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ArchivesThanks, Pavlos! Very elucidating! Andy ;—)
in reply to a message by Pavlos
So it's basicly like in central Europe. The renaissance part seems interesting: What are the classical names that have come into use again? You are talking about "beautiful" names wiped out by the Orthodox Church - what would be the criteria of "beauty" today? I looked through some classical names and wondered if Laystrogyne, Klytaimestra, Hypsipyle, Asklaphos, Apsyrtos, Terpsichore, Thaltybios or Elephantine would be chosen by Greek parents today. I would think that taste has changed over 2000 years. (btw I can't find Socrates, Eros or Aphrodite in any of my saints books - is this because they are Orthodox?)
And one more question: Is there a Greek name meaning "happiness" or something alike, that was borne by a saint? I know there is "hedone" and "chairo(n)" even as a name. There is also Laetitia, but this is Latin.
Thanks in advance!
Andy ;—)
And one more question: Is there a Greek name meaning "happiness" or something alike, that was borne by a saint? I know there is "hedone" and "chairo(n)" even as a name. There is also Laetitia, but this is Latin.
Thanks in advance!
Andy ;—)
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Replies
Ah, beauty is in the eye and ear of the beholder. What I would personally consider "beautiful" is a name with an etymology that features interesting and concepts and symbolism. Of the names you mention, I have only seen Terpsichore in use today. It might sound as quite a mouthful, but it encompasses interesting concepts (terpsis = pleasure and Choros = dance or chorus). I actually have an aunt Terspi :) Of course I cannot imagine anybody naming their kids names such as Elephantine and Hermaphroditos -- unless they are sadists or wacky eccentric Greek versions of Frank Zappa, who named his kids Dweezol and Moon Unit. Here are some orthodox saints with "pagan" names, and their respective name days:
Xenophon, Jan.26
Hermes, March 8
Lydia, March 27
Pericles, April 10
Socrates, April 19
Achilles, April 24
Jason, April 29
Isidoros, May 14
Apollo, June 6
Alexander, August 8
Aristeidis, September 14
Zenon, September 24
Socrates, Ocrober 21
Nestor, October 27
Orestes, November 10
Plato, November 18
As far a a Greek name meaning happiness born by a Saint, we have Eutychios (celebrated on April 8) and its female version Eutychia. The name literally means "good luck" although its metaphorically is synomymous to happiness :) Another case is Charikleia (which is usually shortened to Chara (happiness) celebrated on September 1. But the ultimate name you are looking for is Charalampos (he who shines "lampein" from happiness "chara") who is celebrated on February 10.
Xenophon, Jan.26
Hermes, March 8
Lydia, March 27
Pericles, April 10
Socrates, April 19
Achilles, April 24
Jason, April 29
Isidoros, May 14
Apollo, June 6
Alexander, August 8
Aristeidis, September 14
Zenon, September 24
Socrates, Ocrober 21
Nestor, October 27
Orestes, November 10
Plato, November 18
As far a a Greek name meaning happiness born by a Saint, we have Eutychios (celebrated on April 8) and its female version Eutychia. The name literally means "good luck" although its metaphorically is synomymous to happiness :) Another case is Charikleia (which is usually shortened to Chara (happiness) celebrated on September 1. But the ultimate name you are looking for is Charalampos (he who shines "lampein" from happiness "chara") who is celebrated on February 10.
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Interesting, indeed! Must confess myself bemused at the thought of the blessed St Aphrodite ...
And thanks for the Eutychios info! A friend of mine (Dimitra) is married to Eftychios Eftychis, or maybe it's Eftychis Eftychios; I find him quite pleasant, though he rather resembles Prof. Snape in the HP movies, but not quite up for a double happiness name award.
Dimi has never forgiven him for insisting on naming their second son Creon, for family reasons. Not the kind of myth she cares to perpetuate!
And thanks for the Eutychios info! A friend of mine (Dimitra) is married to Eftychios Eftychis, or maybe it's Eftychis Eftychios; I find him quite pleasant, though he rather resembles Prof. Snape in the HP movies, but not quite up for a double happiness name award.
Dimi has never forgiven him for insisting on naming their second son Creon, for family reasons. Not the kind of myth she cares to perpetuate!
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PS
Some of the "pagan" names with no Christian saints associated I have seen inceasingly used include:
Agamemnon, Adonis, Agis, Alkaios, Alcestis, Alkinoos, Alcmene, Androkles, Arete, Artemis, Aristotle, Galateia, Damon, Daphne, Hector, Helle, Euridice, Euripides, Hebe, Electra, Hera, Hero, Themis, Thetis, Ierocles, Iole, Iris, Ismene, Kassandra, Kimon, Kleanthes, Korinna, Kriton, Kybele, Leda, Leto, Lykourgos, Lysandros, Megakles, Menelaos, Minos, Nausika, Nephele, Niobe, Odysseus, Orpheus, Persephone, Ploutarchos, Rhea, Telemachos, Phaedon, Philarete, Phoebus, Phoebe, Phrixos (name of my late parrot!),
Some of the "pagan" names with no Christian saints associated I have seen inceasingly used include:
Agamemnon, Adonis, Agis, Alkaios, Alcestis, Alkinoos, Alcmene, Androkles, Arete, Artemis, Aristotle, Galateia, Damon, Daphne, Hector, Helle, Euridice, Euripides, Hebe, Electra, Hera, Hero, Themis, Thetis, Ierocles, Iole, Iris, Ismene, Kassandra, Kimon, Kleanthes, Korinna, Kriton, Kybele, Leda, Leto, Lykourgos, Lysandros, Megakles, Menelaos, Minos, Nausika, Nephele, Niobe, Odysseus, Orpheus, Persephone, Ploutarchos, Rhea, Telemachos, Phaedon, Philarete, Phoebus, Phoebe, Phrixos (name of my late parrot!),
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Thanks so much, Pavlos! Andy ;—)
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