Patricia Hobbs wrote: "The grandson of her oldest child said that his grandfather was supposedly named "Vivian" (yes, on the spelling for a male child) because he was "full of life ----------------- Elizabeth Shown Mills replied: It might help someone to note here that Vivian was, traditionally, a male name. The female counterpart was Vivienne. ------------ Ida Skarson McCormick replies: Vivianus was a saint's name in ancient Roman times. The Normans brought it as a surname Vivian to England. It morphed into such surnames as Vidgeon, Fidgeon, Phythian, Fithian, Fithen, etc. Vivian became used as a male given name, then as a female given name. It's just another takeover like Shirley and Beverly.