Ancient Near Eastern Submitted Names

These names were used in the ancient Near East. That is, by the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Canaanites, Phoenicians and others. Listed separately are Ancient Egyptian names and Ancient Persian names.
gender
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Abba m Ancient Aramaic, Hebrew, Jewish
Derived from Aramaic אבא (’abā’) meaning "father", which is ultimately derived from Proto-Semitic ʾab meaning "father".
Abdemon m Phoenician
Of unknown origin, name borne by a king of Cyprus (fl. 5th century BCE).
Abdes m Ancient Aramaic (Latinized)
The name is formed with the word Abd "servant (of)" and Es which is less clear. It may refer to Yah, the Judeo-Christian God, making the name a variant of Abdias, or to the Egyptian goddess Isis.... [more]
Abdi-milkutti 𐤏𐤁𐤃𐤌𐤋𐤊𐤕 m Phoenician
Possibly deriving in part from the Phoenician element 𐤌𐤋𐤊 milk ("king"). Name borne by a King of Sidon who rebelled against Assyrian rule.
Abgar m Ancient Aramaic
Abgar was the name of several kings of Edessa (today: Şanlıurfa, Turkey).... [more]
Abimilki m Phoenician
Means "my father is king", deriving in part from the Phoenician element 𐤌𐤋𐤊 milk ("king"). Name borne by a prince of Tyre known from his correspondance with Akenhaten, recorded in the Amarna letters.
Abnātu f Babylonian
Means "precious stone", deriving from the Akkadian word aban nisiqtu ("a choice stone, a precious stone, a gem").
Abriyah f Ancient Hebrew (Rare)
Means "one who loves God".
Acar עָכָר m Ancient Aramaic
One who troubles.
Achshiyarshu m Babylonian
Babylonian variant of Ahasuerus.
Adad-guppi f Babylonian
Means "Adad has saved", possibly deriving from the Old Akkadian element gamalum ("to save"). Name borne by a prominent priestess of the moon god Sin.
Adherbal m Punic (Latinized), Phoenician (Latinized)
Name of a Numidian prince meaning "Baal is great".
Admon אדמון m Ancient Hebrew
it belongs to a tana תנא (tana, a rabbinical sage whose views were recorded in the Mishnah) דיין (dayan) (a judge in religious court)... [more]
Aga 𒀝𒂵, 𒀝 m Sumerian
Derived from Sumerian akka "made by (a god)", derived from Sumerian 𒀝 (ak) "to make". This is the name of the twenty-third and last king in the first dynasty of Kish during the Early Dynastic I period.
Agušaya f Akkadian, Near Eastern Mythology
Means "the whirling dancer", deriving from the Akkadian words gâšum ("to dance") and gūštum ("dance"). Attested as an epithet for Ishtar in the Hymn of Agushaya.
Ahāssunu f Babylonian
Means "their sister", deriving from the Akkadian element aḫātu ("sister") combined with the suffix -(aš)šunu ("for them (masculine plural), to them, towards them"),
Ahatmilku f Ancient Near Eastern
Possibly means "sister of the king" in Amorite. Name borne by a princess of Amurru (fl. 1265 BCE), who would go on to become queen of Ugarit (modern day Ras Shamna in Northern Syria) as the wife of King Niqmepa.
Ahaziah אֲחַזְיָהוּ m Ancient Hebrew
Meaning "holds fast" or "held by God" depending on translation.
Ahiqar m Ancient Aramaic
From the Aramaic name hyqr meaning "My brother is precious". ... [more]
Ahseri m Ancient Near Eastern
Of uncertain etymology.
Akurgal 𒀀𒆳𒃲 m Sumerian
Means "descendant of the great mountain", deriving from the Sumerian elements 𒀀 a ("offspring, father"), 𒆳 kur ("mountain, highland"), and 𒃲 gal ("large, mighty, great")... [more]
Alaksandu m Hittite (Archaic)
Ancient Hittite form of Alexandros (see Alexander). This was the name of a Wilusan king who signed a treaty with the Hittite kings Muwatalli II and Mursuli II.
Alākšu-lūmur f Babylonian
Means "may I see his path", deriving from the Akkadian element alaktu ("the route,the journey (of gods, of people)").
Aleyin m Near Eastern Mythology, Phoenician
A Phoenician god of springs and vegetation.
Allaituraḫḫi f Hurrian
Possibly deriving in part from the Hurrian element allai=ni ("lady, mistress"). Name borne by a Hittite ritual practitioner, likely of Hurrian origin, known from several texts that bear her name.
Ama-e f Sumerian
Possibly deriving in part from the Sumerian element ama ("mother"). Name borne by a Sumerian businesswoman who lived during the reign of Sargon of Akkad.
Amat-nanāya f Babylonian
Means "servant of Nanaya", deriving from the Akkadian element amtu ("woman servant").
Amat-nanāya-qerbet f Babylonian
Means "the servant of Nanaya is at hand" deriving from the Akkadian elements amtu ("woman servant") and qereb ("close ,near ,at hand ,within reach").
Amat-ninlil f Babylonian
Means "servant of Ninlil", deriving from the Akkadian element amtu ("woman servant").
Amat-tasmetu f Babylonian
Means "servant of Tashmetum", deriving from the Akkadian element amtu ("woman servant").
Amemar אַמֵּימָר m Ancient Aramaic
Formed from the personal name Ammi (which means "my people" from Hebrew עַם (ʿam) "people, nation, kinsman" and the suffix י (i) "my") and the title מַר (mar) meaning "master"... [more]
Amiltu f Babylonian
Means "servant woman", deriving from the Akkadian element amtu ("woman servant").
