Speechless (Kurt Hummel x OC) Glee AU

Violet Berry {Season 1}

Name:  Violet Berry
Full Name:  Violet Dorothy Berry

Full Name Meaning

Violet:  The name Violet comes from the Old French word "violette," by way of the Latin "viola," which indicates a certain kind of bluish-purple flower. Therefore, the vocabulary word denotes both the ornamental flower and the vibrant color. The violet flower is said to signify "modesty" and "faithfulness." Flower names became popular in the latter half of the 19th century and by the early 1900s, names like Violet, Rose, Lily, Viola, Daisy and Flora were all the rage. By the 1970s, flower names became passé but today are experiencing a revival once again.

Dorothy:  Dorothy is the English form of the Greek Dōrothéa (Δωροθεος) which is made up of the Greek elements "doron" (δωρον) meaning "gift" and "theos" (θεος) meaning "god". Consider the Greek masculine name Theodorus which is essentially the reversal of these elements and means the same thing: "god's gift". The name Dorothea was famously borne by an early 4th century saint, one of the so-called "virgin martyrs". Dorothea of Caesarea had found Christianity and so refused to worship the pagan gods of the Roman Empire. For this she was sentenced to death during Emperor Diocletian's persecution of the Christians. According to later medieval legend, Dorothea cheerfully faced her execution rejoicing that she would soon enter the gates of the garden of heaven. A young man by the name of Theophilus mockingly asked her to send some fruits once she arrived. As she knelt and prayed before her death by beheading, an angel arrived with a basket of roses and apples for Theophilus (who converted to Christianity immediately thereafter and was later martyred himself). As a result, Dorothea and Theophilus share the same Feast Day (February 6). Interestingly, the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Dorothy (founded in 1835) is an order of nuns renowned for their cultivation of flowers in the name of St. Dorothy's "garden". Not by happenstance, St. Dorothy is one of the patron saints to florists, gardeners and horticulturists. Her legend and cult became widespread throughout Europe starting in the early Middle Ages (7th century) and her name was readily bestowed upon baby girls as a protective measure during difficult times. The concept of the "virgin martyr" was undeniably important in medieval times; such saints were extolled for their youth, beauty and commitment to virginity in the name of Christ. St. Dorothea of Caesarea was on par with other highly venerated early saints: The Great Martyr Barbara, Catherine of Alexandria and Margaret of Antioch – together they became known as "The Main Virgins". Dorothea was more popular on mainland Europe than in England; the name wouldn't come into general usage among English-speakers until the 15th century (when the name was truncated to Dorothy). Aside from Dorothy's "saintly" influence, this is a name with some literary cachet as well. We're all quite familiar with American author L. Frank Baum's heroine Dorothy from "'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" (1900). But there's also sharp-witted Dorothy Parker, founder of the esteemed literary circle known as the Algonquin Round Table.

Berry:  The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 added many new elements to an already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The Berry family lived in the county of Devon, where the family settled after arriving in England with William the Conqueror at the time of the Norman Conquest of England. The name is derived from the phrase at the Bury which has evolved to the more modern term borough.

Full Name Reasoning

Violet:  Shelby had decided to name her second daughter Violet, just like the flower. It was a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.

Dorothy:  LeRoy and Hiram decided that their second daughter should also have a Broadway-themed middle name, since Rachel's middle name was Barbra — naming her after Barbra Streisand. They decided on Dorothy, which was one of Judy Garland's greatest movie roles of all time.

Berry:  If it's not obvious, it's because that's her dads' surnames, and it's also Rachel's surname. Though she doesn't use Berry as much as when she's older, but that's for other reasons.