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ArchivesRe: Origin of my daughter's name
in reply to a message by SEan Smith
It started out as a Latin adjective - orabilis - which means Able to be Prayed To, in other words, Responsive to Entreaties!
You will recognise the ora- segment, as it also features in words like orator and oration, and oratory, which is a small, private room for praying in. And the -bilis segment is just our Able.
Ora- became Ara- quite comfortably; the change doesn't mean anything; it just happened because people came to find it a simpler and more pleasant pronunciation. And the -la at the end is optional - you can also name girls Arabel - but it makes it look more feminine to some folks and makes possible nickname forms like Bella or Ella.
Nice name - she's a lucky girl.
You will recognise the ora- segment, as it also features in words like orator and oration, and oratory, which is a small, private room for praying in. And the -bilis segment is just our Able.
Ora- became Ara- quite comfortably; the change doesn't mean anything; it just happened because people came to find it a simpler and more pleasant pronunciation. And the -la at the end is optional - you can also name girls Arabel - but it makes it look more feminine to some folks and makes possible nickname forms like Bella or Ella.
Nice name - she's a lucky girl.
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