Which Candidate Has The Best Name?

re: Which Candidate Has The Best Name?

Della — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:09:18 GMT

Actually, Arabic and Hebrew are closely related languages--the "baruch" word/name family (which I think originated before the languages split, although I'm not 100% sure) has branches in both languages, as well as in Swahili, which is the language spoken by Obama's African family (and therefore presumably the language from which his name comes) and originated as a blend of Arabic and a native Bantu language.

I guess the "flash of lightning" meaning is possible too (perhaps the name originated from both roots independently (as Nora originated both as an Anglicization of the Irish Nuala and as a nickname for Honora, Leonora, etc.) or from a combination of the two (as Amelia is a combination of Amalia and Emilia)), but, given the other root's endorsement by Lansky, Laura Wattenberg (another extremely prominent researcher of baby names), and Obama himself, I tend to think that the "blessed" meaning probably has some weight.

So the three definitions don't necessarily conflict. :)

re: Which Candidate Has The Best Name?

bbbgmom — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:24:11 GMT

Hmmm... Of all the first candidates and spouses, Barack is the only one with a remotely interesting name: Michelle, Joe & Jill, John & Cindy, Sarah & Todd. All seven of those names are so middle America baby-boomer-ish, it's just kinda funny. We haven't had a president with an interesting name in a long, long time! Lyndon - maybe. But I'd go back to Grover to get really interesting. I have no point, just an inane observation.

re: Which Candidate Has The Best Name?

leahsmom — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:03:11 GMT

If you see Obama signs in Hebrew, you'll notice that "Barack" is spelled with the same letters as "baruch" which does mean blessed. Some common Jewish blessings and prayers start out, "baruch atah Adonai" - or, blessed is/be God. I had always understood that Barack meant something similar, though I don't think his mom got it from the Hebrew.