Christian Name Origin

[JimboR]

Does anyone know the origin of the christian name Xenophon. It appears in each generation of the 19th century Smith line I'm researching. Would the shortened version be Ino??

Kind regards

Jim

[trystan]

Jim

I'm no authority, but I've "Googled" around for Xenophon and Ino for you.

Xenophon was a (male) greek historian philosopher by the look of it.
http://www.xenophongi.org/milhist/greece/xenolife.htm

"Ino" a female Greek god. http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/greek-mythology.php?deity=INO

Seems that "Ino" is a shortened name of Leucothea (or renamed?):
http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/D1L.HTM#LEUCOTHEA

Trystan

http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Megara.html

Lucky you, not many of us are descended from a Greek god.

[JimboR]

Thanks Trystan

Very interesting. Two names that have got the family stumped as to why they were used.
The odd thing about the name Ino though is in the 1871 census for Aldeburgh Ino Smith is noted as being a son. Mmmmm.

Kind regards

Jim

[trystan]

No problem 

Perhaps "Ino"  has other connections apart from Greek - or perhaps it can be use by males or females then.

Trystan

[JimboR]

 
Mmmm. Definately needs further investigation.

Jim

[Hackstaple]

Ino in Suffolk 1871 - quite a few and all of them are male they are all clustered around Aldeburgh so one might conclude that the name is of very local origin
 
Name Age in 1871 Birthplace Relationship Civil Parish County/Island .
 
Ino Baldry 32  Brook, Norfolk, England Head  Aldeburgh  Suffolk   
Ino Baldry 8  St Margaret Son  Aldeburgh  Suffolk   
Ino Block 4  Aldborough Son  Aldeburgh  Suffolk   
Ino Cully 50  Norwich, Norfolk, England Head  Aldeburgh  Suffolk   
Ino Josephs 29  Knoddishall, Suffolk, England Head  Aldeburgh  Suffolk   
Ino Lenington 4  Aldborough Son  Aldeburgh  Suffolk   
Ino Louis 3 months  Aldborough Son  Aldeburgh  Suffolk   
Ino Smith 18  Kelsale Servant  Aldeburgh  Suffolk   
Ino Spaid 27  Yarmouth, Norfolk, England Head  Aldeburgh  Suffolk   
Ino Taylor 63  Wickham Market Lodger  Aldeburgh  Suffolk   
Ino Ward 55  Aldborough, Suffolk, England Lodger  Aldeburgh  Suffolk   
Ino James Ward 20  Saxmundham Servant  Aldeburgh  Suffolk   
 
 

[trystan]

Are there lots of Xenophon in Suffolk too?

[Hackstaple]

Xenophon in Suffolk - freeBMD lists only 2 of them.

[trystan]

That does suggest that Ion is not used as a "nickname" or shortened version for Xenophon then.