Amman m Ancient Hebrew
The given name of the second son of Lot, (The Veil), by his younger daughter meaning "Son of my Race" or "Son of my People. The father of the Ammanites, (AKA Ammonites). ... [more]
Ammi עמי m Biblical, Ancient Aramaic
Means "my people" in Hebrew, from עַם (ʿam) meaning "people, nation, kinsman" with the suffix י (i) "my"... [more]
Ammihud אממיחוד m Ancient Hebrew
The father of Elishama in Numbers 7.
Amminaya f Hittite
Meaning unknown. Name borne by a Hittite queen, who is known only from a mention in a single document (KBo XIX 84,7). Her spouse is unknown, however some historians theorize that she was married to Arnuwanda II.
Ammurapi m Ancient Semitic
Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by the last king of Ugarit, known from a letter he wrote to the king of Alashiya pleading for military aid during an invasion.
Amoashtart 𐤀𐤌𐤏𐤔𐤕𐤓𐤕 f Phoenician (Latinized)
Means "Astarte is my mother". Name borne by a queen of Sidon.
Anniwiyanni f Hittite
Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by the mother of an augur, known from a text detailing a fertility ritual involving burying clay birds on the steppe.
Annunitum 𒀭𒉡𒉌𒌈 f Near Eastern Mythology, Akkadian
Means "the skirmisher" or "the martial one". This was an epithet of Ishtar in her capacity as a war goddess. Later in the Sargonic period, Annunitum became a distinct deity in her own right.
Aqiba עקיבא m Ancient Aramaic
Aramaic form of Jacob.
Arinniti f Ancient Near Eastern
Hittite name meaning "lady of the forest", from Sanskrit aranya meaning "forest". This name was given to the Sun Goddess of Arinna. Also connected to the Vedic goddess Aranyani.
'Arišut-ba'l 𐤀𐤓𐤔𐤕𐤁𐤏𐤋‎ f Phoenician (Rare)
Means "desired object of Baal" in Phoenician. Name borne by a sacred prostitute of Astarte.
Ariyah עֲריָּה עריה f Ancient Hebrew
Feminine form of Ari 1.
Arleon m Ancient Hebrew
Derived from Hebrew Ari 1 and Latin Leon put together. Both names mean "lion".
Ashurnasirpal m Ancient Assyrian
Means "the god Ashur is the protector of the heir" in Assyrian, from the Akkadian Aššur-nāṣir-apli. ... [more]
Ashur-uballit m Ancient Assyrian
Meaning unknown, but refers to the god Ashur.... [more]
Asītu-tabni f Ancient Assyrian, Babylonian
Means "you created the tower", deriving from the Akkadian elements atti ("thou, you") and banû ("to create, to build").
Ašmu-nikal f Hittite
While the meaning is unknown, the second element likely derives from Nikkal, a Hittite goddess derived from the Sumerian Ningal.
Aspashini m Akkadian
Akkadian form of Aspačanā.
Ašratu 𒀀𒅆𒋥 f Akkadian
Akkadian form of Asherah.
Assur m Ancient Assyrian (Polonized), History (Ecclesiastical, Polonized)
Polish form of Ashur, the Assyrian (Mesopotamian) god.
Astyages m Old Median (Hellenized), Akkadian (Hellenized), History
Hellenized form of Akkadian Ishtovigu or Ištovigu, from Old Median R̥štivaigah, ultimately derived from Ancient Iranian rishti vaiga, meaning "swinging the spear". Modified through folk etymology by Greek ἄστυ (ásty) meaning "city" and ἄγνυμι (ágnumi) meaning "break"... [more]
Aszur m Ancient Assyrian (Polonized)
Polonised form of Assyrian god's name Ashur.
Ausi'i 𒁹𒀀𒌑𒋛𒀪 m Akkadian
Akkadian form of Hosea.
Avihud m Ancient Hebrew
Meaning "My Father is glorious" in reference to God.
Avira m Ancient Aramaic (Rare, ?)
This name is listed in Kolatch's Complete Dictionary of English and Hebrew Names (1984), where it is given an Aramaic origin, meaning "air, atmosphere, spirit." It was the name of a Babylonian Talmudic scholar.
‘Avraham אַבְרָהָם m Ancient Hebrew
Ancient Hebrew from of Abraham.
Babatha f Ancient Aramaic
Babatha is the name of a Jewish woman who owned land near Petra (modern Jordan) and En-Gedi (modern Israel) in the 2nd century AD. Because her personal documents were preserved, much of her personal life is known today.
Banât-esagil f Babylonian
Means "Esagil is beautiful", deriving from the Akkadian element banûtu ("beauty").
Banitu f Ancient Assyrian
Of unknown etymology. Possibly derived from either Akkadian banītu meaning "beautiful", or bānītu (also Akkadian), meaning "divine Creatress". Banitu was a queen of the Neo Assyrian empire circa 729 BCE.
Barabbas m Ancient Aramaic (Hellenized), Biblical
Hellenized form of bar-Abbâ, which means "son of Abba" in Aramaic, derived from Aramaic bar meaning "son" combined with the Aramaic given name Abba... [more]
Baracha ברכה f Ancient Hebrew
Alternate latinization of ברכה Bracha
Bara-irnun f Sumerian
Etymology uncertain, possibly deriving in part from the Sumerian element bára, meaning "throne dais, ruler". Name borne by a queen of the city of Umma (fl. 2400 BCE).
Baranamtarra f Sumerian
Etymology unknown, possibly deriving from Sumerian elements nam meaning "(area of) responsibility; destiny, fate, lot" and tar meaning "deliberate, judicious". Name borne by a queen of Lagash (circa 2384 BCE), known for her involvement in the trade of wool, silver, and bronze between Lagash, Dilmun, and Umma.
Barbea f Ancient Near Eastern (Latinized)
The name of an early Christian martyr from Edessa (today: Şanlıurfa, Turkey).
Barsoum m Ancient Aramaic
Transferred use of the surname Barsoum. St. Barsoum El Erian was a Coptic saint in the thirteenth century.
