Georgiana

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A feminine first name of English origin, a variant of George, borne by many women over the centuries ; a woman living in or originating from the American state of Georgia
2. Used as a personal name for women, derived from the male name George ; someone born in or connected with the southeastern American state of Georgia
3. A girl's or woman's given name formed from George ; a native or resident of the U.S. state of Georgia, particularly a female one

Etymology: In Greek, "georgos" meant "farmer," literally "earth-worker," from "ge" (earth) and "ergon" (work). The name "Georgios" was built from it, and it became "Georgius" in Latin. Saint George, the third- or fourth-century martyr, made the name widespread in medieval Europe, and England took him as its patron saint. The Crusades and the cult of the saint spread the name across the continent. "Georgiana" is the feminine form, formed by adding the Latin-derived suffix "-iana," as in "Victoriana" or "Johanna." It belongs to the 18th century's fashion for feminine forms of male names, and it was made famous by Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire (1757–1806), a celebrated society figure and writer. The name also lent its form to places, most notably the U.S. state of Georgia, named for King George II, though that name comes from George directly rather than from "Georgiana."