Robyn

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A small songbird native to Europe, recognizable by its distinctive reddish-orange breast and friendly demeanor toward humans
2. A plump, brown-backed bird found throughout Europe and western Asia, characterized by its bright red-orange front and cheerful song
3. A familiar European garden bird with a rounded body, gray-brown plumage, and a striking scarlet breast that makes it easily identifiable

Etymology: Robyn is a variant spelling of Robin, the familiar pet form of Robert. Robert comes from Germanic elements meaning "fame" and "bright," and the diminutive Robin was a common personal name in medieval England, lending its name to figures such as Robin Hood and Robin Goodfellow. The name's most unusual afterlife is in birds. English speakers called the European redbreast "robin," treating the bird as if it were a small person with a personal name. When English settlers reached North America, they gave the same name to the orange-breasted American thrush, even though it is not closely related to the European bird.