I used this site: http://www.behindthename.com/ but there are loads others out there.
What's your name mean?
- Thread starter HottyToddyChick
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Patrick
From the Latin name Patricius, which meant "nobleman". This name was adopted in the 5th-century by Saint Patrick, whose birth name was Sucat. He was a Romanized Briton who was captured and enslaved in his youth by Irish raiders. After six years of servitude he escaped home, but he eventually became a bishop and went back to Ireland as a missionary. He is traditionally credited with Christianizing the island, and is regarded as Ireland's patron saint.In England and elsewhere in Europe during the Middle Ages this name was used in honour of the saint. However, it was not generally given in Ireland before the 17th century because it was considered too sacred for everyday use. It has since become very common there.
JOSEPH
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Biblical
Other Scripts: יוֹסֵף (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: JO-səf (English), zho-ZEF (French), YO-zef (German) [key]
From Ioseph, the Latin form of Greek Ιωσηφ (Ioseph), which was from the Hebrew name יוֹסֵף (Yosef) meaning "he will add". In the Old Testament Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob. Because he was the favourite of his father, his older brothers sent him to Egypt and told their father that he had died. In Egypt, Joseph became an advisor to the pharaoh, and was eventually reconciled with his brothers when they came to Egypt during a famine. This name also occurs in the New Testament, belonging to Saint Joseph the husband of Mary and Joseph of Arimathea.In the Middle Ages, Joseph was a common Jewish name, being less frequent among Christians. In the late Middle Ages Saint Joseph became more highly revered, and the name became popular in Spain and Italy. In England it became common after the Protestant Reformation. This name was borne by rulers of the Holy Roman Empire and Portugal. Other notable bearers include Polish-British author Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) and the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin (1878-1953).
From the Latin name Patricius, which meant "nobleman". This name was adopted in the 5th-century by Saint Patrick, whose birth name was Sucat. He was a Romanized Briton who was captured and enslaved in his youth by Irish raiders. After six years of servitude he escaped home, but he eventually became a bishop and went back to Ireland as a missionary. He is traditionally credited with Christianizing the island, and is regarded as Ireland's patron saint.In England and elsewhere in Europe during the Middle Ages this name was used in honour of the saint. However, it was not generally given in Ireland before the 17th century because it was considered too sacred for everyday use. It has since become very common there.
JOSEPH
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Biblical
Other Scripts: יוֹסֵף (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: JO-səf (English), zho-ZEF (French), YO-zef (German) [key]
From Ioseph, the Latin form of Greek Ιωσηφ (Ioseph), which was from the Hebrew name יוֹסֵף (Yosef) meaning "he will add". In the Old Testament Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob. Because he was the favourite of his father, his older brothers sent him to Egypt and told their father that he had died. In Egypt, Joseph became an advisor to the pharaoh, and was eventually reconciled with his brothers when they came to Egypt during a famine. This name also occurs in the New Testament, belonging to Saint Joseph the husband of Mary and Joseph of Arimathea.In the Middle Ages, Joseph was a common Jewish name, being less frequent among Christians. In the late Middle Ages Saint Joseph became more highly revered, and the name became popular in Spain and Italy. In England it became common after the Protestant Reformation. This name was borne by rulers of the Holy Roman Empire and Portugal. Other notable bearers include Polish-British author Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) and the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin (1878-1953).
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KIMBERLY
From the name of the city of Kimberley in South Africa, which was named after Lord Kimberley (1826-1902), whose surname meant "CYNEBURGA's field" in Old English. The city came to prominence in the late 19th century during the Boer War. Kimberly has been used as a given name since the mid-20th century, eventually becoming very popular as a feminine name.
CYNEBURGA Means "royal fortress" from Old English cyne "royal" and burg "fortress". Saint Cyneburga, a daughter of a king of Mercia, was the founder of an abbey at Gloucester in the 7th century.
From the name of the city of Kimberley in South Africa, which was named after Lord Kimberley (1826-1902), whose surname meant "CYNEBURGA's field" in Old English. The city came to prominence in the late 19th century during the Boer War. Kimberly has been used as a given name since the mid-20th century, eventually becoming very popular as a feminine name.
CYNEBURGA Means "royal fortress" from Old English cyne "royal" and burg "fortress". Saint Cyneburga, a daughter of a king of Mercia, was the founder of an abbey at Gloucester in the 7th century.
SADIE
Gender: Feminine Usage: English Pronounced: SAY-dee [key]
Diminutive of SARAH
Means "lady" or "princess" in Hebrew. This was the name of the wife of Abraham in the Old Testament. She became the mother of Isaac at the age of 90. Her name was originally שָׂרָי (Saray), but God changed it (see Genesis 17:15). In England, Sarah came into use after the Protestant Reformation.
