Natalie

From the French form of the Late Latin saint's name Natalia, from nātālis (diēs) (“birthday [of Christ], Christmas”). Doublet of Natalya.

[…] often I have listened to my dear brother, as he told me the pretty story of the sad gentleman whom he met, when I was but an infant, and how he spoke to me so tenderly, and sighed for his own Natalie. I had no other name then but Sea-flower, and I have been called by that name ever since; yet after that day, my Christian name was Natalie.

1860, Emma V. Hallett, Natalie: A Gem Among the Sea-weeds, W. F. Draper, published 1860, page 264:

I was ashamed of my very name, Natalie. Nobody else in town had the name Natalie. I wanted to have a name like Frances or Elizabeth, as two of the most popular little girls were named. When old ladies at church would say to me kindly enough,"What's your name, little girl?" I would answer "Natalie," and they would say, "Madaline, Mattie, what did you say?"

1964, Natalie Robinson Cole, The Arts in the Classroom, The John Day Company, page 129:

ELSTON. Natalie is a beautiful name.
NATALIE. Well, yes. It is. Thank you.
ELSTON. A real spy name. My wife Natasha has a spy name and I'm forever telling her […]

1998, Phyllis Nagy, Plays 1, Methuen Drama, →ISBN, page 133:


Ginevra

From Italian Ginevra. Doublet of Jennifer.

A female given name from Italian, variant of Guinevere


Nichole

A female given name from Ancient Greek, a less common spelling of Nicole.


Ephraim

From Hebrew אֶפְרַיִם (Efráyim, “Ephraim”, literally “fruitful”), via Latin.


Leonid

Borrowed from Russian Леони́д (Leoníd) or Ukrainian Леоні́д (Leoníd), from Ancient Greek Λεωνίδας (Leōnídas). Cognate with the English historical name Leonidas.

A male given name, a transliteration of a common East Slavic name (notably that of the first two Ukrainian presidents, Leonid Kravchuk and Leonid Kuchma, as well as Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev).


marae

Borrowed from Maori marae and Tahitian marae, from Proto-Oceanic *malaqe.

The path ended down by the sea at a crumbling ‘ingot’ of black coral, twenty yards in length & in height two men. ‘A marae, this is called,’ Mr Wagstaff informed me. ‘All over the South Seas you see ’em, I’m told.’

2004, David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, London: Hodder and Stoughton, →ISBN:

(archaic) a Polynesian sacred altar or enclosure

The courtyard of a Maori wharenui or meeting-house and the buildings around it.


Danielle

Borrowed from French Danielle, the feminine form of Daniel.

A female given name from Hebrew, masculine equivalent Daniel.


Isis

Learned borrowing from Latin Īsis from Ancient Greek Ἶσις (Îsis), from Egyptian st-t:H8-B1 (ꜣst).

Isis had crawled under the center table with its red plush cover with little round balls for fringe.

1924, Zora Neale Hurston, Drenched in Light:

'Beloved Isis,' Elias grinned, 'would you kindly cast some light into the poor occluded mind of our brother here on the matter of the co-essential nature of the body and the soul?'

(uncommon) A female given name from Egyptian or Ancient Greek


Nina

Borrowed into English in the nineteenth century, apparently from several sources. Many borrowings are of Russian Ни́на (Nína), the name of a Georgian fourth-century saint, also known as Nino, of obscure origin and meaning, possibly connected with the Assyrian king Ninus. Others are of an Italian short form of diminutives like Annina from Anna and Giovannina from Giovanna.
Phonologically or orthographically similar names are present in several languages, including Afrikaans, Hindi, Italian, Persian, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and some Native American languages. In many of those, it is a nickname for names ending in -ina or -nina.
(hidden message in crossword): After Nina Hirschfeld, daughter of American caricaturist Al Hirschfeld; her name was often concealed in his drawings.

The first three, Macklin, Lydia, and Randall, were the special ones. Even those names, we thought, showed greater imagination, greater involvement on our parents' part, than ours did: Nina, Mary, Sarah. Clearly by that time they had run out of gas.
"Nina. Such a pretty, old-fashioned name. I hope you don't mind my saying that." "No; I'm glad you think so."

1990, Sue Miller, Family Pictures, Harper & Row, →ISBN, pages 5, 25:

A female given name in continuous use since the 19th century.


cognomen

en-noun

cognomen (plural cognomens or cognomina)

From Latin cognōmen, from con- (“with”) + nōmen (“name; family name”).

af

Julius Caesar's actual name was Gaius Iulius Caesar. Gaius was his praenomen or forename, Iulius his nomen or surname, and Caesar his cognomen, denoting which part of the Iulius family he belonged to.

Roman tradition suggests that he might also have had the cognomen Octavian to indicate his biological family.

2007, David Potter, chapter 1, in The Emperors of Rome, page 36:

"Five hundred years or more afterwards, the family migrated to Rome under circumstances of which no trace remains, and here, probably with the idea of preserving the idea of vengeance which we find set out in the name of Tisisthenes, they appear to have pretty regularly assumed the cognomen of Vindex, or Avenger."

1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:

(historical) A personal epithet or clan name added to the given name and family name of Ancient Romans.

Cognomen

the third part of the name of a citizen of ancient Rome

In this by-place of nature, there abode, in a remote period of American history, that is to say, some thirty years since, a worthy wight of the name of Ichabod Crane; who sojourned, or, as he expressed it, "tarried," in Sleepy Hollow[…]. The cognomen of Crane was not inapplicable to his person.

1820, Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, published 1864:

Her husband was evidently a sensible man, and he might have given his wife a little more sense than she could have derived from her downright father and her silly mother-in-law, who were really as great a pair of noodles as ever were exhibited in the pages of a modern novel, under the cognomen of "amiable rustics."

1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XVIII, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 237:

(literary or humorous) Synonym of nickname, any epithet used similar to the Roman cognomina.

What's in a name? Well, to the Dragons, it would seem rather a lot, as they've tonight committed their cash to personalised products and to the man with the most famous cognomen in confectionery. I'll leave you to look that one up.

2018 December 23, Dragons' Den, spoken by Evan Davis:

(literary or humorous, uncommon) Synonym of surname, a family name.


Niall

Borrowed from Irish Niall or Scottish Gaelic Niall, ultimately from Old Irish Níall, of uncertain original meaning. Suggestions include nél (“cloud”) and niadh (“champion”), which is from Proto-Indo-European *h₃neyd- (“to revile”). Doublet of Neil.

der

A male given name from Irish or Scottish Gaelic used in Ireland and Scotland since the Middle Ages.


Johannes

/dʒəʊˈhænɪs/

From Late Latin Iōhannēs, variant of Latin Iōannēs, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), from Biblical Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (Yôḥānān).

יוֹחָנָן יוחנן#Hebrew

A male given name from Late Latin Iōhannēs [in turn from Koine Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), in turn from Biblical Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (Yôḥānān, “God is gracious”)], variant of John or Jon.


Wisconsinite

My brother is a Wisconsinite; I'm Floridian.

For the two Wisconsinites, it was the type of victory that might be appreciated in these parts, an intense struggle that was defined by inelegant offense and whose most memorable moment came when players on both teams flopped to the floor after a loose ball like Packers linebackers diving on a fumble.

2022 March 20, Billy Witz, “Badgers’ Home-State Plans Become Celebration for Opposing Wisconsinites”, in The New York Times:

“We look forward to offering every Wisconsinite the opportunity to vote for people, planet and peace over profit,” Dave Schwab, the secretary of the Wisconsin Green Party, said in a statement.

2024 September 2, Alyce McFadden and Reid J. Epstein, “Green Party Eligible for the Ballot in Wisconsin”, in The New York Times:

United States of America
United States of America

A native or resident of the state of Wisconsin in the United States of America.


Forbes

A unisex given name from Scottish Gaelic.


time immemorial

en-noun

time immemorial (usually uncountable, plural times immemorial)

from time immemorial

My home is in the North of Palestine on the other side of Jordan, beyond the Sea of Galilee. My family has dwelt there from time immemorial, but they always loved this city, and have a legend that they dwelt occasionally within its walls, even in the days when Titus from that hill looked down upon the temple.

1870, B[enjamin] Disraeli, chapter XVII, in Lothair. […], volume III, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., →OCLC, pages 177–178:

The tower had been consecrated to this ancient diversion from time immemorial, the western façade conveniently forming the boundary of the churchyard at that end, where the ground was trodden hard and bare as a pavement by the players.

1874, Thomas Hardy, Far from the Madding Crowd. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Smith, Elder & Co., […], →OCLC:

She had worn from time immemorial an old blue satin dress, and a white crape shawl embroidered in colors; […]

1875 January–December, Henry James, Jr., Roderick Hudson, Boston, Mass.: James R[ipley] Osgood and Company, late Ticknor & Fields, and Fields, Osgood, & Co., published 1876, →OCLC; republished as Roderick Hudson (EBook #176), U.S.A.: Project Gutenberg, 18 September 2016:

In every Circular or Polygonal household it has been a habit from time immemorial[…]that the mothers and daughters should constantly keep their eyes and mouths towards their husband and his male friends; and for a lady in a family of distinction to turn her back upon her husband would be regarded as a kind of portent, involving loss of status.

1884, A Square [pseudonym; Edwin A. Abbott], Flatland […] , London: Seeley & Co., Part I: This World, § 4.— Concerning the Women:

The Communists have no need to introduce community of women; it has existed almost from time immemorial.

1888 [1848], Samuel Moore, transl., edited by Friedrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto, translation of Das Kommunistische Manifest by Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels:

This is a great tract of a hundred thousand acres, which from time immemorial has been a hunting preserve of the nobility.

1905, Upton Sinclair, The Jungle, New York, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 26 February 1906, →OCLC:

That there is and from time immemorial has been within that part of the parish called Mablethorpe St. Mary's a laudable custom that, if any outdweller take ancient pasture ground, he shall pay a modus of 4d. an acre, and so in proportion, on the 1st of August, in lieu of all manner of tithe; and that if any of the ancient pasture be once ploughed up or meadowed, it shall, when restored to pasture again, pay 4d. the acre in the hands of such outdweller.

1917, The English Reports: Exchequer, page 789:

This thing is a "pyramid" since time immemorial, shit goes downhill, money goes up: it's that simple.

2002 September 15, David Chase, “For All Debts Public and Private”, in The Sopranos, season 4, episode 1, spoken by Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini):

(countable, uncountable) Time that extends beyond memory or record.

time that extends beyond memory or record

有史以前 (yǒushǐ yǐqián, literally “before history”)

(UK law, uncountable) Time before 6 July 1189.


Pavlova

Borrowed from Russian Па́влова (Pávlova), feminine form of Па́влов (Pávlov).

A female surname from Russian, masculine equivalent Pavlov.


Derrick

A male given name from the Germanic languages, variant of Derek.


Maureen

Anglicized from Irish Máirín, diminutive of Máire, an Irish equivalent of Mary. By surface analysis, Maura + -een.

I am Maureen because Uncle Louis liked the film star Maureen O'Hara. Fine. The fact that a small sallow baby born in Hull was unlikely to grow up into a flame-haired temptress with flashing green eyes and the cleavage the size of Galway was neither here or there. Maureen I became. Or Marine on the other side of the Atlantic. Also no-one in our house could foresee that since my father's name was Maurice I would be constantly called, with mounting frustration, 'Mauri-Morry-Maureen!'

2000, Maureen Lipman, Lip Reading, Franz Steiner Verlag, →ISBN, page 12:


Prudence

A female given name from English, one of the Puritan virtue names.


Hellene

From Ἕλληνες (Héllēnes, “Greeks”), most probably a derivation of Ἑλλοί (Helloí) or Σελλοί (Selloí), the Greek inhabitants of the area around the sanctuary of Dodona (Δωδώνη (Dōdṓnē)). In Greek mythology Ἕλλην (Héllēn), whom the Ἕλληνες (Héllēnes, “Greeks”) were named after, was the son of Δευκαλίων (Deukalíōn) and Πύρρα (Púrrha).


tchick

(UK)

(UK)

The driver mounted his box, put his long whip into a hole in the box, and, buttoning his coat, called, " Tchick, tchick, tchick." Away the horses set off, and went so willingly and briskly, till he saw a passenger waiting to get into the coach.

