apotropaic name
Quick Summary
The term "apotropaic" describes something designed to avert evil. It comes from the Greek verb apotrépein, meaning "to turn away from". Apotropaic motifs have appeared throughout history, such as carvings of Gorgons or charms worn to ward off the evil eye.1
In some cultures, children are given "bad" names with unpleasant meanings, such as "ugly" or "disagreeable." These are called apotropaic names, and their purpose is to make the child seem undesirable to demons.2
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