Etymology
The surname Yoder is derived from the name Theodorus. Distinguished University of Notre Dame theologian John Howard Yoder has explained step-by-step how the evolution from Theodorus to Yoder was the result of simple, normal changes in pronunciation. The surname Yoder probably developed from the name Theodorus by taking the following turns:
- Sanctus Theodorus
- Sanctus Tjordorus
- Sankt Tjoder
- Sant Tjoder
- Sant Joder
- (Saint) Yoder
The name Joder is most common in Switzerland and is widespread there. In the United States, the leap from "Joder" to "Yoder" was natural because the English spelling of the latter name phonetically reflects the German pronunciation of the name.
Alternate spellings of the surname include:
- Joder
- Jordi
- Jodier
- Yodis
- Yordi
- Yordy
- Jotter
- Ioder
- Yother
- Yothers
- Yotter
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Famous quotes containing the word etymology:
“The universal principle of etymology in all languages: words are carried over from bodies and from the properties of bodies to express the things of the mind and spirit. The order of ideas must follow the order of things.”
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