What does the Armenian name mean? History of the origin of Armenian names

Meaning of Armenian Names

Issues related to the origin and transformation of names and surnames are studied by a science called onomastics. At the birth of a child, parents give him one name or another to distinguish him from other people.

Names arose early in humankind and were mostly derived from common nouns. Previously, in ancient times, people were called meaningful names that corresponded to their external quality, or those that expressed the desire to see a person in the future endowed with certain qualities.

For example, an Armenian name Rachia means " fiery eyes», Zarmair - « noble man", Zorair - "a man endowed with strength." Many male Armenian names will form like this: before the word “ayr” - (“man” - Arm.) a characterizing adjective is added. Also, female names, before the word - dukht (“daughter” - Arm.), the father’s name is added and a new name is obtained. For example, Vormizdukht, Aykandukht, etc.

For many peoples, names arose from the names of various totems - deified animals, plants, natural phenomena. Some of the Armenian names also come from the names of animals, birds, plants ( Garnik, Aitzemnik, Akhavni, Artsvik, Shushan, Nargiz, Eznik, Manushak, Hasmik, Tsakhik etc.), but are not associated with their deification, as, for example, is customary among the aborigines of the Samoan islands in the Pacific Ocean. When a child is born, they pronounce the names of different totems, and the name pronounced at the very moment of birth becomes the name of the child. Armenian names of this nature are mainly an expression of strength, beauty, tenderness, etc.

On ancient East there were personal names made up of the names of gods, just like the Armenians, for example, Artamazd, Anahit, etc. When Christianity began to spread, the names mentioned in the Old and New Testaments came into use. However, peoples with a developed culture have retained their ancient names. Christian names spread among almost all European peoples. But each of these peoples transformed in their own way. For example, the name “Johannes” became Giovanni for the Italians, Jean for the French, Jan for the Poles, John for the English, Ivan for the Russians, Juan for the Spaniards, and Hovhannes for the Armenians, retaining the sound closest to the original. The names Karen, Abel, Eve, Lazar, etc. also entered our everyday life.

To distinguish between female and male Armenian names, you can use the rule according to which a suffix or ending is added to the word that determines the gender, “ui” - female gender (for example: Srbui), “air” - m. gender (for example : Norayr). But not all names can be classified according to this type.

There are names derived from Armenian toponyms (Hayastan, Ararat, Ani, Vanik, Vanui, Nairi, Nairui, Naira, Sisak, Araksi, Masis, Taron, Mushegh, etc.). A number of Armenian names reflect religious content, and are translations of foreign Christian names:
Harutyun - resurrection,
Khachatur - sent down by St. Cross,
Arakel - apostle,
Astvatsatur - sent by God, etc.

All listed names are translated from Greek.

There are also newly formed names with religious content:
Ambartsum - ascension,
Galust is a phenomenon
Srbui - saint,
Avetis - good news,
Mkrtich - baptist, etc.

Many names reflect the external and internal dignity of a person:
Zhirayr is lively,
Patvakan - venerable,
Amest - modest,
Nazan - tender, graceful,
Gehetskui is a beauty,
Makrui - clean, etc.

Some names, although foreign in origin, nevertheless, having changed, became Armenian (Eghishe, Vagram, Ruzan, Seda, etc.). And there are names that, despite the fact that they are also used by other peoples, are nevertheless recognized as Armenian (Ruben, Samvel, Levon, David, etc.).

Rachia Acharyan paid special attention to the study of Armenian names, who compiled a unique five-volume Dictionary of Armenian Personal Names. Armenians are very lucky because few peoples have the opportunity to completely and fundamentally find the origin of their names. And if you listen carefully to exclusively euphonious and meaningful Armenian personal names, then without special effort you can understand the meaning contained in them:
Arevik - Sunshine,
Astghik - star,
Azat - free,
Arpi - dawn,
Razmik is a warrior,
Drakht is paradise,
Martik is a warrior,
Zepyur is a breeze, etc.

Origin of Armenian surnames

Surname (“azganun” - Armenian) - in Armenian means the name of the clan. But initially there were no generic names, because people lived in small groups, isolated, and everyone knew each other well. Well, if it happened that several Arams or several Anahits lived in one settlement, then they were identified in different ways: for example, Aram, the grandson of Garnik, or Aram, the grandson of Hayk. Or they always found some characterizing feature, for example, the lame Amayak or Anahit, who has ten children.

FEMALE NAMES

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Because the national history Armenians are quite complex; Armenian names are a peculiar mixture. You can meet Armenians with native Armenian names, and with Parthian names, and with Arabic, Greek, Slavic, and biblical names.

Most often, all Armenian names are divided into five categories: by parents, by occupation, by geography, by a person’s distinctive feature and titled names. It is also customary to distinguish the following layers of personal names of Armenians.

