I saw this link on another site, where someone else had picked it up from yet another site. It's mildly interesting. Here's me:
ALAN m
Usage: English, Scottish
Pronounced: AL-an
The meaning of this name is not known for certain, though it possibly means either "little rock" or "handsome" in Breton. It was introduced to England by Bretons after the Norman invasion. Famous modern bearers include Alan Shepard, the first American in space and the fifth man to walk on the moon, and Alan Turing, a British mathematician and computer scientist.
Ooh, this is going to take me quote a bit of research to find out... oh, here it is:
ALAN m
Usage: English, Scottish
Pronounced: AL-an
The meaning of this name is not known for certain, though it possibly means either "little rock" or "handsome" in Breton. It was introduced to England by Bretons after the Norman invasion. Famous modern bearers include Alan Shepard, the first American in space and the fifth man to walk on the moon, and Alan Turing, a British mathematician and computer scientist
I could be wrong, but I think my name means different things, depending on which dialect is used. My parents have told me my name means both "eagle" and "hero." Think on that, and be dismayed...
Typically, name books say it means "brave warrior," though one book gave it as "A dusty place."
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
Pulp Fiction wrote:Esmeralda : What is your name?
Butch : Butch.
Esmeralda : What does it mean?
Butch : I'm American, honey. Our names don't mean sh*t.
Technically, my name, David, means "beloved" in Hebrew--or something. Either that or I'm a Dutch painter, the second King of Judah and Israel, or the Patron Saint of Wales.
Interesting. The link gave something entirely new to me.
From a surname which was derived from the Old Norse given name Þórsteinn (see TORSTEN).
and...
SILVANUS m
Usage: Ancient Roman, Roman Mythology
Pronounced: sil-VAY-nus
Roman name derived from Latin silva "wood, forest". Silvanus was the Roman god of forests.
JAMES m
Usage: English, Biblical
Pronounced: JAYMZ
English form of the Late Latin Jacomus which was derived from Iakobos, the New Testament Greek form of Ya'aqob (see JACOB). In the New Testament James is an important apostle, the brother of the apostle John. According to the Book of Acts he was beheaded by Herod Agrippa. Another James is also mentioned in the Bible as being the brother of Jesus. Kings of England and Scotland have borne this name. Other famous bearers include the inventor of the steam engine James Watt, the explorer Captain James Cook, and the novelist and poet James Joyce.
For you Alans here:
The Alains were a European tribe from early historical times. Unfortunately, I couldn't find them in my encyclopedia, and my CAESAR'S COMMENTARIES doesn't have an index. "Dash it all!" (to fall into bluff British mode).
So I resorted to good old Google, and there they were.
perso.club-internet.fr/allain_e/Html/onoma/Onomastic2.htm
Tribe of Iranian origin, pushed out by the Huns in 375 from its native land, the Caucasus, it invaded the Western Frankish Country in 406 at the same time as the Vandals.
A small part of Alains followed the Vandals to Spain in 409 where they settled in Lusitania (at present Portugal); others passed through the Mediterranean sea to settle at Carthage.
A large part remained quartered near Orléans where it was used as mercenaries by the Visigoths to hold the Armoricans; it will give its surname to some cities like Allainville or Allaines
"The universe is made of stories, not atoms." -- Roger Penrose
Back to my own -- the one I was born with, not the middle name I use whose meaning is obvious -- the site doesn't have it but I have read that it means "star," a corruption of Ishtar, the star of devastation. (reference Velikovsky)
"The universe is made of stories, not atoms." -- Roger Penrose
* 
Corrected.
