mary in honor of her grandmother. Elizabeth II ascended the throne in 1952 and has already surpassed her famous predecessor Queen Victoria in terms of the length of her reign.

The name Diana is very popular in England. In the royal family, it was worn by Princess Diana, the first wife of Prince Charles. Often her name was shortened and called simply Lady Di.

Influential in politics English women- it's not just the royal family. One of the most significant politicians was Margaret Thatcher. She became the first woman in Europe to hold the post of prime minister.

Name options

We must not forget that English names often have abbreviated versions, which are very popular. As the example of Lady Di shows, abbreviations are used even in relation to government officials.

It often happens that abbreviated versions become fixed in the language and become independent names. For example:

• Sandra (Sandra): shortened version of Alexandra (Alexandra)
• Stacy: short for Anastasia

In this case, the original version may be completely lost. For example, the form Alice (Alice / Alice) is derived from Adelaide (Adelaide), and in its original form the name sounded like Adalheidis.

Some names have different variants writing. This is probably best seen in the forms Katherine / Catharine / Catherine / Catherina / Katharine / Katherina. Added to this variety are abbreviations that can be used as a full name: Cat / Cathy / Kat / Kate / Kathie / Kathy / Katie / Kitty / Cate.

Male-female

In the English language, it is quite common to find names that can refer to both women and men, without differing in any way in form.

• Ash
• Cameron
• Kerry (Kerry)
• Kim (Kim)
• Morgan (Morgan)
• Parker

This situation is often typical for abbreviated versions. Therefore, beautiful English female names can also be obtained from shortening the male form.

• Alex (Alex): short for the male name Alexander (Alexander) and the female name Alexandra (Alexandra)
• Billie: short for Bill and the feminine form of William - Wilhelmina
• Chris: can be derived from Christopher, Christian or Christine
• Frankie (Frankie): from the male Frank (Frank) or the female Frances (Francis)
• Jackie (Jackie): from Jack (Jack) or Jacqueline (Jacqueline)
• Nat (Nat): variant of the forms Nathan (Nathan), Nathaniel (Nathaniel), Natalie (Natalie)
• Robbie: abbreviation for the masculine Robert or feminine Roberta.
• Ronnie (Ronnie): can be derived from Ronald (Ronald) or Veronica (Veronica)
• Sam: abbreviation of male Samuel, Samson or female Samantha.
• Steph (Steph): a variant of the forms Stephen (Stephen) or Stephanie (Stephanie)
• Terry (Terry): derived from the male Terence (Terence) or the female Theresa / Teresa (Teresa)

English names in Russian

Already in the given examples of English female names you can find ones for which it is easy to find Russian analogues. They have a single source of origin (for example, Greek or Biblical) and have long been entrenched in the Russian language.

• Anna - Anna
• Maria / Mary - Maria
• Sophia - Sofia
• Katherine / Catherine - Catherine
• Victoria - Victoria
• Alexandra - Alexandra
• Eva - Eva
• Diana - Diana
• Anastasia - Anastasia
• Veronica - Veronica

Other names, although not typical for Russian-speaking people, are borrowed into Russian. Therefore, if you want to find beautiful English female names that sound unusual, but at the same time do not hurt the ears in our society, pay attention to these options:

• Emma - Emma
• Sabrina - Sabrina
• Camilla - Camilla
• Laura - Laura / Laura
• Irene - Irene

Popular male names

• Charlie.
• Daniel.
• Joseph.
• Matthew.
• Ryan.
• Robert.
• Richard.
• Jonathan.
• Ethan.
• James.

• Name Henry is an English name derived from the Old German name Henry. The name Henry means "lord of the house, master" or "lord of the court."

The name Henry sounds different in different parts of the world. For example, in England it is Hank, Harry, in Germany it is Henrik, in France it is Henri, and in Portugal it is Enrique or Enrico.

• Name Oliver comes from Germanic roots. It was formed through differentiation of the ancient Germanic name Albheri, which means “fairy army” or “elven army”.

Since the word elf has no precise explanation other than “bright” and “he who shines,” the name Oliver can also be interpreted as “white army” and “protector” or “protector of the army.”

