The dark history of the name Jade unveils a shocking double meaning
- The name 'Jade' originally referred to a worn-out horse in the Middle Ages.
- Through the Victorian period, the term evolved to refer to women of ill repute.
- Despite its troubling origins, many individuals named Jade continue to embrace the name's association with precious gems.
In recent discussions surrounding the name 'Jade,' a TikTok user known as @historyoncrack highlighted its regrettable history. The analysis revealed that in the Middle Ages, 'Jade' was slang for a worn-out horse, likely stemming from an Icelandic term for mare. Over time, this term took on a more derogatory connotation, eventually coming to refer to women of questionable virtue by the Victorian era, where it was used to denote a lady of the night. Despite the name being widely cherished today, especially as it also denotes a precious stone, many individuals named Jade expressed their discomfort upon learning this historical context. Social media reactions included jokes and personal anecdotes from Jades who felt targeted by this revelation, emphasizing the duality of public perception regarding their names and how cultural meanings evolve over time. While many praised the name for its sound and aesthetic, the historical weight associated with it generated a wave of mixed sentiments, leading some to prefer the association with the more cherished gem rather than the name's unclear past. This incident serves as a reminder of how language and names can carry deep-seated meanings reflecting societal attitudes of their times.