The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?
ARROUAS
HARROUCH HARRUS (Harosh, Arosh, Harris)
BENARROCH BenAroch BenArosh BenHaroch BenArus
AROUSI (A’rousi)

among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

Harosh means the head or the leader in the Hebrew language. The name is common in North Africa and went through typical transformation due to linguistic influences throughout the region. Haroush is an Arabic transformation, Harrus is a French transformation and Harris is an English transformation (mostly in Egypt).

Arrouas is the plural of head in North African Arabic. It may also refer to the occupation of roaster in the Arabic language. Some suggest that the name Arrouas is related to the name Arroyo. Arroyo is a province/county of Madrid, Spain.

A’rousi, may have a completely different meaning and is in all likelihood based on a different root. The name A’rousi is found in Tunisia and Yemen and means ‘my groom.’

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abi, avi, am, ben, bin, abou, a, aj, al, bel, ha, i, la, lel, me, m, o, wi, vi, ) denotes usually a relation to a person, i.e., the father of or the son of X, a place, i.e., a person from X, an occupation, i.e., a person who practices a specific occupation, a characteristic of a person, i.e., beautiful… The prefixes al, el are equivalent to ‘the’ in English or the article ‘le’ in French. In the Moroccan Berbers tradition, prefixes such as ‘wi’ ‘vi’ ‘i’ means usually a family relationship to X, the equivalent of Abu in Arabic, i.e., ‘the father of’, ‘son of’ a man, a tribal affiliation and so forth.In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix ‘M ‘ is an abbreviation of the word ‘from.’

Suffixes such as ‘i’ or ‘ri’ ‘ti’ refer to an association with a person or a location, for example: arditi= from ardou or ard.
Suffixes such as ‘illo’ ‘ano’ ‘ino’ ‘nino’ are used in Spain and Italy to indicate descendence or association with an attribute.

ARROUAS Albert (XXes.). Alg?ria (B?ne). Lived in Tunis. Journalist. Author of Le Livre d?or (The Golden Book).
ARROUAS Yossef (1847-1925). Morroco (Rabat). Leader of the Sepharadi community in Palestine. Author of Hod Yossef (Joseph splendour).

HARROUCH Michel (1948-). Morocco (Casablanca). Th??tre professor. Radio animator. Painter.
HARRUS Elias (1919-). Morocco (Beni Mellal). Educator. Director of Alliance schools in Marrakech and the Atlas region. et de l?extr?me sud du Maroc. Exhibited rare photographs of Jews in remote Atlas communities at the Diaspora Museum in Israel.

BENARROCH Isaac (XIXes.) V?n?zu?la. Intellectual. Author of El Indiano, el cadi y la luna (The Indian, the Cadi and the Moon).
BENAROCH Rapha?l (1921-1994). Morocco (Rabat). Lawyer. Author of Succession Law in Morocco. Chair of O.S.E. (Oeuvre de Secours pour l?Enfance). Led the establishment of the Union of North African World Jewry in Nice, France.
BENAROCH Roger (1934-). Morocco (Mekn?s). Professor of mangement at l??cole sup?rieure de commerce de Paris. Community leader. Founder and leader of the Movement of Liberal Jews in France.
BENARROCH Ch?lomo (?-1880). Morocco (Mekn?s). King Merchant. Owner of the Bahtit synagogue in Meknes.
BENARROCH Joseph (1942-). Morocco (Mekn?s). Counsellor in finance in Qu?bec (Montr?al). Chair of the S?pharade francophone association and the Canadian s?pharade federation.
BENARROCH Lucien (1941-). Morocco (Mekn?s). Textile engineer in Quebec. Chair of the Communaut? S?pharade du Qu?bec (1985-1987).
BENARROCH Yamin A. (1882-1949). Morocco (T?touan). Philanthropist. Chair of the Jewish community of M?lilla. Founder of a synagogue in J?rusalem and a y?chivah in Tib?rias.
BENHARROSH Gilbert (1938-1998). Morocco (Rabat). Agronomist in Quebec. Led projects in Canada au Burkina Fasso.
BENARROCH PARIENT? ?lias (XIXe-XXes.). V?n?zu?la. Doctor. Specialist in tropical diseases.
BENARUS Adolpho (1863-1958). Portugal. Painter. Author. Taught english at Lisbon university. Community leader.

