What’s in a name?

Margaret, Pearl, and other names you didn’t know were related

Names are fascinating because they are much more than mere identification. They carry meanings that sometimes originate from faraway places, centuries past. Names can change so much that, centuries down the line, a John, a Sean, an Ivan, and a Jean can gather without realizing they are all named after different versions of Ioannes.

In this article, let’s explore 10 different cases of names that may look different but are connected by their shared origins and meanings.

If you walk down the street, the chances of coming across someone named James or Jacob are quite high. But did you know that James and Jacob are actually the same name? Jacob is the English version of the Hebrew Yaakov, meaning "supplanter"—the name of a prominent Israelite patriarch. It entered English through Greek (Iakobos) and Latin (Iacobus).

However, Latin also had a popular version of the name, Iacomus, adopted by many Romance languages: Giacomo in Italy, Tiago in Portuguese, Jaime, Iago, and Santiago in Spanish, and James in Old French. The name James eventually made its way into English alongside thousands of other French words after the Norman Conquest.

Fun fact: although they originate from the same root, Jacob is used for the Patriarch while James (and its equivalents) are traditionally used for the Christian apostle.

Although they started as nicknames, Nelly and Nora are now widely accepted as proper names. But where do they come from? Nora is the shortened version of Eleanor, originally from the medieval French Aliénor. The name was introduced into English when Aliénor of Aquitaine, mother of Richard the Lionheart, married King Henry II.

The shortened Nelly also became a name of its own. Unlike Nora, however, Nelly has been used as a nickname for several different names, including Eleanor, Helen, Elena, Danielle, Penelope, Natalie, Elizabeth, and even Nelson.

Augustus, meaning "great" or "majestic," was originally a Roman title given to emperors that eventually became a name and was incorporated into English as both Augustus and August. The Greek-speaking regions of the Roman Empire, however, had their own version of the title, Sebastos, which later evolved into names such as Sebastian, Bastian, and Bas.

And what about Austin? Augustine, another variant of Augustus, evolved into the popular form Agustín in Spanish. In Old French, Agustin was shortened to Aostin and eventually became Austin, which also found its way into English.

The names Beau and Bonnie may sound similar, but not for the reason you might think. While both mean "beautiful," "handsome," or "pretty," and both come from Latin via French, they actually derive from different roots.

Beau, typically a male name, comes from Old French bel, which in turn comes from Latin bellus, meaning "beautiful." Bonnie, a traditional Scottish female name, is derived from the French word bon/bonne (meaning "good"), which originates from the Latin bonus.

Is being good the same as being pretty? French isn’t the only language to suggest so. In Spanish, _bonito/bonita_—used to mean "pretty"—also comes from a diminutive form of bueno (good).

It’s not difficult to imagine a connection between Sophie and Sonia. They both come from the same Greek word, sophia, meaning "wisdom," and they even sound similar. But how did they evolve to their current versions?

Sophie is (to no one’s surprise) the French version of the name Sophia. Sophie was adopted into English much earlier than Sophia, and became especially popular in the 18th century. On the other hand, Sonia (sometimes spelled Sonja or Sonya) is of Russian origin, a diminutive form of the name Sofiya.

Following a trend on this list, the name Margaret is of French origin. The French version, Marguerite, came via Latin from margarites, a Greek word meaning "pearl." So, Margaret and Pearl? Essentially the same name.

But does Daisy also mean "pearl"? No. Daisy is of English origin, but it became a nickname for Margaret because marguerite is also the French word for the daisy flower. Over time, Daisy came to be used as a proper name in its own right.

Traditionally used as an epithet of the Greek goddess Hera, the name Alexander comes from the Greek elements alexein ("to defend") and andros ("of man"), meaning "protector of men."

Edmund has no Greek roots, but it is linked to Alexander by meaning. Of Old English origin, Edmund is formed from ēad ("prosperity" or "wealth") and mund ("protector"). With such strong meanings, it’s no surprise that both names have been borne by many kings and leaders throughout history.

Let’s start with the answer: Susan means "lily." But how?

The origins of the name Susan can be traced back to Ancient Egypt and Persia. In Egyptian, shoshen was the word for the lotus flower, a symbol often associated with purity and rebirth. In later linguistic transitions, it came to be used for the lily as well. From Persian shushana (also meaning lily), the name passed into Hebrew as Shoshannah, then into Greek as Sousanna, Latin as Susanna, and eventually English as Susan.

The name Liliana comes from the Latin word lilium, meaning "lily." From that root came Lilian and its many variations.

Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin, most famously the name of a biblical prophetess. Its root word, d’vora, means "bee" and has been interpreted as symbolic of the diligence and the protectiveness displayed both by the insect and by the biblical figure.

Melissa also means "bee," but its roots are Greek. The Greek word for "honey" is meli, and melissa was the word for "bee"—literally, "honey-maker."

There is no way all these names are the same, right? Well, while they aren’t equivalents and don’t come from the same root, they all relate to the color "red."

Rory and Flynn are both of Gaelic origin: Rory comes from ruadh (meaning "red") and means "red king," while Flynn (from the Irish Floinn) was originally a surname meaning "descendant of Flann" ("ruddy" or "of red complexion").

Before becoming a person’s name, sienna was a burnt red-orange color, named after the clay from the Italian city of Siena. The Latin rufus (from ruber, meaning "red") was an adjective used to describe someone who was "red-haired" or "ruddy."

And what about Adam? Doesn’t it mean "man" or "mankind"? Yes, it does, but it comes from the Hebrew adamah, meaning "earth" or "ground," because Adam was said to be made from the dust of the ground. Adamah was used specifically for red soil or red clay, and the name Adam has historically been interpreted as meaning "red" or "of red earth."