Gender: Feminine Usage: English Pronounced: SAY-dee [key]
Diminutive of SARAH
Means "lady" or "princess" in Hebrew. This was the name of the wife of Abraham in the Old Testament. She became the mother of Isaac at the age of 90. Her name was originally שָׂרָי (Saray), but God changed it (see Genesis 17:15). In England, Sarah came into use after the Protestant Reformation.
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MELISSA
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Dutch, Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Μελισσα (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: mə-LIS-ə (English) [key]
Means "bee" in Greek. This was the name of a nymph that cared for young Zeus in Greek mythology. It is also the name of the fairy who helps Rogero escape from the witch Alcina in Ludovico Ariosto's poem 'Orlando Furioso' (1516). As an English given name, Melissa has been used since the 18th century
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Dutch, Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Μελισσα (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: mə-LIS-ə (English) [key]
Means "bee" in Greek. This was the name of a nymph that cared for young Zeus in Greek mythology. It is also the name of the fairy who helps Rogero escape from the witch Alcina in Ludovico Ariosto's poem 'Orlando Furioso' (1516). As an English given name, Melissa has been used since the 18th century
I choose the second one. It looked like it had more teeth.
TARA (2)
Gender: Feminine Usage: Indian, Hinduism Other Scripts: तारा (Hindi, Sanskrit)
Means "star" in Sanskrit. Tara is the name of a Hindu astral goddess, the wife of Brhaspati. She was abducted by Soma, a god of the moon, leading to a great war that was only ended when Brahma intervened and released her. This is also the name of a Buddhist deity (a female Buddha).
TARA (2)
Gender: Feminine Usage: Indian, Hinduism Other Scripts: तारा (Hindi, Sanskrit)
Means "star" in Sanskrit. Tara is the name of a Hindu astral goddess, the wife of Brhaspati. She was abducted by Soma, a god of the moon, leading to a great war that was only ended when Brahma intervened and released her. This is also the name of a Buddhist deity (a female Buddha).
Fred is short for Frederick:
FREDERICK
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English Pronounced: FRED-ə-rik, FRED-rik [key]
English form of a Germanic name meaning "peaceful ruler", derived from frid "peace" and ric "ruler, power". This name has long been common in continental Germanic-speaking regions, being borne by rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, and Prussia. Notables among these rulers include the 12th-century Holy Roman emperor and crusader Frederick I Barbarossa, the 13th-century emperor and patron of the arts Frederick II, and the 18th-century Frederick II of Prussia, known as Frederick the Great. The name was brought to England by the Normans in the 11th century but it quickly died out. It was reintroduced by the German House of Hanover when they inherited the British throne in the 18th century. A famous bearer was Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), an American ex-slave who became a leading advocate of abolition.
FREDERICK
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English Pronounced: FRED-ə-rik, FRED-rik [key]
English form of a Germanic name meaning "peaceful ruler", derived from frid "peace" and ric "ruler, power". This name has long been common in continental Germanic-speaking regions, being borne by rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, and Prussia. Notables among these rulers include the 12th-century Holy Roman emperor and crusader Frederick I Barbarossa, the 13th-century emperor and patron of the arts Frederick II, and the 18th-century Frederick II of Prussia, known as Frederick the Great. The name was brought to England by the Normans in the 11th century but it quickly died out. It was reintroduced by the German House of Hanover when they inherited the British throne in the 18th century. A famous bearer was Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), an American ex-slave who became a leading advocate of abolition.
DANA (2)
Gender: Masculine & Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: DAY-nə [key]
From a surname which originally belonged to a person who was Danish. It was originally given in honour of American lawyer Richard Henry Dana (1815-1882), the author of 'Two Years Before the Mast'.
DANA (1)
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Czech, Romanian, German
Pronounced: DAH-nah (Czech, German) [key]
Feminine form of DANIEL
DANA (3)
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Bulgarian, Macedonian
Other Scripts: Дана (Bulgarian, Macedonian)
Short form of BOGDANA, YORDANA or GORDANA
Gender: Masculine & Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: DAY-nə [key]
From a surname which originally belonged to a person who was Danish. It was originally given in honour of American lawyer Richard Henry Dana (1815-1882), the author of 'Two Years Before the Mast'.
