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Baby Names That Mean “Friend”
Friendship is one of the key ingredients in the recipe for a fulfilled life; it’s excellent for all aspects of your health and leads to adventures and shared experiences. If your family is full of born and chosen relationships, then you know exactly how important your curated community is. Adding baby to the mix adds a new, homemade best friend to your life! A baby girl, boy, or gender-neutral name meaning “friend” will remind baby what there is in life to truly cherish.
Explore Baby Girl and Boy Names That Mean “Friend”
Where did the word “friend” come from?
The word “friend” can be found in different languages throughout history, particularly in Europe. In Old English, Old Norse, Old Danish, Middle High German, and so many more, there are examples of this amicable term, but it meant something a little different originally. There are claims that the origination of the word came from the release of something deeply sinister; the fuller definition of “friend”—in its English context specifically—was “to love” or “to set free [from slavery or confinement].” However, in its ancient Latin and Greek associations, the definition capped out at “friend” and “I love” with words like amīcus and amō, respectively.
What does “friend” mean in different languages?
Of course, if there’s a word translatable to the English “friend” in a given language, the sentiment of the definition is generally the same. However, there is a little more gravitas to the word in some languages. Consider the word amigo in Spanish, this term refers to close friends. In Arabic, habibi(a) means “my beloved,” and then there’s sadiq, which is a formal translation of “friend.” In Macedonia, брат means brother, similar to the English “bro.” In Italy, the term vecchio is primarily used among men and literally translates to “old.” And don’t forget the homages to chatty Kathys—in France, it’s normal enough to greet a friend with ma gueule, translating to “my mouth.” One thing is clear among friends worldwide: no matter the language, friends will always find new ways to show their affection.
What does friendship do for your health?
Besides the clear cause-and-effect of going adventuring with your friends can lead to a more physically healthy life, friendships affect your health in ways big and small. As creatures predisposed to community, humans hugely benefit from the pack life. Having strong social connections as adults decreases risk of high blood pressure and depression, often precursors to an array of other serious conditions. Not to mention the effect healthy relationships have on a person’s self-esteem, leading to more career success and healthier life decisions.
