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I heard a story on the radio today where they mentioned a social scientist named Viana. Since it was the radio, I don't know the correct spelling, but from a few quick searches, this is my best guess. The name was pronounced vee-AH-nah.
There is no entry on BtN for this name (as far as I can tell) other than a user-submitted name which only says its Brazilian. Does anyone know if Viana is the common spelling? I'd be interested in other information, like the meaning and origin too. Thanks!
There is no entry on BtN for this name (as far as I can tell) other than a user-submitted name which only says its Brazilian. Does anyone know if Viana is the common spelling? I'd be interested in other information, like the meaning and origin too. Thanks!
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I was able to find this: "Portuguese, Galician, and Spanish: habitational name from any of the places in Spain and Portugal called Viana."
source: www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=viana
In which case, what does the place name mean? I found Wikipedia pages for the places http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viana ...but I cannot locate any meaning or etymology for the place names, unless it stems from what I found below.
I don't know how accurate this is, but according to this baby name site, Viana means 'alive' and comes from Latin. If this is true, then perhaps it is a form or contraction of Viviana? Even a short form/nick name? Since 'viana' is the 'second part' of the name.
http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/meaning_of_Viana.html
source: www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=viana
In which case, what does the place name mean? I found Wikipedia pages for the places http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viana ...but I cannot locate any meaning or etymology for the place names, unless it stems from what I found below.
I don't know how accurate this is, but according to this baby name site, Viana means 'alive' and comes from Latin. If this is true, then perhaps it is a form or contraction of Viviana? Even a short form/nick name? Since 'viana' is the 'second part' of the name.
http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/meaning_of_Viana.html
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Viana is definitely a Portuguese surname, derived from the place name (Viana do Castelo being the major city with that name). I've definitely never heard of it as a first name.
I suppose Viviana (which is a somewhat modern name, Bebiana being the traditional form) could be shortened to Viana, but it sounds counterintuitive: imagine calling a Maximilian, Milian. The associations with the place are just too strong.
Nevertheless I doubt very much the woman in question was Brazilian or Portuguese, since it would be very unlikely for a person (especially a scientist) to go by a nickname in a professional context.
I suppose Viviana (which is a somewhat modern name, Bebiana being the traditional form) could be shortened to Viana, but it sounds counterintuitive: imagine calling a Maximilian, Milian. The associations with the place are just too strong.
Nevertheless I doubt very much the woman in question was Brazilian or Portuguese, since it would be very unlikely for a person (especially a scientist) to go by a nickname in a professional context.
This message was edited 2/5/2014, 10:30 AM
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Thanks for the info. I just went back and looked through a transcript of the radio show and it turns out the woman's name is Viviana after all. I'm not sure if I misheard or if they called her Viana (I agree that seems like kind of a backward nickname and unlikely to use in a formal setting). Either way, I appreciate your comments. Viana caught my attention because I thought it sounded pretty, but the fact that its not used as a first name (and as my hubby pointed out, it reminds him of Rihanna) makes it lose its appeal for me. Thanks!
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