Bartatua 𒁹𒁇𒋫𒌅𒀀 m Akkadian
Akkadian form of either the Scythian name Pr̥ϑutavah ("with far-reaching strength") or the Scythian name Pṛtatavah ("mighty in battle").
Bashan m Ancient Hebrew
Bible Hebrew
Bathsua f Ancient Hebrew
Means "daughter of abundance".... [more]
Bat-zabbai f Ancient Aramaic
Means "daughter of Zabbai" in Aramaic. This was the native Palmyrene name of Septimia Zenobia (see Zenobia).
Bēl-bullissu m Babylonian
Means "Bel, keep him alive", deriving from the Akkadian element balāṭu ("to revive ; to keep alive, healthy").
Bēleta f Babylonian
Means "lady", deriving from the Akkadian element bēltu ("lady, mistress").
Bēlet-bābili f Babylonian, Akkadian, Near Eastern Mythology
Means "lady of Babylon", deriving from the Akkadian element belet (mistress, lady). This was a Babylonian name for the goddess Ishtar. Ishtar was worshipped under this name in the temple of Eturkalamma.
Bēlet-balāṭi f Near Eastern Mythology, Akkadian
Means "mistress of life", deriving from the Akkadian elements bēlet ("mistress or lady") and balāṭu ("life, vigour, good health"). This was possibly an Akkadian name for the goddess Nungal.
Belet-eanna f Near Eastern Mythology, Akkadian
An Akkadian name for the goddess Inanna, specifically in her capacity as Inanna of Uruk. Likely derives in part from the Akkadian belet ("mistress or lady").
Belet-ekallim f Near Eastern Mythology, Akkadian
Means "Mistress of the Palace", from Akkadian element belet ("mistress or lady"). This was the Akkadian name for the Sumerian goddess Ninegal.
Belet-nagar f Akkadian, Near Eastern Mythology
Means "Mistress of Nagar" (an ancient city in Syria), from the Akkadian element belet (meaning "mistress or lady"). Belet-Nagar was a tutelary goddess associated with kingship. She was possibly an Akkadian equivalent to the Hittite goddess Nabarbi.
Belet-ninua f Akkadian, Near Eastern Mythology
Means "Lady of Nineveh", deriving from Akkadian elements belet ("lady") and ninua (likely an Akkadian form of Nineveh).
Belet-uruk-atkal f Babylonian
Means "I trusted in the Lady of Uruk", deriving from the Akkadian element belet ("mistress, lady").
Bēl-ṣarbi m Near Eastern Mythology, Akkadian
Means "lord of the poplar", deriving from the Akkadian elements bēlu ("boss, chief, master, lord") and ṣarbat (deriving from a place name, that presumably later became associated with groves of trees... [more]
Bissāya f Babylonian
Of as yet unknown etymology, this name is attested several times in various Babylonian legal records from the Late Assyrian period.
Boanerges m Ancient Aramaic
The name that Jesus gave to James and John in the book of Mark, meaning the "sons of thunder".
Bruria בְּרוּרְיָה f Hebrew, Ancient Aramaic (?)
Allegedly means "pure" in Aramaic. This was the name of a 2nd-century female scholar; she was the wife of Rabbi Meir, one of Rabbi Akiva's disciples. It was also borne by Israeli theoretical physicist Bruria Kaufman (1918-2010).
Carthalo 𐤒𐤓‬𐤕‬𐤇‬𐤋‬𐤑 m Phoenician
Carthalo was an officer in Hannibal's army during the Second Punic War.
Chuldu f Ancient Aramaic
Meaning uncertain. Name borne by a Nabatean queen who ruled alongside her husband Aretas IV.
Chushan רִשְׁעָתַיִם m & f Ancient Hebrew
Meaning "Kushite."
Cucuphas m Phoenician
Phoenician origin with the meaning of "he who jokes" or "he who likes to joke". Saint Cucuphas is a is a martyr of Spain who lived from roughly 269 A.D. to 304 A.D. ... [more]
Daduhepa f Hittite
Of uncertain etymology, although the second element of the name (hepa) likely derives from the Hurrian sun goddess Ḫepat. Name borne by a Hittite queen who was possibly the wife of Tudhaliya I. She is known to have occupied the role of Tawananna (ruling queen) during the reign of Šuppiluliuma I, who is thought to have been her son.
Dalilu-essu m Babylonian
Means "new praise", deriving from the Akkadian elements dalīlu ("praise, thanks") and eššu ("new, modern").
Damqāya f Babylonian
Means "good", deriving from the Akkadian element damqu ("good, pretty, nice").
Danuhepa f Hittite
Etymology uncertain. The second element of the name (hepa) likely derives from the Hurrian sun goddess Ḫepat. Danuhepa was a Hittite queen who was likely the wife of Mursili II.
Darimush m Akkadian
Akkadian form of Darius.
Dhvh m Ancient Aramaic (Rare)
"explicit name of a deity"
Dumqišu-āmur f Babylonian
Means "I saw his goodness", from the Akkadian elements damqu ("good, pretty, nice"), iššû ("his, hers"), and amāru ("to see (someone, something)").
Ea-nasir m Akkadian
Meaning unknown. This was the name of an ancient Akkadian merchant whose customer, a man named Nanni, wrote to him the oldest known written complaint.
Ea-niša f Sumerian, Ancient Near Eastern
Of uncertain etymology, possibly deriving from the name of the god Ea 1, and the Sumerian element nisig ("beautiful, blue, green")... [more]
Eashoa m Ancient Aramaic
Ancient Aramaic form of Latin/Greek " Jesus ", Hebrew " Yeshua " & Arabic " Isa ". Presently thought as Jesus's given name in his perceived native language.
Ediyn f Ancient Hebrew
Hebrew variant of Eden
Eḫli-nikkal f Ancient Near Eastern, Hurrian, Hittite
Means "let Nikkal keep safe", deriving from the name of the goddess Nikkal, and the Hurrian element eġl=i ("to keep safe"). This name was borne by a Hittite princess, who was likely the daughter of Tudhaliya IV.
