My Name Edwin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

My Name Edwin - Essay Example The reason these relationships are no longer recognized is that, in many cases, the language in which the name originated falls out of use. Most of these names originated as descriptive terms of the person who bore them. These were typically collections of nouns and adjectives such as ‘Wulfgar’, which includes the still recognizable word ‘wolf’ combined with a once recognized word ‘gar’ which referred to a specific type of weapon. â€Å"Parents would choose names from the pool of existing names rather than invent new ones for their children. As time went on the language changed and in many cases the words that formed the original name passed out of use, leaving the fossilized form in the name. This is why we do not recognize the meanings of many names today† (Elliott, 1997). The name ‘Edwin’ is one of these names with an ancient history and meaning despite its relatively recent revival in modern use. According to the â€Å"Etymology of First Names† (2002), the name ‘Edwin’ is comprised of two Old English words ‘ead’ and ‘wine’ or sometimes ‘wyne’, which mean â€Å"rich or blessed† and â€Å"friend† respectively. Elliott (1997) disagrees slightly and defines ‘ead’ as meaning â€Å"prosperity, fortune, riches.† Thus, the name is translated to mean â€Å"rich friend†, â€Å"blessed friend† or â€Å"friend to prosperity† depending upon the translator’s conception of the word ‘ead.’ The name is considered a traditional name in German, Dutch, and English, but is generally agreed to have originated in Germany. Part of the reason for this is its connection with Old English. However, the name had to have once enjoyed a great deal of popularity as it eventually became the foundation for a particular surname depicting the reach it eventually gained. Evidence that the name was widespread exists in the appearance of the surname Edevane in Wales.â€Å"This surname is so rare as not to appear in the