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ArchivesA lot of names mean lion or wolf, why is that?
Just something I thought would be fun to discuss. If you look at the feline themed names, most of them are lion based. If you look at the canine themed names, most of them are wolf based. My theory is that ancient people didn't have words for tigers or coyotes or other species of wild canine or feline, they were all "lions" or "wolves". Seems like the lion names come from Africa and the Middle East, whereas wolf names come from Europe mostly so it's also possible they were just naming kids after the apex predator of their area. There are also a good amount of fox names, some European, probably a lot of Asian ones because of foxes in their mythology.
Shoutout to many bird based names being eagle or raven based, ancient people respected and feared these more than other birds it seems.
Also, I did google this question and nothing helpful came up.
Shoutout to many bird based names being eagle or raven based, ancient people respected and feared these more than other birds it seems.
Also, I did google this question and nothing helpful came up.
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Replies
Probably just a fascination with the animal.
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We are more accustomed to European and Middle Eastern names (and there were lion in southern Europe in historical times) than to Central and East Asian and indigenous American names. So, lions and wolves would be prominent for their size, strength and ferocity and their names would be familiar in our naming systems, whereas, say, Indian names related to 'tiger' would not.
Lions are, amusingly, the national animal of England, the Netherlands, Norway and Singapore; also some African countries, which makes more sense. Clearly, their reputation was important; also for boy children, giving them something important to live up to. And lions are not pack animals in the same way as wolves, so their names could signal a wish for a child to grow up able to look after himself; same with birds of prey, which hunt alone. Fox names might signal a wish for intelligence in fighting, rather than brute strength.
Lions are, amusingly, the national animal of England, the Netherlands, Norway and Singapore; also some African countries, which makes more sense. Clearly, their reputation was important; also for boy children, giving them something important to live up to. And lions are not pack animals in the same way as wolves, so their names could signal a wish for a child to grow up able to look after himself; same with birds of prey, which hunt alone. Fox names might signal a wish for intelligence in fighting, rather than brute strength.
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Lions and wolves (and bears don't forget) are prominent in Indo-European names because they are totems symbolizing military prowess - necessary when every able-bodied person was expected to fight and could expect conflict. The Boar, hound, hawk, eagle and raven are the main other animals found as European name elements in the martial class, but the mythic dragon and giant (long man) round out the "totems". Various words for horse and camel are also popular in different regions, and while there are martial aspects, swiftness and wealth are also connotations driving their popularity. Swan also appears but this my be a misinterpretation of "swain".
Tigers are not pack animals, but lions do have a family unit which hunts as a team. I wouldn't read too much into these names - the lion bear wolf and boar are powerful, dangerous, and known to be capable of attack.
Tigers are not pack animals, but lions do have a family unit which hunts as a team. I wouldn't read too much into these names - the lion bear wolf and boar are powerful, dangerous, and known to be capable of attack.
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