Latin is a classical language and, unlike modern languages, has no modern additions. This makes it virtually impossible to directly translate the majority of modern names into Latin.
One could choose to translate the meaning of a name, or use a description of the person whose name is to be translated.
Bird's scientific names, for instance, usually consist of a translation of particular shapes or colors making them identifiable.
These names, by the way, are often a mixture of Greek and Latin, with Latinised names of scientists thrown in for good measure.
The girl's name Iris, for instance, is not only a part of the eye, it is also the name of the goddess of the rainbow. This name could thus be translated into 'Arcus caelestis dea', literally meaning rainbow goddess.
Another option is to simply Latinise a name by adding 'us' or 'ius' at the end for male names, or 'a' or 'ia' for female names.
The name Darryl, for instance, could therefore be changed into Darillius, while Martin could look something like Martinus or Martinius.
Melany would consequently be either Melana or Melania. Hillary could be almost literally translated into Hilaris, meaning joyful, or Hilaris famula, meaning joyful girl.
Hilaris could thus also be used to translate the name Joy.
One could go on like this forever, but basically, translating a modern name of any language into Latin will either involve translating the meaning of a name, using descriptions of the particular individual or Latinising the given name.
What is needed is a good English to Latin dictionary and a little bit of imagination. Finding the meaning of one's name is fairly easy using some of the name sites all over the web.
As for descriptions, this could be anything from the color of one's hair to size.
One could choose to translate the meaning of a name, or use a description of the person whose name is to be translated.
Bird's scientific names, for instance, usually consist of a translation of particular shapes or colors making them identifiable.
These names, by the way, are often a mixture of Greek and Latin, with Latinised names of scientists thrown in for good measure.
The girl's name Iris, for instance, is not only a part of the eye, it is also the name of the goddess of the rainbow. This name could thus be translated into 'Arcus caelestis dea', literally meaning rainbow goddess.
Another option is to simply Latinise a name by adding 'us' or 'ius' at the end for male names, or 'a' or 'ia' for female names.
The name Darryl, for instance, could therefore be changed into Darillius, while Martin could look something like Martinus or Martinius.
Melany would consequently be either Melana or Melania. Hillary could be almost literally translated into Hilaris, meaning joyful, or Hilaris famula, meaning joyful girl.
Hilaris could thus also be used to translate the name Joy.
One could go on like this forever, but basically, translating a modern name of any language into Latin will either involve translating the meaning of a name, using descriptions of the particular individual or Latinising the given name.
What is needed is a good English to Latin dictionary and a little bit of imagination. Finding the meaning of one's name is fairly easy using some of the name sites all over the web.
As for descriptions, this could be anything from the color of one's hair to size.
