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ArchivesRe: A lot of names mean lion or wolf, why is that?
in reply to a message by Dragoncat
We are more accustomed to European and Middle Eastern names (and there were lion in southern Europe in historical times) than to Central and East Asian and indigenous American names. So, lions and wolves would be prominent for their size, strength and ferocity and their names would be familiar in our naming systems, whereas, say, Indian names related to 'tiger' would not.
Lions are, amusingly, the national animal of England, the Netherlands, Norway and Singapore; also some African countries, which makes more sense. Clearly, their reputation was important; also for boy children, giving them something important to live up to. And lions are not pack animals in the same way as wolves, so their names could signal a wish for a child to grow up able to look after himself; same with birds of prey, which hunt alone. Fox names might signal a wish for intelligence in fighting, rather than brute strength.
Lions are, amusingly, the national animal of England, the Netherlands, Norway and Singapore; also some African countries, which makes more sense. Clearly, their reputation was important; also for boy children, giving them something important to live up to. And lions are not pack animals in the same way as wolves, so their names could signal a wish for a child to grow up able to look after himself; same with birds of prey, which hunt alone. Fox names might signal a wish for intelligence in fighting, rather than brute strength.
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Lions and wolves (and bears don't forget) are prominent in Indo-European names because they are totems symbolizing military prowess - necessary when every able-bodied person was expected to fight and could expect conflict. The Boar, hound, hawk, eagle and raven are the main other animals found as European name elements in the martial class, but the mythic dragon and giant (long man) round out the "totems". Various words for horse and camel are also popular in different regions, and while there are martial aspects, swiftness and wealth are also connotations driving their popularity. Swan also appears but this my be a misinterpretation of "swain".
Tigers are not pack animals, but lions do have a family unit which hunts as a team. I wouldn't read too much into these names - the lion bear wolf and boar are powerful, dangerous, and known to be capable of attack.
Tigers are not pack animals, but lions do have a family unit which hunts as a team. I wouldn't read too much into these names - the lion bear wolf and boar are powerful, dangerous, and known to be capable of attack.
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