1. National names.
The group of national names includes the names of pagan Armenian gods and names derived from them, such as Hayk, Anahit, Vahagn. The group also includes the names of Armenian kings (Tigran, Ashot, etc.) and generals (Vardan, Gevorg, etc.).

2. Names formed from words of the Armenian language.
This group includes names derived from the names of stars and planets, precious fabrics and stones, and holidays. Such names include Arev (sun), Manushak (violet), Metaxia (silk) and others. Enough a large number of Armenian names come from descriptions of flora and fauna.

Such names, like all personal names derived from common nouns, were invented a very long time ago. In ancient times, a name was chosen in accordance with the qualities of a person or the desire to see these qualities in the future. Thus, names were given to people in a meaningful way. For example, the Armenian name Rachia suggests that its bearer has “fiery eyes,” and Zarmair means “noble man.” Many names are designed to reflect the internal and external virtues of the wearer. So, Zhirayr means “glib”, and Patvakan means “venerable”.

Many male names have an “air” component at the end, meaning the word “man.” This component is usually preceded by an adjective that describes the speaker. Similarly, many women's names end in "duht", translated meaning "daughter", and the father's name is placed at the beginning of the name. Thus, new names appear. For example, Vormizdukht or Aykandukht.

Names that include descriptions of flora and fauna objects arose from totems deified in ancient times. Such names include Garnik, Nargiz, Tsakhik, etc.

3. Borrowed names.
Such names include, in particular, the names of common Christian saints. For example, the names Solomon or David. As in other developed cultures, biblical names were slightly modified in their own way. Thus, Johann became Hovaness among the Armenians, maintaining a sound close to the original. A number of Armenian names, although not biblical, still have religious meaning. Such names are translations of foreign religious names. For example, Khachatur – “sent down from St. Cross" or Arakel - "apostle".

A number of names were borrowed from Persian. For example, the name Suren. Many foreign names have changed, becoming familiar to the ears of Armenians.

Over the years of the existence of the USSR, Armenians began to call their children names from the Russian language. Diminutive forms of names were often borrowed. So, Armenians began to be called by the names Alyosha, Volodya, Zhora, Yurik. In those same years, names familiar to Western Europe. Among them were the names Henry, Edward, Hamlet and others. Also, first names and surnames have become popular as names among Armenians famous personalities. For example, Engels, Karl, Roosevelt and others. However, later the bearers of such unusual names began to change them to more familiar Armenian names.

A number of Armenian names can be worn by both men and women. Such names include Arshaluys, Hayastan, Erdzhanik and others. Some names have a masculine and a feminine form. For example, male name Armen – female name Armenui.

Still widely used in Armenia family name. It is not mentioned in documents and is especially widespread outside cities. The generic name is formed on the same basis as the surname, but in in this case The nickname or occupation of the founder of the clan is taken as a basis.

Many Armenians live outside Armenia, forming large diasporas. Under the influence of diasporas on the Armenian nation proper, first and last names are very diverse. You can find both native Armenian and christian names. Surnames may be of Armenian, Turkic, Greek, Old Testament or Iranian origin.

Most surnames end with the endings “-yan” and “-yants”, which indicate that the bearer belongs to a particular clan. For example, the surname Sarkisyan indicates belonging to the Sarkis family.

History of the origin of Armenian names became, as it were, mirror image complex history of the Armenian people. Numerous conquerors and wanderings in different countries of the world could not help but leave their mark on the names. For example, the names Khosrov, Anushavan (Anushirvan), Narses (Nasre) speak of Persian influence. But most of the borrowed names were adapted to the Armenian language. Sometimes beyond recognition. So the biblical John became Hovhannes, and Peter became Petros. But, despite the fact that the Armenians lived for many centuries under the rule of the Turks, their Turkic names did not take root.

All Armenian names can be divided into two groups - national and borrowed.

National names.

Some ancient Armenian names that have survived to this day were originally proper names back in the pre-Christian era. These are the names pagan gods– Hayk (ancestor of the Armenians), Anahit (goddess of fertility and love), Vahagn (god of thunder and lightning). The names of kings and commanders are Tigran, Ashot, Vardan, Gevorg.

Another group of names is formed from common nouns. Meaning these Armenian names associated with different concepts and objects that evoke positive emotions - Arevik (sun), Lusine (moon), Manushak (violet), Shushan (lily), Hasmik (jasmine), Vard (rose), Gohar (diamond), Gekhetsik (beauty), Paytsar ( clarity), Mkhitar (consolation). Armenians even have “holiday” names – Navasad ( New Year), Harutyun (resurrection).

