Question about Brendan's meaning.......
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| Thu, 10-20-2005 - 10:18am |
I have read on here somewhere (I can't find the darn post now, wouldn't you know it!?) that Brendan means "smelly hair". I would like to know where that meaning comes from. Before we named our son that, we searched and searched and NEVER saw anything like that. As far as I have ever seen, it means either Prince, Little Raven, or sword-blade, depending on whether its Gaelic, Welsh, or German.
Not that it makes a difference to me, but I'm curious where this meaning is from and where did you find it???
I guess I should give some history why I want to know so bad...my sister and brother-n-law said that's what it means and were constantly bringing it up in front of my son, not very nice if you ask me. One day I could not take it anymore and made some snide remark back to them and they finally got the hint to stop. They have no kids and seem to think that mine are for their entertainment......yes, I have issues with that.....but I just have never heard of that meaning for Brendan and would love to know where it comes from. And no, it doesn't change my mind about the name. We are huge hockey fans and our BRendan's name was inspired by my favorite player!!!!!!!!
Thanks for any info you could give me!
Theresa

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She's just being a ridiculous snit. Who but women look at name meanings anyways? Not other kids, that's for sure. MY Brendan certainly doesn't have smelly hair. I think it's a great name for a little guy...but I'm biased ;).
What's the meaning of her name? Do a bunch of searches and find something not flattering and wing it back to her!
I checked my son, Benjamin's, name on behindthenames.com, and they had it partially right.
Jacob had two sons with Rachel-the rest of the tribe was with his first (and accidental) wife, Leah and his handmaiden. So Joseph and Benjamin, the sons of Rachel, were his most beloved. (He worked for 7 years for his future father in law to marry Rachel. On the wedding day, his father in law switched brides, sending Leah instead of Rachel. (Thus is the custom of lifting the veil before the vows are said..it goes back to that story)Jacob married Rachel later.) Rachel died having Benjamin, "and as she breathed her last--for she was dying--she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. Thus Rachel died." (Gen 35:18) Ben-oni means, literally son (Ben) of suffering (oni). Ben-jamin, menas son (ben) of the right hand, or son of the south.
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This post is way off topic here, but reading that story reminds me of the book, "the Red Tent". Have you read it? Its a fictional story of Dinah, a daughter of Leah (if I remember correctly) and what *happened* in her life. Of course, its not based on history, but I found it very interesting to read. It does go into some detail about Ben-oni, too.
If you get a chance, check it out!
Theresa
We are WAY off topic, but...
I have heard that book is EXCELLENT. Dina is only mentioned by name once-as the only daughter of Leah. She was married to a man who may or may not have raped her and was not Jewish. Everyone in the city (this man was some sort of royalty) was "converted" to Judaism via circumcision, and then Jacob gave his blessing. Reuben and (I think) Asher did not like that this occured, and went in and slaughtered many in the village. Jacob was humiliated by his sons and had to flee. What happened to Dina is unknown. I like to think she had a happy life...
That's all there is about Dina, and there is a lot that could be written into that story. Personally, there are other stories (and I view them as stories...) that are better.
Benjamin is doing the Isaac/Abraham story for his bar mitzvah. That is my LEAST favorite story and it is his favorite. Go figure...
Steph
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That's ok, I accept the appology, although I figured you meant nothing harmful by it anyway. I just tend to be overly sensitive now that I am pregnant, and the thought of someone having bad thoughts of me is bothersome. No bad feelings!!
Denise
Sometimes I think certain baby name books just make up random meanings to some names to be different, like they have "the inside scoop" on something so you'd better buy their book. lol I personally have never ever heard of that meaning, but I'm sure it's listed in someone's book somewhere. ;)
I still wouldn't let it bother me, though. You know the true meaning (and I liked someone else's idea of finding a negative meaning for your sister or BIL's names ... that would be great lol). If it makes you feel better, though, there are plenty of quite popular names with pretty bad meanings. I won't name any, because I don't want to offend, but I've seen one meaning "crooked nose" and even one meaning "ugly head," among other things. Obviously people who use those names don't mind. At least your son's actually has a good meaning (as it seems pretty clear the true meaning has been proven).
Good luck with the relatives! :)
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Denise,
I didn't remember who had posted it, but I didn't think the person was trying to be cruel. It just seemed like such an oddly cruel meaning for a name to have. Smelly hair? That's just weird. Now "stinky feet" I might understand. ;-)
I believe that your baby name book gave that meaning, but I'd be interested to know where the authors of that book found the meaning.
Please know that I have no hard feelings against you. :-)
Stephanie
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