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HelpRe: Jewish Names [edited]
in reply to a message by LMS
If you have Hebrew-speaking people in your background, then they were also Jewish. You don't have to *be* Jewish to have a Jewish background. My grandfather was raised as a Jew, and I'm proud of my Jewish heritage, but that doesn't mean I'm Jewish myself. Either way, saying "I have a Hebrew background" is fundamentally incorrect - you can't have a language as a background unless the language is also the name of the culture, which Hebrew is not.
Regarding Liam, what it boils down to is that it just isn't a Hebrew name at all, male or female. It's a shortening of William, and that's all.
Adding: The 'I have a people' meaning is what's known as a "reverse etymology" - it's a possible etymology thought up at a later date, for some reason. While the Hebrew etymology works in theory, it's still definitely not the correct etymology for the name Liam.
:-)
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
Regarding Liam, what it boils down to is that it just isn't a Hebrew name at all, male or female. It's a shortening of William, and that's all.
Adding: The 'I have a people' meaning is what's known as a "reverse etymology" - it's a possible etymology thought up at a later date, for some reason. While the Hebrew etymology works in theory, it's still definitely not the correct etymology for the name Liam.
:-)
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
This message was edited 9/6/2006, 11:10 PM
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
No, we are not jewish, religion wise or culturally. The people in my family that speak Hebrew are actually Christian Germans and Irishmen. They just spoke as part of the Christian religion. I know, it is all very complicated.
I know Liam isn't a name in the Jewish/Hebrew sense, I was just stating what the people who did think it was a name used as their reason. I agree that someone can't just make up a meaning to make a name sound legit.
I know Liam isn't a name in the Jewish/Hebrew sense, I was just stating what the people who did think it was a name used as their reason. I agree that someone can't just make up a meaning to make a name sound legit.
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