Eilan m Ancient Hebrew
Meaning little oak tree
Elisav m & f Ancient Hebrew
Very old and rare Hebrew form of ELIZABETH. ELISHEVA is a more modern form of the same name and usually used for females.
‘Eliyyahu אֱלִיָּהוּ m Ancient Hebrew
Ancient Hebrew from of Elijah.
Elpalet m Ancient Hebrew
Means "God delivers" in Hebrew.
Emet m & f Ancient Hebrew, English
Means "truth" in Hebrew.
Enlil-nadin-apli m Babylonian
Means "Enlil (is) giver of an heir". Name borne by the fifth king of the 2nd dynasty of Isin, who ruled from c. 1099–1096 BC.
Enmebaragesi 𒂗𒈨𒁈𒄄𒋛 m Sumerian
From Sumerian 𒂗𒈨𒁈𒄄𒋛 (Enmebárgisi) meaning "crown fit for a ruler", from Sumerian 𒂗 (en) "lord", 𒈨 (me) "crown", 𒁈 (bara₂) "ruler, king", and 𒋛 (si) "to fill"... [more]
Enpap-X m Sumerian
Possibly one of the earliest names recorded. He was mentioned on a tablet dated 3200-3100 BC. He was one of two Sumerian slaves owned by Gal-Sal.
Enshakushanna 𒂗𒊮𒊨𒀭𒈾 m Sumerian
Possibly deriving from Sumerian elements en meaning "dignitary; lord; high priest", ur-saĝ meaning "hero, warrior" and an meaning "sky, heaven; the god An". Name of a King of Uruk (c... [more]
Entemena 𒂗𒋼𒈨𒈾 m Sumerian
Of uncertain etymology, possibly deriving in part from the Sumerian element en, meaning "lord, high priest, dignitary". Name borne by a king of Lagash, notable for being named in the earliest known peace treaty between two kings.
Ephron m Ancient Hebrew
Means "small deer" in Hebrew.
Erra m Near Eastern Mythology, Babylonian, Akkadian
The Babylonian god of war, death, and other disasters. He may be identified with Nergal, the god of death. Erra expressed death himself symbolically by his continuous lethargy as he lay in a drunken stupor... [more]
Esagilāya f Babylonian
Means "of Esagil". Esagil was a temple dedicated to the god Marduk.
Esarhaddon m Ancient Assyrian, Literature
Means "Ashur has given a brother to me" in Assyrian, from the Akkadian Aššur-ahhe-iddina.... [more]
Esharra-hammat f Ancient Assyrian
From from Akkadian elements ešarra (the name of a temple), and ḫammat meaning "mistress". Possibly means, "In Ešarra, she is mistress". Name of a queen of the Neo-Assyrian empire (c... [more]
Eshmunazar 𐤀𐤔𐤌𐤍𐤏𐤆𐤓 m Phoenician
Meaning "Eshmun helps" (Eshmun was a Phoenician god of healing and the tutelary god of Sidon). Name borne by two kings of Sidon.
Etana 𒂊𒋫𒈾 m Sumerian
The thirteenth god-king of the Sumerian dynasty ruling the city of Kish. He was appointed by Anu himself. Etana had no son and prayed daily to Shamash, the sun-god, to grant him a child... [more]
Gabbi-ina-qātē f Babylonian
Means "In the hands (of the gods) is totality", deriving from the Akkadian element kalû ("totality, all").
Gal-Sal m Sumerian
Possibly one of the earliest names recorded. It occurs on a tablet dated ca 3200-3100 BC. Gal-Sal was a slave owner.
Gassulawiya f Hittite
Possibly means "woman of Kashulas" (a settlement in the Kashka region of the Hittite empire), deriving from the Luwian element wiya ("woman").
Geme-ninlilla f Sumerian, Ancient Near Eastern
Of uncertain etymology, however the last element is likely derived from the goddess Ninlil. Geme-Ninlilla was a wife of King Shulgi during the final years of his reign.
Gerar m & f Ancient Hebrew
Also Gerara, (LXX). Name of the land in which Abimelech dwelt. Genesis 20:2.
Ghiwarghis m Ancient Aramaic
Aramaic form of Georgios (see George). It is given among Eastern Christians to honouring Saint George.
Giddel m Ancient Hebrew
Hebrew name meaning "to grow"
Gilukhipa f Hurrian
Means "Ḫepat is my strength" in Hurrian. Hepat is a sun goddess, whose name is commonly seen as an element in Hurrian and Hittite theophoric names... [more]
Harapšeki f Hittite
Meaning uncertain, possibly derived in part from the Hittite element ḫāran ("eagle"). Name borne by a Hittite queen (fl. 15th century BCE).
Ḫarapšili f Hittite
Meaning uncertain, possibly derived in part from the Hittite element ḫāran ("eagle"). Name borne by a Hittite queen (fl. circa 1550 BCE).
Harim חָרִם m Ancient Hebrew
Meaning "with pierced nose." May also mean "destroyed" or "dedicated to God" depending on your source.
Ḫaštayar f Hittite
Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by a Hittite noblewoman who was speculated to be either a daughter or a wife of Hattusili I.
Hattusa-ziti m Hittite
Possibly means "man from Hattusa", deriving from the Luwian element ziti ("man"). The city of Hattusa was a major political center for the Hittite Empire. Name borne by an envoy of Suppiluliuma I, who was sent to the court of the Egyptian queen Ankhesenamun.
Ḫenti f Hittite
Meaning uncertain, name borne by a Hittite queen who was the first wife of King Suppiluliuma I.
Hilkiah m Ancient Hebrew
Hilkiah means “portion of Yah” or “the LORD is my portion.” Hilkiah was a Levite and high priest during the reign of King Josiah. He found the long-lost Book of the Law (see II Chronicles 34).