Representatives of this ancient people scattered all over the world. Keep national identity they are certainly helped by the Gregorian Church and special group names with religious significance. Khachatur (sent down by the Holy Cross), Arakel (apostle), Ambartsum (ascension), Sbrui (saint), Mktich (baptist). Some names emphasize the dignity of a person - Patkavan (venerable), Amest (modest), Makrui (pure).

Borrowed names.

If we consider borrowings, it turns out that greatest influence The Armenian name book was influenced by the Persian language and, of course, the Bible. Abraham, Soghomon (Solomon), Movses (Moses), David, Suren, Gurgen. After establishing Soviet power In Armenia, children began to be called by Russian names, which in their own way adapted to the Armenian language. Vladimir - Valod, Volodik, Yuri - Yurik, Sergey - Serozh, Serzhik. In this form they are recorded in official documents. In the middle of the twentieth century, a fashion for Western European names appeared. And now among Armenians you can often find Henry, Edward, Robert, Hamlet and Juliet. The names of some famous historical figures were also not deprived of attention - Telman, Karl, Engels, Roosevelt, Frunze (remember the wonderful actor Frunzik Mkrtchyan), Kamo.

Armenian names are usually divided into 5 categories:

titled,
by parents,
by geography,
by occupation or
according to the distinctive characteristic of a person.

Armenian names and surnames, due to the influence of the Armenian diasporas different countries, are unusually diverse. Among Armenians you can find not only native Armenian, but also Persian, Arabic, Turkic, Slavic, Old Testament, Eastern Christian, Western Christian names, etc.

Ա - A

Abgar (Աբգար)- according to some sources, “Abgar” is the name of the title of a number of rulers of the Kingdom of Edessa. The spread of the name among the Armenian people is associated with Abgar V Ukkama, who gained fame thanks to apocryphal correspondence with Jesus Christ. According to Moses of Khoren, Abgar Ukkama came from an Armenian family and marked the beginning of the Christianization of Armenia.

Stepan, Stepanos goes back to ancient Greek. Στέφανος (stephanos) - “wreath, crown, crown, diadem”

Վ - B

Vahagn (Վահագն)- in ancient Armenian mythology, a hero-snake fighter.

Vagan- shield

Vagharshak- the omnipresent Sun

Vahe (Վահե)- strong; hardy

Vaginak, Vahinak (Վաղինակ)- solar warrior

Vahram, Vakhram (Վահրամ)- the swiftness of a tiger

Vazgen- descendant of the king (gr.)

Vanush (Վանուշ)

Varazdat- gift from heaven

Vardan, Vartan (Վարդան)- There are several versions of the origin of the name Vardan. Most often they believe that the name is Armenian, but they differ in the interpretation of its translation. Some believe that Vardan is the masculine version of the name Vardanush, which means "voluptuous rose". Others believe that the name comes from the name of the elite part of the Armenian clergy - the so-called Vardapet monks, so the name is translated as “reward”.

Vardkes- King (lion) of the country

Varuzhan- born to be a protector

Vaspurak- from the name of the ancient region of Armenia Vaspurakan (noble country)

Vakhtang (Վախթանգ) - comes from Persian "wolf's body"

Vachagan (Վաչագան) - from Persian "cub, youth"

Vigen- from the Latin Vincent "conquering, victorious."

Vrezh (Վրեժ)- revenge

Vruyr (Վրույր)

Տ - T

Taron (Տարոն)- Taron is one of the main historical centers of Armenia. According to legend, the ancient Armenians named the region Taron in honor of one of the descendants of Noah Torgom.

Tatul (Թաթուլ) - big-armed, handy

Tigran (Տիգրան)- from the Armenian “big spear” knight, king

Tonakan (Տոնական)- festive

Tonapet ( Տ ոնա պ ետ) - lord of the holiday, master of the holiday

Trdat (Տրդատ)- names of several kings of Great Armenia from the Arsacid dynasty

Ր - P" (lung)

Raffi (Րաֆֆի)- comes from the Hebrew “(רפאל) “God (El) heal. He is God who heals.”

Ց - C

Tsakan (Ցական)

Tsolak (Ցոլակ) - with sparkling eyes

Փ - P" (approx.)

Fanos- from ancient Greek. "immortal"

Paylak (Փայլակ) - brilliant

Ք - K" (approx.)

