A theophoric Arabic name, a Yoruba sentence-name, and a Chinese generation character are different technologies.
Translate each on its own terms. Do not pour them into “it means strong.”
Regions
- English-speaking markets — Opaque names + one-line glosses
The mismatch that creates the meaning industry.
- Arabic-speaking world — Often transparent theophoric and virtue names
Meaning is closer to the surface — still not a forecast.
- West Africa (Yoruba and others) — Sentence-names
A whole clause as a given name — cultural text, not a luck engine.
- China — Generation + chosen character
Meanings designed as kin coordinates.
- Korea — Hanja optional, 돌림자 social
Senses exist; KOSTAT still counts fashion separately.
- Iceland — Transparent Old Norse for many names
Grammar and list matter more than the gloss at the committee.
Laws
- Offensive-meaning refusals Germany and others — A gloss that mocks the child can fail welfare tests.
- Trademark meaning conflicts Brand law — A word-name’s ordinary meaning can block registration.
- Jinmeiyō semantic not required Japan — Characters must be allowed; a pretty gloss is not the legal test.
- No jurisdiction requires luck charts Global — Stroke-count is not civil status.
Worldwide etymology is a set of archives. Walk them with a guide from that language.