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I often see people claiming Elizabeth is Hebrew, or Ciel is French. They are not, in fact. Let's see why.
- I think this little test is valid for any language though. -

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Let's take the names: Elizabeth, Abraham, Jehiel, Avraham, Shiloh, Selah, Batya.

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1) Does the name mean something in Hebrew?
Elizabeth, Abraham, Jehiel don't.
Avraham, Shiloh, Selah, Batya do.

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2) If it does, is it a name, or a word, or a title....?
Avraham and Batya are names.
Shiloh is a title, Selah is a word.

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-> Only Avraham and Batya are Hebrew names. The others are either Hebrew *words*, or *derived from Hebrew names*.

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Ciel, for example, means something in French. But it is a word. So it would pass 1) but not 2).

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You could also just ask yourself: Is or was this name used by Hebrew/French speaking people?

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Also check:
Prononcing Hebrew names: http://www.behindthename.com/bb/arcview.php?id=178459&board=gen
Prononcing French names: http://www.behindthename.com/bb/arcview.php?id=199378&board=gen

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~~ Claire ~~