1855, Eliza Lee Cabot Follen, Harriet L. Brown, Anne Wales Abbot, Child's Friend and Family Magazine, page 140:

"Weel! weel!" ejaculated the carter, "that comes o' your education ; G — d be thank'd, I never could write ; get on Bess, tchick, tchick," and giving the horse a lusty thwack, he made off as fast as possible.

1861, John Heiton, The castes of Edinburgh, page 337:

Do come back! Come along, old fellow! — tchick, tchick, tchick, tchicky."

1877, Ascott Robert Hope Moncrieff, Stories of Whitminster, page 41:

I called him — "tchick-tchick-tchick" — and started making noises toward him, holding up the acorn.

1984, Da Free John, Adi Da Samraj, Georg Feuerstein, The transmission of doubt:

A click sound such as a palatal, lateral, or dental click.

used to urge on a horse or other animal.


Stacey

An English surname transferred from the given name derived from a medieval diminutive of Eustace.

A male given name from Ancient Greek transferred back from the surname.

A female given name from Ancient Greek popular in the 1970s, from the surname, sometimes also explained as a short form of Anastasia.


Stacy

A male given name from Ancient Greek transferred from the surname.

A female given name from Ancient Greek derived from the surname, popular in the 1970s.


Torontonian

en-adj

Torontonian (comparative more Torontonian, superlative most Torontonian)

more Torontonian (comparative)
most Torontonian (superlative)

Of, from, or pertaining to the city of Toronto, Canada.


Zeb

Diminutive of Zebedee, Zebulun, and Zebadiah.


Burushaski

Borrowed from Burushaski بروشسکی (burū́šaskī).

bor+

A language of northwestern Kashmir, not known to be related to any other language.


Cassubian

en-adj

Cassubian (comparative more Cassubian, superlative most Cassubian)

more Cassubian (comparative)
most Cassubian (superlative)


Zebadiah

/ˌzɛbəˈdaɪə/

From Hebrew זְבַדְיָה (Zəḇaḏyâ, “gift of God, God has bestowed”), from זַבְדִּי (zab̲dî, “my gift”). Doublet of Zebedee.

bor

A male given name from Hebrew of biblical origin.


Zebedee

Ultimately from Ancient Greek Ζεβεδαῖος (Zebedaîos), from Hebrew זְבַדְיָה (Zəḇaḏyâ), from זַבְדִּי (zab̲dî, “my gift”). Doublet of Zebadiah.

der

Hebrew זְבַדְיָה (Zəḇaḏyâ)

(rare) A male given name from Hebrew of biblical origin.


Suzane

A female given name from Hebrew, of rare usage, variant of Suzanne.


Davy

Tell him, I'll knock his leek about his pate
Upon Saint Davy's day.

1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:

A diminutive of the male given name David.


Suzanne

From French Suzanne. Doublet of Susanna.

'Suzanne' was the name given to the baby. It was Vivian's choice, but she had doubts about it later. Wasn't it a shade on the exotic side? Perhaps 'Susan' was preferable.

1987, Alexander Walker, The Life of Vivien Leigh, Grove Press, published 1994, →ISBN, page 43:


Triestino

en-noun

Triestino (plural Triestinos or Triestini)

A native or inhabitant of Trieste in Italy.


Triestino

A form of the Venetian dialect used in Trieste, Italy.


Kathy

During her childhood she was a romanticized Katherine, dressed by her misty-eyed, fussy mother in dresses that looked like ruffled pillowcases. By high school she'd shed the frills and emerged as a bouncy, round-faced Kathy […] At university she was Kath, blunt and no-bullshit in her Take-Back-the-Night jeans and checked shirt […] When she ran away to England, she sliced herself down to Kat. It was economical, street-feline, and pointed as a nail.

1991, Margaret Atwood, Wilderness Tips, →ISBN, page 36:

A diminutive of the female given names Katherine or Kathleen, also used as a formal given name.


Ariel

General American, Mary–marry–merry merger

Alexander Pope
Ariel
John Herschel
The Rape of the Lock
The Tempest
William Lassell
William Shakespeare

From Biblical Hebrew אֲרִיאֵל (ari'él, a compound of אֲרִי (arí, “lion”) + אֵל (él, “God”), literally “lion of God”).
* (moon of Uranus): All of Uranus’s moons are named after characters created by William Shakespeare or Alexander Pope. The names of all four satellites of Uranus then known were suggested by John Herschel in 1852 at the request of William Lassell, though it is uncertain if Herschel devised the names, or if Lassell did so and then sought Herschel’s permission. Ariel is the name of the leading sylph in Pope’s The Rape of the Lock and also the spirit who serves Prospero in Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

bor

Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Isaiah 29:1:

(biblical) A name for the city of Jerusalem, the claimed (and de-facto) capital city of modern Israel, and the claimed capital city of modern Palestine.

Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ezra 8:16:

All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come / To answer thy best pleasure; be't to fly, / To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride / On the curl'd clouds; to thy strong bidding task / Ariel and all his quality.

Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy / The Atheist crew, but with redoubl’d blow / Ariel and Arioc, and the violence / Of Ramiel scorcht and blasted overthrew.

1667, John Milton, “Book CLX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:

Of these am I, who thy Protection claim, / A watchful Sprite, and Ariel is my Name.

1712 May, [Alexander Pope], “The Rape of the Locke. An Heroi-comical Poem.”, in Miscellaneous Poems and Translations. […], London: […] Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC, canto:

You don't look like a Daniel (your pre-chosen name). There's something fierce and tawny about you. You're the Lion! You're Ariel: God's Lion. You'll be my father Leon's namesake — and for your father, you'll have a Hebrew name.
I dub thee Ariel, faery spirit of my tempest. You'll be my Jerusalem...

1979, Phyllis Chesler, With Child, Crowell, →ISBN, page 121:

A male given name from Hebrew, also ascribed to spirits and angels in English literature.

"I'm going to name her Ariel," Laura said, ignoring them completely as she stared down at the baby. "The boys like the name because it's the same as the girl in the Little Mermaid movie. And I like it, because it's pretty."

1992, Kristina Logan, The Right Man for Loving, Thorndike Press, →ISBN, page 190:

All the miniature Cinderellas, Belles, and Ariels who fill the streets every Halloween are essentially paying homage to characters that will slowly and inevitably chip away at their sense of worth in years to come.

2018, Jen Kim, Love and…: Bad Boys, “The One” & Other Fun Ways to Sabotage Your Relationship, Skyhorse Publishing, →ISBN:

A female given name from Hebrew, used mainly since the 1980s.


Robby

A diminutive of the male given name Robert.

Robby is contemplating macramé.

2020 October 19, Thunderbox Entertainment, Tsuro - The Game of The Path:

A diminutive of the female given name Roberta.


Garrett

A medieval English and Irish form of the Germanic given names Gerard and Gerald. Of Old High German origin.

Alternative form: Garret

A male given name from the Germanic languages, transferred from an English and an Irish surname, or in Ireland directly from Gerard.


Varangian

Ultimately from Byzantine Greek Βάραγγος (Bárangos), from Medieval Latin Varingus, from Old Norse væringi, from várr (“pledge”) or værr (“pledge”), which is cognate with Old English wǣr (“fidelity, loyalty”), + Old Norse gangi (“companion”). Cognate with Old English wærgenga.

Of or pertaining to the Varanger Peninsula in Norway.


Nguni

From Zulu noun stem as in umNguni (“member of Nguni people”), isiNguni (“Nguni language group”).

The group of Southern African peoples comprising the Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, Mpondo and Ndebele nations.


Ingram

From a Middle English given name, from Proto-Germanic *Ingwaz (“a Germanic god”) + *hrabnaz (“raven”). The places are named after persons with the surname.

der

A male given name from the Germanic languages, in modern use transferred back from the surname.


Gallic

en-adj

Gallic (comparative more Gallic, superlative most Gallic)

more Gallic (comparative)
most Gallic (superlative)

From Latin Gallicus (“of or related to Gaul”), from Gallia (“Gaul”) + -icus (“-ic: forming adj.”), used archaically in New Latin and English in reference to modern France.

bor

(historical) Of or related to Gaul or the Gauls.

gal

of or relating to ancient Gaul or its inhabitants


Khoisan

From Khoi + San, from the pastoral Khoi tribe (formerly also called Hottentots) and the hunter-gatherer San (also known as Bushmen).
Coined by Isaac Schapera in 1930, in linguistic usage since the 1950s (following Joseph Greenberg, Studies in African Linguistic Classification, 1955).

The group of languages associated with the Khoisan including the Khoi, Kx'a and Tuu families, sometimes to the inclusion of the Hadza and Sandawe language isolates of Tanzania.


crop circle

An area in a field of crops where the stalks have been flattened into a circle or other geometric shape, performed as a prank or sometimes ascribed to UFO activity etc.


Desmond

I call him Bradford because it makes me feel like I'm in a soap opera. That's what they name men on soap operas. Bradford and Desmond and Elliott and Royce.

1988, K. C. Constantine, Joey's Case, →ISBN, page 132:

A male given name transferred from the surname; popular in Britain in the first half of the twentieth century.


Hellenic

From Ancient Greek Ἑλληνικός (Hellēnikós, “of or relating to Greece or Greeks”), from Ancient Greek Ἑλλάς (Hellás, “Greece”), equivalent to Hellen + -ic.
The English term is a learned borrowing from Ancient Greek formed in the 17th-century, attested from ca. 1640.

der

The Greek language and its dialects from the earliest records (Linear B inscriptions, about 1600-1300 B.C.E.) to the present Modern Greek.


Mehmet

From Ottoman Turkish محمد (Mehmed, Mehmet), from Arabic مُحَمَّد (muḥammad). Doublet of Muhammad, Mahomet, and Baphomet.

doublet

A male given name from Turkish, variant of Muhammad.


Roberta

It was many years before the house on Maple Street was forgotten as "The Quimby Place" and called by its now correct name of "The Carter House", and it was many years before Mrs. Carter succeeded in making Peyton Place call her "Roberta" instead of the frivolous and, to her, harlotish-sounding name of "Bobbie".

1956, Grace Metalious, Peyton Place, UPNE, published 1999, →ISBN, Book Two, Chapter 7:

A female given name from the Germanic languages, feminine form of Robert.


Hottentot

Borrowed from Dutch Hottentot, its first known use in Dutch being in the 1650s. The third edition of the Oxford English Dictionary concluded in 2008 that hottentot came into English in the seventeenth century. But it finds that no definitive etymology of Dutch hottentot can so far be given:
A very large number of different etymologies for the name have been suggested ... The most frequently repeated suggestion ... is that the word was a spec. use of a formally identical Dutch word meaning ‘stammerer, stutterer’, which came to be applied to the Khoekhoe and San people on account of the clicks characteristic of their languages. However, evidence for the earlier general use appears to be lacking. Another frequent suggestion is that the people were so named after one or more words which early European visitors to southern Africa heard in chants accompanying dances of the Khoekhoe or San ... but the alleged chant is rendered in different ways in different 17th-cent. sources, and some of the accounts may be based on hearsay rather than first-hand knowledge.
It does seem clear, however, that hottentot was an exonym, that is, not the Khoikhoi's own name for themselves but rather a foreign term applied to them.

Ive tried her with every […] possible sort of sound that a human being can make— […] Continental dialects, African dialects, Hottentot […] clicks, things it took me years to get hold of; and […] she picks them up like a shot, right away, as if she had […] been at it all her life.

