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Subject: Correcting some errors here....
Author: Dorchadas   (Authenticated as Lucille)
Date: August 13, 2010 at 6:41:41 PM
Reply to: Dutch name Boukje by Swiff
First, I think Siegfried gave a somewhat erroneous explanation because either Dutch is not his native language, or his interpretation of the information that he found was erroneous.

None of the names mentioned are German. They are of Germanic origin, yes - but not German. There is a difference.

Therefore, Anneza is wrong in her speculation. Just because the name looks similar to a German word, doesn't mean it is likely derived from that particular German word. Also, Dutch people have never given their children a first name that refers to an occupation - only surnames can be occupational. And since Dutch naming law strictly prohibits to give children surnames as first names, there exists no one with Bauer as a first name or a name that is derived from it. The same goes for Germany (which also hosts a Frisian-speaking population).

With that said... Boukje is a variant spelling of Baukje, which in turn is the feminine form of Bauke (which has Bouke for a variant spelling). Bauke is a unisex name (though far more common on men) and it is a diminutive form of Baue, the name that Siegfried had mentioned earlier. The meaning of Baue is unfortunately uncertain, because it is indeed highly abbreviated and distorted. It could be derived from Bavo/Bovo and Buo, but no one will ever know for sure. Bovo and Buo are not featured in the database at the website of the Meertens Instituut, but Bavo is. Even the origin of Bavo is uncertain: it is speculated that it may be a short form of a name containing the Germanic element badu "battle", or the Germanic element barn "child" via its Middle English form babe (this is not as unthinkable as it may sound, as there was commercial traffic between Frisia and the Britons in history, which partly explains why e.g. Old Frisian is so similar to Old English).

The speculation that Baue might have a relation to bald "bold, brave" seems unlikely. Only French names have had this transformation from bald to bau(d): think of Baudouin and Baudry. Dutch has seen a similar transformation, but then it's boud (think of Boudewijn). But that's Dutch: Frisian is a different matter altogether. So, in short: I doubt Baue is derived from a name containing the element bald.

All in all, I think the meaning of this name will be forever shrouded in mystery.

"How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on... when in your heart you begin to understand... there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend... some hurts that go too deep... that have taken hold." ~ Frodo Baggins

This message was edited by the author on August 13, 2010 at 6:43:30 PM

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