BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012.


You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?



January 19, 2014 3:02 am  #1


etymology of sherlock character names

John: Bright hair, come here
Sherlock: God is gracious, you're not being gracious.
John: Water farming called.
Sherlock: What does he want?
John: He says that foot holder is back.
Sherlock: that means beloved is in danger
John: which one?
Sherlock: probably both of them.

since BBC series goes by first names (except for villains), I will put in the etymology of everybody's first names:

Group 1: Protagonists

Sherlock: Old English "scir-lock"
meaning = "bright hair"
John: Hebrew "Yochanan" --> Greek "Ioannes" --> English form "John".
Meaning = "God is gracious"
Mycroft: Old English "Mype-Croft"
Meaning = water + pasture (water farming?)
Mary: Greek "Mariam" --> Latin "Maria" --> English "Mary"
Meaning = beloved (?)

Group 2: Antagonists

James: Greek "Iakobos" --> Latin "Iacobus" --> English "Jacob" --> James
Meaning = er weird, two explanations are given: (1) foot holder; (2) may God protect
Irene: Greek "Eirene" --> English "Irene"
Meaning = peace
Charles: German "Karl" --> English "Charles".
Meaning = man.
Kitty: Greek "Katharos" --> English "Katherine" --> Kitty
Meaning = pure

Group 3: Friends & Family

Martha: Aramaic "marta" --> English "Martha".
Meaning = lady/mistress
Molly: Greek "Mariam" --> Latin "Maria" --> English "Mary" --> Molly
Meaning = beloved (?)
Greg: Greek "gregoros" --> Latin "Gregorius" --> English "Gregory" ---> Greg
Meaning: alert & watchful
Sarah: Hebrew "Sarah" --> English "Sarah"
Meaning = lady/princess

Group 4: Supporting Cast

Sally: Hebrew "Sarah" --> English "Sarah" --> Sally
Meaning = lady/princess
Phillip: Greek "Philippos" --> English Philip --> Phillip
Meaning = friend of horses
Anthea: Greek "Antheia" --> English "Anthea"
Meaning = flower
Janine: Greek "Iohannes" --> French "Jehanne" --> French "Jeanne" --> French "Jeannine" --> English "Janine".
Meaning = God is gracious.

Group 5: Clients

Sebastian: Greek "sebastos" --> Latin "Sebastianus" --> English "Sebastian"
Meaning = venerable
Elizabeth: Hebrew "Elisheva" --> Greek "Elisabet" --> English "Elizabeth"
Meaning = God is my oath

References: websites = Behind the Name; Wiktionary; Wikipedia; Baker Street Wikia

Last edited by saturnR (January 19, 2014 3:24 am)

 

January 19, 2014 10:48 am  #2


Re: etymology of sherlock character names

I will seek to post an essay about British naming habits of the 1860s too as it would add another interesting layer to understanding Doyle's name choices...

 

Board footera

 

Powered by Boardhost. Create a Free Forum