Why is it only some ancient names were chosen?

I asked a similar question some time back.



Some of the names used in Western societies are relatively recent developments. This could be due to the rise in Christianity. Names like Jacqueline, Catherine or Frederick came about only within the last thousand years. Tom, Dick and Harry are even more recent. Henry came from the Normans. Ophelia came from Shakespeare and Wendy came from Peter Pan.



Some other names are indeed names of antiquity. Diana was the Roman goddes of the moon. Penelope is Odysseus' wife, Anthony can be traced to Rome and Daphne id the Greek nymph pursued by Apollo. They existed long before Christ.



These ancient names have been adopted and used by the people of the Middle Ages and they lasted till present day.



Some other ancient names, however, had not been adopted and they have been relegated as part of history. Names such as Icarius (the name of of Penelope's father), Apollo (the name of the Roman Sun God), Mars (the Roman God of War) or Cassiopeia (a queen in

Why is it only some ancient names were chosen?
Fashion and linguistics.



When was the last time you heard of an Albert, Alfred? Very popular less than 75 years ago.



Fashion in names come and go, some of the Roman names mentioned above have been anglicised, for instance it would have been Antonius, not Anthony. You mention, Mars, isn't that the root of Martin? Cassiopeia the root of Cassie?



The likely name for Jesus's mother would be middle eastern Miriam, not the romanised "Maria" or the anglicised "Mary."



Look at the national variants of John - Ivan, Johann, Ian...