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Help[Facts] Re: ELITA?
in reply to a message by Andy
Just because someone doesn't have French roots, doesn't mean their name doesn't! (I have no Latin roots, but my name is nonetheless Christine).
Elita would be an unusual pet name for Elisabeth, but not impossible. However, the site's explanation is probably right.
Elita would be an unusual pet name for Elisabeth, but not impossible. However, the site's explanation is probably right.
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Replies
I believe you are right, many people don't know much about their roots or the name giving motive of their parents (if they had one besides a pretty sound or someone by the name they knew). (You must admit: Christine is not really a helpful example; it should be Greek, not Latin anyway.)
Now it's exactly the name giving motive of ELITA I've been wondering about. I guess few people would chose the name nowadays knowing that the name has to do with "elite", but maybe some would anyway. So it would be interesting to find out when and where the name first came up.
The characters T and S are often interchangable, but in the case of Elisa/Elita this would suprise me, too.
And don't forget: If one explanation is true, this does not necessarily mean that a different one is wrong. But like you, I would rather stick to the explanation given on this board, unless there was any other evidence.
Andy ;—)
Now it's exactly the name giving motive of ELITA I've been wondering about. I guess few people would chose the name nowadays knowing that the name has to do with "elite", but maybe some would anyway. So it would be interesting to find out when and where the name first came up.
The characters T and S are often interchangable, but in the case of Elisa/Elita this would suprise me, too.
And don't forget: If one explanation is true, this does not necessarily mean that a different one is wrong. But like you, I would rather stick to the explanation given on this board, unless there was any other evidence.
Andy ;—)
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What I was trying to say: There are names which are used only within a certain group of people, either ethnic or religious or maybe something else. So sometimes you can draw conclusions from the roots of a person to the roots of his name. Christine however is a name used all over the world.
But thinking about it, I must admit: Christine is in fact a good example in a different way, as at least no Jew would chose this name for his child (and probably no-one who puts stress on the fact that he is no Christian).
Greek or Latin? I am sure you know all about the origin of your name, and I guess in antiquity there was a lot of back and forth between the two languages, especially when it came to names. I am still looking for a book (or else for a good site) telling me what happended to Hebrew names when they were translated to Greek in the Septuagint. I did check quite a few of the 1,800 google hits, but got weary on the way. So maybe you can help …
Andy ;—)
But thinking about it, I must admit: Christine is in fact a good example in a different way, as at least no Jew would chose this name for his child (and probably no-one who puts stress on the fact that he is no Christian).
Greek or Latin? I am sure you know all about the origin of your name, and I guess in antiquity there was a lot of back and forth between the two languages, especially when it came to names. I am still looking for a book (or else for a good site) telling me what happended to Hebrew names when they were translated to Greek in the Septuagint. I did check quite a few of the 1,800 google hits, but got weary on the way. So maybe you can help …
Andy ;—)
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Sorry, I don't know anything about the Septuagint! I know the root of Christine because I looked up the word Christ on dictionary.com and it gave me the information I gave you.
There was indeed a lot of transfer between Greek and Latin, and to an extent Germanic, Celtic, Norse and Slavic as well - they're pretty well mixed up in places. When it comes to names, Hebrew is in there as well, so names derived from all of those languages are used in nearly every European country.
But I know what you're saying about ethicity-specific names - there are certainly some out there, although it's harder to spot them in this age of eclectic naming!
There was indeed a lot of transfer between Greek and Latin, and to an extent Germanic, Celtic, Norse and Slavic as well - they're pretty well mixed up in places. When it comes to names, Hebrew is in there as well, so names derived from all of those languages are used in nearly every European country.
But I know what you're saying about ethicity-specific names - there are certainly some out there, although it's harder to spot them in this age of eclectic naming!
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I don't have a particular special interest, although the way common names change between European languages has always been an interest. I'm an archaeologist and I did some linguistics at university as well, so I'm kind of interested in everything about the past, name history included.
Otherwise I'm just a basic "names nerd"! Lol. I post on the Facts board a lot because I have good research skills so if I've got time I can usually find information for people if it exists on the net.
And you?
:-)
Otherwise I'm just a basic "names nerd"! Lol. I post on the Facts board a lot because I have good research skills so if I've got time I can usually find information for people if it exists on the net.
And you?
:-)
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It looks like you are an experienced web user, knowing all the tricks. I find it difficult sometimes to get the information I want, often because I get too many hits. So if I am in trouble, may I call upon you?
I like the net, but I love books. I have a number of books that are crap, others seem rather reliable. But like you I'm far from being an expert and often I just don't know who to trust. This is where I put questions on the board hoping if not for experts to help, then at least for people who know languages I don't have an idea of. And there are plenty of those!
I did study Latin, Greek and Hebrew, I know French and I can read Italian and a bit of Spanish, but that was it (except for German which is my mother tongue). I'm writing weekly articles for a newspaper on given names, trying to tell a bit of the story behind the name. I've done about 130 of those, hoping to find someone to make a book from them.
Andy ;—)
(another nerd)
P.S.: Archaeologist sounds interesting. Do you actually go on diggings? Where?
I like the net, but I love books. I have a number of books that are crap, others seem rather reliable. But like you I'm far from being an expert and often I just don't know who to trust. This is where I put questions on the board hoping if not for experts to help, then at least for people who know languages I don't have an idea of. And there are plenty of those!
I did study Latin, Greek and Hebrew, I know French and I can read Italian and a bit of Spanish, but that was it (except for German which is my mother tongue). I'm writing weekly articles for a newspaper on given names, trying to tell a bit of the story behind the name. I've done about 130 of those, hoping to find someone to make a book from them.
Andy ;—)
(another nerd)
P.S.: Archaeologist sounds interesting. Do you actually go on diggings? Where?
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