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ArchivesAn anternative origin for Aleydis
Besides the German origin I've also read about an ancient Greek origin for this name. As name etymology is quite complex and sometimes based on guess, this one origin might be valid, I think.
From "Alea" (a Greek goddess previous to the Greek pantheon we all know, that later joined Athina as both goddesses were very similar, becoming Aleas Athina) and "eydos" (meaning "outward appearance, external fashion, form and figure, look".)
Nice meaning, isn't it? :)
I wonder whether this name is common or old-fashioned. And exactly in which countries or regions it is nowadays used.
I know it's used in north-east Spain, in the region called Catalonia. Through Catalonia's Statistic Institute I've found out there are about 5,000 Catalan woman with this name out of 7 million inhabitants.
Any similar information regarding this on other countries?
From "Alea" (a Greek goddess previous to the Greek pantheon we all know, that later joined Athina as both goddesses were very similar, becoming Aleas Athina) and "eydos" (meaning "outward appearance, external fashion, form and figure, look".)
Nice meaning, isn't it? :)
I wonder whether this name is common or old-fashioned. And exactly in which countries or regions it is nowadays used.
I know it's used in north-east Spain, in the region called Catalonia. Through Catalonia's Statistic Institute I've found out there are about 5,000 Catalan woman with this name out of 7 million inhabitants.
Any similar information regarding this on other countries?
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Replies
Do you mean eidos? Eydos would be rendered eudos but eidos means 'that which is seen; form, shape' and you're making a major leap from Alea to Al-. Etymology is never guess-work, not when done properly. It's based on evidence gleaned from records and writing and only when incomplete but all other possibilities have been all but eliminated do you get that 'most probable meaning' bit. Were other pre-Hellenic gods used in personal naming? Was the form of contracting from Alea to Al- usual or documented elsewhere or was Ale- or Alea- the normal pattern? On that sort of evidence you might find some basis for 'form of Alea'...though why on earth the Greeks, given their naming practices, would go for such theological cheek and ambiguity is beyond me.
If you want guesswork from a Greek stance it's rather easy...there's aleiphas ('blotting out, erasure'), Aleias ('flour;), Aleisos ('cup, goblet') and closest and best of all Aleites ('sinner'). But none of these exist as documented personal names, only words and none survived the classical period to lead to a name bestowed today (although a parent learned in Greek could certainly bestow a Greek word as a name today the etymology of the name would then be '21st C. name, English/American, taken from the Greek word aleisos 'cup, goblet' because it doesn't exist as a pattern of naming from Greek times)
Given that you've found it used in Catalan then I'd be looking there - sourcing from Latin/Spanish and Basque. In Latin you have Aleonis ('gambler' Alea in Latin means 'gambling, dice'), Alidus/Aliudus ('other, different'), Alitus ('to nourish; to increase' - great potential that one has) and Altus ('high, deep; profound'). Basque, of course, is an entity unto itself.
The only origin I've ever seen *documented* for Aleydis is Dutch, contracted form of the medieval Adalheidis, from the German Adelaide. That such a name would travel through France to the Basque/Catalan region seems entirely plausible, though a good dig through Basque naming would certainly be an area for research if you're up for such a thing ;o)
Devon
If you want guesswork from a Greek stance it's rather easy...there's aleiphas ('blotting out, erasure'), Aleias ('flour;), Aleisos ('cup, goblet') and closest and best of all Aleites ('sinner'). But none of these exist as documented personal names, only words and none survived the classical period to lead to a name bestowed today (although a parent learned in Greek could certainly bestow a Greek word as a name today the etymology of the name would then be '21st C. name, English/American, taken from the Greek word aleisos 'cup, goblet' because it doesn't exist as a pattern of naming from Greek times)
Given that you've found it used in Catalan then I'd be looking there - sourcing from Latin/Spanish and Basque. In Latin you have Aleonis ('gambler' Alea in Latin means 'gambling, dice'), Alidus/Aliudus ('other, different'), Alitus ('to nourish; to increase' - great potential that one has) and Altus ('high, deep; profound'). Basque, of course, is an entity unto itself.
