Are there other examples of deity names in various traditions that are etymologically cognate with the concept of existence or the verb "to be," similar to the way the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) in Hebrew is linked to the root meaning "is/was/will be/to be"?
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The names of the Norns of Norse mythology (Urðr, Verðandi, and Skuld) are pretty close to the this, albeit with the verb "to become" rather than "to be".
Urðr and Verðandi are both derived from the verb verða "to become". The former is a verbal abstract, and shares a stem with the past tense, thus likely "[she of] what has become". The latter is the derived from the present participle, thus likely "[she of] what is becoming".
Urðr also has an exact cognate in Old English Wyrd, also a personification of fate. In Old English, Wyrd appears to be singular (and not a triad), but in Middle English we see references instead to "the Werdys" in the plural. Wyrd's name is continued in Modern English as the adjective weird.
Skuld on the other hand derives from the verb skulu "shall", and is essentially parallel in form to English "should". The sense here seems to be "[she of] what shall [become]".
Note that it is possible that the three-fold division of fate in Norse (and Middle English) is the result of influence from the Classical triad of Fates.
Tristan
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