AROUSI Abraham (1878-1934). Y?men (Kaubakan). Folklorist. Poet. Author of an anthology of Yemenite folktales and poems.

References:

Azoulay, Hayim Yossef Shem Hagdolim (the names of the great)

AZOULAY Ha?m Yossef David (Hida) (1724-1807) Ch?m hagu?dolim va?ad lahakhamim (The names of the Great Council of Sages).

Levi, J et. al. 2000        Dictionnaire biographique du monde Juif Sepharade et Mediteranean, Editions Elysee, Montreal.

Toledano, J. 1983        La saga des familles, Les juifs du Maroc et leurs noms, Editions Stavit, Tel Aviv

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc (Madrid, 1978)

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

ARAMA (ha-ramati, ha-aghamati, Rama, A’rema, Arami)
among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

The name Arama was mentioned in a correspondence between a rabbi from the village Aghama near Marakesh, a village of Cohanim (priests) and leading rabbis in Babylon. The name is in all likelihood an indication of origin, refering to a location, perhaps the village of priests Aghama near Marakesh. But it may also indicate to the town of Arama in the province of Guipuezcoa in the Basque region in Spain or a person from Aram in ancient Babylonia. The patriarch Abraham originate from Aram Naharayim in ancient Babylon. The word Arami refers to a person of Aramaean origin in the Hebew language. The word a’rema means ‘pile’ in Hebrew and North African Arabic. The word rama means ‘level’ or ‘height’ or ‘mount’ in Hebrew.

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abi, avi, am, ben, bin, abou, a, aj, al, bel, i, la, lel, me, m, o, wi, vi, ) denotes usually a relation to a person, i.e., the father of or the son of X, a place, i.e., a person from X, an occupation, i.e., a person who practices a specific occupation, a characteristic of a person, i.e., beautiful… The prefixes al, el are equivalent to ‘the’ in English or the article ‘le’ in French. In the Moroccan Berbers tradition, prefixes such as ‘wi’ ‘vi’ ‘i’ means usually a family relationship to X, the equivalent of Abu in Arabic, i.e., ‘the father of’, ‘son of’ a man, a tribal affiliation and so forth.In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix ‘M ‘ is an abbreviation of the word ‘from.’

Suffixes such as ‘i’ or ‘ri’ ‘ti’ refer to an association with a person or a location, for example: aghamati= from aghama.
Suffixes such as ‘illo’ ‘ano’ ‘ino’ ‘nino’ are used in Spain and Italy to indicate descendence or association with an attribute.

ARAMA Maurice (1934-). Morocco. (Mekn?s). Artist. Painter. Art Historian. Director of the school of art in Casablanca. Author of Itin?raires marocains, regards de peintres (Pilgrimage of painters in Morocco).
ARAMA Itshak ben Moch? (1420-1494). Spain. (Zamora). Rabbi. Rabbinical academy director. Settled in Naples after the expulsion from Spain.
Author of A’k?dat Itshak (The sacrifice of Isaac).
ARAMA M?ir ben Itshak (1460?-1545). Spain. (Saragossa). Rabbi. Judge. Author. Lived in Naples and Saloniqua.

References:

Azoulay, Hayim Yossef Shem Hagdolim (the names of the great)

AZOULAY Ha?m Yossef David (Hida) (1724-1807) Ch?m hagu?dolim va?ad lahakhamim (The names of the Great Council of Sages).

Levi, J et. al. 2000        Dictionnaire biographique du monde Juif Sepharade et Mediteranean, Editions Elysee, Montreal.

Toledano, J. 1983        La saga des familles, Les juifs du Maroc et leurs noms, Editions Stavit, Tel Aviv

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc (Madrid, 1978)

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

ALGRANTE
Granati, Garanati
GRANADA

among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

The root of the name may be ‘granada’ or ‘grant’

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abi, avi, ben, bin, abou, a, aj, al, bel, i, me, m, o, wi, vi, ) denotes usually a relation to a person, i.e., the father of or the son of X, a place, i.e., a person from X, an occupation, i.e., a person who practices a specific occupation, a characteristic of a person, i.e., beautiful…

The prefixes al, el are equivalent to ‘the’ in English or the article ‘le’ in French.

In the Moroccan Berbers tradition, prefixes such as ‘wi’ ‘vi’ ‘i’ means usually a family relationship to X, the equivalent of Abu in Arabic, i.e., ‘the father of’, ‘son of’ a man, a tribal affiliation and so forth.In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix ‘M ‘ is an abbreviation of the word ‘from.’