1912 (date written), [George] Bernard Shaw, “Pygmalion”, in Androcles and the Lion, Overruled, Pygmalion, London: Constable and Company, published 1916, →OCLC, Act III, pages 157–158:

The language of the Khoekhoe, remarkable for its clicks.

khoi

language of the Khoekhoe — see also Khoekhoe


Enos

From Hebrew אֱנוֹשׁ (enósh, “mortal man”).

A male given name from Hebrew of biblical origin.


Susanna

From Ancient Greek Σουσάννα (Sousánna), the New Testament form of Hebrew שׁוֹשַׁנָּה (šōšannā, “lily”).

uder

Hebrew שׁוֹשַׁנָּה (šōšannā, “lily”)


Sherman

/ˈʃɜː(ɹ)mən/

Sense 1: From Middle English schereman, scherman; equivalent to shear + -man.

A male given name transferred from the surname.


Patty

"That sounds like Aunt Isabel. They always called me Patricia there. Don't you think, papa, now that I'm getting so grown up, I ought to be called Patricia? Patty is such a baby name."
"Patty is good enough for me," said Mr. Fairfield.

1904, Carolyn Wells, “Shopping”, in Patty at Home, New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead & Company, →OCLC, page 56:

A female given name, a diminutive of the female given name Patricia.


Griffith

en-proper noun

Griffith (countable and uncountable, plural Griffiths)

A male given name from Welsh used in Wales.


Jude

Jude (countable and uncountable, plural Judes)

Short form of Judas, used in an attempt to distinguish the Apostle Judas Thaddaeus from Judas Iscariot. From Old Testament Judah, Hebrew יְהוּדָה (yehudá), said to mean “praised”.


Papiamentu

A Creole language spoken on the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire.


Parker

Parker (countable and uncountable, plural Parkers)


Harrison

Harrison (countable and uncountable, plural Harrisons)


diligence

en-noun

diligence (countable and uncountable, plural diligences)

The precepts against parties, to whose oath of verity any point is referred, do only command them to compear at the term, with certification, that if they compear not, they shall be holden as confessing the point referred to their oath; but precepts against witnesses cannot have that certification, but all that can be done against them, or against the havers of writs, is to compel them to appear, and depone; and therefore these precepts are called executorials, because they are for putting the acts to effect by execution: they are also called compulsitors for the same reason. And they are called diligences, because they excuse the users thereof from negligence, whereby posterior diligences being exacty followed, are preferable to prior diligences being neglected, vigilantibus non dormientibus jura subveniunt, which is founded upon that great interest to hasten pleas to an end. They are also called diligences, because though the effect do not follow, yet the user thereof hath endeavoured what he could, and so is held as in the same case as if he had obtained the command of the precept. These precepts are called executorials before executions be thereupon; but they are only called diligences when they are executed in due time.
... Diligences are of three sorts, being either upon precepts before decreets, upon acts, or upon decreets.
The last sort of diligences and executorials, viz. those after decreets, which serve for putting of decreets to execution, and making them effectual, are ordinarily horning, caption, poinding, charges to remove, and thereupon letters of possession, (which are granted on all decreets in petitory and possessory actions, but declaratory actions need none,) together with the executory actions upon arrestments, and of adjudications of lands and annualrents..

1832 James, Viscount of Stair and J,S, More. The institutions of the law of Scotland. Vol 2, p 705

(Scots law) The process by which persons, lands, or effects are seized for debt; process for enforcing the attendance of witnesses or the production of writings.


Bennett

en-proper noun

Bennett (countable and uncountable, plural Bennetts)

A male given name from Latin transferred back from the surname.


Harris

Harris (countable and uncountable, plural Harrises)

From Harry + -s (“patronymic suffix”). From Harry, a male given name derived from a Middle English pronunciation of Old French Henri.


Idiom Neutral

An artificial language, created by Waldemar Rosenberger in 1902, partially derived from Volapük, with a vocabulary consistently selected on the basis of the maximum internationality of the roots.


collegiate church

en-noun

collegiate church (plural collegiate churches)

A Christian church, other than a cathedral, that has a chapter of canons and a dean or provost.


Joanne

From Old French Joanne, from Latin Joanna, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”), the feminized form of יְהוֹחָנָן (Yəhōḥānān) which produced John and its many doublets.
Doublet of Ivana, Jana, Jane, Janice, Janis, Jean, Jeanne, Jen, Joan, Joanna, Johanna, Juana, Shavonne, Sian, Siobhan, Shane, Shaun, Shauna, and Sheena.

doublet

"Ye've seen the Lady?"
"I have," said I; "and I have seen the young ladies too, except Miss Joanne."
"Ye may just as weel lay by the Miss, and ca' her Joan, like her mother afore her, noo—They've flung the puir lassie clean aff, Mr Waldie. Greeting for the father, and nae thought for the bairn—that's the warld's way, Mr Waldie.—But God strikes not wi' baith hands, young man...

1824, John Gibson Lockhart, The History of Matthew Wald, page 192:

Jocasta wasn't Jocasta's name: her real name was Joanne. She changed it when she was thirty-eight because, as she said what can you do with a name like Joanne? Too nice. She didn't dye her hair green or wear a safety pin in her ear but calling herself Jocasta was the equivalent. Good taste kills, said Jocasta.

1981, Margaret Atwood, Bodily Harm, →ISBN, page 24:


Joanne

From various feminine names clipped to Jo + Anne, q.v.


Esther

From Ancient Greek Ἐσθήρ (Esthḗr), from Biblical Hebrew אֶסְתֵּר (ʾestēr). Has been connected to Old Persian 𐎠𐎿𐎫𐎼 (a-s-t-r /star-/, “star”) (whence Middle Persian 𐭮𐭲𐭫 (stl /star/, “star”), 𐭮𐭲𐭠𐭫𐭪 (stʾlk /stārag/, “star”), Persian ستاره (setâre, “star”), Northern Kurdish estêre), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr (if so, a distant doublet of star); or else to Akkadian 𒀭𒈹 (Ištar, “Ishtar”) (Hebrew עִשְׁתָּר (ʿištār)).

cog

Hebrew עִשְׁתָּר (ʿištār)


ufologist

But fear of abduction never stopped a good ufologist.

2010, Monte Dwyer, Red in the Centre: Through a Crooked Lens, Monyer Pty Ltd, page 122:


Setswana

A language spoken widely in Southern Africa, mainly in Botswana and South Africa in the Northern Cape, the central and western Free State and in the North West province, and also, to a lesser extent, in Namibia, also known as Tswana.


Tsimshian

A member of a Native American people who inhabited the coastal waters of western British Columbia and southeast Alaska.


Agnes

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἁγνή (Hagnḗ), coming from Ancient Greek ἁγνός (hagnós, “pure, chaste”), Ancient Greek ἁγνεία (hagneía, “purity, chastity”). Doublet of Inez.

der

Why do you call Mrs. Stone Aggie? Agnes is such a beautiful name, it is a shame to nick it in that way." Then, quickly regretting his impatience, he added, "You would not have been jealous, would you, Jenny?

1876, Annie Howells Fréchette, “Reuben Dale”, in The Galaxy, W.C. and F.P.Church, 1876, page 394:

Right then and there in her mind she had christened it Agnes, the only name she knew elegant enough for such a peerless creature. - - - She held the doll so her brothers could see. "Look, isn't she beautiful? Her name is Agnes.[...]Agnes? Agnes?" Jack gagged realistically. "What a soppy name! Why don't you call her Margaret or Betty?

1977, Colleen McCullough, The Thorn Birds, Harper & Row, →ISBN, page 3,5:

I found myself wanting to explain it to her, this middle-aged woman with the kind of haircut you call a hairdo, which needed to be set in rollers every night, who had a name like Agnes or Harriet, a name that even predated my mother's generation.

1995, Elizabeth Wurtzel, Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America, Riverhead Books, →ISBN, page 14:


ufology

en-noun

ufology (countable and uncountable, plural ufologies)

/ˌjuːɛfˈɑləd͡ʒi/

I'm an expert in my field
Ufology, yes, it's all real
Ancient aliens, it's all true
I'm an expert just like you

2016, Neil Cicierega (lyrics and music), “Touch-Tone Telephone”, in Spirit Phone, performed by Lemon Demon:


Gabby

A diminutive form of the male given name Gabriel.

A diminutive form of the female given names Gabrielle, Gabriella and Gabriela.


Mitchell

en-proper noun

Mitchell (countable and uncountable, plural Mitchells)

Translingual: markmitchelli

From a Middle English vernacular form of the Old French given name Michel (“Michael”), or in some cases from a Middle English nickname muchel (“big”).

(countable) A male given name transferred from the surname.


Hussain

A male given name from Arabic: alternative spelling of Husayn


Tsakonian

A Hellenic language spoken in Tsakonia, a part of the Peloponnese region of Greece.


Coll

A medieval English short form of the male given name Nicholas; very rare today.


Gabrielle

From French Gabrielle, feminine form of Gabriel (see there for more).


Tsonga

The Bantu language spoken by these people.


Wall Street

From wall + street. The term is the name of a street in Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.A., where the palisade of New Amsterdam was once located. The street is known for the many major U.S. financial institutions located there.

The causes of income stagnation are varied and lack the political simplicity of calls to bring down the deficit or avert another Wall Street meltdown.

2012 October 23, David Leonhardt, “Standard of living is in the shadows as election issue”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2022-12-11:

financial institution
financial institution

(originally US, metonymically) American financial institutions or financial markets as a whole; (by extension) big-business interests.


Fritz

From German Fritz, pet form of Friedrich (“Frederick”).

A diminutive of the male given name Friedrich.


Tariq

Borrowed from Arabic طَارِق (ṭāriq, “messenger, nocturnal visitor, or morning star”), from طَرَقَ (ṭaraqa, “to knock, to rap”)


Collins

en-proper noun

Collins (countable and uncountable, plural Collinses)

* As an English surname, variant of Colin.
* As an Irish and Manx surname, from Ó Coileáin, see Cullen, McQuillan, and McCallion.
* As a French surname, Americanized from Collin and Colette.
* As a Slovene surname, Americanized from Kolenc, from koleno (“knee”) and the obsolete kolenc (“nipplewort”).

A male given name transferred from the surname.


Sambo

A nickname from the given name Samantha.


Slovenian

en-noun

Slovenian (countable and uncountable, plural Slovenians)

Slovene (from German, from Slovene) + -ian.

(uncountable) The official language of Slovenia.


Ellis

en-proper noun

Ellis (countable and uncountable, plural Ellises)

A surname from Welsh [in turn originating as a patronymic] and a male given name from Welsh, an anglicization of Elisedd.

A unisex given name transferred from the surname.


Pict

From Latin Pictus, probably rendering a Pictish autonym; see the Latin entry for details. Compare Old English Peohtas, which appears to show the effects of Grimm's law.

A member of an ancient people of northern and central Scotland.


Wilkinson

Wilkinson (countable and uncountable, plural Wilkinsons)


Sabellian

From Latin Sabellus + -ian, pertaining to the Sabelli, an Italic tribe, from Proto-Italic *saβn-, from an uncertain Proto-Indo-European root, possibly *sabʰ-o-, *sₑbʰ-o- (“one's own”), from *swé (“self”).

A certain language once spoken in Umbria, Italy.


Singh

From Hindi सिंघ (siṅgh, “lion”) or Punjabi ਸਿੰਘ (siṅgh, “lion”). Doublet of Sinha.

A male given name from Sanskrit used by Sikhs, often but not necessarily a middle name.


Sim

From Middle English Sym, diminutive of Simeon and Simon.

The other [witness] was one Sim Doolittle, the fish hawker from Allerfoot, jogging home in his fish cart from Gledsmuir fair.

1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide:

A male given name, diminutive of Simeon and Simon.


Powell

Powell (countable and uncountable, plural Powells)

The anglicized form of Welsh ap Hywel (“son of Hywel”). Related to Howell and Huell. Sometimes also associated with Paul by folk etymology.


