I stumbled across this first name while trying to come up with a possible etymological explanation for the surname of
Messiaen.
I was able to learn from Google that this first name was used historically, but very, very rarily so. Examples of bearers are:
- Messianus (magister militum under the Western
Roman emperor
Avitus, 5th century
AD);
- Messianus (a priest who co-wrote a book about St.
Caesarius of Arles, 6th century
AD).
Both instances show the name was in use after the
Roman empire had adopted Christianity as its main religion, leading me to think the name may have been derived from Hebrew
messiah "anointed" (which thus refers to
Jesus). However, that is just an educated guess of mine - I have come across no sources that back this theory up.
Is there anyone here who can provide more information about this name's origin and meaning, someone who actually has documented sources that support their information? If so, I would gladly like to know - thank you in advance for your time. :)
"How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on... when in your heart you begin to understand... there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend... some hurts that go too deep... that have taken hold." ~
Frodo Baggins