What's in a name, part whatever
From time to time I've written about some of the names of Myles' toys, whether it be Offense the Baby (Randy: Why not Defense? Myles: Because Defense is a girls' name.), or any of the puppies or bears named after Thomas the Tank Engine Characters. Last night Myles announced to me that he knew at last what his dinosaur's name was. This plush stegosaurus, pictured here, he received from my parents for Christmas and is his best friend. He has always just been, "My dinosour" until last night. I was prepared for a Chinese name.
"My dinosaur hasn't had a name until now. His name is Raj."
Nope, that isn't Chinese. Apparently we have a Gujarat dinosaur.
And yes, we do know a Raj back in the states, my friend Wendy's husband.
Comments
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=regal&searchmode=none
"king," from PIE base *reg- "move in a straight line," hence, "direct, rule, guide" (cf. Skt. raj- "a king, a leader;" Avestan razeyeiti "directs;" Pers. rahst "right, correct;" L. regere "to rule," rex "a king, a leader," rectus "right, correct;" O.Ir. ri, Gaelic righ "a king;" Gaul. -rix "a king," in personal names, e.g. Vircingetorix; Goth. reiks "a leader;" O.E. rice "kingdom," -ric "king," rice "rich, powerful," riht "correct;" Goth. raihts, O.H.G. recht, O.Swed. reht, O.N. rettr "correct").
It seems the Eastern term 'basileus' used by Byzantine Emperors could be related to the Chinese 'Pa' (a political title meaning hegemon) I hear frequently on the Korean historical dramas here on PBS in Philly:
http://www.answers.com/topic/pa-2
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=basil
via Altaic tongues of Asia Minor...
Its a marvelous thing to watch kids pick up language so readily - enjoy!