Hosa m Ancient Hebrew
Meaning, "as many" or "all".
Hoshama m Ancient Hebrew
Meaning "God hears."
Huzālu m Babylonian
Means "gazelle", deriving from the Akkadian ḫuzālu ("gazelle kid").
Iaba f Ancient Aramaic
Possibly derives from one of the following West Semitic elements: yph ("beautiful"), nby ("to name") or yhb ("to give"). Name borne by an Assyrian queen, who was possibly of Aramean origin.
Iamblikhos m Ancient Aramaic (Hellenized)
Hellenized form of Aramaic ימלכו (Yamlīḵū), possibly a causitive form of Aramaic מלך (melech) "to rule, absolute".
Iati'e f Ancient Near Eastern, History
Variant transcription of Yatie.
Idra f Ancient Aramaic
Means "fig tree" in Aramaic.
Idrimi m Ancient Near Eastern
Meaning unknown.... [more]
Ieshua m Ancient Aramaic
"God is protection"
Ilaba'is-takal m Akkadian
Meaning unknown. A noted bearer is Ilaba'is-takal, an Akkadian prince (23rd century BCE), the son of King Sargon of Akkad (Sargon the Great) and Queen Tashlultum, brother of Enheduanna, Rimush, and Manishtushu, and uncle of Naram-Sin.
Ina-egasil-ramat f Babylonian
Means "She dwells in Esagil". Name borne by the mother of Nupta, who was the wife of Itti-marduk-balatu... [more]
Ina-eturkalamma-alsišu f Babylonian
Means "In Eturkalamma, I called out to him", deriving from the Akkadian element šasû ("to shout, to call for"). Eturkalamma was a temple to Ishtar in Babylon, where she was worshipped as Bēlet-bābili.
Ina-ṣilli-esabad f Babylonian
Means "In the protection of Esabad" (the temple of the medicine goddess Gula), from the Akkadian ina ṣilli ("under the aegis of, in shadow, in the shade").
Inbāya f Babylonian
Means "fruit", deriving from the Akkadian inbu ("fruit").
Iranzu m Ancient Near Eastern
Of uncertain etymology, name borne by a king of Mannae (a small kingdom in present day north-western Iran) that ruled during the reign of Tiglath-Pileser.
Irkab-damu m Ancient Near Eastern
Name Of an Elamite King
Ištapariya f Hittite
Possibly deriving from the Luwian element tapar, meaning "strong, mighty". Name borne by a Hittite queen (fl. 15th Century BCE), who was possibly of Luwian origin. Queen Ištapariya was assassinated during a period of political intrigue by rivals to her husband's throne.
Ithobaal אֶתְבַּעַל m Biblical, Phoenician
It is borne by the father (ithobaal I) of the biblical queen Jezebel and other Phoenician kings mentioned by the historian Josephus and Assyrian sources... [more]
Itti-marduk-balatu m Babylonian
Means "With Marduk there is life". Name borne by a king of the 2nd dynasty of Isin, who ruled c. 1135–1128 BC.
Jahdiel m Ancient Hebrew
Means "God gladdens" in Hebrew.
Janai m Ancient Hebrew
Meaning "God answers."
Jehaleel m Ancient Hebrew
Meaning "God is praised."
Jehdeiah m Ancient Hebrew
Meaning "God gladdens."
Jehial יְחִיאֵל m Ancient Hebrew
Variant spelling of Jehiel.
Jehoahaz יְהוֹאָחָז m Ancient Hebrew
Meaning "God holds fast." Diminutive is Ahaz.
Joezer m Ancient Hebrew
Meaning "Yahweh is help."
Kabtāya f Babylonian
Means "honoured", deriving from the Akkadian element kabātu ("to be honored, shown respect").
Katešḫapi m & f Hittite
Means "King of the Gods", from the Hittite elements katte ("king") and ašḫab ("god"). The name of a Hittite god, which was also borne by a queen of the Middle Kingdom period of the Hittite empire, who is known only from fragmentary documents... [more]
Kedite f Minoan, Ancient Near Eastern
An ancient Minoan name recorded on a Linear B tablet. Its meaning is unknown, and its gender is not confirmed as feminine but assumed to be.
Kepha כיפא m Ancient Aramaic
From the Aramaic word כיפא kepha meaning "rock, stone" (see Cephas).
Kiluš-ḫepa f Hittite
Possibly means "Messenger of Ḫepat" deriving from the Hattic element kiluḫ ("spy, scout, messenger"), with the second element hepa likely deriving from the name of the Hurrian sun goddess Hepat... [more]
Kiya f Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Near Eastern
Meaning uncertain. Could be a contraction or diminutive of the Mitanni name Tadukhipa, or possibly a variant of the Ancient Egyptian word for "monkey"... [more]
Konzapeas m Ancient Near Eastern (Hellenized)
Hellenized variant of the Luwian name Kwanza-piya attested from Isauria during the classical period.
Kurunnītu f Akkadian, Near Eastern Mythology
Likely means "high quality beer", deriving from the Akkadian kurunnum (itself a derivation of the Sumerian kurun). Name borne by an Akkadian goddess, likely equivalent to the Sumerian goddess of beer Ninkasi.
Kurunnitu-sarrat f Akkadian, Ancient Assyrian
Possibly means "Kurunnitu is queen", derived from the goddess Kurunnītu, and šarrat ("queen").
Kurunnitu-tabni f Akkadian, Ancient Assyrian
Possibly means "Kurunnitu is our comrade", derived from the name of the goddess Kurunnītu, and the Akkadian elements tappa-um ("comrade") and ni ("our").
Kushim m Sumerian
Kushim is possibly the earliest given name recorded. He is mentioned on the Kushim Tablet (ca 3200 BC). He was probably a scribe or a kind of "accountant" among Sumerians.
