(no subject)

[mmmrorschach.livejournal.com]

I just saw Pulp Fiction for the first time a few days ago. (I know, where have I been all my life?) This scene seemed somewhat relevant to this community's interests.

BUTCH: …Esmarelda Villalobos -- is that Mexican?
ESMARELDA: The name is Spanish, but I'm Columbian.
BUTCH: It's a very pretty name.
ESMARELDA: It means "Esmarelda of the wolves."
BUTCH: That's one hell of a name you got there, sister.
ESMARELDA: Thank you. And what is your name?
BUTCH: Butch.
ESMARELDA: Butch. What does it mean?
BUTCH: I'm an American, our names don't mean shit.

Is that right? I know most names probably used to mean something in some language nobody cares about anymore, but nowadays Bruce just means Bruce, John just means John, and Zennifer just means I get to laugh at you.

So, in other languages do a higher proportion of names mean something, you know, like, literally? In other countries, if you can't think of a name can you rifle through the dictionary real quick and come up with something decent? I think the only guideline is that you have to pick an abstract concept. You can't name your kid Box Cutter or anything like that.

Generally, I don't like names like Faith, Destiny, or Perseverance. I think they might be a little too straightforward or presumptuous, but some of them can work well, maybe, maybe not, I don't know.

Comments

[sandtree.livejournal.com]

I always thought Eleanor was actually just the name of Eleanor of Aquitaine, and made up to distinguish her from her mother, something about Alia-aenor, 'the other Aenor'.