Specialists at For Your Little One have compiled a list of nine popular baby names whose meanings may come as a surprise to parents, as previously reported by the Express. While some names sound pleasant, their translations include 'unfortunate', 'bitter', and even 'pig'.
Names with Unfortunate Translations
Mallory, typically given to baby girls, originates from the old French maleüré meaning "unfortunate". The name reached peak popularity in 1988 and has been declining ever since.
Mara, another feminine name, translates to 'bitter' in Hebrew. Within the Bible, Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, adopted the name Mara to convey her sorrow following her husband and sons' deaths.
Cameron, a gender-neutral choice, has Gaelic origins from the words "cam" and "sròn", meaning crooked nose. Tristan stems from the French "triste", meaning "sad" or "melancholy".
More Names with Surprising Meanings
Dolores translates to 'sorrows' in Spanish, with origins in the Latin "dolor". The name enjoys particular favour among Roman Catholic families owing to Nuestra Señora de los Dolores ("Our Lady of Sorrows"), otherwise known as the Virgin Mary.
Brónagh / Bróna (Brónach), pronounced 'bro-nah' or 'bro-nuh', originates from the Gaelic term brónach, signifying "sorrow" or "sadness". Claudia, the female form of Claudius, is connected to the Latin claudus, denoting lame or crippled.
Cecilia is a girl's name of Italian heritage, deriving from the Latin name Caecilia and the Latin caecus, meaning "blind" or "hidden". Portia, a feminine name with Latin origins, means 'pig', yet has risen in popularity following its use in several Shakespeare plays, including The Merchant of Venice and Julius Caesar, and is frequently given to powerful female characters.