DANA (1)
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Czech, Romanian, German
Pronounced: DAH-nah (Czech, German) [key]
Feminine form of DANIEL
DANA (3)
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Bulgarian, Macedonian
Other Scripts: Дана (Bulgarian, Macedonian)
Short form of BOGDANA, YORDANA or GORDANA
EDWARD
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, Polish
Pronounced: ED-wərd (English), ED-vahrt (Polish) [key]
Means "rich guard", derived from the Old English elements ead "rich, blessed" and weard "guard". Saint Edward the Confessor was the king of England shortly before the Norman conquest. He was known as a just ruler, and because of his popularity this name remained in use after the conquest when most other Old English names were replaced by Norman ones. The 13th-century king Henry III named his son and successor after the saint, and seven subsequent kings of England were also named Edward. This is one of the few Old English names to be used throughout Europe (in various spellings).
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, Polish
Pronounced: ED-wərd (English), ED-vahrt (Polish) [key]
Means "rich guard", derived from the Old English elements ead "rich, blessed" and weard "guard". Saint Edward the Confessor was the king of England shortly before the Norman conquest. He was known as a just ruler, and because of his popularity this name remained in use after the conquest when most other Old English names were replaced by Norman ones. The 13th-century king Henry III named his son and successor after the saint, and seven subsequent kings of England were also named Edward. This is one of the few Old English names to be used throughout Europe (in various spellings).
Thanx a lot this is a partial description of my given name ...." a nun thrown into a vat of molten lead by the Moors...." Just great 
My actual name
CATHERINE
Gender: Feminine
Usage: French, English
Pronounced: ka-tə-REEN (French), ka-TREEN (French), KATH-ə-rin (English), KATH-rin (English)
My nickname
KATE
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Croatian
Pronounced: KAYT (English) [key]
Diminutive of KATHERINE. It has been used in England since the Middle Ages. This was the name of the woman who Petruchio marries and tries to tame in Shakespeare's comedy 'Taming of the Shrew' (1593).
CATHERINE
Gender: Feminine
Usage: French, English
Pronounced: ka-tə-REEN (French), ka-TREEN (French), KATH-ə-rin (English), KATH-rin (English)
My nickname
KATE
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Croatian
Pronounced: KAYT (English) [key]
Diminutive of KATHERINE. It has been used in England since the Middle Ages. This was the name of the woman who Petruchio marries and tries to tame in Shakespeare's comedy 'Taming of the Shrew' (1593).
ARON
Gender: Masculine
Usage: Polish, Scandinavian
Pronounced: AH-rawn (Polish) [key]
Polish and Scandinavian form of AARON
So, going to Aaron to find the actual meaning......
AARON
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Other Scripts: אַהֲרֹן (Ancient Hebrew), Ααρων (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: AR-ən (English), ER-ən (English) [key]
From the Hebrew name אַהֲרֹן ('Aharon) which is most likely of unknown Egyptian origin. Other theories claim a Hebrew derivation, and suggest meanings such as "high mountain" or "exalted". In the Old Testament this name was borne by the older brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Israelites. He acted as a spokesman for his brother, and carried a miraculous rod. As an English name, Aaron has been in use since the Protestant Reformation.
Gender: Masculine
Usage: Polish, Scandinavian
Pronounced: AH-rawn (Polish) [key]
Polish and Scandinavian form of AARON
So, going to Aaron to find the actual meaning......
AARON
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Other Scripts: אַהֲרֹן (Ancient Hebrew), Ααρων (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: AR-ən (English), ER-ən (English) [key]
From the Hebrew name אַהֲרֹן ('Aharon) which is most likely of unknown Egyptian origin. Other theories claim a Hebrew derivation, and suggest meanings such as "high mountain" or "exalted". In the Old Testament this name was borne by the older brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Israelites. He acted as a spokesman for his brother, and carried a miraculous rod. As an English name, Aaron has been in use since the Protestant Reformation.
DIANE
Gender: Feminine
Usage: French, English
Pronounced: dee-AN (French), die-AN (English) [key]
French form of DIANA, also regularly used in the English-speaking world.
Probably derived from an old Indo-European root meaning "heavenly, divine", related to dyeus (see ZEUS).
Diana was a Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, forests, and childbirth, often identified with the Greek goddess Artemis.
Yeah that's me!
Gender: Feminine
Usage: French, English
Pronounced: dee-AN (French), die-AN (English) [key]
French form of DIANA, also regularly used in the English-speaking world.
Probably derived from an old Indo-European root meaning "heavenly, divine", related to dyeus (see ZEUS).
Diana was a Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, forests, and childbirth, often identified with the Greek goddess Artemis.
Yeah that's me!
Aaron also means "bearer of martyrs" in Hebrew, I like that one better.
Thanks.
SERENA
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Late Roman Pronounced: sə-REEN-ə (English), se-RE-nah (Italian) [key]
From a Late Latin name which was derived from Latin serenus meaning "clear, tranquil, serene". This name was borne by an obscure early saint. It was also used by Edmund Spenser in his poem 'The Faerie Queene' (1590).
