Meaning of "Pantalaimon"

[Assarhaddon]

Does somebody know whether Pullman ever made a comment on the meaning of the name "Pantalaimon"? In Srafopedia it is said to be derived from the name of a Greek saint, St. Panteleimon, meaning "all-merciful". However, I think it could mean "all-enduring" as well, which would fit Lyra's character much better.

There is a Doric verb tlanai, which means "to bear, to carry" but also "to endure, to suffer". It has the root -tla-, which appears in composite words also as -tela- or -talai-. Thus, there is a Greek hero named Telamon whose name means "the enduring one". Pan-talaimon could then mean "all-enduring".

So did Pullman actually ever mention that it meant "all-merciful"?

[jessia]

the name exists as a derivation from the saint's name but (this sucks, i can't remember where) somewhere i think pullman explained something different from that. if you check our own hdm-wikipedia (srafopedia being the competition's), an additional suggestion exists (although we should probably find a source for it):

"Panteleimon" means all merciful in Greek. The name Pantalaimon may also be derived from "Pandemonium", the capital of Hell in Milton's Paradise Lost. Pullman acknowledges drawing heavily from Paradise Lost. However, the Pantalaimon-Pandemonium connection is a lot stronger than that. "Pan" means "all," "demon" means "spirit" (a fallen angel in the case of Paradise Lost), and "ium" adds the idea "place of." Pan-demon-ium means "place of all demons."

whether this is purely speculation, the paradise lost connection is always important in hdm.

[silverfrost]

Both all-enduring and all-merciful make sense to me. All-enduring does apply more to Lyra's situation, yes, but all-merciful is directly related to Pan. He has to be forgiving at the very end of the series, so he is certainly all-merciful.

[Bellerophon]

You're splitting hairs Assarhaddon. Pullman would likely point to the adjective eleêmôn, which means merciful.

[Assarhaddon]

Does someone know for sure? Has PP ever confirmed this, or did someone simply take the first Greek word he stumbled upon where half the letters fit and which had a nice meaning and declare it to be the source?

[Bellerophon]

Well, no matter which Greek word one chooses NONE of the letters will match. The Greeks didn't use the Latin alphabet. Eleêmôn (ελεήμων) is sometimes transliterated as eleimon, alaimon, or elaimon. The pronunciation remains the same. Its literal meaning is 'almoner.' It occurs several times in the Bible and is most often translated as 'merciful' or 'compassionate.'

See also Saint Pantaleimon (Άγιος Παντελεήμων = all-merciful). Παντ = Pan, meaning 'all.' Alternative forms include Saint Pantaleon (traditional Latinization), Saint Panteleemon, and Saint Pantalaimon. [Thanks jessia for the tip. I'd missed it earlier. ]

Anyway, I'm not sure whether Pullman ever explained himself or not, but the analogy seems compelling enough to me. If it weren't for the saint connection I might be more receptive to your etymology, which I admit makes some sense. In light of the above however, I think it's a bit of a stretch. Be careful not to read too much into transliterated text -- pronunciation matters, the letters do not.

*A footnote: Whoever edits the Srafopedia may want to consider eliminating the Pandemonium etymology. That's much more of a stretch than Assarhaddon's.

** Another footnote: A review of Northern Lights by child psychologist Margaret Rustin suggests that Nicholas Tucker agrees with me in Darkness Visible: Inside the World of Philip Pullman. Not sure about his sources or qualifications, but I like him nonetheless.

[Assarhaddon]

I know the Greeks used a different alphabet. I have always been quite good in Ancient Greek at school.

You're probably right with the transliteration thing though. Pullman might just have gone for the sound of it not concerning traditional transliteration standards, which might make the etymology hard to recognise.

One more minor correction: Pantaleon is NO traditional Latinization of Παντελεήμων, but rather the original name of the saint. Panteleemon is an epithet he was given for his saintly behaviour and at the same time a kind of pun on his real name.

[Bellerophon]

Fair enough, Assarhaddon. Interesting note about the name. I'm sh*t at Latin and hagiography so I shouldn't have made that assumption.

Anyway, I haven't been able to find Pullman's thoughts on the matter. Until someone else has better luck all we can do is speculate. Pan's name is certainly not the only one in HDM with tenebrous origins. For instance, did Pullman intend for Baruch to evoke Baruch Spinoza or did he just appreciate the Hebrew definition (blessed)? It could go either way . . .

Sorry if I came across as a bit of a scold. I'm afraid my diction is sometimes more abrasive than intended.

[Mogget]

I don't think PP has ever mention the origin of Pan's name, so we're free to speculate, but I think that Bellerophon's deconstruction makes more sense than the one based on tlanai. It seems unlikely to me that PP would use an allusion that obscure (to anyone who doesn't know Greek) in something as important as Pan's name; I expect he took the name of the saint and transliterated it differently than was usually done. I don't know Greek myself, so I shouldn't be saying this, but given the meaning, usage, and grammar of the two different words, and their pronunciations, I believe the link to "eleêmôn" is much more probable than Assarhaddon's etymology.

PP definitely called upon Hebrew along with Latin and Greek to use in his nomenclature--the term bene elim, which is used to describe angels, means "sons of gods" in biblical Hebrew, and the name Metatron comes from a Hebrew word meaning "keeper of the watch." If Baruch's name indeed comes from the Hebrew root B-R-K, as it indeed may, then, Bellerophon, it would mean "blessed," but I think it more likely that PP wanted to pun on the famous philosopher's name (which comes from the same root).

[Assarhaddon]

PP definitely called upon Hebrew along with Latin and Greek to use in his nomenclature--the term bene elim, which is used to describe angels, means "sons of gods" in biblical Hebrew, and the name Metatron comes from a Hebrew word meaning "keeper of the watch." If Baruch's name indeed comes from the Hebrew root B-R-K, as it indeed may, then, Bellerophon, it would mean "blessed," but I think it more likely that PP wanted to pun on the famous philosopher's name (which comes from the same root).

The name Baruch actually appears several times in the bible, it was probably quite common among the Hebrews.

[Mogget]

The name Baruch actually appears several times in the bible, it was probably quite common among the Hebrews.

As common as it is now as an Israeli name, I daresay. I have a friend named Baruch.

[WBA_premiership]

maybe it relates to Pandemonium from Paradise Lost

[Enitharmon]

maybe it relates to Pandemonium from Paradise Lost

I don't think so. The only element in common is 'Pan' meaning 'all'.

West Brom for the Premiership? No chance! Glory days are long gone, chuck