Murphy

From Irish Ó Murchadha (“descendant of Murrough”), Mac Murchaidh (“Son of Murrough”), etc. See Muircath.

der

Sonja made me promise I would go to college. She said she'd wanted her daughter, Murphy, to go. She'd named her baby Murphy because it could never be a stripper name. But her daughter had changed her name to London.

2012, Louise Erdrich, The Round House, Corsair, published 2013, →ISBN, page 178:

A unisex given name transferred from the surname, of occasional usage.


Ahmed

A male given name from Arabic, variant of Ahmad.


Punic

From Latin Pūnicus, variant of Poenicus, from Poenus + -icus, from Ancient Greek Φοῖνιξ (Phoînix), from Mycenaean Greek 𐀡𐀛𐀑𐀍 (po-ni-ki-jo) under influence from φοινός (phoinós, “crimson red”) owing to its relation to Tyrian purple, apparently from or cognate with Egyptian fnḫw (“Asiatics, Semites”), f:n:x-w-V12:Z2. Equivalent to a modified Phoenician + -ic.


Carter

As an English name, from the occupation carter. As an Irish name, from Irish Mac Artúir (literally “son of Arthur”).


Madeline

Anglicized from French Madeleine, from Ancient Greek Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnḗ). Doublet of Madeleine and Magdalene.


Sonny

'I was christened "Sonny"', the boy said with a protective formality which was clearly of some years' growth. ' It seems to have been all right then. Fashionable, you know. Now, of course, it's ghastly. Everyone calls me Sinclair, even Mother.'

1938, Margery Allingham, The Fashion in Shrouds, page 136:

Sonny had had to change his mind about so many things, as his life changed, as the very meaning of his ridiculous name changed - first a hangover from sentimental parents, then a nickname to reassure the crowds at rallies that he was one of them, then an addendum to his full names in a prison dossier: 'also known as Sonny'. A common criminal with aliases.

1990, Nadine Gordimer, My Son's Story, page 55:

Sonia was hired and quickly persuaded everyone to call her “Sonny.” Josie recalls, “For some reason, she did not care for her first name, but I thought it was beautiful. I was surprised that she spelled her nickname 'Sonny' rather than 'Sunny', but I suppose it was because of the letter 'o' in Sonia.

2009, Del Halterman, Walk-Don't Run - The Story of the Ventures, →ISBN, page 58:

She couldn't believe Irina had said that so openly. Then Sonny gasped before she could stop herself. “What is it?” Irina looked down at herself. “What's the matter?” “Nothing.” Sonny shook her head and took up her notes as if to discuss them.

2009, Trish Perry, Sunset Beach, →ISBN, page 135:

"The guy who wrote Sonny her very first fan letter . . . Give it up for Eric!” [...] "Marshall, I have to say something." Marshall looked a little puzzled at Sonny's serious tone of voice, but he handed the microphone to her.

2011, N. B. Grace, Sonny With A Chance: Making the Cut, →ISBN, page 10:

Sonny suddenly recall a prayer her mother had said to her before she left for Colombia. They that hope in the Lord will [...] soar [...]. And then her mother had said, "Go soar, Sonny." Her mother had faith in her and she had to draw strength from that faith now. It was almost as if she'd known Sonny would need this verse at some point to keep her going.

2016, Lisa Mondello, Her Only Protector, →ISBN:

A diminutive of the female given name Sonia.


Miller

en-proper noun

Miller (countable and uncountable, plural Millers)

French: Miller

Translingual: Mill.

English surname, capitalization of miller. Doublet of Muller. Also compare Milner, Millward, Müller, Mueller, Mulder, Molenaar, Muenier, Molinaro, Molinero, Molnár, Mlinar, Mlynarczyk.


Anderson

Anderson (countable and uncountable, plural Andersons)

From Middle English Ander (“Andrew”) + -son, after Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland. In the United States, sometimes an anglicization of Danish and Norwegian Andersen or Swedish Andersson.


Angelina

Angelina (countable and uncountable, plural Angelinas)

/ˌænd͡ʒəˈliːnə/

A female given name from Ancient Greek, an Italian diminutive of Angela.


Korean English

A dialect of the English language that is chiefly spoken in the Republic of Korea. Compare British English, American English.


Calvin

Latinization of Norman-Picard Cauvin, a nickname for a chauve (“bald”) person.

Marty McFly: Calvin? Wh… Why do you keep calling me Calvin?
Lorraine Baines: Well, that is your name, isn't it? Calvin Klein? It's written all over your underwear.

1985, Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, Back to the Future:

(chiefly US) A male given name transferred from the surname.


Marius

From Latin Marius, a Roman family name probably derived from Mars. By folk etymology seen as a masculine form of Maria.


Turkic

Of or relating to the Turkic peoples or the Turkic languages.

تُرْكِيّ

of or relating to the Turkic peoples or the Turkic languages

türkisch (indistinct from “Turkish”, which then can be türkeitürkisch)


Turkic

The language family that includes Turkish, Tatar, Bashkir, Kazakh, Uzbek, Azeri, Kyrgyz, Uyghur, Tuvan, Altai, Shor, Karakalpak, Khakas, Chuvash, Yakut, and any of the other dozens of languages spoken by Turkic peoples. It may be a subfamily of an Altaic language family.

[...] (3) the southeastern (se) branch or Uyghur Turkic; (4) the northeastern (ne) branch or Siberian Turkic; (5) Chuvash, representing Oghur or Bulghar Turkic; [...]

2015, Babak Rezvani, Conflict and Peace in Central Eurasia:


Erzya

Erzya (countable and uncountable, plural Erzyas)

A Finno-Ugric language spoken primarily in the Volga region of Russia, but is also spoken in Azerbaijan, Estonia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.


Paola

Paola (countable and uncountable, plural Paolas)


Konglish

He stands back and witnesses with awe the language’s myriad offshoots, like Manglish (Malay and English) and Konglish (English in South Korea).

2010 May 25, Dwight Garner, “English as a Juggernaut Conquers the World With Glee and an OMG”, in New York Times:

(derogatory) Any of various varieties of Korean English having distinctive lexis, syntax and phonology.


Scottish English

A variety of the English language that is spoken mostly in Scotland.


Stanford

Various place names from Old English stān (“stone”) + ford (“ford”).

Stanford (disambiguation)
Stanford University

A male given name transferred from the surname.


dalet

From a Phoenician word for "door", ultimately from Proto-Semitic *dalt-; compare Hebrew דֶלֶת (délet). Doublet of delta.

The fourth letter of many Semitic alphabets (Phoenician, Aramaic, Hebrew, Syriac, Arabic and others).


Paula

From Latin Paula, feminine form of Paulus (“Paul”).

Names are fascinating, aren't they? I love mine. I think my parents had very good taste calling us Peter and Paula and Melinda.

1977, Ruth Rendell, A Judgement in Stone, Vintage Books, published 2000, →ISBN, pages 106–107:


Hittite

LL-Q1860 (eng)-I learned some phrases-Hittite.wav

From Biblical Hebrew חִתִּי (ḥittî), from Hittite 𒄩𒋾 (ḫati), perhaps ultimately an exonym related to Hatti.
In reference to the Indo-European-speaking people of Asia Minor (as opposed to the Biblical Hittites), this term was first used in the early 20th century in confusion with the neighboring Hattites (Hattic) whose language was recorded in discovered texts as [script needed] (ḫattili). It is now known that the Hittites called themselves 𒉈𒋗𒈨𒉌𒌍 (ne-šu-me-né-eš /nešumeneš/, “people from the city of Nesha”), hence the much less used alternative name Nesite or Neshite.

The study of the main body of Hittite texts was intrusted^([sic]) to the Austrian scholar Hrozny, who in 1915 published a preliminary account of his results[…]

1920, Carl D. Buck, “Hittite an Indo-European Language?”, in Classical Philology, volume 15, number 2, →DOI, page 185:

An ancient Indo-European language of the Anatolian branch, attested from the 16th century BC until the 13th century BC.


Bryn

From Welsh bryn (“hill, mound”) or, in the Greater Manchester place-name, Cumbric brinn (“hill”).

A female given name from Welsh in occasional modern use.

Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester#English

A suburb of Ashton-in-Makerfield, Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England (OS grid ref SD5700).


Gretchen

A female given name from German of German origin; a pet form of Margaret.


Hilbert

From a Middle English given name of Proto-Germanic origin, from Old English hild (“battle”) + beorht (“bright”) (Proto-Germanic *Hildiberhtaz).

'An old family name,' he told his wife, though this was not true at all, his uncle's being thus christened having been an isolated instance of the use of Hilbert. There had been a fashion in the late nineteenth century for Germanic names and his uncle, born in 1902, had caught the tail end of it.
'I don't like that at all,' his wife had said. 'People will think it's really Gilbert or Albert. I don't want him teased, poor baby.'

1987, Barbara Vine, A Fatal Inversion, →ISBN, pages 48–49:

(rare) A male given name from the Germanic languages.


Yuri

From Russian Ю́рий (Júrij, “George”). Doublet of George.

Ю́рий Юрий#Russian

A transliteration of the Russian male given name Ю́рий (Júrij), equivalent to George.

Yuri

Male given name originating from Russian


Yuri

* From Japanese Yuri (Yuri), from ゆり.
* From Japanese Yūri (Yūri), from ゆうり.
"Yuri" is a transliteration of several source forms, 由里, 由理, 由梨, 由利, 祐里, 友里, 友理, 悠里.

Yuri

Female given name originating from Japanese

ゆうり

由里, 由理, 由梨, 由利, 祐里, 友里, 友理, 悠里


Gertrude

From Old French, from Proto-Germanic *gaizaz (“spear”) + *þrūþiz (“strength”) or *trut- (“maiden, dear”) ; name of a Belgian seventh century saint.

O Gertrude, Gertrude! / When sorrows come, they come not single spies, / But in battalions.

c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene v]:

"We two," she said, "will seek the groves / Where the lady Mary is, / With her five handmaidens, whose names / Are five sweet symphonies, / Cecily, Gertrude, Magdalen, / Margaret and Rosalys.

1850, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, The Blessed Damozel, lines 103–108:

A female given name from the Germanic languages.


Kath

During her childhood she was a romanticized Katherine, dressed by her misty-eyed, fussy mother in dresses that looked like ruffled pillowcases. By high school she'd shed the frills and emerged as a bouncy, round-faced Kathy - - - At university she was Kath, blunt and no-bullshit in her Take-Back-the-Night jeans and checked shirt - - - When she ran away to England, she sliced herself down to Kat. It was economical, street-feline, and pointed as a nail.

1991, Margaret Atwood, Wilderness Tips, →ISBN, page 36:

A diminutive of the female given names Katherine, Kathleen, and related names.


Kwame

An ancient and traditional Akan day-name meaning "from Amen/Amon/Amun" that may be given to a male child born on a Saturday. Popularized in the 1960s when Kwame Nkrumah was the Prime Minister of Ghana.


Clare

The anglicized spelling of Irish Clár, from Old Irish clár (“plank, board”), from Proto-Celtic *klāros, *klārom (“table”).


Clare

Medieval English vernacular form of Clara, from the Latin clara, feminine of clarus (“bright, shining, clear”), a post-classical name made famous by the 13th century Saint Clara of Assisi.
In Oxfordshire, from Clarora, a clay slope.

Yes, truly: I speak not as desiring more,
But rather wishing a more strict restraint
Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.

Following Francis' example, Clare founded an order of religious women known as the Poor Ladies of Assisi (like Francis' Poor Men), and later as the Clarissas or Poor Clares in her honor.

1991, Thomas Head, "Clare of Assisi", An Encyclopedia of Continental Women Writers

"What's your name?"
"Clare Fairweather," she said. "Awful, isn't it?" and went away, hiding her mirth.

1999, Margaret York, The Price of Guilt, page 58:

A female given name from Latin, more often spelled Claire from the 20th century onward.


Clare

A male given name transferred from the surname, of quite uncommon usage.


Votic

From Vote + -ic, named after the Votes who speak it.