Kwanza-piya m Ancient Near Eastern, Luwian
Means "gift of the Kwanza (goddesses of fate in the Luwian pantheon)", deriving from the Luwian element pi-i-ya ("to give").
Kybêbê f Ancient Near Eastern
Older Ionian Greek form of Cybele.
Labbatu f Near Eastern Mythology, Akkadian
Means "lioness", deriving from the Akkadian lābatu ("lioness"). This is attested as an alternate name for Ishtar in an Eblaite god list.
Lamashtu 𒀭𒈕𒈨 f Near Eastern Mythology, Akkadian
Possibly means "she who erases", deriving from the Akkadian element pašāṭu ("to erase"). Name borne by a female demon thought to menace women during childbirth. Since her name was written with the symbol 𒀭 (dingir, used to signify the name of a deity), and she is described as acting malevolently of her own accord (rather than at the direction of the gods), it is hypothesised that she was a goddess or demigoddess in her own right.
Libbali-sharrat f Ancient Assyrian
Possibly derived from the Akkadian elements libbāli meaning "inner city" (possibly an epithet of the goddess Ishtar) and šarratum, meaning "queen".
Lugal-kinishe-dudu 𒈗𒆠𒉌𒂠𒌌𒌌 m Sumerian
Etymology uncertain, likely deriving in part from the Sumerian element lugal ("master, king"). Name borne by a king of Uruk and Ur who ruled at the end of the 25th century BCE.
Lugal-kisalsi 𒈗𒆦𒋛 m Sumerian
Possibly deriving from Sumerian element lugal, meaning "king, owner, master", and tar " to cut; to decide". Name of a King of Uruk and Ur (some contemporary sources also place him as King of Kish), circa 2400 BCE.
Lugalsilâsi 𒈗𒋻𒋛 m Sumerian
Means "The lord fills the streets", deriving from the Sumerian elements 𒈗 lugal ("king, master, lord"), 𒋻𒋛 silâ ("street, path"), and 𒋛 si ("to fill up"). Name borne by a king of Uruk and Kish that ruled in the Early Dynastic III period (2500-2350 BCE).
Lurindu f Babylonian
Means "pomegranate", from the Akkadian lurintu ("a pomegranate").
Maccabee m Ancient Aramaic (Anglicized), Mormon
The name of an ancient Jewish warrior, Judah Maccabee, meaning "the hammer". ... [more]
Maliawašḫi f Ancient Near Eastern
Ancient Assyrian feminine given name recorded in 18th century BC Assyrian documents from Kültepe. It may derive from the name of the goddess Maliya and potentially (w)ashib meaning "dweller, person who dwells in" or "of".
Malkos m Ancient Aramaic (Hellenized)
From Old Aramaic מלכא (malkā) "king". According to the Suda, this is the original name of Porphyry, given by her parents.
Mallidunna f Ancient Near Eastern, Luwian
Possibly deriving in part from the Luwian element ma-al-li ("honey"). Name borne by a ritual practitioner known from fragments of ritual tablets that bear her name.
Mamre מַמְרֵא m Ancient Hebrew
The name of an Amorite ally of Abraham, owner of some famous great trees at or near Hebron.
Manishtushu m Akkadian
Meaning unknown.... [more]
Marduka m Ancient Near Eastern
Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by several court officials in the courts of Xerxes I and Darius, and is considered as a possible origin for the name Mordecai.
Marduk-kabit-ahheshu m Babylonian
Means "Marduk is the most important among his brothers". Name borne by the founder of the 2nd dynasty of Isin, who ruled c. 1153–1136 BC.
Marduk-shapik-zeri m Babylonian
Means "Marduk (is) outpourer of seed", deriving from the god Marduk, and the Akkadian elements šapāku ("to pour on / to lavish") and zēru ("seed ; offspring ; sown, arable land").
Marqos m Ancient Aramaic
Aramaic form of Mark.
Masede m Minoan, Ancient Near Eastern
An ancient Minoan masculine name recorded on a Linear B tablet. Its meaning is currently unknown.
Mashda m Sumerian, Akkadian
Likely meaning "gazelle", from the Akkadian word ṣabîtum ("gazelle"). According to the Sumerian king list, this is the name of the eleventh Sumerian king in the First Dynasty of Kish.
Mašḫuiluwa m Luwian
Means "mouse" in Luwian. Name borne by a king of the Luwian kingdom of Mira, a vassal state to the Hittite empire, that married Muwatti, the sister of Mursili II.
Massanauzzi f Hittite
Means "god's wish", deriving in part from the Luwian element massanalli ("divine"). Name borne by a Hittite princess (fl. 1300s BCE), who is mentioned in correspondance between King Hattusilli II and Pharaoh Ramesses II.
Mausolus m Ancient Near Eastern, Carian (Hellenized), History (Latinized)
Latinized form of Greek Μαύσωλος (Mausōlos), which is a variant spelling of Maussollos, a hellenization of a Carian masculine compound name... [more]
Mebarasi m Sumerian
Original reading of Enmebaragesi.
Monobaz m Ancient Near Eastern
Monobaz I (also known as Bazeus or Monobazus) was king of the neo Assyrian Parthian client state of Adiabene in the 20s and 30s of the 1st century CE.
Mullissu f Near Eastern Mythology, Ancient Assyrian
Meaning uncertain. Name borne by an obscure goddess who was a consort of the god Ashur. May derive from "Mullitum", which was an epithet for the Sumerian goddess Ninlil.
Mullissu-mukannishat-Ninua f Ancient Assyrian
Etymology uncertain. A possible meaning is "Mullissu is the victor in Nineveh" (Ninua being the Akkadian form of Nineveh), deriving from the Akkadian element mukannišum ("subjugator /subduer / conqueror / victor").
Mursili m Ancient Near Eastern
The name of three Hittite kings.
Mutakkil-nusku m Ancient Assyrian
Means "He whom Nusku endows with confidence". Name borne by a king of Assyria who ruled for a brief period c. 1132 BCE.