In addition, the name Oliver is often described as “willing good,” “inclined to good,” “true,” “loyal to the people,” as all these qualities are attributed to a warrior.

• Adam is a Hebrew name that literally means “made of red clay” and “man.” Since this name belonged to the very first person, in many Orthodox, Catholic and Jewish countries it is revered and considered sacred. For example, according to Kabbalah, the name Adam is considered the father of all people and the first vice of Achilles.

• Name Harry takes its roots from the Old French name Henry. The name Harry has a pair called Harriet or Harriet, which are often names used by girls in England.

• Name Thomas originates from the Aramaic name Thomas, which means "twin". The name Thomas is more European name Thomas, which has undergone changes. The name Thomas has the following short forms: Tom, Tommy, Tomo and others.

Thomas is usually very level-headed and serious, loving communication with people. Thomas is in no hurry to accept important decisions, because it does not welcome rush and fuss. He is an emotional and creative, independent and understanding person. In addition, Thomas is prone to introspection and tries to avoid quarrels.

• Name Jeremiah is an English transformation of the Hebrew name Jeremiah, which can be translated as “God will exalt” or “God will present.”

The very name Jeremiah is of biblical origin. In this book, Jeremiah is described as one of those who was a prophet.

The name Jeremy has the following short forms: Jay, Jeri, Yeri and others.

Jeremy is precise and smart. He can easily persuade and has good intuition. Jeremy is also outgoing, loves people and presents himself as a balanced, reliable person.

The name Christian has the following short forms: Christo. Chris, Keith, Christy and others. He also has a paired female name - Kristana (Christina).

Christian is prone to abstract thinking, has excellent memory and a special sense of tact. It is pleasant to carry on a conversation with Christian, since he has the makings of a psychologist. Christian is always shy and delicate. In any situation, he maintains a majestic calm.

• Name Tyler– English. It takes its roots from the name of the tailor's profession, which is written as "tailor". In the US, Tyler can also be either a surname or a given name for a woman or a man.

Tylor has the following short forms: Tai, Lo, Tay, Tey.

Taylor takes an active position in life, loves to be independent and decisive. At the same time, it can combine selfishness and loneliness, secrecy and reticence.

• Name William comes from a combination of the Old German words “willio” (strong-willed) and “helm” (protector), so Wilhelm can be interpreted as “resolute defender”, or “one who protects”.
  Wilhelm grows up to be a rather emotional child who really needs to receive the attention of the people around him. He wants to be loved and loved and the best among his peers.

With age, Wilhelm's character becomes stronger and more decisive. He becomes bold and can occupy management positions. Wilhelm is a good family man, he loves honesty and has a good understanding of people.

• Name Daniel Hebrew, biblical origin. This name is translated as “our judge,” “man of justice,” or “God’s court.” Also, the prophet Daniel had this name, which is translated as “my judge God” or “God is the judge.”
• Name Charlie or Charles is an English variant of the German name Karl, which is interpreted as "man", "spouse". From the name Karl comes the word king.
  The name Charlie has the following short forms: Chas, Chuck, Chip, Carly.
• Name Marseilles or Markel arose from the Roman nickname Marcellus, which originated from the name Marcus. The name Marcus itself takes its roots from the name of the god Mars, who was revered as the god of war, so this name is interpreted as “warlike,” “devoted to Mars.”
• Name Joseph - it is a Catholic name. It is a modification of the name Joseph and means “God will reward” or “God will increase.” In European languages, there are female pairs for the name Joseph: Josephine, Jozefa, Josefa and others.
• Name Matthew is a completely European name, which is most often used by English-speaking peoples in Great Britain, Australia and Canada. It is a variant of the name Matthias, meaning "God's gift." Matthew is always curious and has a lot of interest in science and culture. Matthew has a rare intelligence, often analyzing himself and others, exploring everything around him.

Matthew can be mysterious and secretive, he is capable of committing rash acts.

• Name Ryan is an English word that takes its roots from the anglicized form of the Irish word Ó Riain. Translated Raine means “royal”. In Irish the name is often explained as "little king".
• Name Robert has ancient Germanic roots and means “one who shines with glory” or “lasting glory.” The name Robert is very popular in all English-speaking nations.

