A slick, modern sounding name that dates back
to ancient mythology.
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Origin: |
From the ancient Greek word Θηρων (theron) meaning 'hunter', derived from Θηρ (ther) "wild beast" and the masculine ending -ων (on). Potnia Theron was an epithet of the hunter goddess Artemis, literally translating as "Mistress of the wild beasts." However, in this case θηρ-ῶν (ther-on) was the genitive plural form of Θηρ (ther). |
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Usage: |
Theron is found on a few men in Ancient Greece, most notably the Greek city-state leader Theron of Acragas, whose Olympic feats in the chariot race were celebrated by Pindar and is described as being "just in his regard for guests"*. A figure named Theron is also mentioned in Virgil's Aeneid. The character "Great Theron" is described as a warrior ,"huge chief," "large of limbs, of giant height"*. In Britain, Theron is best recognised as an uncommon surname, South African actress Charlize Theron being the most famous bearer. The 1911 census lists only two Theron families, one in Northumberland, the other in Somerset. As a first name, Theron is very rare. There were only 18 registrations of the name recorded between 1840-1940 in England and Wales, and 60 between 1941-2006. The name saw a slight spike in 2008, when seven boys were given the name. The name has seen more usage in the USA, where it has been borne by at least three U.S. Representatives in the 19th century, though it does not rank in the Top 1000 there either. |
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Famous Bearers: |
History: * Theron of Acragas (d.473 BC), ruler of Acragas in Sicily from 488 BC. Literature: * Theron Ware is the protagonist in Harold Frederic's 1896 novel The Damnation of Theron Ware, or Illumination. Contemporary: * Theron Sapp (b.1935) is a former American football running back. |
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Pronunciation: |
THE-rən, THEE-rən [key] |
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Sibling Names: |
Thalia Calla Lyra Mila Evadne Leda |
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Name Lists: |
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This post was revised August 2012.
'Twas Ever Thus...
When I was writing my article on Victorian name trends for nameberry.com a month ago, I discussed the use of patriotic appellations and, specifically, Boer War battle-baby-names from 1900 such as Mafeking, Pretoria, Colenso and Bloemfontein.
Since then I have found this contemporary article from The Weekly Standard and Express in 1900 that discusses this very trend. There is also an interesting mention of the popularity of Edna being used in honour of American actress Edna May who became a star in 1898 when the The Belle of New York became a big hit in London theatre.
WAR BABIES.
Queer Names Given by Patriotic Parents
Whats in a name? She whom we call Mary Smith by any other name would smell as sweet.
No doubt she would, but it is hardly likely that this fact would reconcile her to the appellation of Smith prefaced by Rhodesia Pretoria Bloemfontein.
"Rhodesia Pretoria Bloemfontein! I love you! Will you be mine, Rhodesia Pretoria Bloemfontein?" Fancy a poor girl having to listen to her lover struggling out with such a rigmarole when the critical point of proposing comes. Yet this will be the fate of Mary Smiths of twenty years hence, unless their mothers can refrain from falling victims to the latest craze for giving babies names connected with the war.
The numerous bevy of little thirteen-year old Jubilees are already regretting that their mammas were so loyal in 1887, and before the new century has gone very far there will be another band of outraged damsels who will, in their annoyance at finding themselves branded Graspan, Belmont and Glencoe, almost sorry that their papas distinguished themselves in those battles.
A lady who has a husband fighting in South Africa has lately written to "The London Evening News" a letter in which she says:-- "I have just noticed in your paper that one man has named his son Pretoria and another Colenso. I have a baby. We have called him Glencoe-Modder -- as my husband has a friend in the battle of Glencoe, and my brother was at Modder River. When I registered my baby a few days back the registrar told me that they had several already named Glencoe."
Still Glencoe-Modder -- Modder, by the way, means nothing more or less than muddy -- will have the pull of all the other Glencoes by reason of the second barrel to his Christian name. No one else can as yet boast of three or even two South African substitutes for Jack and Tommy. An "Evening News" representative has satisfied himself on this point during a tour among the London registry offices.
At the Holborn office, the registrar told him that Holborn's tally of war names amounted to six. These were distributed among Glencoe, Dundee and Elandslaagte, or rather, Eland, the mythical gentleman from whom the Laagte also took its title.
Hackney was found to have recently had a "Methuen" added to its population, while farther east there were discovered a "Buller," a "Bobs," and a "Baden," supplemented by more "Glencoes."
Apart from the war, "The Belle of New York" has been followed by a lot of little "Ednas," whose parents' admiration of Miss May has led them to call their baby girls after her. It is also worthy of note that among the deserts of Islington there is a youngster rejoicing in the name of Osman Digna, who under the shadow of the "Angel" will perpetuate the memory of the celebrated dervish.
The Weekly Standard and Express
(Blackburn), Saturday, February 03, 1900
So, there you go. When naming a little girl, make sure you consider the "critical point of proposing" and spare her future sweetheart.
Does anyone else love the journalist's not-so-subtle put down of Modder as being "muddy"?
Posted at 06:54 AM in Historic Names, Historical Name Commentary, Namesakes | Permalink | Comments (0)
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