How VooWood handles name meanings

A name meaning is more complicated than a one-line translation. VooWood uses four labels to make the evidence easier to understand.

Direct meaning

The relevant word or historically documented name element directly carries the meaning being discussed.

Derived meaning

The personal name derives from another word or older name whose meaning is known. The modern name itself may no longer function as that ordinary word.

Associated meaning

The connection comes from imagery, mythology, color, nature or cultural symbolism rather than a direct translation.

Modern word-name

A vocabulary word is used, or could plausibly be used, as a contemporary personal name even though it was not a conventional historical given name in the source language.

Japanese names

For Japanese entries, the written form matters. The same pronunciation may have multiple kanji spellings with different meanings. VooWood must not assign one meaning to a pronunciation when the meaning depends on a particular spelling.

Latin content

For Latin, VooWood distinguishes ancient personal names from ordinary Latin vocabulary. A useful Latin word can inspire a modern name, but that does not make it a common Roman given name.

German content

For German and Germanic names, VooWood distinguishes modern German words from older Germanic name elements. Similar spelling is not enough to prove a shared meaning.