Johannes Chrystostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart
But he went by a few different names, partially because there were so many different languages spoken by the aristocracy in 18th century Central Europe that he adapted his name to suit whatever language he was using at the moment. “Theophilus” is the Greek form of “Amadeus.” Sometimes you’ll see the German translation of “Gottlieb.” Day-to-day, he is reported to have gone by “Wolfgang Amadè.”
It wasn’t uncommon for people to translate their names freely like this. Beethoven went by “Luigi” in Italian texts, and “Louis” in French.
“Giuseppe Verdi” would today be translated to English as “Joe Green.”
Mozart’s full baptismal name was
Johannes Chrystostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart
But he went by a few different names, partially because there were so many different languages spoken by the aristocracy in 18th century Central Europe that he adapted his name to suit whatever language he was using at the moment. “Theophilus” is the Greek form of “Amadeus.” Sometimes you’ll see the German translation of “Gottlieb.” Day-to-day, he is reported to have gone by “Wolfgang Amadè.”
It wasn’t uncommon for people to translate their names freely like this. Beethoven went by “Luigi” in Italian texts, and “Louis” in French.
“Giuseppe Verdi” would today be translated to English as “Joe Green.”
Did Beethoven have a brother Mario?
Thanks for the history lesson. Honestly every one of those different names and translations is pretty good too.