The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-11-03
About Names.

Inc CHRISTIAN names derived from
the Latin tongue are numerous, as
might be expected from the greatness
of the general debt which all modern
languages owe TO the speech Of Rome.
Anthony (or Antony was a name
rendered famous by Roman, Marcus
Antonius-one Of the three who once
held conjunct rule over the world.
We therefore place it among the appel
lations borrowed from Rome, though ID
is derived from Greek term signifying
''hourishing."
Augustus is word which radically
signifies increasing, . waxing in hon.
or" and in this sense was given as
supplementary name to the first imper-
ial Cesar, since whose time it has been
common in families of princes.
The name of Cesar itself, it may be
remarked here, is occasionally used as
Christian name. 1t most probably
signifies, etymologieally, "well-haired"
or more likely still, 'red-haired."
From being the generic appellatiOn
of the emperors of Rome, Cesar has
been adopted by other pOtentates in
various quarters of the world. In Ger
many, for example, it was thus used in
the form of KAISER" and we believe
the northern word Gear" is be traced
to the same source.
Boniface is name which was much
esteemed by the early Christians, and
which many worthy Fathers of the
Church were well pleased to bear. Bon
ifaee has an excellent Specification IA
well doer."
Clement and Constantine are two
names from the Istin-the first signify
ing "mild" or "merciful," and the sec
ond, resolute, standing firm by any
thing" Felix is name in this same
condition; it means happy"
The next we have to notice was a
iavofite in other days, though, by some
unaecountable award of fate, the name
is no more 10 be heard among men.
We allude to the name of Hilary, which
signifies "merry" or cheerful"
Laurence is an agreeable name and
signifies ''laurel like, {" or "laurel crown
ed,n being derived from the Latin
''laurus," laurel.
Lionel, ga little lion, !" in its etymOlo-
gical sense. Martin is good martial
name, martial being its proper signi-
fieation. Maurice means one of Moor
ish origin, 'isprunG Of Moor" Oliver
is from the Latin word 'oliva," an
olive tree. Patrick has the sense of "a
noble" or "patrician." Arabella is
first in alphabetical order ot the female
names derived from the Latin, and
means a ''fair altar"
Barbara is from the same source as our
word "barbarous,n but has properly
the softer meaning of strange or ''for-
eign." Beatrice signifies making hap
py." Cecilia (and the less common
male name Cecil have in the Latin the
signifieation ''gray-eyed," or perhaps
"dim sighted" Clara is one of the
finest of our female names. 1t has the
meaning of 'clear" or ''brIght." Con-
stance means "resOIute." Grace, one
of the sweetest of all the names given
to Christian women, signifies simply
"favor," or grace in the sense of favor.
Felicia has the Specification of "hap-
py."
Julia is name in rather an awkward
predicament. 1t means ''sOft haired'
or "mossy bearded" Now what, in
the name of horror, are we to do with
a mossy-chinned Julia, or, still worse, a
Juliet, for they are all of a kin?
Letitia, usually shortened into Let
tiee, denotes '.joy." Lucy is a fIvorite
name with almost all. 1t is derived
from the same Latin word as the ad-
jective ''lueid," or light and has much
the same meaning.
Mabel is either,from ma belle. signify
ing "my fair" or contracted from anna
bills, 'lovely" or "amiable." Olivia is
a gOOl name, derived, like Oliver, from
the symbol ofpeaee, the olive. Patience
means what in common speech the word
implies.
To close this catalogue of baptismal
names from the Latin, we have but
one other to allude to, namely, URSULA
and how this appellatiOn came to be
given to any mortal woman We cannot
guess. The word signifies "female
bear"