A sign of belonging

Long hair and right hands: 11 religious customs across the world

There are thousands of religions around the world, each following unique beliefs and customs. Some practices arise from the cultures associated with a particular faith, others from traditions shaped by historical events, and some can work as a way of showing adherence to a certain religion.

While some practices and beliefs may be shared among different religions, some are distinctive to a particular group. In this article, we will explore 11 customs and traditions that are unique to a religious group.

Sikhism is a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of India. Nowadays, it is estimated that around 30 million people around the world follow the Sikh faith.

As instructed by Guru Gobind Singh, Sikhs uphold five distinctive symbols of their faith, known as the Five Ks. One of these symbols is Kesh, or uncut hair, which Sikh men traditionally cover with a turban. This commandment also applies to facial hair. Sikh women tend to leave their uncut hair down, but some choose to wear a turban or other forms of head covering.

The sign of the cross, also known as signing oneself, is a Christian practice that dates back to at least the 3rd century and signifies the belief in the Holy Trinity. It is performed by touching the forehead, then the chest, and finally both shoulders.

While Catholics and other Christian denominations also use the sign of the cross, Orthodox churches are the main religious group to be identified by this practice performing it from right to left (touching the right shoulder first) and using three fingers to represent the Trinity.

Buddhism stands out for its lack of certain concepts that most Western people would come to expect from a major religion. One of these is the idea of a soul or a permanent, unchanging essence within a person. Instead, the focus is on the cycle of death and rebirth (samsara) and the interconnection of all things.

For Buddhists, nothing is isolated. Everything is part of a big system that’s interconnected, and clinging to the notion of a fixed self leads to suffering and disappointment. Letting go of attachments is a way to transcend suffering and move toward enlightenment (nirvana).

Fridays are a special day in the Catholic tradition because they commemorate the day Christ died. This makes it a day of reflection, penance, and sacrifice, as a way to share the hardships and troubles Christ suffered. One common form of penance is by abstaining from eating meat.

Traditionally, not sacrificing an animal to eat was a way to highlight Christ’s death as the major sacrifice on Fridays. Because meat was once the foundation of most diets, giving it up was seen as a meaningful act of self-denial. This tradition only applies to warm-blooded animals, and everything that lives in water is permitted, which sometimes led to people eating beavers and capybaras on Good Friday.

Religious images are an important topic in all Christian denominations. Some use it as a way of honoring God and remembering the saints, while others feel that they can lead to improper veneration, and most Protestant denominations fall into the second category: they believe that it violates the biblical commandment against idolatry.

In following this custom, they prefer not to have images or overtly ornate churches, not only to avoid giving material things the reverence owed only to God, but also as a way to avoid distractions.

Weddings are joyous occasions across all cultures and religions, but Hindu weddings are on a different level. They are known for being colorful, ornate, and filled with dances, good food, and music. But this is not just a cultural trait: the wedding ritual is also ornate and intricate, and is one of the longest wedding rituals in the world.

While Hindu wedding customs vary widely by region, language, and community, they all share a common spiritual foundation. Most include at least three main rituals, each with its own traditions and associated ceremonies, making Hindu weddings multi-day events, often lasting a minimum of three days.

Many cultures and religions designate a specific hand for certain activities, such as eating or drinking, as a way to promote cleanliness. In Islamic tradition, the right hand is considered the appropriate hand for such acts, not only for reasons of hygiene but also for spiritual and symbolic significance.

Many Muslim scholars reference the right hand is associated with purity and blessing, while the left is considered impure and reserved for tasks related to personal hygiene. Some traditions also believe that the devil eats with the ‘impure’ hand, so they recommend using the right hand so as not to imitate him.

Shinto is a nature-based religion with centuries of history, practiced primarily in Japan. It venerates multiple deities, known as kami, which are believed to inhabit natural landscapes, forces of nature, and various aspects of life. By venerating them in their shrines, Shinto followers aim to cultivate harmonious relationships with these deities.

Unlike many other religions, Shinto does not have a central scripture or formal doctrine that dictates how it should be practiced. There is a strong focus on rituals and traditions, which are deeply ingrained in Japanese society and its customs. This means that there are multiple variations of Shinto practice, depending on the region, its history, and its customs.

Judaism is an ethnoreligion, meaning its religious beliefs are closely intertwined with cultural identity, even for Jews who may not consider themselves religious. One enduring tradition is the breaking of a glass by the groom during the wedding ceremony, a custom observed even by many secular Jews.

The breaking of the glass is traditionally understood as a remembrance of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the hardships that followed. But why such a sad memento on a joyful occasion? To remind us that life has its ups and downs, and joy is always mixed with sorrow.

Taoism (also known as Daoism) is both a religion and a philosophy stemming from ancient China, but with influences in many Asian societies. It emphasizes harmony with the universe and its energy (Tao or Dao), and has many practices related to meditation and spiritual cultivation.

The Inner Smile is one of these customs. By smiling inwardly, followers of Tao aim to cultivate a sense of gratitude and love for their bodies and, through this connection, release negative energy and promote well-being.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church) observes several dietary guidelines, one of which is the avoidance of coffee and tea. But where does this custom originate?

The Word of Wisdom (a section of LDS scripture) outlines health-related guidelines, including the prohibition of certain substances. Among these, "hot drinks" are forbidden. Traditionally, this has been interpreted to mean hot coffee and tea (excluding herbal teas). For many members, this has extended to avoiding caffeine altogether, though interpretations vary. Some believe that chilled coffee and tea are permissible, while others consume alternative caffeinated beverages, such as soda.