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in reply to a message by mermaidwriter1000
Africa is really, really big. Which part of it does Ayanna come from? (Hint: I've never encountered it down on the southern tip.)
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This name is from Ethiopia, but I have not been able to find out which language it is from for sure.
It was introduced into the African-American community by a book of African names published in 1970 where it was said to be "East African" and to mean "beautiful flower." I have no idea whether or not that meaning is really correct. However, through Googling it is obvious the name is in use in Ethiopia, though it is usually spelled Ayana, (but occasionally Ayanna) there and almost always seems to be a male name.
Here are some examples of Ethiopians named Ayana:
http://www.ethiopic.com/Ayana_Birru.htm
http://www.developingtelecoms.com/content/view/302/59/
The "beautiful flower" meaning turns up again and again, but I am reluctant to accept it without confirmation from someone who knows Ethiopian languages precisely because the name is normally male, not female, back in Ethiopia itself.
It was introduced into the African-American community by a book of African names published in 1970 where it was said to be "East African" and to mean "beautiful flower." I have no idea whether or not that meaning is really correct. However, through Googling it is obvious the name is in use in Ethiopia, though it is usually spelled Ayana, (but occasionally Ayanna) there and almost always seems to be a male name.
Here are some examples of Ethiopians named Ayana:
http://www.ethiopic.com/Ayana_Birru.htm
http://www.developingtelecoms.com/content/view/302/59/
The "beautiful flower" meaning turns up again and again, but I am reluctant to accept it without confirmation from someone who knows Ethiopian languages precisely because the name is normally male, not female, back in Ethiopia itself.
This message was edited 3/23/2009, 5:55 AM
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