A long lost medieval gem that's part Bella, part Millicent.
There are also tons of lovely variants to choose from:
Belissant, Bellicent, Belsante and Belissenda.
|
Origin: |
Belisent and Belisant are Old French forms of the Germanic name Belissendis. Recorded variants include Belissant, Belissent, Belissenda, Belisencia, Belsant, Belsante and Belesenta. The meaning of the name is obscure, but further research does throw up highly plausible possibilities. Fortunately, Frankish and Old Germanic names were generally made up of two parts and so records of other early Frankish feminine names, such as Arsindis, Bilichildis and Hildesendis, help us to unlock the elements in Belissendis. The first element of Belissendis is most likely derived from the Old High German bili meaning "suitable, proper, fitting, decent, amiable," which is related to the Old English bilewit "sincere, honest, calm, gentle, merciful, gracious." The same element is found in the Germanic name Biligard (later Bellegarde, Beliard and Beligard). The second element has two possibilities. The OHG word sind meaning "road, path" is descended from the Ancient Germanic *sinþa "going, walk, travel" and related to the Old English sið "way, journey" — ultimately the origin for the modern English word "send." One very plausible theory**, on the other hand, suggests that Frankish masculine names containing sind (e.g. Chlodosind, Chramnesind) represent sind "road, path," while feminine names ending in sind actually represent the specifically female element swind "strong, brave, powerful" (derived from the Ancient Germanic *swinþa). There is substantial evidence that supports this idea. Adalsind, for example, is also recorded as Adalswinda and Adalsuinda, (adal "noble + swind "strong"), while Mathasuenta (mahti "might" + swinþa "strong") later became Maisent and Maysant. The most significant supporting example is Amalaswintha (amal "work" + swinþa "strong"). We know her now as Millicent, but her earlier forms included Milisendis, Melisenda, Melisende, Melisant, Melissent and Millesenta. All are remarkably similar to Belisent and her variants. |
|
Usage: |
There are tantalising references in Old French chansons de geste, the epic poems that were very popular in the 12th century, of a Belisent, the daughter of Charlemagne. This Belisent is not a character of history — there is no evidence that the real Charlemagne actually had a daughter with this name — but she is certainly a character of lore and legend. Belisent "daughter of Charlemagne" appears in the epic poems of Ami et Amile, Otinel and Ogier the Dane, all of which had Anglo-Norman versions. Though the same name, and parentage, was used, the character is portrayed quite differently in the different tales. In some cases Belisent is feisty and determined, marrying for love; in others she is more docile and follows her father's dynastic wishes for her marriage. Interestingly, in Spanish versions she is called either Belisera or Melisenda. Many other contemporary works used the name (in various forms) for minor characters*. The name is also found in Arthurian legend. In the English account Of Arthour and of Merlin (c1330) and the Idylls of the King (1856) Belisent, or Bellicent, is the wife of Lot and mother of Gawain, Mordred, Gareth, Gaheris, and Agravain. She is alternatively known as Anna (in Latin text) or Morgause (in French text), the half-sister of Arthur. Unlike Morgause's later portrayal, Belisent is Arthur's kind and loving sister. As a given first name, the name can be found in occasional use in England in the 12th and 13th century in the forms Belsant, Belsante, Belsent, Belesent and Belesenta. It fell out of use after the 14th century. Tennyson used the name Bellicent for Arthur's sister in his Idylls of the King (1856 — 1885). This, and the Victorian love of Arthuriana, may account for the rare usage of Belisent and Bellicent in the late 19th century. The name has not been used, in any form, in Britain since. |
|
Famous Bearers: |
Legend and Literature: * In Ami et Amile (c.1200) Belisent is the daughter of Charlemagne who falls in love with Amile and, determined to marry him, sets out to seduce him. This poem was a popular tale of miracle and sacrifice which eventually ends with Amile and Belisent happily married. It was later adapted into Middle English as Amis and Amiloun (c.1330) with the name Belisaunt. * In Otinel or Otuel a Knight (c.1330) Charlemagne promises his daughter Belisent in marriage to converted saracen Otinel. Otinel refuses to marry Belisent until he has proven himself as a Christian knight. When he does, the couple marry and rule Lombardy together. Both the continental and Anglo-Norman versions were widely performed. * In the English Romance Of Arthour and of Merlin (c.1330) Belisent is the half-sister of Arthur and wife of Lot. * Alfred, Lord Tennyson used the name in the form Belicent in his Idylls of the King (1856 — 1885). |
|
Variants: |
Belissendis (Germanic), Belisent, Belisant (Old French), Bellicent (Literature), Belesenta, Belesanda, Belsant, Belsante, Belsent |
|
Pronunciation: |
BEL-ə-sənt (UK) [key] |
|
Possible |
Belle, Bella, Billie, Ellie, Elsie, Leni, Sela |
|
Sibling Names: |
Luned Adeliza Imayna Aveza Meliora Liadan |
|
Name Lists: |
|
If you like Belisent you may also like: |