A nearly extinct Finno-Ugric language spoken in Ingria.


Chiricahua

Via Spanish Chiricahua, most likely from Opata chiguicagui (“mountain of the wild turkey”).


Dravidian

/dɹəˈvɪdɪən/

From Sanskrit द्राविड (drāviḍa) + -ian. *tamiḻ > *damiḷ > damiḷa- / damila- and further, with the intrusive, 'hypercorrect' (or perhaps analogical) -r-, into dr(a/ā)viḍa.

A family of related ethnicities and languages primarily in Southern India, Northeast Sri Lanka, and parts of Pakistan and Bangladesh.


Jicarilla

Borrowed from Spanish jicarilla, diminutive of jícara, from Nahuatl xicalli.

An Athabascan language spoken by the Jicarilla people.


Yugambeh

An Australian aboriginal language, spoken by peoples living on what is roughly now the Gold Coast in South East Queensland.


Western Apache

The Southern Athabascan language spoken by the Western Apache people.


Iain

From Scottish Gaelic. Cognate of John, see there for more.

A male given name from Scottish Gaelic, equivalent to English John.


Proto-Greek

The earliest form of the Greek language, the common ancestor of the Greek dialects, including Mycenaean and the classical Greek dialects; the language was already spoken by the ancestors of the Greeks in the Balkans (i.e. Greece) during the Neolithic period or the Bronze Age.


Sammi

A female given name, diminutive of Samantha.


Dalmatian

(demonym) A native or inhabitant of Dalmatia.


Dalmatian

An extinct Romance language that was once spoken in Dalmatia.


Irani

From Iranian Persian ایرانی (irâni) (ērānī in classical Persian).

(nonstandard) a person from Iran or of Iranian heritage


Ade

The surname derives from medieval forms of Adam or Adrian.


Ossetian

The Eastern Iranian language spoken by these people.


Philemon

en-proper noun

Philemon (countable and uncountable, plural Philemons)

From Ancient Greek Φιλήμων (Philḗmōn), from φιλήμων (philḗmōn, “kindly, affectionate”), from φιλέω (philéō, “I love”).

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer.


Sasha

Borrowed from the Slavic diminutive form of Alexander and Alexandra; in English mostly from Russian Са́ша (Sáša), a diminutive form for both Алекса́ндр (Aleksándr, “Alexander, male”) and Алекса́ндра (Aleksándra, “Alexandra, female”).

Са́ша

very common form of name for both men and women


Connel

Connel (countable and uncountable, plural Connels)

A male given name transferred from the surname.


Betawi

Borrowed from Indonesian Betawi. Doublet of Batavia and Passau.

The Betawi language, a native language spoken by the Betawi people.

basè Betawi

Language spoken by the Betawi ethnic group


common law

(law, Scots law, Roman-Dutch law) Law of general application throughout a country, province, or state as opposed to law having only a special or local application

Scots law; Roman-Dutch law; Scots law; Roman-Dutch law


Marah

A female given name from Arabic, from Arabic, which means merriness, cheerfulness.


Marah

A female given name from Hebrew, from Hebrew which means bitterness. Biblical variant: Mara.


Tamazight

Borrowed from Central Atlas Tamazight ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖⵜ (tamaziɣt), the feminine form of ⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖ (amaziɣ).
The construction ⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖ (maziɣ) suggests that is an ancient verbal adjective of the Proto-Berber verb *MZƔ "to be noble", attested in Tamazight mmuzeɣ (“to be prestigious”) and Tamajeq mujeɣ (“to be noble, brave”).
This has caused some authors to translate Tamazight as the noble language. In any case, ⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖ (maziɣ) is an ethnonym for the Amazigh people today, and it has been historically the case for a number of Amazigh groups in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya and under variant forms amongst the Tuareg. Tamazight is, naturally, the name of the language of the Imazighen.

bor

The continuum of closely-related Amazigh languages spoken in Morocco, Algeria, Libya, and other parts of northern Africa.

A specific continuum of mutually intelligible dialects spoken mainly by the Imazighen of the Middle Atlas and High Atlas regions in Morocco.


Kölsch

The Germanic/German dialect spoken in and around Cologne, Germany, part of the Ripuarian language area


Titus

Borrowed from Latin Titus, a Roman and Sabine praenomen meaning either "honorable" or "strong; of the giants".


Olympias

A female given name from Ancient Greek, of historical usage.


Alexandros

Transliteration of Greek Αλέξανδρος (Aléxandros), a male given name used in (modern) Greece. Cognate with English Alexander.

Αλέξανδρος Αλέξανδρος#Greek

A transliteration of the Greek male given name Αλέξανδρος (Aléxandros).


Norman French

Some of us can preach, in English-Saxon, in Norman French, and even in Monk-Latin; others cannot in any language or jargon, being stupid.

1843 April, Thomas Carlyle, chapter VI, in Past and Present, American edition, Boston, Mass.: Charles C[offin] Little and James Brown, published 1843, →OCLC, book II (The Ancient Monk), page 67:

A dialect of Old French spoken in medieval Normandy, and in England following the Norman Conquest.


Molossian

A member of the ancient Epirote ethnos which Olympias came from.


Salish

Synonym of Salishan; Of or relating to the Salish people or their languages.


Theresa

First used in Spain, supposedly derived from Latin Thēra, from Ancient Greek Θήρᾱ (Thḗrā), name of a city in Santorini, Greece.

"Theresa!" exclaimed the stranger, "is your name Theresa?" asked she, a death-like paleness at the same time overspreading her countenance.
"Is this name so frightful to you?" enquired the recluse.
"Frightful!" rejoined the stranger, "O, no, I venerate it, like the name of a saint. I had once an unknown friend, whose name was Theresa.

1810, Tales of real life: forming a sequel to miss Edgeworth's Tales of fashionable life, volume 1, London: Henry Colburn, page 72:

"Theresa,", he said. "I never cared for that name."
Justine nodded, chewing.
"I don't like difficult names. I don't like foreignness."
"Perhaps they're Catholic," Justine said.

1976, Anne Tyler, Searching for Caleb, Berkley Books, New York, published 1983, →ISBN, page 7:

A female given name from Ancient Greek, variant of Teresa.


OST

Office of Science and Technology
w:Office of Science and Technology

(UK politics, historical) Initialism of Office of Science and Technology.


Chandler

/ˈt͡ʃændləɹ/

A unisex given name transferred from the surname.


Tausug

Borrowed from Tausug Tausūg, from tau + sūg, literally "people of the current".

A Visayan language (Malayo-Polynesian) spoken mainly in Sulu province in the Philippines, eastern Sabah in Malaysia and North Kalimantan in Indonesia.


Q-Celtic

Due to these languages retaining the phoneme /*kʷ/, as opposed to P-Celtic in which it changed to /*p/.

More generally, any Celtic language (such as Celtiberian) where Proto-Celtic *kʷ became [k] or remained as [kʷ]


Qashqai

From Persian قشقایی, from the name in Qashqai, قشقایی.


Adangme

A Niger-Congo language spoken in southeastern Ghana.

Dangme

a Niger-Congo language spoken in southeastern Ghana


Afrihili

Blend of Africa + Swahili, coined in 1970.

constructed language
constructed language

A constructed language designed to be used as a lingua franca in all of Africa.


wy

The names of the letters, as now commonly spoken and written in English, are A, Bee, Cee, Dee, E, Eff, Gee, Aitch, I, Jay, Kay, Ell, Em, En, O, Pee, Kue, Ar, Ess, Tee, U, Vee, Double-u, Ex, Wy, Zee.

1856, Goold Brown, The First Lines of English Grammar, page 10:


Quapaw

The Dhegihan language spoken by these people.


Acholi

A Nilo-Saharan language spoken primarily by this people, in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader, a region known as Acholiland in northern Uganda.


sacellum

(historical) In Ancient Rome, a shrine open to the sky, sometimes used for sacrificial purposes, or in honor of the divine.


Qatabanian

the extinct Old South Arabian language of the Qatabanians

قَتَبَانِيّة

the extinct OSA languages of the Qatabanians


Kati

A rare modern spelling variant of Katie, diminutive of the female given name Katherine.


Keisha

A female given name originating as a coinage, of African American usage, possibly a variant of Kezia.


Kaw

In the winter of 1866 the Cheyennes stole forty-two horses from a Kaw hunting party on the upper Arkansas, and following a murder of a Kaw herder at a buffalo camp near Fort Zarah a year later, the Kaws attacked a Cheyenne encampment[.]

2004, R. David Edmunds, The New Warriors: Native American Leaders Since 1900, →ISBN, page 20:

A member of a particular Native American tribe in Oklahoma and parts of Kansas.


Monty

A diminutive of the male given names Montgomery and Montague.


Kansa

From a Siouan ethnonym; related to Kansas and Arkansas, see the latter for more information.

A Native American people who used to inhabit parts of Kansas.


Siddhartha

From Sanskrit सिद्धार्थ (siddhārtha, “one who has accomplished an aim or object, successful, prosperous”), from सिद्ध (siddha, “achievement”) + अर्थ (artha, “meaning, purpose”).

der

A male given name from Sanskrit used by followers of various faiths of India; notably, the personal name of Buddha.


Shiva

From Sanskrit शिव (śivá, “the auspicious one”).

uder

A male given name from Sanskrit used in India.


Philly

A diminutive of the female given name Philippa.


Bethany

Bethany (disambiguation)
Bethany#Bethany
en:Bethany

From Ancient Greek Βηθανία (Bēthanía), from Aramaic בית עניא (beth anya, “house of wretchedness”). This etymology is highly disputed; see Bethany.

der

A female given name from Aramaic, transferred use of the biblical place name.


Stanislav

From Russian Станислав (Stanislav) or Bulgarian Станислав (Stanislav).

Станисла́в Станислав#Russian

A transliteration of the Russian male given name Станисла́в (Stanisláv), equivalent to Stanislaus.

Станислав Станислав#Bulgarian

A transliteration of the Bulgarian male given name Станислав (Stanislav), equivalent to Stanislaus.


Miwok

Miwok means "the people" in the native Utian language.

The Utian (Penutian) languages spoken by these groups.


Emanuel

Variant of Emmanuel, borrowed from Spanish and from various other European languages.


Gautama

A male given name from Sanskrit used in India; more often romanised as Gautam.


Tracey

Emily. Em-il-y, three syllables, like a knock on the door of destiny. Such an odd, old-fashioned name, compared to those Kylies and Traceys and Jades — names that reeked of Impulse and grease and stood out in gaudy neon colours —

2010, Joanne Harris, blueeyedboy, Doubleday, →ISBN, page 102:

A female given name transferred from the surname, of popular British usage, variant of Tracy.


Emmanuel

Cade. What is thy name? / Clerk. Emmanuel. / Dick. They use to write it on the top of letters. 'Twill go hard with you.

Some call their sons Emmanuel : this is too bold. The name is proper to Christ, therefore not to be communicated to any creature.

1629, Thomas Adams, Meditations upon Creed: The Works of Thomas Adams, James Nichol (1862), volume 3, page 212:

A male given name from Hebrew of Biblical origin.


Guugu Yimidhirr

/ˌɡuɡu ˈjɪmədʒɪə/

The Pama-Maric Australian Aboriginal suffixing language spoken by those people.


Lars

Borrowed through North Germanic, from Latin Laurentius.

A male given name from Latin occasionally given to Anglophones.


Nehemiah

From Hebrew נְחֶמְיָה (“consolation of Yahweh”).

A male given name from Hebrew of biblical origin.


Palmer

en-proper noun

Palmer (countable and uncountable, plural Palmers)

From Middle English palmer (“a pilgrim from the Holy Land”), from Old French.


Braxton

en-proper noun

Braxton (countable and uncountable, plural Braxtons)

Perhaps a habitational surname from the village of Branxton, in Northumberland.

(countable) A male given name transferred from the surname, of modern usage.


