#FunFacts: Do you know what your name means?

Today is ‘Fun Facts About Names Day’ and for many people, the meaning of their name is super important in determining purpose and destiny in life.

Some believe in numerology, the divine or mystical relationship between a number and one or more coinciding events, according to your name. Others believe that the meaning of your name is what you will aspire to in adult life.

Whatever you believe or don’t, we’ve put together a list of common names and their meanings …

NOAH

Pronounced No-AH, it is of biblical origin and derives from the Hebrew name (Noach) meaning ‘rest, comfort’.  A famous bearer was the American lexicographer Noah Webster (1758-1843).

 

AMELIA

Pronounced ə-MEE-lee-ə, it is of English, Spanish and ancient Germanic descent. It is a variant of Amalia, which means ‘work’. And work it does. A famous bearer of this strong name was Amelia Earhart (1897-1937), the first woman to make a solo flight over the Atlantic Ocean.

 

LIAM

Pronounced LEE-əm, it is the short form of the masculine name, William. From the Germanic name Willahelm, which was composed of the elements wil ‘will, desire’ and helm ‘helmet, protection’.

The name was common among the Normans, and it became extremely popular in England after William the Conqueror was recognised as the first Norman king of England in the 11th century. It was later borne by three other English kings, as well as rulers of Scotland, Sicily (of Norman origin), the Netherlands and Prussia. Well, what a history, your majesty.

 

MIA

 

Pronounced MEE-ah, it is a Scandinavian diminutive of Maria. ‘Mia’ is the Italian word meaning ‘mine’. Now, all we can think about is Finding Nemo.

 

MASON

Pronounced MAY-sin, it is a masculine name that derives from the English surname meaning ‘stoneworker’. Mason Wilson Gamble is an American former actor known for his portrayal of Dennis Mitchell in the 1993 film, Dennis the Menace.

 

ISABELLA

Pronounced iz-ə-BEL-ə, it is a Latinate form of Isabel. This feminine name was borne by many medieval royals, including queen consorts of England, France, Portugal, the Holy Roman Empire and Hungary.

Actually, Queen Elizabeth of Portugal (Isabel in Aragonese, Portuguese and Spanish), who married King Denis in 1281, is venerated as a saint of the Catholic Church.

 

BENJAMIN

Pronounced BEN-jə-min, it is of a biblical origin and derives from the Hebrew name Binyamin which means ‘son of the south’ or ‘son of the right hand’.

A famous bearer was Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), an American statesman, inventor, scientist and philosopher.

 

OLIVIA

Pronounced o-LIV-ee-ə, it is a feminine name derived from the Latin name meaning ‘olive. This name was first used in this spelling (Olivia) by William Shakespeare for a character in Twelfth Night (1602). Shakespeare may have based it on Oliver or Oliva.

 

ELIJAH

A masculine name pronounced i-LIE-jə, it is of biblical origin and comes from the Hebrew name ‘Eliyyahu meaning ‘my God is Yahweh’, a name of the Hebrew God.

Elijah Jordan Wood is an American actor, voice actor, DJ, and producer. He is best known for his high-profile leading role as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s epic film trilogy, The Lord of the Rings.

SKYLAR

A unisex name pronounced SKIE-lər, it derives from the Dutch surname Schuyler meaning ‘”scholar’. Skylar Astin is an American actor, model and singer. He became known for portraying Jesse Swanson in the musical films Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2.

 

SAMUEL

Samuel is a masculine name, pronounced SAM-yoo-əl. It is a biblical name meaning ‘name of God’ or ‘God has heard’. Famous bearers include American inventor Samuel Morse (1791-1872), Irish writer Samuel Beckett (1906-1989), and American author Samuel Clemens (1835-1910), who wrote under the pen name Mark Twain.

 

AURORA 

Pronounced ow-RO-ra (Spanish and classical Latin), this beautiful name means ‘dawn’ in Latin. Aurora was the Roman goddess of the morning. It has occasionally been used as a given name since the Renaissance and is the name of the leading female character, Sleeping Beauty.

 

TYLER

Pronounced TIE-lər, it is an English surname, also used as a first name, meaning ’tiler of roofs’. The surname was borne by American president John Tyler (1790-1862).

 

ESPERANZA

Pronounced es-pe-RAN-sa (Latin American), it is the Spanish form of the Late Latin name Sperantia which was derived from sperare ‘to hope’.

 

KHALID

Pronounced KHAH-lid, it means ‘eternal’, and is derived from Arabic khalada meaning ‘to last forever’. Khalid Donnel Robinson, known as Khalid, is an American singer and songwriter who has become well-known since releasing his debut single Location.

 

Do you try to live up to the meaning of your name? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page.