dorothysgirl 8 May 2007 / #1I am in the early stages of researching my grandmother's family history. To start out with, I was wondering if there is an English translation for her first name, Jadwiga. She was adopted at a very young age and she was given an American first name - but I would love to know if there is an American synonym. I am still researching her given last name, as her adoption paperwork shows 7 different variations of her last name. That will be a separate post! Thank you!
krysia 23 | 3,058 8 May 2007 / #2Jadwiga is a Polish name meaning "safety in battle". The only english translation I know is 'Jadwige'
OP dorothysgirl 8 May 2007 / #4Thank you to both of you who responded. It is indeed an uncommon name. Her sister's name was Helene/Helen which was much easier!
mamma mia 10 May 2007 / #6Isn't Hedwig accepted as similar?you are right....I've researched this thoroughly and Jadwiga comes from the German "Hedwig". Can't remember what it means, but recall something to do with "protector" of the people....there is no other translation for Jadwiga, but Jade is a very nice substitute....
mamma mia 10 May 2007 / #8should also mention that Jadwiga was Poland's most beloved and benevolent queen in the middle ages....she remains so in the annals of Poland's history.....so a very regal name and the short form is "Jadzia"
OP dorothysgirl 11 May 2007 / #10Thanks again to all who responded. You have been very helpful - and it is nice to know that my grandmother lived up to her name. She was a very strong woman, even though she never knew the meaning of the name herself. It is nice to think of her as a queen and a protector.
mamma mia 12 May 2007 / #13Wroclaw, why don't you just inform me; I'm interested to know the details :)
Wroclaw 44 | 5,369 12 May 2007 / #14Jadwiga was crowned ''rex''. This would make her King, but of course we know she was Queen. It's another strange but true story.Sorry for my attitude problem.
OP dorothysgirl 15 May 2007 / #16I just got my grandmother's birth certificate and it listed her first name as Hattie - which I imagine was her American nickname - so it was similar to Hedwig, I guess. I definitely like her Polish name and its meaning better.Thank you to everyone who provided me with information. Now if only I could determine my ancestors' "real" last names. I have hit dead ends on all of them because their names were changed when they got here either by them or by those recording their names!