ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2838 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2838 ************************************ 28 Apr 2004 From: Aryanhwy merch Catmael Greetings from the Academy of S. Gabriel! You asked if we could suggest feminine given names appropriate for a Breton woman from the 5th-6th centuries. Here is the information we have found. One of our members has, as a result of your request, done in-depth research on masculine and feminine Breton names from the 5th-11th centuries, focusing on the earlier part of this period. Her research is available online in a new article: "Early Medieval Breton Names" http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/tangwystyl/EarlyMedievalBreton.html She found a few feminine names. The details of these names can be found in the article above, so we have provided just a summary in this letter: 6-7th C from the time of the Merovingians 8-9th C 7-8th C late 5th - early 7th C 7-10th C (probably 9-10th C) 7-10th C For your period, either or would be the best choices. As you will note from reading about in the article above, we are not 100% sure that it is a feminine name. Given this uncertainty, we recommend the name as an appropriate Breton feminine name for your period. You later asked about the name . We were unable to find any evidence that this specific spelling was used in the Middle Ages, but we did find a woman in the 9th century named or , and in roughly this same time period, another woman named , which may represent the same name as , or a different name. [1] Because we haven't found this name in your period, we cannot recommend it as good recreation. The article linked above also includes information on bynames appropriate for your period. If you have any further questions after reading the article, we'll be happy to try to answer them. We hope that this letter has been useful to you and that you won't hesitate to write us again if any part was unclear or if you have further questions. Research and commentary on this letter was provided by Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, Talan Gwynek, Arval Benicoeur, Juliana de Luna, Richenda du Jardin, Maridonna Benvenuti, Mari neyn Brian, and Ursula Georges. For the Academy, -Argantgui filia Catmaili, 28Apr04 -- References: [1] De Courson, M. Aure/lien, _Cartulaire de L'Abbaye de Redon en Bretagne_ (Paris: Imprimerie Imperiale, 1863).