My parents completely missed the boat when they named me. :24:
:willy_nilly: :ninja
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Late Roman Pronounced: sə-REEN-ə (English), se-RE-nah (Italian) [key]
From a Late Latin name which was derived from Latin serenus meaning "clear, tranquil, serene". This name was borne by an obscure early saint. It was also used by Edmund Spenser in his poem 'The Faerie Queene' (1590).
My parents completely missed the boat when they named me. :24:
:willy_nilly: :ninja
WILLIAM
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English
Pronounced: WIL-ee-əm, WIL-yəm [key]
From the Germanic name Willahelm, which was composed of the elements wil "will, desire" and helm "helmet, protection". Saint William of Gellone was an 8th-century cousin of Charlemagne who became a monk. The name was common among the Normans, and it became extremely popular in England after William the Conqueror was recognized as the first Norman king of England. It was later borne by three other English kings, as well as rulers of Scotland, Sicily (of Norman origin), the Netherlands and Prussia.Other famous bearers include William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish hero, and William Tell, a legendary 14th-century Swiss hero. In the literary world it was borne by dramatist William Shakespeare (1564-1616), poet William Blake (1757-1827), poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850), dramatist William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), author William Faulkner (1897-1962), and author William S. Burroughs (1914-1997).
But apparently at work it means- "Hey you, fix this problem and pick up the mess.":surrender
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English
Pronounced: WIL-ee-əm, WIL-yəm [key]
From the Germanic name Willahelm, which was composed of the elements wil "will, desire" and helm "helmet, protection". Saint William of Gellone was an 8th-century cousin of Charlemagne who became a monk. The name was common among the Normans, and it became extremely popular in England after William the Conqueror was recognized as the first Norman king of England. It was later borne by three other English kings, as well as rulers of Scotland, Sicily (of Norman origin), the Netherlands and Prussia.Other famous bearers include William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish hero, and William Tell, a legendary 14th-century Swiss hero. In the literary world it was borne by dramatist William Shakespeare (1564-1616), poet William Blake (1757-1827), poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850), dramatist William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), author William Faulkner (1897-1962), and author William S. Burroughs (1914-1997).
But apparently at work it means- "Hey you, fix this problem and pick up the mess.":surrender
:24::24:...yeah
KIMBERLY (Kimberley)
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: KIM-bər-lee [key]
From the name of the city of Kimberley in South Africa, which was named after Lord Kimberley (1826-1902), whose surname meant "CYNEBURGA's field" in Old English. The city came to prominence in the late 19th century during the Boer War. Kimberly has been used as a given name since the mid-20th century, eventually becoming very popular as a feminine name.
KIM (1)
Gender: Feminine & Masculine
Usage: English
Pronounced: KIM [key]
At the present it is usually considered a short form of KIMBERLY, but it in fact predates it as a given name. It was used by the author Rudyard Kipling for the title hero of his novel 'Kim' (1901), though in this case it was short for KIMBALL. In her novel 'Show Boat' (1926) Edna Ferber used it for a female character who was born on the Mississippi River and was named from the initials of the states Kentucky, Illinois and Mississippi. The name was popularized in America by the actresses Kim Hunter (1922-2002) and Kim Novak (1933-), both of whom assumed it as a stage name.
KIM (2)
Gender: Masculine
Usage: Scandinavian
Scandinavian short form of JOACHIM
KIM (3)
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Vietnamese
Means "golden" in Vietnamese.
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: KIM-bər-lee [key]
From the name of the city of Kimberley in South Africa, which was named after Lord Kimberley (1826-1902), whose surname meant "CYNEBURGA's field" in Old English. The city came to prominence in the late 19th century during the Boer War. Kimberly has been used as a given name since the mid-20th century, eventually becoming very popular as a feminine name.
KIM (1)
Gender: Feminine & Masculine
Usage: English
Pronounced: KIM [key]
At the present it is usually considered a short form of KIMBERLY, but it in fact predates it as a given name. It was used by the author Rudyard Kipling for the title hero of his novel 'Kim' (1901), though in this case it was short for KIMBALL. In her novel 'Show Boat' (1926) Edna Ferber used it for a female character who was born on the Mississippi River and was named from the initials of the states Kentucky, Illinois and Mississippi. The name was popularized in America by the actresses Kim Hunter (1922-2002) and Kim Novak (1933-), both of whom assumed it as a stage name.
KIM (2)
Gender: Masculine
Usage: Scandinavian
Scandinavian short form of JOACHIM
KIM (3)
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Vietnamese
Means "golden" in Vietnamese.