Message: "Senna" - Behind the Name

Senna

by Magia (guest)

10/6/2003, 8:36 AM

A couple, from Jo 'burg, South Africa recently had a baby girl who they named Senna. They have been told it means "music maker" or "moon". Information from the experts, on meaning and origin of Senna, would lovely, as they want to settle this strait.

Thank you guys,
Magia.

#Senna

Replies

- genis (guest) +2

10/6/2003, 7:46 PM

I found a more palatable (I guess the pun is intended) interpretation for you. While senna is a plant used for purgative purposes, it's name is considered New Latin from the Arabic word sana (sorry, I can't reproduce the accent line above the second 'a'). In Arabic, sana means 'radiant'. A more common version of this name can be found right here in the Behind the Name database: Sanya.

Senna is also a plant grown for food, as a coffee substitute and as an ornamental plant. It most likely got its name from the attractive yellow to gold flowers that many members of the Legume family have. You can check out the following link for a picture:

http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/prosea/proseaherbal/docs/akapulko.doc

- genis (guest) +1

10/6/2003, 7:52 PM

Ah... if I had previously read your first counter-post, I would have known that you were already considering the sana definition, but at least I've confirmed it for you. Frankly, it was a definate 'plant-nerd's' search of the internet that I'm not sure I could retrace if I tried.

- Magia (guest)

10/6/2003, 9:36 PM

You were of great help, thanks to you both!!

- Caprice (guest) +1

10/6/2003, 1:19 PM

Senna is (I think, I may be wrong) the same thing as prunes. They are used as a medicine against constipation!

- Magia (guest)

10/6/2003, 1:54 PM

Yes, I read about that on the internet, but I don't want to tell Senna's parents that... lol!! Hopefully, someone knows with certainty if Senna comes from Manx(Shennagh), from Arabic(Sana) or from Celtic (Sunnia or Senna)

Thanks a lot anyway,
Magia.

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