The root ‘grant’ may be in the English language and may refers to a person of some accomplishment i.e., the great one. Some Spanish/Portuguese and Moroccan Jews did settle in England but it is more likely that the name is related to a place of origin or a type of stone. It is in all likelihood a deformation of Granada.
The root ‘granada’ refers to a location or origin, i.e., the city of Granada in Spain.
The root ‘granite’ in Hebrew refers usually to a type of stone.

ALGRANTE Esther Morguez (XXes.).Turkey. Poet. Journalist. Community leader. Author of 9 Eloul : Po?sias on the Holaucost.
GRANADA Abraham ben Itshak (XIIIe-XIVes.?). Spain. Rabbi. Author of B?rit ha?mounah (The Alliance of Belief)

References:

Azoulay, Hayim Yossef Shem Hagdolim (the names of the great)

AZOULAY Ha?m Yossef David (Hida) (1724-1807) Ch?m hagu?dolim va?ad lahakhamim (The names of the Great Council of Sages).

Levi, J et. al. 2000        Dictionnaire biographique du monde Juif Sepharade et Mediteranean, Editions Elysee, Montreal.

Toledano, J. 1983        La saga des familles, Les juifs du Maroc et leurs noms, Editions Stavit, Tel Aviv

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc (Madrid, 1978)

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

ALGAZI
Ergaz
GUEDJ
GUEZ
among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

The root of the name may be ‘gz’

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abi, avi, ben, bin, abou, a, aj, al, bel, e, er, i, me, m, o, wi, vi, ) denotes usually a relation to a person, i.e., the father of or the son of X, a place, i.e., a person from X, an occupation, i.e., a person who practices a specific occupation, a characteristic of a person, i.e., beautiful…

The prefixes al, el are equivalent to ‘the’ in English or the article ‘le’ in French.

In the Moroccan Berbers tradition, prefixes such as ‘wi’ ‘vi’ ‘i’ means usually a family relationship to X, the equivalent of Abu in Arabic, i.e., ‘the father of’, ‘son of’ a man, a tribal affiliation and so forth.In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix ‘M ‘ is an abbreviation of the word ‘from.’

The root ‘gz’ in North African dialects may refer to a place named ‘gaz’ or ‘gez’.

The root ‘gzz’ in Hebrew refers to ‘shear’ or ‘sheep shearing’ and possibly ‘pass’ or ‘go by.’

ALGAZI Itshak ben Ch?lomo (1882-1964).Turkey. Poet. Singer and composer in Uruguay. Authored Chir? Yisra?l b??r?ts hak?dem (The songs of Israel in the Orient).
ALGAZI L?on Y?houdah (1890-1971). Roumenia. Composer. Conductor. Music professor. Broadcaster with the Voice of Israel.
ALGAZI Abraham ben Moch? (1560?-1640?). Turkey. Rabbi.
ALGAZI Ch?lomo (1610-1683). Turkey. Rabbi. Opposed the false messaiah Chabb?ta? Tsvi. Author of L?h?m s?tarim (Secret Bread).
ALGAZI Ch?lomo ben Abraham (1673-1726). Palestine. Chief rabbi in Egypt. Author. His books disappeared.
ALGAZI Itshak ben Abraham (XVIIes.). Greece. Rabbi. Originaire de Gr?ce. Author of Dor?ch tov (On the path of goodness path).
ALGAZI Nissim Yah?acov ben Ha?m Ch?lomo (XVIIIes.). Turkey. Rabbi. Author of commentaries in Safed, Israel.

GUEDJ Edgard (XXes.). Algeria. Administrator and educator. Contributed to the development of the youth movement in Morocco.
GUEDJ Gaston (XXes.). Tunisia. Author of Nos martyrs sous la botte nazie (Marthyrs under Nazi boots)1943.
GUEDJ Max (XXes.). Algeria. Poet and Fiction author Le voyage en Barbarie (Travelling in Berber Land).
GUEDJ ?liahou Ha? (1830-?). Tunisia. Rabbi. Educator. Rabbi. Poet. Author of Ma?ass? hacha?achou?im (A tale of joy).

