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Help[Facts] Re: Use of Erin as a male name
in reply to a message by Erin
ERIN is the Anglicized form of EIREANN. Wikipedia < https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diminutive#Irish > reports that -an is not only a diminutive suffix, it is used as a feminine suffix, as well.
Removed from its source etymology (in America), it no longer conveys that femininity to non-native hearers AND it is a homophone for AARON, a traditionally masculine name.
"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth." Ps. 127:4
JoHannah Jubilee, BenJudah Gabriel, Aaron Josiah, Jordan Uriah,
Maranatha Nissiah, (Anastasia Nike, 1992-1992), Jeshua David,
Shiloh Joshana, Elijah Daniel, Hezekiah Nathaniel, Zephaniah Joseph
Removed from its source etymology (in America), it no longer conveys that femininity to non-native hearers AND it is a homophone for AARON, a traditionally masculine name.
JoHannah Jubilee, BenJudah Gabriel, Aaron Josiah, Jordan Uriah,
Maranatha Nissiah, (Anastasia Nike, 1992-1992), Jeshua David,
Shiloh Joshana, Elijah Daniel, Hezekiah Nathaniel, Zephaniah Joseph
This message was edited 9/3/2015, 5:32 PM
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Replies
In areas where Aaron is NOT a homophone of Erin (e.g. the Northeast, as well as the non-American English-speaking world) there may be some other explanation for Erin's use on a boy, but in the majority of the US, they do sound identical, so I don't think you need to look much farther than that. People hear Aaron and Erin as the same sounds, and unless they are familiar with and care about either the biblical character or the country, they may see them as equally valid alternative spellings. It would be about like choosing Shawn over Sean.
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