Isaiah

From Ancient Greek Ἠσαΐας (Ēsaḯas) from Hebrew יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (yəšaʿyā́hū).

der

יְשַׁעְיָהוּ

Hebrew יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (yəšaʿyā́hū)


Mira

* Borrowed from Hindi मीरा (mīrā), name of a 16th century Indian poetess, also affectionately called Mirabai.
* As occasionally borne by anglophones in the West, the name may also be borrowed from Slavic, or be a short form of Miranda.

Dorothy's daughters were of exceptional beauty and the sisters could complain only that the Hindi names Dorothy had chosen - Mira, Leela, Lena - were meant to pass as Western ones.

1961, V. S. Naipaul, A House for Mr Biswas, Penguin Books, published 1977, →ISBN, page 366:

(by extension) A female given name from India.


Holmes

(rare) A male given name transferred from the surname.


adjudicate

en-verb

adjudicate (third-person singular simple present adjudicates, present participle adjudicating, simple past and past participle adjudicated)

adjudicates (present singular third-person)
adjudicating (participle present)
adjudicated (participle past)
adjudicated (past)

Borrowed from Latin adiūdicō, adiūdicātus, from ad + iūdicō (“to judge”). Doublet of adjudge.

(Scots law, transitive, as of a debtor's estate) to seize or convey as security.


Maxwell

From an earlier form Mackeswell, meaning "Mack's well or spring", from Old English welle (“well”).


Apollonian

From Latin Apollō (Apollōn-) + -ian and Apollonius/Apollonia + -an.

2008, C. G. Stevenson, The Apollonian Appearance: The Being from the Planet Apollo, →ISBN:

At first, when the Apollonians converged on her, Mary Theresa thought she had made a major mistake by going to the battle.

2013, Jim Henry, Universal Life Force Series Featuring Antiquity Calais Vol. 1-3, →ISBN:

The last person who tried this kind of appeal was actually the new vessel -- an Apollonian, one I knew briefly.

2013, James Bartholomeusz, The Grey Star, →ISBN, page 17:

(science fiction) A native of the planet Apollo.


British Empire

Violence and racism were the reality of the colonial experience and no wonder that the sun never set on the British Empire because even God couldn't trust the English in the dark.

2015, Shashi Tharoor, "Britain Does Owe Reparations", 00:05:16

Two hundred and forty years have passed since the 1781 Yorktown Campaign, a campaign that was a decisive victory for the Continental Army and forced the British Empire to reach concessions with the 13 Colonies.

2021-2022 Winter, Matthew R. Prescott, John P. Ruedisueli, “The Relevance of the 1781 Yorktown Campaign”, in SAR Magazine, volume 116, number 3, Louisville, KY: Sons of the American Revolution, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 20, column 1:

In 1920, the British Empire covered over a quarter of the Earth's surface area.

(chiefly historical) The United Kingdom and its overseas dependencies and colonies.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office


Indic

Via Latin indicus from Ancient Greek ἰνδικός (indikós), from Ἰνδία (Indía). Doublet of indigo.

1986, Margie J. Cunningham O'Bryan, The History and Development of the Verbal System of Early Middle Indic:

Second, it is the only group that directly attests to a period of common development between two branches of the Indo-European family, namely, Indic and Iranian.

1983, Philip Baldi, An Introduction to the Indo-European Languages, SIU Press, →ISBN, page 51:

Similar transfers in Indic are fewer in number owing to the early loss of the aor.: for example, the pres. cayate 'notices' (aoristic root ci-, PIE *kʷey) is in origin the subj. of root aorist ácet, and displaces the earlier redup. Pres cikéṣi (AV), imperf. áciket (RV).

2008 November 13, Andrew L Sihler, New Comparative Grammar of Greek and Latin, Oxford University Press, →ISBN:

(linguistics) A branch of the Indo-European family of languages comprising Sanskrit and its modern descendants such as Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi.


Indic

en-adj

Indic (comparative more Indic, superlative most Indic)

more Indic (comparative)
most Indic (superlative)

Relating to or denoting the group of Indo-European languages comprising Sanskrit and the modern Indian languages which are its descendants.

Clearly, men like ʿAin al-Mulk and Aravit Rama Raja could not have migrated successfully between the predominantly Islamicate world of Bijapur and Golconda and the more Indic world of Vijayanagara had they not been proficient in Telugu or Kannada as well as in Dakhni or Persian.

2003, Sushil Mittal, Surprising Bedfellows: Hindus and Muslims in Medieval and Early Modern India, Lexington Books, →ISBN, page 38:

Quite different in style from the red stone torso, it also shows links to later Indic art (Fig. 2.5). Found at Mohenjo-Daro in one of the later strata, this small image is probably of a date late in the history of the site.

2014 January 1, Susan L. Huntington, John C. Huntington, The Art of Ancient India: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, Motilal Banarsidass, →ISBN, page 16:

Indic philosophy, on the other hand, divides people into three groups, as it has two separate definitions for Dharma and religion.

2022 February 19, Deepak Jena, Decoding India, FanatiXx Publication, page 138:

Pertaining to India or its people, culture and languages; Indian.


okina

From Hawaiian ʻokina (“cutting off, separation”).

bor

The Hawaiian apostrophe-like letter (ʻ ) used to indicate the glottal stop consonant.

ʻokina

Polynesian apostrophe-like letter used to indicate the glottal stop consonant


Sundanese

Sunda may originate from Sanskrit, in which case it may mean either “light” or “water”.

The abugida used to write the Sundanese language.


Edwardian

en-adj

Edwardian (comparative more Edwardian, superlative most Edwardian)

more Edwardian (comparative)
most Edwardian (superlative)

If the kind of network we envisage is to be established, it would be unwise to begin any of its services hurriedly with older stock, which, however admirable in its day, now has an air of faded Edwardian splendour that is out of joint with the times.

1962 December, “A new Pullman era?”, in Modern Railways, page 362:

In order to grant the rich these pleasures, the social contract is reconfigured. […] The public realm is privatised, the regulations restraining the ultra–wealthy and the companies they control are abandoned, and Edwardian levels of inequality are almost fetishised.

2013 May 17, George Monbiot, “Money just makes the rich suffer”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 23, page 19:

This delightful four-platform station [Bognor Regis] is still controlled by semaphore signals and boasts a lovely red-brick Edwardian building with steel canopies, crowned with a clocktower which dates from 1902.

2022 November 16, Paul Bigland, “From rural branches to high-speed arteries”, in RAIL, number 970, page 55:

Of the period in British history from circa 1901 to 1910, when Edward VII ruled the British Empire.


Micah

From Hebrew מִיכָה (mīḵāh), shortened form of מִיכַיְהוּ (mīḵāyᵊhū, “who is like Yahweh”).

"We will call the boy Micah," he announced at last.
"I had thought of some sweeter name, perhaps David," she suggested.
"We will call him Micah," Abner replied.

1959, James Michener, Hawaii, Corgi Books, published 1981, →ISBN, page 308:

A unisex given name originating from the Bible [in turn from Hebrew]

A male given name from Hebrew of Biblical origin. Used since the 17th century.

A female given name from Hebrew, of modern American usage.


matronymic

/ˌmætɹəˈnɪmɪk/

From Latin māter (“mother”) + -onym + -ic.

Of, relating to, or derived from the given name of one's mother.

By extension; of, relating to, or derived from the given name of a female ancestor.


matronymic

/ˌmætɹəˈnɪmɪk/

A surname or byname acquired from the given name of one's mother.

By extension, a surname or byname acquired from the given name from a female ancestor.


what the heck

So there, I know, was somebody or a combination of somebodys who did not know what the heck they were doing or dealing with.

1974, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Agriculture, Agriculture and the Fuel Crisis: Hearings..., page 88:

- Eggman: What else? I shall take Gizoid back and fulfill my plans to take over the world! Once I have Gizoid acquire my ultimate weapon, "Final Egg Blaster,"… I’ll be able to use it as my final weapon of destruction!!
- Knuckles: What the heck is the "Final Egg Blaster"?!

2003, Sonic Team, Sonic Battle, Sega, published 2003, Game Boy Advance, level/area: Knuckles’ Story:


Carina

Name of a fourth century martyr, feminine of Latin carinus, derivative of carus "beloved"; also a latinization of Karina and Karin (= Catherine) in northern Europe.

A female given name from Latin occasionally used in English.


Greg

An English and Scottish male given name, diminutive of Gregory or Gregor (and sometimes derived from the surname Greig)


Minoan

Sir Arthur Evans, not knowing the Minoan term for “Minoan” at the time, coined this name in the early 20th century, from Ancient Greek Μίνως (Mínōs), the mythical king of Crete. The actual name is probably reflected in Egyptian kftjw (perhaps reconstructible as *Káftayu) and Biblical Hebrew כַּפְתּוֹר (Kaftor, “Caphthor”).

cog

Of or relating to the civilization that developed in Crete from the neolithic period to the Bronze Age (about 3000-1050 B.C.E.).

مِينُوسِيّ

Of or relating to the writing systems (Linear A and Linear B) used in Crete and later in mainland Greece.

Of or relating to the ancient language of the Minoans which died out by the beginning of the 1st millennium B.C.E.


Minoan

A person who belonged to the Minoan civilization.


Lunarian

From the stem of Latin lunaris (“of the moon, lunar”) + -ian.

(science fiction) An inhabitant of Earth's Moon (Luna): either an indigenous one or a human one.


Reggie

A diminutive of the male given name Reginald.

A diminutive of the female given name Regina.


Solarian

en-adj

Solarian (comparative more Solarian, superlative most Solarian)

more Solarian (comparative)
most Solarian (superlative)

(chiefly science fiction) Of or relating to the Sun.

He grinned at the profanity that came out of the communicator-speaker. Then—back at the irreverently nicknamed Galloping Cow which was the base ship of the Extra-Solarian Research Institute expedition to this star-cluster—McRae cut off.

1947 April, Murray Leinster, “Skit-Tree Planet”, in Thrilling Wonder Stories, volume 30, number 1, page 42:

(chiefly science fiction) Of or relating to the Solar System.

The Solarian one-man ships were even smaller than the Nigrian one-man ships, and some of these did a tremendous amount of damage.

1930 Fall, John Wood Campbell, “The Black Star Passes”, in Amazing Stories Quarterly, volume 3, number 4, page 521:

(chiefly science fiction) Of or relating to the inhabitants of the Solar system.


Solarian

It will be proved that a Solarian, supposing him to have a stature equal to our own, would do as much work as seven of our cultivators; and yet the Solarians are the happiest of beings; their lot is the highest degree of happiness to which we can aspire until the epoch when there shall exist stars of a more exalted rank, that are not yet to be found in our young universe.

1851, Charles Fourier, The Passions of the Human Soul, page 225:

"There has been another dive since our meeting, Jacob, and on that dive, we are told, only the first and more prosaic species of Solarian was observed. Not the second variety which has caused Dr. Kepler so much concern." Jacob was still confused by the hurried explanations Kepler had given of the two types of Sun-creatures so far observed.

(science fiction) An inhabitant of the Sun.

The small ships of the Nigrians were beginning to take a terrific toll in the thin ranks of the Solarians. The coming of the Rocket Squad had been welcomed indeed!

Is it true that all Terrans, and other Solarians are frightfully rich, and go simply everywhere, and do as they please, and that almost nobody works?

1956 August, Charles Stearns, “The Golden Ones”, in Science Fiction Quarterly, volume 4, number 4, page 30:

(chiefly science fiction) An inhabitant of any part of the solar system of the Sun.


what the hell

Shortened from earlier what in the hell.

It’s expensive, but what the hell, you only live once.