There are never any problems communicating with Robert, as he is optimistic and can support any topic. Robert has a level-headed personality and is often drawn to people with an adventurous streak.

• Name Richard comes from Proto-Germanic and means: “one who is a leader” or “brave”. The name Richard will be pronounced differently in different European countries. For example, in Germany it will be heard as Richard, in France - Richard, in Spain - Ricardo.
• Name Jonathan is of Hebrew origin. The Bible describes several characters named Jonathan or Jonathan. Translated from Hebrew, the name Jonathon sounds like “God bestowed.”
• Name Ethan– Jewish. It comes from the Hebrew name Etan, which meant “constancy” or “immutability.” In addition, Ethan translated from Hebrew means “mighty,” “strong,” “possessing strength.”
• Name James- this is the English version biblical name Jacob, which in Hebrew means “one who follows on the heels.” In different countries, the name Jacob has its own pronunciation options. In Spain - Santiago, in France - Iago, Jacob, Jaco, in Italy - Giacomo.

• August - from Latin “great”.
• Konon – from Latin “smart”.
• Karl - from the ancient German “daredevil”.
• Luke – from Latin “he who brings light.”
• Mark - from Latin “beating, strong.”
• Oscar – from ancient Greek “divine”.
• Orestes - from ancient Greek “one who grew up in the mountains.”
• Plato - from the ancient Greek “broad-shouldered”.
• Rashid - from Arabic “one who walks the right path.”
• Theodore - from Arabic "God's gift."
• Farhat – from Arabic “one who understands.”
• Feeder – from Latin “good student”.
• Edgar – from German “the one who guards the cities.”
• Edwin - from German “bringer of victory.”
• Ernest - from German “strict” or “serious”.
• Eldar - from Arabic “gifted by God.”
• Albert - from the ancient German “pure blood, noble.”
• Aladin - from Arabic “believer, exalted.”
• Askold - from Scandinavian “having a golden voice.”
• Bruno - from ancient German “dark man”.
• Hamlet - from German “double” or “twin”.
• Gustave - from ancient German “one who advises the military.”
• Jamal – from Arabic “beautiful person”.
• Elisha - from Hebrew “save all living things.”
• Kamal – from Arabic “perfection”.
• Roots - from the Latin “dogwood berry”.
• Murad – from Arabic “desired goal”.
• Muslim means “conquering” in Arabic.
• Nathan - from Arabic “the one whom God gave.”
• Otto – from German “owning”.

When choosing a name, it is necessary not only to rely on its sound, but also to know exactly what it means, because it is the name that determines what path in life a person will take.

It is customary to give names to children after birth, but parents come up with them long before their babies are born. When choosing a name for their future daughter, parents consider various aspects: the combination of letters, euphony, the meaning of the name and even its influence on a person’s fate. Each couple tries to come up with something special and unique.

Research conducted by various historians has revealed the fact that the earliest English names were derived from words (nouns and adjectives) that existed in Old English. It was not the person’s name that carried a special meaning, but his nickname.

The situation with names changed dramatically after the conquest of England by the Normans. There was a rapid replacement of English names with Norman ones. Today, only a small part of the British have truly English names.

It is also noteworthy that there are very few old native English names. They have almost never reached our days. The vast majority of them were borrowed from cultures such as Hebrew, Ancient Greek, Celtic, Norman, etc. At that time, people received long and short names, praising the gods, the forces of nature and any human qualities.

In the 16th century in England, old English female names, mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, were quite common. Among them are the following:

• Mary is a derived form of the Hebrew name Mary. This ancient name has a very beautiful meaning- “serene”;
• Anna - named after the mother of the prophet Samuel. Translated as "grace";
• Maryann - the combined names Mary and Anne;
• Sarah is named after Abraham's wife. The meaning of this name is “mistress.”

The influence of literature on the formation of names

Writers also played a huge role in the emergence of new female names. It is thanks to literature that such rare female names as Sylvia, Ophelia, Stella, Jessica, Vanessa, Julia, Juliet, Jessica and Viola appeared in the English language.

