On the Twelfth Day of Christmas: Names for an Epiphany Baby

As the Christmas season is drawing to a close, I thought I would do a post about names for babies born around Epiphany time. Epiphany celebrates the day the Three Wise Men came to bear gifts to the baby Jesus, meaning that any of the names in the Christmas post will also be suitable (particularly the names more closely related to the Three Wise Men) for a baby born around this time of year. 

Magi
The alternative name of the Three Wise Men or the Three Kings comes from the Greek word, μάγος, or "magos". The Greek word was used as a describing word of those who follow the Zoroaster religion, which focuses on the study of stars. The words "magic" and "magician" also originate from magos, however magos was translated into "wise men" in the King James Bible. An alternative spelling can be the more traditional Maggie, which is mostly used as a nickname for Margaret, though in recent times it has been used on it's own.

Melchior, Balthazar and Caspar

See the Christmas post for the names of the Three Wise Men. Alternatives to each names can be Melker, which is of Swedish origins, Balthasar, an alternative spelling of Balthazar and Jasper.

Epiphany

The name of the time of year itself couldn't be more appropriate for an Epiphany baby. It can also be used as a more imaginative way to get the nickname Pippa, which is most commonly used as a nickname for Philippa. 

Theophania

The name of an Empress of the Byzantine Empire, Theophania originates from the Greek word, Θεοφάνεια, or "theophaneia". French Catholics think of Theophania as the name of the mother of the Three Wise Men. 

Tiffany

Tiffany itself is derived from Theophania. Most people think of it as a modern, but also rather dated, baby name, however it actually has had it's usage as a baby girl's name since Norman times. Britain was inspired by the Normans and Epiphany is the most common time of year to give the name of Tiffany to a baby girl.