Many people are fascinated by the idea of self-discovery. It is an in-born need to search for meaning, purpose, and identity, and there are many ways to go about this quest. Some people experience different types of therapy, hypnosis, and regression. Others take personality quizzes to get insights into their own minds and habits. Still others do genealogical research to learn about their family histories. All of these methods can be fascinating, and provide new insights and meaning in our lives. Another type of research is name-based research, looking into the origin of names of meaning of names. Most people are named before they are born, with their names having been chosen based on any number of factors – family tradition, ethnicity, personal influences on the parents, historical personages, religion, etc. Some interesting insights can be gained when you look up first name meanings and name origins, even if you don’t believe that the meaning of names necessarily fit the personalities of those who bear them. Of course, parents have no way of knowing for sure that their children will grow to live up to names that mean “strength” or “happiness” or “perseverance,” but meanings of names do give insights into the hopes, wishes, and values of family members who choose those names, especially if the names are traditional names in a given family.

Research of name origins and first name meanings can work as a great adjunct to genealogical study. As you research family history, additional insights can be gained by looking up the meanings of ancestors’ names, and the origins of those names. In cases where an ancestor’s nationality, ethnicity, or religious background is unclear, looking up the person’s name origin may get you started in the right direction.

In addition to researching the names of existing people, there are other useful applications of name research. One of the most practical uses comes when naming children, or even pets. People all over the world find themselves faced with the tough decision of what to name their babies. Name research websites are great for this. The best ones have cross-listed names, so you can search by alphabetical listing, origin, usage, or meaning to come up with hundreds of possibilities. Parents who would like to find a name with a certain meaning, cultural origin, religious significance, or national identity can easily find lists of names to choose from. This makes the process so much easier. Once the parents establish criteria for what we might call the “substance” of the name (origin, meaning, context) they can then simply decide on which name is the most pleasing to the ear. A similar process can be applied when choosing pet names, especially if the species or breed is linked to a certain culture or region. Whether you are researching names for the purposes of self-discover, naming children, or naming pets, this is a fun hobby that can have some practical applications.

The author is a college professor who also writes articles for non-academics who enjoy doing research as a hobby. He has written several articles about first name meanings and name origins, and the incorporation of the meaning of names and origin of names into the creative writing process.