There are numerous naming dictionaries and etymological dictionaries and descriptive books and those with historical perspectives, for various nationalities. One of the best I've found is: Etymologisches Wörterbuch der Deutschen Familliennamen (Etymological Dictionary of German Family Names) in German gothic. Also, Dictionary of German Names (in German and also English) by Hans Bahlow and his widow; German-American Names (now in a 3rd edition) by George F. Jones; Polish Surnames and Origins and Meanings by William F. Hoffman; A Dictionary of Surnames by Hanks and Hodges - and many more. There are books on variants of given names as well. Some are better than others. Maureen Schoenky ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.