DAPHNE :
Pronounced: DAF-nee
Origin(s): Greek Mythology, English, Hebrew
Meaning: Means “Bay tree” or “laurel tree” in Greek. In Greek mythology virtuous Daphne was a nymph transformed into a laurel tree by her father in order that she might escape the pursuit of Apollo. Daphne Du Maurier, 1907-89, was the author of popular novels, including Jamaica Inn (1936) and Rebecca (1938).
DOUGLAS :
Pronounced: DUG-lus
Origin(s): Scottish, English, Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Irish
Meaning: Dweller by the dark stream; Dark stranger; “From the dark river” or “blood river” from Gaelic dubh “dark” and glais “water, river”. Douglas was originally a river name, the site of a particularly bloody battle, which then became a Scottish surname. The surname belonged to a powerful line of Scottish earls. The Scottish Douglas clan had two historical branches: Black Douglases and Red Douglases. The lords of these clans figure in Sir Walter Scott‘s novels. Douglas Adams was a British author who wrote The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series of books.
Information sources include Behind the Name and Baby Zone. I don’t know why I decided to do this little project, but I’m going to post two names each day for the month of October. The names for each day will begin with same letter, and I’ll work my way through the alphabet until I do “Z” on October 26th. The names for the rest of the month will come from reader submissions.
