Christian Christian Names: Baby Names inspired by the Bible and the Saints. Martin Manser

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СКАЧАТЬ Angelica, Angelina, Angeline.

      Male variant: Angelo.

      Angelo male variant of Angela.

      Ann, Anne (f)

      [an] from the name Hannah, from Hebrew meaning ‘favour’ or ‘grace’.

      Tradition names Ann as the mother of the Virgin Mary. According to the Protevangelium of James, Ann came from Bethlehem. Ann and her husband Joachim were devout and generous to the poor. They failed, however, to conceive any children for some 20 years, prompting them to promise God that if they did have a child they would consecrate the child to him. An angel appeared to Ann to announce that their prayer had been heard. Ann duly conceived and gave birth to Mary. Ann is honoured as the patron saint of Canada, Brittany, housewives, women in labour and cabinetmakers.

      Variants: Anita, Annette, Annie, Annika, Nan, Nancy, Nanette, Nina.

      Anna (f)

      [AN-uh] from the name Hannah, from Hebrew meaning ‘favour’ or ‘grace’.

      An elderly widow and prophet from the tribe of Asher. Anna recognised the baby Jesus as the Messiah when he was brought into the temple (Luke 2:36–38).

      Variants: Ania, Anya.

      Anne see Ann.

      Anselm (m)

      [AN-selm] from the Old German name Ansehelm, from ans ‘god’ and helm ‘helmet’.

      Italian bishop (c.1033–1109). Born into a noble family of Piedmont in Italy, he attended monastery school from the age of five. In 1060 Anselm was admitted as a monk to the Benedictine order at Bec Abbey in Normandy, where he established a reputation as a preacher, scholar and teacher. In 1093 he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, in which role he proved a vigorous defendant of the English church against secular interference, frequently resisting the wishes of William II and Henry I and even having to go into temporary exile on two occasions because of his outspoken criticism. Anselm was a dedicated opponent of slavery and in 1102 secured a resolution of the ecclesiastical council at Westminster condemning the practice. Among those profoundly influenced by his writings were such notable figures as St Thomas Aquinas.

      Variants: Ansel, Ansell.

      Anthony, Antony (m)

      [AN-tuh-nee] (an English form of the Roman clan name Antonius, with the h being added because of the incorrect association with Greek anthos ‘flower’).

      The name of several saints, including the Egyptian hermit Antony (251–356). Born at Coma near Memphis in Egypt, Antony had an intense religious experience while listening to the proclamation of the gospel at mass at the age of 20. He responded to this by giving away all his considerable possessions and taking up the life of a hermit in a hut just outside Memphis, dedicating himself to prayer and contemplation and resisting the torments and temptations of daily life. After 15 years there he felt the need for greater solitude and withdrew to an isolated mountain in the Libyan desert, thus becoming one of the founders of the monastic tradition. Aged 55 he founded a loose community of monks who met for worship and teaching.

      Also Antony of Padua (c.1196–1231), Portuguese preacher and theologian. Born in Lisbon, Antony of Padua entered an Augustinian monastery at Coimbra near Lisbon in 1210 and earned a reputation as a scholar and preacher. At the age of 25 he joined the Franciscans with the ambition of serving as a missionary with them. Illness, however, prevented him from performing such work overseas and he had to content himself with preaching in central Italy. He became one of the most celebrated preachers of his day, attracting huge audiences wherever he went. Impressed by Antony’s gifts, St Francis appointed him teacher of theology to the Franciscan order (the first person to be given the post). He spent his final years in Padua before his premature death at the age of 36, preaching and promoting reform there.

      He is honoured today as the patron saint of Portugal and of lost articles (a reference to the legend that when a young friar stole a valuable manuscript from the saint a terrifying demon menaced the youth, obliging him to return the manuscript to its owner).

      Variants: Antoine, Anton, Antonio, Tony.

      Feminine forms: Antoinette, Antonia, Toni.

      Antoinette, Antonia feminine forms of Anthony.

      Antony see Anthony.

      Apollonia (f)

      [a-puh-LO-nee-uh] from Greek, meaning ‘of Apollo’.

      Martyr of Alexandria (died 249). Tradition has it that Apollonia was an elderly deaconess of Alexandria who was among the Christians put to death by a rioting mob. Her attackers knocked out several of her teeth before moving to burn her alive if she did not renounce her faith. Before they could manhandle her further Apollonia offered a brief prayer and then walked willingly into the fire. She is honoured today as the patron saint of dentists.

      Variants: Appolina, Appoline.

      Apollos (m)

      [a-POL-uhs] from Greek, meaning ‘destroyer’.

      A gifted teacher in the church at Corinth, but whose initial enthusiasm at Ephesus needed correction (Acts 18:24–28).

      Aquila (m)

      [uh-KWIL-uh] from Latin, meaning ‘eagle’.

      With his wife Priscilla he was a close friend of Paul (Acts 18:1–3), who had an influential teaching ministry and travelled widely for the sake of the gospel.

      Archelaus (m)

      [are-kee-LAY-uhs] from Greek, meaning ‘people’s chief’.

      Archelaus was the son of Herod the Great who ruled Judea, Idumea and Samaria from 4 BC to 6 AD. He was known for his intense cruelty and tyranny. When Mary and Joseph left Egypt with the infant Jesus, they avoided going to Judea and instead went to Nazareth. (Matthew 2:22).

      Ariel (m, f)

      [AIR-ee-uhl] from Hebrew, meaning ‘lion of God’, ‘hearth of God’ or ‘altar of God’.

      The name is applied in the Old Testament to two bold Moabites who were killed by David’s warrior Benaiah (‘two lionlike men’, 2 Samuel 23:20, KJV). Also the name of one of the men sent by Ezra to met Iddo (Ezra 8:16).

      Arnold (m)

      [AR-nuhld] from Old German, meaning ‘eagle strength’.

      Greek by birth, Arnold served in the court of the Emperor Charlemagne. He was known especially for his great devotion СКАЧАТЬ