Surprisingly, dieters ate more ice cream after eating a large milkshake than after eating a small one. Dr. Polivy calls this the “What the hell” effect, which she describes as thinking “What the hell, my diet’s already broken, so I might as well eat everything in sight.”

i have had my ups and downs / but wotthehell wotthehell / yesterday sceptres and crowns / fried oysters and velvet gowns / and today i herd with bums / but wotthehell wotthehell

1927, Don Marquis, “song of mehitabel”, in archy and mehitabel:

(mildly vulgar, slang) Indicating acceptance, indulgence, or insouciance: Why not? Who cares?


earthling

From Middle English erthling (“farmer, ploughman”) [and other forms] (in glossaries), from Old English ierþling, eorþling (“farmer, husbandman, ploughman”) [and other forms], from eorþe (“ground; dirt; planet Earth”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₁er- (“earth”)) + -ling (suffix forming personal nouns). The English word is analysable as earth + -ling.

nb...

ærðling, eorþlinc, eorðling, eorðlingc, erdling, erþling, irþling, irðling, yrþlincg, yrþling, yrþlingc, yrðling, yrðlincg

Eoꞃðlinᵹ [Eorthling], is a Husbandman, or Earthling.

1714, John Fortescue-Aland [i.e., John Fortescue Aland, 1st Baron Fortescue of Credan], “Hereafter is Schewyd, What of the Kyngs Lyvelood Gevyn Away, may Best be Takyn Ageyne”, in John Fortescue, The Difference between an Absolute and a Limited Monarchy; as is More Particularly Regards the English Constitution. […], London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, […], for E. Parker […], and T. Ward […], →OCLC, footnote a, page 79:

And we have not imagination enough to believe, that either the Danish boors, who were earthlings (yrthlingas) in the country, or the Danish soldiers, who, as history tells us, were dandies at the court of King Canute, could, in the brief space of twenty years, have so overlaid or interlarded the pure Anglo-Saxon with their provincialisms, as to give it a new character, and thus form a new period in its history, as was afterwards done by the Normans.

1838 July, [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow], “Art. IV.—1. A Dictionary of the Anglo-Saxon Language, […] [book review]”, in The North American Review, volume XLVII, number C, Boston, Mass.: Otis, Broaders, & Co., […], →ISSN, →OCLC, page 94:

(obsolete except historical) One who tills the earth; a farmer, a husbandman, a ploughman.


earthling

VVe (of all earthlings) are Gods vtmoſt ſubiects, the laſt (in a manner) that he bought to his obedience: ſhal we then forgette that vvee are any ſubiects of hys, becauſe (as amongſt his Angels) he is not viſibly conuerſant amongſt vs?

1593, Tho[mas] Nashe, Christs Teares Over Ierusalem. […], London: […] Iames Roberts, and are to be solde by Andrewe Wise, […], →OCLC, folio 60, verso:

Alternative letter-case form of Earthling


Donnie

A male given name; diminutive of Don, Donald, Donovan, Adonis


Aimée

Unadapted borrowing from French Aimée (“beloved”).


Mercurian

(science fiction) An inhabitant of the planet Mercury.


Cameron

en-proper noun

Cameron (countable and uncountable, plural Camerons)

From Scottish Gaelic Camshròn, from cam (“crooked, bent”) + sròn (“nose”). Compare Campbell, from Scottish Gaelic cam (“crooked”) + beul (“mouth”).

A male given name transferred from the surname.

A female given name transferred from the surname, of 1970s and later usage.


Muhamed

A male given name from Arabic: alternative spelling of Muhammad


Mehmed

From Ottoman Turkish محمد (Mehmed, Mehmet), from Arabic مُحَمَّد (muḥammad). Doublet of Muhammad.

A male given name from Turkish, variant of Muhammad.


Jeanne

From French Jeanne, from Middle French Jehanne, from Medieval Latin Johanna, variant of Latin Ioanna under influence from Latin Iōhannēs, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”), the feminized form of יְהוֹחָנָן (Yəhōḥānān) which produced John and its many doublets. Doublet of Ivana, Jana, Jane, Janice, Janis, Jean, Jen, Joan, Joanna, Joanne, Johanna, Juana, Shavonne, Sian, Siobhan, Shane, Shaun, Shauna, and Sheena.


Dinah

From Hebrew דִּינָה (dīna, "judged, vindicated"); see דין.

Every child in the Square at once hurried and thrust and scrambled and pushed a way through the crowd, and in less than a minute Dinah and Dorinda were entirely surrounded by fifty or sixty boys and girls, all shouting […]

1944, Eric Linklater, The Wind on the Moon:

A female given name from Hebrew of biblical origin. Alternative form of Dina.


Krystina

A female given name from Ancient Greek. A rare modern spelling of Christina.


Zalika

Uncertain. Suggestions include a Swahili Muslim name meaning "ahead, brilliant", or an Egyptian Arabic name meaning 'well-born' or 'born into power'.


but who's counting

There are only 258 more shopping days until Christmas, but who's counting?

You've made that mistake eight times now. But who's counting?

I've been looking for a job for six months now, but who's counting?

(colloquial, rhetorical question, sarcastic, humorous) Used as a retort or comeback, often to deprecate oneself or another for excessive concern or attention to detail.


Dina

Equivalent of the biblical name Dinah in several European languages, ultimately from Hebrew דִּינָה.

der

Hebrew דִּינָה


Dina

Borrowed clipping of longer names in many languages, such as Italian Dina.


Emma

Brought to England by the Normans; short form of compound given names beginning with a Frankish prototheme Ermin- or Irmin- "entire", from Proto-Germanic *ermunaz.

Both Saxon and Norman chroniclers unite in representing the youthful Queen Emma as in a peculiar degree gifted with elegance and beauty; so that many flattering epithets had been bestowed on her - as "the Pearl," "the Flower," or "the Fair Maid" of Normandy.

1854, Matthew Hall, The Queens Before the Conquest, pages 259–260:

Emma Calvé...since Madame Bovary the name Emma suggests a solid bourgeois foundation, a country family...Emma Eames, a chilly name...a wind from the East.

1917, Carl Van Vechten, Interpreters and Interpretations., A.A.Knopf, page 92:

The cottage now belonged to Emma's mother Beatrix, who was a tutor in English literature at a women's college, specialising in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century novel. This may have accounted for Emma's Christian name, for it had seemed to Beatrix unfair to call her daughter Emily, a name associated with her grandmother's servants rather than the author of The Wuthering Heights, so Emma had been chosen, perhaps with the hope that some of the qualities possessed by the heroine of the novel might be perpetuated.

1980, Barbara Pym, A Few Green Leaves, →ISBN, page 8:

A female given name from the Germanic languages.


soft c

In English, the "c" sound in "cent", "central" and "circuit" as distinct from the hard c in "cat" and "cabin".

In Italian, the "c" sound in "certo" as distinct from the "c" sound in "caffè".

(phonology) In many languages, a letter "c" which is not pronounced as a velar stop (/k/, like English "k") but as a sibilant (/s/, like English "s") or an affricative (/tʃ/, like English "ch").


hard c

(phonetics) The "c" sound pronounced /k/, as in "cat" and "cabin", as distinct from the soft c, pronounced /s/, in "cent", "center" and "circuit".


Laurence

From the name of a third century Roman martyr, Latin Laurentius, "a person from Laurentum", the place name possibly derived from laurus (“laurel”) .

Romeo: Bid her devise / Some means to come to shrift this afternoon; / And there she shall at Friar Laurence' cell / Be shriv'd and married.

c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv]:

"I will do any thing, however impossible, if you will only not call me Mr Hervey. Why am I not Laurence to you - Miss Vivian calls me Laurence - I am Laurence to every one but you - let me hear you call me Laurence," in an earnest manner.

1835, Mary Shelley, Lodore, Wallis&Newell, published 1835, page 30:

A male given name from Latin, feminine equivalent Lauren


Bostonian

Bostonians eagerly await the arrival of spring after a long, cold, snowy winter.

Single-sex clusters of Bostonians made their boisterous way through the streets, hoping to collide with their opposite numbers.

2005, Zadie Smith, On Beauty, Penguin Books (2006), page 61:

A person who was born in or who lives in Boston, Massachusetts.


Obadiah

/ˌoʊbəˈdaɪə/

From Hebrew עובדיה (Ovadya, “servant of Yahweh”); comparable to Arabic عبد اللّٰه (ʕabd-allah, “servant of God”).

A male given name from Hebrew, of biblical origin.


repeater

(ufology) A person who regularly sees unexplained sightings of paranormal phenomena.

avvistatore

a person who regularly sees unexplained sightings of paranormal phenomena


Nahum

Derived from Hebrew נַחוּם (nakhúm, “consolation”).

der+

Nahum Tate's grandfather and father were both clergymen.

1853, Wiltshire Stanton Austin, John Ralph, The Lives of the Poets-Laureate, page 197:

(rare) A male given name from Hebrew of biblical origin.


Wendy

Popularized by the character in J.M. Barrie's play, Peter Pan (1904) (though occasionally found earlier); the author explained that he got it from Fwendy-Wendy ("friend"), a nickname given to him by a child.
Alternatively, from a diminutive of the Welsh Gwendolen; or from Wendelin, a diminutive of Wendel.
A habitational forename meaning, "island at the river bend", from Old English wende (“watercourse with a bend”) + ēġ (“island”).

inh

"What's your name?" he asked.
"Wendy Moira Angela Darling," she replied with some satisfaction. "What is your name?"
"Peter Pan."

1911, J. M. Barrie, chapter III, in Peter Pan, Wordsworth Editions Ltd, published 1993:

A female given name originating as a coinage.


Musa

Transliteration of Arabic مُوسَى (mūsā), Persian موسی (Musâ), and Turkish Musa; ultimately from Biblical Hebrew. Doublet of Moses.

A male given name from Arabic, equivalent to English Moses


Habakkuk

Borrowed from Biblical Hebrew חֲבַקּוּק (ḥăḇaqqūq). The name perhaps comes from חָבַק (ḥāḇaq, “embrace”), or perhaps from Akkadian 𒄩𒄠𒁀𒄣𒄣 (ḫambaqūqu [ḫa-am-ba-qu-qu], “garden herb”).

der

It would be Bowditch's last voyage. He had been lucky: a younger brother William died on a voyage to Trinidad in 1799, and an older brother Habakkuk drowned in Boston Harbor in 1800.

2009, Jeff Suzuki, Mathematics in Historical Context, page 315:


Katharine

A variant spelling of Catherine, based on the folk etymology that it would derive from Greek καθαρός (katharos "pure").

Petruchio.Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear.
Katharina.Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing:
They call me Katharine that do talk of me.


Cathy

It was named Catherine, but he never called it the name in full, as he had never called the first Catherine short, probably because Heathcliff had a habit of doing so. The little one was always Cathy, it formed to him a distinction from the mother, and yet, a connection with her; ( - - - )

1847 December, Ellis Bell [pseudonym; Emily Brontë], Wuthering Heights: […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Thomas Cautley Newby, […], →OCLC:

'Cathy sounds like the name of a truck-stop waitress,' she overheard her father-in-law tell Adam after they returned from their honeymoon. 'Tell her to call herself Cat and, for Christ's sake, get her to stop biting her lip all the time.'

2007, Kate Jacobs, The Friday Night Knitting Club, Hodder & Stoughton, →ISBN, page 124:

A diminutive of the female given name Catherine and of its variant forms, also used as a formal given name in the 20th century.


soft g

(phonology) The "g" sound pronounced /dʒ/ as in "gem", "giraffe" and "generation" (or sometimes or /ʒ/ as in "genre"), as distinct from the hard g of "get" and "give".


hard g

Hard g at last found his cap and again became Hard G, after which the fight was renewed.

1882, H.M. Dickson, The Elocutionist..., p. 41

(phonetics) The plosive /g/ sound in "get", "log" and "give" as distinct from the soft g in "gem", "giraffe", "lodge" and "generation".


