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Assume away! I don't know what connection there could be between the meaning of a name and the personality of the bearer; in fact my grandmother always claimed that women named Violet were hefty, corseted, and with loud voices and flat feet!

The people who name their daughters Katharine probably do so because they think it's a stylish, pretty, versatile name, so that would be its meaning for them. (Or, if there's a particular role model like Katharine Hepburn or the lady in the dry-cleaner's shop, the meaning of the name would be their positive thoughts about whoever they knew or knew of that bore it.)

I can't imagine that people would ever name their daughters Cecily if they "believed" that it "meant": blind. Nor do I believe that even the ancient Romans "believed" there was any link between the Caecilii and visual impairment, any more than they would have "believed" that vaginal delivery was impossible among the Julii Caesares. And what about all the supposedly bitter and rebellious people named Mary? Very pleasant women, most of 'em.

• Questions about the meanings of Katherine and Brendan - Miranda  Oct 21 2003, 11:21:22 PM
  • brendan and katherine - Merrimont  Oct 22 2003, 5:03:54 AM
  • Re: Questions about the meanings of Katherine and Brendan - Anneza  Oct 21 2003, 11:58:54 PM
    • So then what would be correct to assume that Katherine *could* mean pure. nm - Willa  Oct 22 2003, 3:45:10 PM
      • I meant: So then ONE would be correct to assume that Katherine *could* mean pure. nm - Willa  Oct 22 2003, 3:46:13 PM
        • Re: I meant: So then ONE would be correct to assume that Katherine *could* mean pure. nm - Anneza  Oct 22 2003, 11:37:22 PM