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ArchivesAubrey is really unisex? I mean REALLY???
Oh my, I am so upset! This was part of a reply I got to a message yesterday.
"As someone who studied Norman etymology and onomastics intensely at university, I have to say that Aubrey is legitimately unisex, actually; the feminine name is the Norman form of Albreda ('Al-' becomes 'Au-' and -'eda' becomes '-ey'--think of how we get Audrey from Aetheldreda) and has nothing to do with the masculine name which derives from Alberic. After the Conquest Aubrey was not uncommon among women in England. There are quite a few female Aubreys to be found in the old European dynasties. One might be surprised just how many names are and have been historically unisex. Even the best books and sites perpetuate inaccurate or incomplete information; this includes BtN."
I nearly cried when I read that. Okay, I'll be honest. I DID cry when I read that. Tears welled up really. I was heartbroken. Behind the Name says Aubrey comes from a totally different place, Alberic, and that it is from Germanic elements. It says nothing about Norman etymology. Please help!! I really, REALLY, need to know which of these is correct. I am using the name Aubrey for a project, but cannot use it if it does not truly come from Alberic.
Also, since she said that Aubrey comes from Albreda...um...that name isn't listed here but it sounds like a girls name to me. Is it? And if Aubrey came from Albreda and was used by women wouldn't that make it simply a girls name and not unisex at all?? I'm not very good at this stuff but...I think the tears are welling up again!
Also, what does Albreda mean?
Thank you so much in advance!!!
Melissa
"As someone who studied Norman etymology and onomastics intensely at university, I have to say that Aubrey is legitimately unisex, actually; the feminine name is the Norman form of Albreda ('Al-' becomes 'Au-' and -'eda' becomes '-ey'--think of how we get Audrey from Aetheldreda) and has nothing to do with the masculine name which derives from Alberic. After the Conquest Aubrey was not uncommon among women in England. There are quite a few female Aubreys to be found in the old European dynasties. One might be surprised just how many names are and have been historically unisex. Even the best books and sites perpetuate inaccurate or incomplete information; this includes BtN."
I nearly cried when I read that. Okay, I'll be honest. I DID cry when I read that. Tears welled up really. I was heartbroken. Behind the Name says Aubrey comes from a totally different place, Alberic, and that it is from Germanic elements. It says nothing about Norman etymology. Please help!! I really, REALLY, need to know which of these is correct. I am using the name Aubrey for a project, but cannot use it if it does not truly come from Alberic.
Also, since she said that Aubrey comes from Albreda...um...that name isn't listed here but it sounds like a girls name to me. Is it? And if Aubrey came from Albreda and was used by women wouldn't that make it simply a girls name and not unisex at all?? I'm not very good at this stuff but...I think the tears are welling up again!
Also, what does Albreda mean?
Thank you so much in advance!!!
Melissa
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