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Anyone know the origin/meaning of this name? I encountered it on a high-school student.
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I think it derives from the Latin word "exilia", plural of "exilium", meaning exile.
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Exilia seems to be the Spanish word for "female exile".
However, in Googling almost all the examples were French Canadian or living in New England, where many people have French Canadian ancestry. The similar name Exilda has also been used by French Canadians. I have found some instances where in French Canadian genealogies the same woman is called both Exilda and Exilia, so there's a good chance one of them is an alteration of the other.
The French Canadians of Quebec are well-known for being among the first cultures in the world to actively search out "unusual" names for their children, which they started doing in the mid 19th century. Many of these are the names of obscure saints, while some are from names invented by popular fiction writers. Unfortunately, so far I can't find any reference to a saint named Exilia or Exilda, or to a literary character before recent times with the name. Perhaps some expert on 19th century French Canadian culture could help.
However, in Googling almost all the examples were French Canadian or living in New England, where many people have French Canadian ancestry. The similar name Exilda has also been used by French Canadians. I have found some instances where in French Canadian genealogies the same woman is called both Exilda and Exilia, so there's a good chance one of them is an alteration of the other.
The French Canadians of Quebec are well-known for being among the first cultures in the world to actively search out "unusual" names for their children, which they started doing in the mid 19th century. Many of these are the names of obscure saints, while some are from names invented by popular fiction writers. Unfortunately, so far I can't find any reference to a saint named Exilia or Exilda, or to a literary character before recent times with the name. Perhaps some expert on 19th century French Canadian culture could help.
This message was edited 10/22/2020, 10:00 AM
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Thank you. The bearer herself is African-American, but her surname is very French-looking, so I wouldn’t be surprised if her ancestors lived in French Canadia at some point.
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