Kaj (Քաջ)- brave

Kajaz (Քաջազ)

Kadzhik (Քաջիկ)- brave man

Kochar (Քոչար)

Krist (Քրիստ) - short for Christ

Օ - O

Ogan (Օհան)- fiery

Ֆ - F

Frunze (Ֆրունզե)

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select a country and click on it - a page with lists of popular names will open

Armenia, 2014

SELECT YEAR 2014 2013 2008–2010

Bell tower of the monastery
Haghpat (1245)

State in the southern part of Transcaucasia. It borders with Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey and Georgia. The capital is Yerevan. Population – 3,008,100 (2015). According to the 2011 census, Armenians make up 98.1% of the population. The largest ethnic minorities are: Yezidis (1.17%), Russians (0.4%), Assyrians (0.09%), Kurds (0.09%), Ukrainians (0.04%). Official language– Armenian. 96.5% of the believing residents of Armenia are followers of the Armenian apostolic church(mostly Armenians). Also common: the Evangelical Church - 1.01% of the total number of believers (mostly Armenians), the Shar-Fadin Church - 0.9% of the total number of believers (Yazidis, Kurds, Persians) and a number of others.

Statistics on the names of newborns are maintained and published by the National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia. Its website contains PDF files with statistics on about 50 of the most common names since 2006. In 2006–2007 it was only in Armenian), in 2008 - in Russian, since 2009 - in Armenian, English and Russian. The names are listed in descending order of frequency. Frequencies are shown in absolute numbers (i.e., number of names). Data on the most common newborn names is published as press releases in May (for the previous year).

I will give statistics for 20 popular names for 2014. Links to data pages for some more early years are in the drop-down list to the right of the title before the text (see Select year). Additionally, I will show the etymologies of names (see after the table with female names).

Boys names

Girls names

(in 2014 Mariam and Helen shared 8–9 places)

Etymologies of male names

Alex is obviously a borrowing from Western European languages, in which it is a shortening of the name Alexander, Alexandre etc. (translated from Greek “to protect” + “man”).
Aram – 1. Armenian “noble”. 2. Aramaic. The biblical character Aram is known - the ancestor of the Arameans. 3. Iranian (“peace, consolation”) This name is in the Orthodox calendar in the form Joharam.
Aren – Through etymology, “divine” is associated with the name of the main proto-Armenian (Aryan) god Ar (sun god). However, it can be traced back to an Indo-European root ar(represented in the name of the god Ar, in the toponyms Armenia, Ararat, Urartu) - “fire”.
Arman – 1. Iranian (“dream, desire”). 2. Old German (“solid, strong” + “man”).
Armen – 1. Armenian (“spirit of the Aryans”). Common root with toponym Armenia. 2. Greek (“fate”). 3. Possibly related to Iranian Arman.
Arsen - Armenian equivalent of the Greek name in origin Arseny(“husband, man, courageous”).
Arthur – 1. From Celtic (“bear”). 2. From Iranian (“fire” + “sun”). 3. Original Armenian (“brave; Aryan” + “sword”). Armenian etymology requires justification by pointing to historical figures with this name, while this is not there, it looks a lot like the so-called. "folk etymology".
Ashot – 1. Iranian (“fire”). 2. Armenian (“world, planet”). 3. Derivation of the name Asud from Ancient Urartu.
Gagik – Armenian (“peak, mountain” or “heavenly”).
Hayk (also Hayk, Hayk) - on behalf of the legendary progenitor of the Armenian people. Sometimes you can find the translation “strong man, hero”.
Gevork – Armenian equivalent of the Greek name in origin Georgiy(“farmer”)
Horus – Armenian (“proud”).
David – Hebrew (“beloved”).
Narek - from the name of the ancient Armenian village Narek.
Samvel - Armenian equivalent of the Hebrew name in origin Samuel(“Shem is God”).
Sarkis – Armenian equivalent of the Latin origin of the name Sergey(possibly “guardian, servant”).
Tigran – 1. Iranian (“tiger”). 2. Armenian (“sacred person”).
Eric is probably a borrowing from Western European languages. Eric– Danish and Swedish form of the name Erich (translated from Old High German as “powerful; prince”).

Etymologies of female names(selectively)

Anahit - on behalf of the goddess Anahit: in Armenian mythology, the mother goddess, the goddess of fertility and love.
Ani - from the name of the city Ani, True, it’s not clear from which one; two such cities are known: one was located on the right bank of the Euphrates, and opposite Kamakh, and the other was on the Akhuryan River.
Hasmik - “jasmine”.
Gayane – 1. Greek (“earthly”). 2. Armenian (“home, family”).
Gohar – Iranian (“pearl, gem" IN Turkic languages correspond to it Gauhar, Gauhar.
Lilith is the first wife of Adam in Jewish mythology. 1. Hebrew (“night” or “tawny owl bird (a type of owl)”). 2. Sumerian (“air, wind; spirit, ghost”).
Mariam - variant name Maria, phonetically closer to the Hebrew prototype name.
Mary – Hebrew (presumably “beloved, desired”).
Nare - supposed to be a feminized form of the name Narek (see in the section on male names).
Susanna – Hebrew (“white water lily”).