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ArchivesRe: Phyllis = Felicia !?
in reply to a message by asujakin
Phyllis and Felicia have different origins, but they have been confused for centuries.
The common form of Felicia in medieval England was Felis. By the 16th century this was often confused with Phyllis, and there are examples of the same woman being called both Felicia and Phyllis.
Phyllis is a rather minor character in Greek mythology, and the confusion of her name with Felicia/Felice is probably part of why the name Phyllis became regularly used in English speaking countries.
So though the two names had separate origins, part of their etymological history is that they have been used as forms of each other.
A similar confusion has existed between Amelia and Emily; in the 17th and 18th centuries, those two names were often seen as equivalent. The youngest daughter of George III of England was Princess Amelia but was often called Princess Emily during her lifetime.
The common form of Felicia in medieval England was Felis. By the 16th century this was often confused with Phyllis, and there are examples of the same woman being called both Felicia and Phyllis.
Phyllis is a rather minor character in Greek mythology, and the confusion of her name with Felicia/Felice is probably part of why the name Phyllis became regularly used in English speaking countries.
So though the two names had separate origins, part of their etymological history is that they have been used as forms of each other.
A similar confusion has existed between Amelia and Emily; in the 17th and 18th centuries, those two names were often seen as equivalent. The youngest daughter of George III of England was Princess Amelia but was often called Princess Emily during her lifetime.
This message was edited 1/21/2010, 5:50 AM
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