Meaning: Its source is Theophania, a Greek name meaning "Revelation of God."

Narrative: In many Christian countries, girls born on January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, are given some form of this name. That feast commemorates the visit of the three Magi (''wise men'' or ''astrologers'') to the infant Jesus twelve days after his birth.

The Magi were a caste of priests known for their mastery of astrological lore. Indeed, the three Magi claimed to find Jesus by tracing the path of a star that came to rest over his birthplace.

They were also famous in the ancient world for their ability to interpret dreams. In the Bible story, a dream warns the Magi to return home without telling the jealous King Herod where they found Jesus.

Traditionally, the three are known as Kaspar, Melchior and Balthasar, and at least one of them is identified as African. However, you will not find those names or their ethnic backgrounds discussed in the Bible. These were supplied in the 7th century by the English church historian known as the Venerable Bede.

To modern Christians, the most important aspect of the story is that the Magi were Gentiles, and thus their visit to the baby Jesus can be seen as the ''revelation of God'' to the non-Jewish world.