Access to Names Dictionary - Girl and Boy Name Meanings If you you wish to find the meanings of name's please click on the letter of your choice to access the Names Dictionary. What's in a name - the famous question posed by William Shakespeare This is probably the most famous question ever asked about a name. The quote comes from Romeo and Juliet the play by William Shakespeare. The Shakespearean words are as follows: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name Would smell as sweet" It would be lovely if this were true, but of course it isn't. Juliet knows this even as she is saying it, she is fully aware of the automatic conflict between anyone called Montague or Capulet. The point that is being made is that names are incredibly important and people will always be judged by them. Shakespeare was also aware of this fact and the plots of his plays constantly feature plots involving mistaken identities and prejudice. Name Associations The name Romeo itself has now become a term which is used to generally describe a young man with romance on his mind - similar to the meaning of Casanova which is famous because of the great Italian lover! What would your first impression be if you met a man called Casanova? Of course in Shakespeare's time there was no such thing as a names dictionary! First Name Origins - Girl and Boy Name Meanings Going back in time, before the 12th century, takes us to an era where people were usually only referred to by their first-name. The Romans, and their society, were the exceptions having several of the them. The vast majority of people did not travel a great deal and lived in small communities where their first-name distinguished them from each other. Names were not duplicated within a village so there was no confusion. Each new baby was blessed with something original and unique in that society. Increases in population, travel and different cultures influenced this custom and Surnames, were slowly introduced. Thus the eventual need for a special kind of Dictionary. |