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ArchivesRe: ***ADVICE FOR A NOVEL: Does origin matter?***
in reply to a message by Sylvia
Finding an off-line source specializing in German first names might be a bit difficult and somewhat expensive. However, I have a B.A. in German and can, hopefully, help...
Adriane is initially of Greek origin, an adaptation of Ariadne. Many names which are now considered *German* are not Germanic in origin, but simply names which have recently been popularized in German speaking countries. The trend in Germany toward foreign names (Adriane, for example) is very current. In all likelihood, your character would bear a traditional Germanic-Norse name, such as Adele, Maria, Liese, Klara, Heike, Ilse, Annike, or Marit. Even translations of Latin names would have been more common, such as Aurelie, as the Romans had a far more profound influence in Germany than the Greeks.
Adriane is initially of Greek origin, an adaptation of Ariadne. Many names which are now considered *German* are not Germanic in origin, but simply names which have recently been popularized in German speaking countries. The trend in Germany toward foreign names (Adriane, for example) is very current. In all likelihood, your character would bear a traditional Germanic-Norse name, such as Adele, Maria, Liese, Klara, Heike, Ilse, Annike, or Marit. Even translations of Latin names would have been more common, such as Aurelie, as the Romans had a far more profound influence in Germany than the Greeks.
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