CHRISTIAN NAMES AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 65, 17 March 1900, Page 5 (Supplement)

CHRISTIAN NAMES AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE.

A writer in the "Globe," in a dissertation on English names, says:—"Richard," somehow, goes—or ought to go. which is the same thing—with high spirits. A name almost as typical of the English character is "Edward." "John" seems to confer some business capacity and an inclination to orthodoxy and averageness. "George." is probably impulsive and a bit of a flirt. "William" is the least definite of all, perhaps because it is the name that conveys least association of rank and position. "William" pervades the community with perfect impartiality. There have been Williams on the throne; and in the workhouse It is as common v cognomen as any other. It pays the penalty, as all words of wide application do, in a lack of individuality; On the other hand, an "Arthur" or an "Alfred"—in the abstract —instinctively attracts you; their owners ought to have chivalrous ideas. "Peter" impresses you as strong, but brusque; "Philip" as the possessor of a certain calm courtesy, which may or not be genuine; "Paul" as conscientious, while lacking in the sense of humour; "Lucy" is fragile, meekness is the least besetting sin of "Diana." and "Martha" you picture as a person of eternally knitted brows. There is all the difference in the world between "Dun" and "Daniel." All the associations of "Daniel" are solemn—Daniel Webster, Daniel Defoe, Daniel Deionda, to say nothing of the original Daniel. But if there is any name packed up with mirthfulness in each of its three letters it is "Dan." The main characteristic of Kate is vivacity. Is she not—that composite Kate of all the Kates—red-cheeked, lighthearted, sparkling in a common- -sense way, a sort of week-day Beatrice? But in praising Kate one does not commit oneself to admiration of Catherine. Say the name whispered at the font is "Margaret" —a form seldom seen outside of registers and voting lists. The babe grows up nice, sensible, and domesticated; and you call her Maggie. Or she may turn out a hoyden and become Molly. With a suspicion of the blue-stocking and a contempt for domestic detail, she is Marguerite. Madge is always a pleasant person—a sort of leisured Maggie. And it is, of course, possible to adopt new variants—such as Margot and Marjory—to suit the idiosyncrasies of the "nominee." Ever since he became an Alderman, Mr Tillett has declined to answer to "Benjamin." Mr Mann remains "Tom." Mr Benjamin Pickard: he is to the miners very much what Mr Pavnell was to the irishmen, and it would require as bold a man to call the one "Ben" as the other "Charlie."