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ArchivesRe: Leana
in reply to a message by Elena
Is there an Ian in the book that this woman could be said to be "serving"? Perhaps the author isn't being literal but is making a reference to the character Leana's relationship with the character Ian.
Actually this could make some sort of sense if Leana is actually a shortened form of her full name. Many Gaelic surnames starting with Gill- go back to forms that meant "servant of" some saint or religious figure. Gilchrist was "servant of Christ" and Gilfillan "servant of St. Faolan", for example. I have sometimes seen Gillian (with a hard "g" sound) explained as a Scottish male name meaning "servant of St. John". So perhaps the author is implying that the character Leana's full name is something like Gilleana or Gilliana.
Actually this could make some sort of sense if Leana is actually a shortened form of her full name. Many Gaelic surnames starting with Gill- go back to forms that meant "servant of" some saint or religious figure. Gilchrist was "servant of Christ" and Gilfillan "servant of St. Faolan", for example. I have sometimes seen Gillian (with a hard "g" sound) explained as a Scottish male name meaning "servant of St. John". So perhaps the author is implying that the character Leana's full name is something like Gilleana or Gilliana.
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