Muwatalli m Hittite
Meaning unknown. Name borne by two Hittite kings, Mutawalli I (fl. 15th century BCE), and Mutawalli II (fl. 13th century BCE).
Muwatti m & f Hittite
Means "mighty/potent", deriving from the Luwian element mo:wa ("to be mighty, potent").
Nabu-shezibanni m Ancient Assyrian
From Assyrian 𒁹𒀭𒀝𒊺𒍦𒀀𒉌 (Nabu-šezibanni), meaning "o Nabu, save me". This was what the Assyrians named Psamtik I as.
Nadāya f Babylonian
Meaning uncertain, possibly derived from the Akkadian element nadānu ("gift, tribute, payment").
Nanāya-kānat f Babylonian
Possibly means "Nanaya has gathered", deriving from the Akkadian element kanāšu ("to gather in (harvest, people)").
Nanaya-kesirat f Babylonian, Akkadian
Means "Nanaya is the one who compensates", deriving from the goddess Nanaya, and the Akkadian element kašāru ("to compensate, to give its due").
Nanāya-rīšat f Babylonian
Possibly means "Nanaya's joy", deriving from the Akkadian element rīšātu ("joy, happiness").
Napir-asu f Ancient Near Eastern, Elamite
Possibly derived from the name of the Elamite god of the moon Napir. Name borne by Napir-Asu, who was the queen of Elam during the Middle Elamite period... [more]
Naqi'a f Ancient Near Eastern
Of unknown meaning or origin.... [more]
Nehorai נהוראי m & f Hebrew, Ancient Hebrew
From the Aramaic root nehora, meaning "light". Rabbi Nehorai was the name of one of the Tannaim.
Netanya נְתַנְיָה f Ancient Hebrew (Anglicized, Modern)
Feminine form of Netanyahu.
Nikkalmati f Hittite
Likely means "the wisdom of Nikkal" from the Hurrian element madi, meaning "wisdom", and Nikkal, a Hittite goddess derived from the Sumerian Ningal. Name borne by a Hittite queen (fl... [more]
Ninella f Sumerian
A name for Ninella as "lady of the earth".... [more]
Nin-kalla f Sumerian
Means "precious sister", deriving from the Sumerian elements nin ("sister") and níĝ-kal-la ("precious"). Name borne by many prominent high-status women during the Neo-Sumerian Empire.
Ninšatapada f Ancient Near Eastern, Sumerian
Means "Lady Chosen by (means of) the Heart (Omens)", deriving from the Sumerian elements nin ("queen, mistress") and saĝ ("to chose"). Name borne by a high-priestess of Meslamta-ea (fl... [more]
Ninurta-nadin-shumi m Babylonian
Means "Ninurta is giver of progeny". Name borne by a Babylonian king of the 2nd dynasty of Isin, who ruled c. 1127–1122 BC.
Nohra m Ancient Aramaic
Means "light" in Aramaic. This was the name of a Maronite saint.
Nupta f Babylonian
Meaning uncertain, possibly deriving from the Akkadian element nuāru ("singer , musician , poet"). Name borne by the wife of Itti-marduk-balatu.
Nusku m Babylonian, Ancient Assyrian
Meaning unknown. Nusku was the god of light and fire in ancient Mesopotamian religion.
Ochozias m Biblical Latin, Ancient Hebrew (Latinized), Biblical French
French and Latinized form of Ahaziah via it's Hellenized form Okhozias.
Onan m Ancient Hebrew
Power, Strength, Hebrew origin.
Paltah פלטה f Ancient Hebrew
This name was apparently found inscripted on a few ancient seals. Meaning unknown.
Paškuwatti f Hittite, Luwian
Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by a magician from Arzawa, known from a text that details a ritual dedicated to the goddess Uliliyašši to cure impotence.
Phasaelis f Ancient Aramaic
Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by a Nabatean princess, who was the first wife of Herod Antipas.
Piyama-kurunta m Luwian
Means "gift of Kurunta", deriving from the Luwian element pi-i-ya ("to give"). Name borne by a prince of the kingdom of Arzawa.
Protothyes m Ancient Near Eastern (Latinized)
Latinized form of the name Bartatua, itself an Akkadian form of a Scythian name.
Puduḫepa f Hittite
Meaning unknown, although the second element of the name (hepa) likely derives from the Hurrian sun goddess Ḫepat. Name borne by a Hittite queen (fl. 13th century BCE). Puduḫepa was the wife of King Hattusili III, and the mother of Maathorneferure, who went on to become the Great Royal Wife of Rameses II.
Pusai m Ancient Aramaic
The name of a Christian priest and companion in martyrdom with Simeon Barsabae and others (†344).
Qardagh m Ancient Aramaic
Meaning and origin unknown. He is a 4th saint venerated in Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, Syro-Malabar Church. Mar Qardagh (Mar means "lord" and it's like "holy"a honorific title) was a Sassanid prince who was martyred for converting to Christianity... [more]
Qareh m Ancient Near Eastern
Means "the bald one" in a Semitic language, possibly Phoenician.
Qeshet קֶשֶׁת f & m Ancient Hebrew
Ancient Hebrew transcription of Keshet.
Qibī-dumqī-ilat f Akkadian, Babylonian
Meaning uncertain, however the name possibly derives from the Akkadian elements qibītu "speech ; order, command ; request, prayer" and "dumqu ("goodness , good thing").
Qudāšu f Akkadian, Babylonian
Means "earring", deriving from the Akkadian word qudaštu.
Qunnabatu f Babylonian
Means "hemp-flower", deriving from the Akkadian qunnabu.
Quriaqos m Ancient Aramaic
Aramaic and Assyrian form of Quiricus.
Radah m & f Ancient Hebrew
to rule, have dominion, dominate, tread down... [more]
Ramina f Ancient Assyrian
Feminine form of Rama.
