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(I'm going to continue the email conversation between Pavlos and myself here, so he can share his extensive knowledge of Greek names with the rest of you :) )
Katherine ~
Is there any evidence that Saint Aikaterine's name is related to the older Greek name Hekaterine?
Incidentally, I could not find any reference to the name Hekaterine in the ancient Greek world, though I did find similar names which are presumably derivatives of Hekate. For example, the masculine name Hekatodoros "gift of Hekate" was common. Could Hekaterine be a similar derivative? Maybe in combination with *erineos* "fig tree"?
Cassandra ~
You suggest that it comes from *kekasmai* meaning "to shine" (unfortunately the online Liddell-Scott does not list this word). Do you mean that this is the first part of the name, with *andros* "of a man" forming the end?
Herod ~
From Herodes. You suggest derivation from *hero*. Would it not more likely be from *hero* (or even Hera??) + *oide* "song, ode"?
Thanks for clearing up the Helen mystery for me! The three names listed above are the last that I have questions on.
Katherine ~
Is there any evidence that Saint Aikaterine's name is related to the older Greek name Hekaterine?
Incidentally, I could not find any reference to the name Hekaterine in the ancient Greek world, though I did find similar names which are presumably derivatives of Hekate. For example, the masculine name Hekatodoros "gift of Hekate" was common. Could Hekaterine be a similar derivative? Maybe in combination with *erineos* "fig tree"?
Cassandra ~
You suggest that it comes from *kekasmai* meaning "to shine" (unfortunately the online Liddell-Scott does not list this word). Do you mean that this is the first part of the name, with *andros* "of a man" forming the end?
Herod ~
From Herodes. You suggest derivation from *hero*. Would it not more likely be from *hero* (or even Hera??) + *oide* "song, ode"?
Thanks for clearing up the Helen mystery for me! The three names listed above are the last that I have questions on.
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Replies
>Is there any evidence that Saint Aikaterine's name is related to the older Greek name Hekaterine?
The Aikaterine - Hekaterine connection is suggested by Professor George Bambiniotis (Dean of the Panteion Athens University)in his recently published Lexicon. I have no reason to doubt this explanation. Will try to unearth more evidence on the connection. My hunch is that Aikaterine changes her name from Hekaterine upon conversion to Christianity to avoid the pagan implications of her name. This was a common praqctice of Christian neophytes.
>Could Hekaterine be a similar derivative? Maybe in combination with *erineos* "fig tree"?
I sincerely doubt it.
>Cassandra. You suggest that it comes from *kekasmai* meaning "to shine" (unfortunately the online Liddell-Scott does not list this word). Do you mean that this is the first part of the name, with *andros* "of a man" forming the end?
I suggest that the name would mean some variation of "shine upon mankind". Liddell-Scott define "kasandra" as "gloss", which is somewhat compatible to my suggestion.
>Herod ~ From Herodes. You suggest derivation from *hero*. Would it not more likely be from *hero* (or even Hera??) + *oide* "song, ode"?
Yep, its most likely derived from "hero" + "ode" ("ode" itself is derived from a oide"). BTW, Liddell-Scott suggest a connection between "Hera" and "Hero".
The Aikaterine - Hekaterine connection is suggested by Professor George Bambiniotis (Dean of the Panteion Athens University)in his recently published Lexicon. I have no reason to doubt this explanation. Will try to unearth more evidence on the connection. My hunch is that Aikaterine changes her name from Hekaterine upon conversion to Christianity to avoid the pagan implications of her name. This was a common praqctice of Christian neophytes.
>Could Hekaterine be a similar derivative? Maybe in combination with *erineos* "fig tree"?
I sincerely doubt it.
>Cassandra. You suggest that it comes from *kekasmai* meaning "to shine" (unfortunately the online Liddell-Scott does not list this word). Do you mean that this is the first part of the name, with *andros* "of a man" forming the end?
I suggest that the name would mean some variation of "shine upon mankind". Liddell-Scott define "kasandra" as "gloss", which is somewhat compatible to my suggestion.
>Herod ~ From Herodes. You suggest derivation from *hero*. Would it not more likely be from *hero* (or even Hera??) + *oide* "song, ode"?
Yep, its most likely derived from "hero" + "ode" ("ode" itself is derived from a oide"). BTW, Liddell-Scott suggest a connection between "Hera" and "Hero".
1
Thanks!
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