Names #280-287

statue of the goddess Aphrodite (Anadyomene),
  known as Venus in Rome, possibly from Crete,
about 100 to 200 B.C.

GIRLS

IDALIA -  According to John Cleland, in his book  Specimen of an etymological vocabulary, Idalia originates in this fashion:

city on the island of Cyprus

In Greek mythology, Calcenor was told by an oracle to build a city on the spot where he saw the sun set, and this was at the foot of the hill Idalion or Idalius, or Idalia. Therefore the meaning of Idalia is given to mean 'I saw the sun'.

See:  Primer diccionario general etimologico de la lengua espanola, Volume 3, Part 1

Aqueduct, one of the great contributions
of ancient Rome

Another etymology I came across, in more than one source, is the idea that Italia is derived from Idalia. In one theory, Idalia (and therefore Italia) come from the Basque word idia, meaning 'ox'.  

JOYLETH - This is guesswork on my part so far. There seem a few possibilities for its origin, without finding anything that definitely connects it to a history or etymology. One is that it is a variation of the name Joy, possibly combining it with 'leth as Yamileth ends this way (I found Joyleth as a name in some instances of Hispanic women and thought perhaps this is a 'smooshed' name, using both English and Spanish, or perhaps Portuguese or Italian, name conventions).


Another idea is that it is indeed a name in its own right derived perhaps from a Hebrew or Arabic source.

A third idea is that the J functions much the way the letter i does (j often replaces i, and y as well) and it is a version of Violet. Yolande and Yolanda and Jolan are all derived from the same Greek origin as Violet.

I did wonder if it could come from a different sort of surname, such as Joliffe.

It could be a 'diminutive', as names ending in 'ette' are when used with a feminine name, such as Juliet (or Juliette). In some languages or dialects, perhaps this is how Juliette or Jolette sound.

There is a place in south-central France called Yolet. Maybe the name comes from that part of France or the language spoken there, or a people or tribe that lived there once (obviously pure conjecture on my part).

In that same fashion, could it come from a different place name altogether? Such as Joliet.

I wondered if it could be a variant on 'jewel'. In Spanish jewel is said 'joya', but pronounced 'hoy uh'.

If you have ANY information on the origin or meaning or history of this name, I hope you comment. I've not had any luck so far.




KINVARA - Irish Gaelic, from Cinn Mhara, meaning "head of the sea".

Kinvara, Ireland

BOYS




LEBBEUS -  According to Anthony John Maas in his book The Gospel According to Saint Matthew says, regarding the name Lebbeus:

Sea of Galilee

MILETUS - 



Miletus is a figure in Greek mythology, born on the island of Crete, his mother left him in a smilax bush to die (fearing her father). His own father, the god Apollo, found him there and saved him. He is the supposed founder of the city of Miletus in Turkey (now just an archaelogical site, or at least, the part that is not underwater, thanks to the river Meander).

NORBOURNE - 

Thomas Otway, 17th century playwright

OTWAY- German, meaning "one who is fortunate in battle".

Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria, and a good army commander
in World War I