Plutonian

en-adj

Plutonian (comparative more Plutonian, superlative most Plutonian)

more Plutonian (comparative)
most Plutonian (superlative)

The adjective is derived from Latin Plūtōnius (“of or relating to Pluto, Greek and Roman god of the underworld”) + -an (suffix forming adjectives). Plūtōnius is from Ancient Greek Πλουτώνιος (Ploutṓnios, “of or relating to Pluto”), from Πλούτων (Ploútōn, “Pluto”) (from πλοῦτος (ploûtos, “riches, wealth”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *plew- (“to fly; to flow; to run”)) + -ων (-ōn)) + -ιος (-ios, suffix forming adjectives). The English word is cognate with Middle French plutonien (modern French plutonien). The noun is derived from the adjective.

plutonien

of, pertaining to, or supporting plutonism — see also Plutonic

[…] he through the midſt unmarkt, / In ſhew Plebeian Angel militant / Of loweſt order, paſt; and from the dore / Of that Plutonian Hall, inviſible / Aſcended his high Throne, […]

1674, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], 2nd edition, London: […] S[amuel] Simmons […], →OCLC, page 264:

["]Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore— / Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!" / Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

1845 February, — Quarles [pseudonym; Edgar Allan Poe], “The Raven”, in The American Review, volume I, number II, New York, N.Y., London: Wiley & Putnam, […], →OCLC, page 144:

You rise by candle-light or gaslight, swearing / There never was a climate made like ours; / If rashly you go out to take an airing, / The soot-flakes come in black Plutonian show'rs.

1882 December 30, “A London Fog”, in Punch, or The London Charivari, volume 83, London: Published at the office, 85, Fleet Street, →OCLC, page 301, column 1:

Cotopaxi is striking not only because it looks like a science fiction conception of another planet; it also is the least realistic among [Frederic Edwin] Church's paintings of the area. […] Below the fiery sun is a lake with a barren shore. As such, the sun hangs over a Plutonian landscape.

2008, Rodrigo Lazo, “The Ends of Enchantment: Douglass, Melville, and U.S. Expansionism in the Americas”, in Robert S[teven] Levine, Samuel Otter, editors, Frederick Douglass & Herman Melville: Essays in Relation, Chapel Hill, N.C.: University of North Carolina Press, →ISBN, part I (Literary and Cultural Geographies), page 210:

(Greek mythology, Roman mythology) Of or relating to Pluto, the Greek and Roman god of the underworld; demonic, infernal.

Plutoniin liittyvä

of or relating to Pluto, the Greek and Roman god of the underworld


Plutonian

From Pluto (“dwarf planet in the Solar System”) + -n- + -ian (suffix forming adjectives meaning ‘from, related to, or like’, or nouns meaning ‘one belonging to, relating to, or like’), probably influenced by Plutonian (“of or relating to Pluto, Greek and Roman god of the underworld”) (see etymology 1).

affix

Another and perhaps more Plutonian view of this would be that David's bondage to his mother and the codes of behaviour which she set for him had extended throughout his life, in both profes[s]ional and personal spheres; and that bondage now had an opportunity of loosening, with all the attendant consequences.

1985, Liz Greene, “Fate and Synchronicity”, in The Astrology of Fate, Boston, Mass.: Weiser Books, Red Wheel/Weiser, →ISBN, page 293:

The notion of toxicity is a useful one in our effort to understand the further implications of Pluto in the USA chart. [...] Factor in what we have learned about the second house and we get another meaning of waste, related but distinctly more Plutonian: debris that poses an elimination problem once its value has been used up.

2006 October 6, Jessica Murray, “Power Madness: Pluto and American Hegemony”, in Soul-sick Nation: An Astrologer’s View of America, Bloomington, Ind., Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: AuthorHouse, →ISBN, page 41:

(astrology) Pertaining to the astrological influence of Pluto, formerly regarded as a planet.

Plutoon liittyvä

pertaining to the astrological influence of Pluto, formerly regarded as a planet


Plutonian

If you are a Plutonian and some of these traits emphatically do not fit you, just let them go and take what is helpful and descriptive of you personally. What will be given is a composite picture, based on working with a great many Plutonians over the years. Plutonians who are negatively inclined are often very guarded and rigid, afraid to let others get close. [...] There are Plutonians who operate predominantly on the positive level—healing, transforming, transmuting themselves and those around them.

1986, Donna Cunningham, “The Personality and Character of the Plutonian”, in Healing Pluto Problems, Boston, Mass.: Weiser Books, Red Wheel/Weiser, →ISBN, page 28:

(astrology) A person under the astrological influence of Pluto, formerly regarded as a planet.

The Plutonians, who are almost extinct, once held a superscience that they have largely lost. Early Plutonian visits to Earth survived in folk memory as the devil, since Plutonians are gigantic, with horns, hooves, and tail.

1998, Everett F[ranklin] Bleiler, Richard Bleiler, “[Story Descriptions.] 1423. THE EARTHMAN’S BURDEN. Astounding Stories, June 1931, Ill. Paul.”, in Science-Fiction: The Gernsback Years: A Complete Coverage of the Genre Magazines Amazing, Astounding, Wonder, and Others from 1926 through 1936, Kent, Oh., London: Kent State University Press, →ISBN, page 409, column 1:

(chiefly science fiction) An inhabitant of the dwarf planet Pluto.


Brandon

From Middle English Brandon, Brampdon, Bramdun, Bremedon, Bromdun, from Old English brōmdūn, from brōm (“broom shrub”) + dūn (“hill, dune”). Doublet of English Branton.

A male given name transferred from the surname, of 1980s and 1990s American and Canadian usage.

A number of places in the United States:

A city, the county seat of Rankin County, Mississippi.


Brandon

From Irish Mac Breandáin (“son of Breandán”). Doublet of Brendan.

A male given name transferred from the surname, of 1980s and 1990s American usage, variant of Brendan.


Kathleen

Anglicization of Caitlín, an Irish equivalent of the English Catherine.

Kathleen mavourneen! the gray dawn is breaking,
The horn of the hunter is heard on the hill,
The lark from her light wing the bright dew is shaking,
Kathleen mavourneen, what slumbering still?

1837, Marion Crawford - Frederick Nicholls Crouch, Kathleen Mavourneen (a song)


Elliott

en-proper noun

Elliott (countable and uncountable, plural Elliotts)

French: Éliot, Éliott, Élliot, Élliott

Swedish: Elliot

English surname derived from a Middle English diminutive of Elie, Old French form of Elias or Elijah, meaning "my God is Yahweh". As a Scottish surname it may also represent Gaelic Elloch from a word meaning a dam or bank.

(countable) A male given name
A male given name from Hebrew

A male given name transferred from the surname (today representing transferred use of the surname)


Alexa

* Alex + -a. A feminine form of Alex.
* Short for Alexandra.

Coordinate term: Siri

(computing) A speech recognition and intelligent personal assistant application developed by Amazon Inc.


Dora

A diminutive of Dorothy used since early 19th century. Sometimes also short for Theodora or Isidora.

"I think," said Robert, after waiting in vain for his cousin to speak, "that I shall call you Dorothy. It is a much prettier name than Dora."
"No, thank you," said Dorothy, quickly; "Dora is good enough for the common purposes of life."

1856, Margaret Agnes Paull, Dorothy: A Tale, B. Tauchnitz, published 1857, page 63:


Hiberno-English

/hɪˈbɜːnəʊ ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/

/haɪˈbɜːnəʊ ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/

/haɪˈbɝnoʊ ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/

The set of English dialects native to the island of Ireland, including both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.


Stefanie

A female given name from French, a less common spelling of Stephanie, from the French Stéphanie, feminine form of Stephen.


Forro

São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe

A creole language spoken in São Tomé and Príncipe.


Ezekiel

From Koine Greek Ἰεζεκιήλ (Iezekiḗl), from Biblical Hebrew יְחֶזְקֵאל (Y'ḥezqēl, “God strengthens”).

der

A male given name from Hebrew of biblical origin. First used by 17th century Puritans; rare today.


Zechariah

Book of Zechariah
Zechariah (Hebrew prophet)
Zechariah (priest)
Zechariah of Israel

/ˌzɛkəˈɹaɪə/

From Hebrew זְכַרְיָה (zəḵaryā, “the Lord has remembered”).


King Billy

(Ireland, Scotland, informal) King William III of England.


Bret

A male given name transferred from the surname, variant of Brett, ultimately meaning "a Breton".


Zola

A female given name created from Zoë or from the surname.


Riley

en-proper noun

Riley (countable and uncountable, plural Rileys)

* From Ryley in Lancashire, from Old English ryge (“rye”) + leah (“clearing, meadow”). Equivalent to rye + -ley (“lea”).
* Variant of Reilly, from Irish Ó Raghallaigh (see O'Reilly).

A male given name transferred from the surname, of 19th century and later usage.

A female given name from surname, of 1990s and later usage.

A town in Riley Township, Vigo County, Indiana, United States


Magnificat

Borrowed from Latin magnificat, the first word of the Latin version of the canticle.

(Christianity, music) The liturgical canticle of the Virgin Mary, sung in Christian churches; taken from her reported words upon the occasion of her Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth.


Aidan

Name of an Irish saint, Anglicized from Irish Aodhán and Scottish Gaelic Aodhan, diminutives of Aodh (literally "fire", the name of a Celtic sun god).

(rare) A female given name from Irish of modern usage.


Amos

From Biblical Hebrew עמוס (Amos, “to carry; a burden”).


Clifton

en-proper noun

Clifton (countable and uncountable, plural Cliftons)

*Literally meaning "town by a cliff." From Old English clif (“cliff”) + tūn (“town”). Analyzable as cliff + -ton.
*In Oregon County, Missouri, from Cliff + -ton. From being named after a Cliff, or which may be clipped to Clif.

(countable) A male given name transferred from the surname.


Tiffany

From Old French Tifinie, Tiphanie, from Latin Theophania (“Epiphany”), from Ancient Greek θεό- (theó-, “god”) (combining form of θεός (theós, “god”)) + φαίνω (phaínō, “I shine, appear”). Doublet of theophany.
A name traditionally given to girls born at Epiphany. Popularized by the homonymous, yet unrelated variant of the surname Tiffin, borne by the founders of jewelry company Tiffany & Co.

"That's her real name, you know. I mean, a lot of girls working the topless joints, they take exotic, sexy names...well, Tiffany Carter, for example...but that was the name Tracy was born with."

1985, Ed McBain, Snow White and Rose Red, page 130:

A female given name transferred from the surname.


kyrie

/ˈkɪəɹ.ɪˌeɪ/

From Ecclesiastical Latin Kyrie, contraction of the Ancient Greek phrase Κύριε ἐλέησον (Kúrie eléēson, “Lord, have mercy”), from Ancient Greek Κύριε (Kúrie), vocative form of Κύριος (Kúrios, “Lord”), from κῦρος (kûros, “supremacy, authority”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱēw-, *ḱewh₁- (“to swell, spread out, be strong, prevail”).

(Christianity) A short prayer or petition including the phrase kyrie eleison, meaning “Lord, have mercy”.


letter of relaxation

en-noun

letter of relaxation (plural letters of relaxation)

Do you think that the state of the exchanges is that which ought to guide the discretion of the Government, with reference to the issue of a similar letter of relaxation?

1858, Samuel Jones-Loyd Overstone, Overstone Tracts on Metallic and Paper Currency:

(Scots law) A letter passing the signet, whereby a debtor is relieved from personal diligence, or whereby an outlaw is reponed against sentence of outlawry.


Abkhaz

A Northwest Caucasian language spoken in Abkhazia.

аԥсуа

a Northwest Caucasian language spoken in Abkhazia


Northern Sami

The most widely spoken Sami language; it is spoken in northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland. It includes three dialects: Torne, Finnmark and Sea Sami.


leaver

An extraordinary cross-party summit bringing together leading leavers and remainers – including Michael Gove and senior members of Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet – has been held in high secrecy to address the failings of Brexit and how to remedy them in the national interest, the Observer can reveal.

2023 February 11, Toby Helm, “Revealed: secret cross-party summit held to confront failings of Brexit”, in The Observer, →ISSN:

(UK politics) Alternative letter-case form of Leaver