In his article so frequently referred to Dr Seler has little to say in regard to the signification of the names of this day. He remarks that "the word _kanel_ is given by Ximenes--with what authority I know not--with the signification 'rabbit,' thus corresponding to the Mexican name for this character (Tochtli)." He says he is unable to interpret the words _lambat_ and _lamat_. In his subsequent article he interprets the Zapotec word by "to divide, to break into pieces," and remarks "that the concept of something divided, broken in pieces, lies at the foundation of the delineation of this day character is also proved by the Maya hieroglyph for the same [see plate LXV, 33 and 36], in which something divided or broken up is undoubtedly indicated." He adds that "perhaps also the terms _lambat_ and _lamat_, used in Tzental-Zoztzil and in Maya for the day character, and which are hardly explainable from the well-known Maya, are derived from the Zapotec word _lapa_." Dr Brinton's explanation is as follows:
The Maya _lamat_ is evidently a shortened form of the Tzental _lambat_, which is composed of _lam_, to sink into something soft ("hundirse in cosa blanda," like light loam), and _bat_, the grain, the seed, and the name refers to the planting of the crops. The Quiche-Cakchiquel _kanel_ is the name of the Guardian of the Sown Seed, probably from _kan_, yellow, referring to the yellow grains or maize. The Zapotec _lapa_ or _laba_ means a drop, and a crown or garland; here probably the latter, in reference to the products of the fields. The rabbit, in Nahuatl, is the symbol of ease and intoxication.
Thus, while Dr Brinton explains the name by "sinking in the mud or soil," Brasseur explains it by "sinking in the water."
It is much more likely that the Maya name is but a modification of _lemba_, which, as a verb, according to Henderson, signifies "to flash, to shine, etc;" and as a noun, according to Perez, "resplendor, brillo, relampago." I have no Tzental vocabulary at hand, but observe that in the closely allied Zoztzil, "relampagear" is given as the equivalent of _lemlaghet_.
It is a coincidence worthy of a passing notice that in Hawaiian _lama_ and _pu-lama_ signify "a torch;" _au-lama_, "to give light;" _malama_, "light from the sun or moon;" in Samoan, _lama_, "the candle-nut tree, and a torch made of the nuts;" in Tonga, _mama_, "light, a flambeau;" New Zealand, _rama_, "candle, light;" Tahaitan, _rama_, "a torch."