Besides everything else literary works kept many Old English names. Among the beautiful female names there are ancient names borrowed from other languages. Names of similar origin include: Anita, Angelina, Jacqueline, Amber, Daisy, Michelle and Ruby. And this is not the entire list.

Popular English female names

Name fashions, like many other aspects of life, come and go. Some are quickly forgotten, and forever, while others return from time to time - usually in original form, but sometimes in a new interpretation.

According to data from the UK Office of National Statistics, the most popular names in last years became Olivia, Emma and Sophie. A list of 30 other popular English girl names is given below:

1. Olivia
2. Sofia
3. Isabel
4. Charlotte
5. Emily
6. Harper
7. Abigail
8. Madison
9. Avery
10. Margaret
11. Evelyn
12. Edison
13. Grace
14. Amelie
15. Natalie
16. Elizabeth
17. Scarlet
18. Victoria

Successful names and not so successful ones

It has long been known that a person’s name largely determines his fate. Psychologists from all over the world are actively working on this issue, conducting various studies, observations and surveys. As a result, the success rate of individuals named by one name or another also has a strong impact on the popularity of the name itself.

Thus, one of the surveys conducted in the UK showed which British names are recognized by residents Foggy Albion the most successful, and which are the opposite. The survey results are shown in the table below.

Rare English female names and their meanings

There are many names that remain outside the popularity rankings, being the least used. The so-called “outsider names” include:

• Annik - benefit, grace
• Allin - bird
• Amabel - attractive
• Bernays - bringing victory
• Bambi is a child
• Bekkai - the one who lures into a trap
• Bets is my oath
• Willow - willow
• Gabby - strength from God
• Dominic is the lord's property
• Jojo - multiplying
• Delours - melancholy
• Jewel - a precious stone
• Georgina - peasant girl
• Elayn - bird
• Kiva - beautiful
• Kelly - blonde
• Lukinda - light
• Lalaj - babbling
• Morgan - sea circle
• Marley - favorite
• Melissa - bee
• Mackenzie is a beauty
• Mindy the black snake
• Meagan - pearl
• Penelope - the cunning weaver
• Poppy - poppy
• Rosaulin - a gentle mare
• Totti - girl
• Phyllis - tree crown
• Heather - heather
• Edwena - wealthy friend

The most beautiful female English names

The beauty of the name and its euphony are of great importance for girls and women. All my life I will associate her with the name given to her by her parents. There is no dispute about tastes, and if one person likes the name Amelia or Elizabeth, another may be annoyed by it. However, there is a ranking of names that most people think are the most beautiful.

Unusual female English names

Ordinary people rarely have unusual names. After all, when choosing a name for a child, many parents are guided not only by their own preferences, but also think about ensuring that their child does not become an object of ridicule among children. But celebrities have their own opinion on this matter; they choose strange female and male names, guided only by their imagination and the desire to attract as much attention as possible.

Scout-Larue and Tallupa-Bell - that's what Bruce Willis called his youngest daughters. And these are no less than the nicknames of your favorite horses that won at the races.

Gwyneth Paltrow named her daughter Apple, which is how the name Apple is translated into Russian.

Rapper 50 Cent named his son Marquise, ignoring male English names.

Singer David Bowie ignored all the famous English names for boys and named his son Zoe, simply considering the combination Zoe Bowie funny.

Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z named their daughter Blue Ivy, which means “blue ivy.”

Actress Milla Jovovich's daughter's name is Ever Gabo. The second part of the name is the first syllables of the names of Mila’s parents - Galina and Bogdan.

The name of the daughter of American rock musician Frank Zappa is Moon Unit, which means “Moon Satellite”.

Summer Rain is the name singer Christina Aguilera came up with for her daughter. Translated from English it means “Summer Rain”.

Some people, immersed in the world of their favorite films and TV series, and cannot imagine their life without them, name their children not only in honor of their favorite heroes and actors, but also use ordinary words that are not proper names.

This is how a completely new female name appeared - Khaleesi, a word from the popular series “Game of Thrones”, which meant the title of one of the heroines, synonymous with queen or queen. Today, there are already 53 girls in the world with this name.

Human imagination knows no bounds, so new male and female names will appear in the world again and again. Some of them will catch on and become popular, while others will be heard a little and be forgotten.