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ArchivesRe: meaning of name (Nanaea?)
in reply to a message by Daividh
"Gaius" was perhaps the most common of the ancient Roman praenomens -- probably equivalent to the name "John" in English-speaking countries. I'm not certain what it means, either. Some scholars have said that the name derives from a masculine form of "Gaia", the goddess of earth and mother of the gods.
The names "Gaius" and "Gaia" were of special significance in ancient Roman wedding ceremonies. Immediately following the wedding ceremony, the bridegroom would bring his bride to their home. After the bride had been ceremoniously lifted over the threshold, the bridegroom would then present her with a cup of water and a glowing firebrand, tokens that she was now the "lady of the house" and entitled to the protection of the family gods. The bride would graciously accept these from her husband, and then in a clear voice that all witnesses could hear, announce: "Ubi tu Gaius, ego Gaia", which means: "Where thou art Gaius, I am Gaia."
-- Nanaea
The names "Gaius" and "Gaia" were of special significance in ancient Roman wedding ceremonies. Immediately following the wedding ceremony, the bridegroom would bring his bride to their home. After the bride had been ceremoniously lifted over the threshold, the bridegroom would then present her with a cup of water and a glowing firebrand, tokens that she was now the "lady of the house" and entitled to the protection of the family gods. The bride would graciously accept these from her husband, and then in a clear voice that all witnesses could hear, announce: "Ubi tu Gaius, ego Gaia", which means: "Where thou art Gaius, I am Gaia."
-- Nanaea
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