Raushanna f Ancient Hebrew
Meaning "Splendid One."
Razili f Ancient Hebrew
Ancient Hebrew name meaning "the Lord's secret."
Rimush 𒌷𒈬𒍑 m Akkadian
Meaning unknown. A noted bearer is Rimush, an Akkadian king (c.2280 BCE), the second king of the Akkadian empire, son of King Sargon of Akkad and Queen Tashlultum, brother of Manishtushu, and uncle of Naram-Sin.
Rīšatu f Babylonian
Means "joy", deriving from the Akkadian element rīšātu ("joy, happiness").
Sabbe f Greek Mythology, Ancient Near Eastern (Hellenized)
One of the three names of the Persian Sybil presiding over the Apollonian Oracle. Also known as the Hebrew, Egyptian, and Babylonian Sybil.
Sahdona m Ancient Aramaic
Means "little martyr" in Aramaic.
Salampsio f Ancient Hebrew (Hellenized)
Hellenized form of the Hebrew name Shalom-zion "peace of Zion". The name "Shalom Zion" was used by the Judean royal family in the Roman period and is variously modified in rabbinical literature... [more]
Samas-zeru-ibni m Babylonian
Means "Shamash created the offspring", deriving from the Akkadian element zēru ("seed; offspring; sown, arable land").
Šamši 𒊓𒄠𒋛 f Ancient Near Eastern, Ancient Semitic
Old Arabic name meaning "my sun". It was borne by a queen of the Qedar who reigned from 735 to 710 BCE. Her successor was queen Yatie.
Samyaza m Ancient Aramaic, Jewish Legend
This is the name of a fallen angel in the Book of Enoch, who is portrayed as the leader of a band of angels called the Watchers that lust after mortal women and become fallen angels.
Sanduarri m Ancient Near Eastern
Means "Šanta will help". Name borne by a king of the kingdoms of Kundu (which has been tentatively linked with the city of Anzarbus), and Sissu (the location of which is uncertain but is likely in one of the southern provinces of Turkey).
Sara'el שָׂרָאֵל f Ancient Hebrew (Rare)
Sara'el is a female given name meaning, "Princess of God" in Hebrew.
Sarbel m Ancient Near Eastern
The name of an early Christian martyr from Edessa (today: Şanlıurfa, Turkey).
Sarratu f Akkadian, Ancient Assyrian
Means "princess" and is related to the name Sarah. (The description of the entry Sarah should include this information about "Sarratu" I think as it is stronger evidence that Sarah means princess for those say it doesn't mean princess and means more of a position of power in general)
Satanduhepa 𒊩𒊭𒋫𒀭𒁺𒃶𒉺 f Hittite, Hurrian
Meaning unknown, although the second element of the name (hepa) likely derives from the Hurrian sun goddess Ḫepat. Name borne by a Hittite queen (1390 BC-1365 BC)... [more]
Serua-eterat f Ancient Assyrian
From Akkadian elements Šērū’a and ēṭirat, meaning "Šerua (a minor deity, possibly a consort of the god Ashur) is the one who saves". Name borne by a princess of the Sargonid dynasty, known from her letter (circa 670 BCE) to her sister-in-law Libbali-sharrat.
Shabaka m Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Near Eastern
From Egyptian šꜢbꜢkꜢ, of Kushite origin. This was the name of a Kushite pharaoh of the 25th Dynasty of Egypt (c.721 BCE - c.707 BCE). The Kingdom of Kush was an ancient African kingdom in what is now the Republic of Sudan.
Shabtit שבתית f Ancient Hebrew
The feminine form of the name Shabbatai, likely invented in post-Biblical times
Shamhat 𒊩𒌑𒉺 f Literature, Babylonian
Means "the luscious one". Name borne by a prominent character in the Epic of Gilgamesh, responsible for bringing the wild man Enkidu to the city of Uruk.
Shaphat שָׁפָט m Ancient Hebrew
Means "God judges" in Hebrew.
Shaqilath f History, Ancient Near Eastern
Etymology unknown. This was the name of two queens of the Nabataeans.
Shar-kali-sharri 𒀭𒊬𒂵𒉌 𒈗𒌷 m Akkadian
Meaning “king of kings”. Shar-Kali-Sharri was the king of the Akkadian Empire and the son of Naram-Sin
She'ila שאילא m Ancient Aramaic
Aramaic form of Silas.
Shelumiel שלומיאֵל, שְׁלֻמִיאֵל m Biblical, Ancient Hebrew, Hebrew (Archaic)
Means "peace of God" in Hebrew, derived from Hebrew שָׁלוֹם (shalom) meaning "peace, welfare, wholeness" combined with Hebrew אֵל ('el) meaning "God"... [more]
Shemai m Ancient Hebrew
Means "hear" or "listen", from the Hebrew shema. See Shemaiah.
Shibtu f Ancient Near Eastern
Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by a queen of Mari, a city state in modern day Syria, who is known from extensive correspondence between her and her husband which demonstrated that Shibtu was in charge of both administration and household affairs.
Shiia שַׁאֶהָ m Ancient Hebrew
Derivative Of Joshua.
Shim’on שִׁמְעוֹן m Ancient Hebrew
Ancient Hebrew from of Simon 1.
Shu-enlil m Akkadian
Meaning uncertain, but related to the god Enlil.... [more]
Shulgi 𒀭𒂄𒄀 m Sumerian
Of uncertain etymology, name borne by a king of the 3rd dynasty of Ur, who ruled for 48 years circa 2094 BC to 2046 BC.
Shulgi-simti f Ancient Near Eastern, Akkadian
Possibly means "Shulgi is my glory". Name borne by a wife of Shulgi, who is known from texts concerning her possessions, and the people who worked for her in her household. Her name is possibly of Akkadian origin, and hints at an Akkadian origin for Shulgi-simti herself (as she likely assumed this name on her marriage to Shulgi).