The only origin I've ever seen *documented* for Aleydis is Dutch, contracted form of the medieval Adalheidis, from the German Adelaide. That such a name would travel through France to the Basque/Catalan region seems entirely plausible, though a good dig through Basque naming would certainly be an area for research if you're up for such a thing ;o)
Devon
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That Greek origin wasn't something my parents made up, I read it in an "etymology of names" book some 8 years ago, and as it was the only source I had found regarding it until few years ago I thought it was right. But maybe this one source was of that kind which use etymology unproperly. ;) Surely you know about this more than I do.
Thanks for the info, really! You've settled my doubts since I've had that double origin thing in my mind for some time and I didn't know which one to believe, although the Greek one was more appealing to me since it was the first one I came across. :P I've been wrong for some few years, thanks for clarifying it to me.
Having that clear, it's only a question of bearing in mind that the Netherlands were very linked to Spain from the XIVth century to the modern era, so maybe here lies the reason why this name is also used in Spain. But again I might be wrong.
Thanks for the info, really! You've settled my doubts since I've had that double origin thing in my mind for some time and I didn't know which one to believe, although the Greek one was more appealing to me since it was the first one I came across. :P I've been wrong for some few years, thanks for clarifying it to me.
Having that clear, it's only a question of bearing in mind that the Netherlands were very linked to Spain from the XIVth century to the modern era, so maybe here lies the reason why this name is also used in Spain. But again I might be wrong.
1
True, the Dutch connection to Spain is another avenue for exploration. Aleydis is one of those names, given it's spread of use, that really warrants a good investigation and it probably will only get it from someone like you investigating all the avenues thoroughly. It may sound daunting but honestly, who more motivated to get to the bottom of it than someone with the name? Greek and Latin dictionaries are there to help and I'm sure there's great resources in Basque around today as well as linguistic communities online that can help. I'd encourage you to delve into it and let us know what you find!
Devon
Devon
1
That Greek origin wasn't something my parents made up, I read it in an "etymology of names" book some 8 years ago, and as it was the only source I had found regarding it until few years ago I thought it was right. But maybe this one source was of that kind which use etymology unproperly. ;) Surely you know about this more than I do.
Thanks for the info, really! You've settled my doubts since I've had that double origin thing in my mind for some time and I didn't know which one to believe, although the Greek one was more appealing to me since it was the first one I came across. :P I've been wrong for some few years, thanks for clarifying it to me.
Having that clear, it's only a question of bearing in mind that the Netherlands were very linked to Spain from the XIVth century to the modern era, so maybe here lies the reason why this name is also used in Spain. But again I might be wrong.
Thanks for the info, really! You've settled my doubts since I've had that double origin thing in my mind for some time and I didn't know which one to believe, although the Greek one was more appealing to me since it was the first one I came across. :P I've been wrong for some few years, thanks for clarifying it to me.
Having that clear, it's only a question of bearing in mind that the Netherlands were very linked to Spain from the XIVth century to the modern era, so maybe here lies the reason why this name is also used in Spain. But again I might be wrong.
1
Hi there! I really like the name Aleydis and was unable to find ANY information on it, even when I did an internet search. There was a character named Aleydis in the book GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING and that's where I heard it. It's interesting to hear that it's common in Spain! I even asked a close friend who was born and raised in Germany but now lives in Austria, and she said she'd never heard of the name. Interesting since it has English/Dutch roots (maybe?). Sorry this wasn't of much help!
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Same here - I read the book and loved that name - in real life a daughter of vermeer was named Aleydis, which made me think maybe it was a Dutch name. All these comments have been very helpful!
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Oh, it was of help. I didn't know there was a character called Aleydis in that book (a friend of mine recommended me that book but she didn't mention this fact). Gotta check it out!
That's an evidende of the Dutch origin of the name, I think. Thanks! ;)
That's an evidende of the Dutch origin of the name, I think. Thanks! ;)
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