CHANNEL-ISLANDS-L Archives

From: "Peter Guilbert" <>
Subject: Re: Elie - Helier
Date: Tue, 01 Jun 1999 15:37:23 +0100

Hi all,

I just want to be a killjoy and point out that Elie is biblical, and
Hel(l)ier was the name of a Saint who lived in an hermit's cell in Jersey
aeons ago. But for the full story on that you need Ray (picus) to provide
some wisdom.

The two names have been used independently in the channel islands over many
years.

How about Peggy being a nickname for Margaret?

OK - the official viewpoint:-

The first e should have an acute accent.

Larousse - Noms et Prenoms de France - Published Paris 1980.

Elie name of Hebrew prophet from the root Eli (God), Latinised form
Elias.

Elier variation of Helier, popular form of St Hilarius (bit of a joker I
assume) who was Bishop of Poitiers, also many locations named after St
Hellier, Cote-d'Or, Jersey, Seine-Inferieure.

Helie ancient variation of d'Elie.

Hence the confusion. In Britanny, the official situation is:-
-------------------
Les Noms de famille les plus portes en Bretagne, published 1993

No sign of Helier.

Helias and Helie - originally a biblical name, from Eliah, (my god is Yah),
from which is derived Elie and the greco-latin form Elias from which Helias
and Helies.

I think they are from different roots and it is we who are trying to make
them similar, instead of just accepting that they are different.

How about Ellen, Eleanor, Nelly, Helen which all sound similar and whose pet
names can overlap.

We seem to have to label and box everything these days!

Hope this is of some interest! :->

Peter

This thread:

• Re: Elie - Helier by "Peter Guilbert" <>