GUEZ Mathilda (1918-1990). Tunisia.Member of the Israeli parliament as a Labor representative.
GUEZ Paul (1898-1972). Tunisia. Officer in the France army during WWI and WWII. Author of Six mois sous la botte nazie (Six months under the booth).

ERGAZ Yossef (1685-1730). Italy. Rabbi. Opposed N?h?miah Hia Hayoun, a follower of Shabetai Zvi.

References:

Azoulay, Hayim Yossef Shem Hagdolim (the names of the great)

AZOULAY Ha?m Yossef David (Hida) (1724-1807) Ch?m hagu?dolim va?ad lahakhamim (The names of the Great Council of Sages).

Levi, J et. al. 2000        Dictionnaire biographique du monde Juif Sepharade et Mediteranean, Editions Elysee, Montreal.

Toledano, J. 1983        La saga des familles, Les juifs du Maroc et leurs noms, Editions Stavit, Tel Aviv

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

AFFLELOU (Aflilo, Afelio, Alfilali, Filali, Tafilalet)
AFLALO

among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

Aflalo is an ancient name. A tombstone in the Jewish cemetary of Oufran indicated that Moussa Aflalo was burried in the year 653. Based on the assumption that the name of settlers precedes the name of the settlement, it seems that the name may be a transformation of the Hebrew name ‘eli’ and that the settlers gave their name to the region they inhabited. Assuming the origin is Hebrew, the name consists of the prefix ‘af’ and ‘lalo’ = ‘eli’ in Hebrew. Both the prefix and the root were subject to a Berber transformation. The name, in another Berber variation, appears as ‘afelio’ in the Oued Outat (a branch of the river Moulouya) region in Morocco or from Ksar Afelilou of Oulad Outad, the tribe of Aït Izdeg in Morocco. The ‘aflilo’ region, known for its multitude of rivers and forts, was once inhabited by Jews. The name Afelio may be of a Hebrew/Roman origin, or at least a Roman transformation of a Hebrew name. Assuming a Roman influence, ‘lalo’ refers to the grandchildren or descendents of ‘eli’ (similar to Eli-ano). The name ‘eli’ appears also as ‘elal’ in Arabic. The name may appear in the form of ‘filal’ = descendent of ‘ilal’ = eli or Oulad Ifli in Tafilalet, Morocco. Thus ‘Tafilalet’ may be related to this name. It may be that the word ‘tafilalet’ is a Berber/Arab transformation of the Hebrew word ‘tefilat’ = prayer, pronounced in Judeo-Arabic as ‘tefilet.’ It may also refer to an origin i.e., from Assif Afella N’Draa, in Mezguita, Oued Draa, Morocco.

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abe, abi, abou, aboul, avi, am, ben, bin, abou, a, aj, al, af, aff, bel, even, ha, i, la, lel, me, m, o, wi, vi, ) denotes usually a relation to a person, i.e., the father of or the son of X, a place, i.e., a person from X, an occupation, i.e., a person who practices a specific occupation, a characteristic of a person, i.e., beautiful… The prefixes al, el are equivalent to ‘the’ in English or the article ‘le’ in French. In the Moroccan Berbers tradition, prefixes such as ‘wi’ ‘vi’ ‘i’ means usually a family relationship to X, the equivalent of Abu in Arabic, i.e., ‘the father of’, ‘son of’ a man, a tribal affiliation and so forth.In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix ‘M ‘ is an abbreviation of the word ‘from.’

Complex prefixes such as ‘Ab e’ in the name Ab E Rgel consist of two elements Ab=father and E=the.
Complex prefixes such as ‘BarHa’ in the name BarHaNess consist of two elements Bar=son and Ha=the.

Suffixes such as ‘an’ or ‘in’ denote affiliation or a characteristic in Aramaec.
Suffixes such as ‘a’ characterize ancient Hebrew names, i.e., AviHatsir’a’
Suffixes such as oulah, oulay, ilah, ily, el, eli are used in Hebrew and Arabic to associate a name with God’ blessing.
Suffixes such as ‘i’ or ‘ri’ ‘ti’ refer to an association with a person or a location, for example: arditi= from ardou or ard.
Suffixes such as ‘illo’ ‘ano’ ‘ino’ ‘nino’ are used in Spain and Italy to indicate descendence or association with an attribute.
Suffixes such as ‘yah’, ‘yahu’ ‘hu’ are used in Hebrew to denote God’s benediction, for example: aviyah, aviyahu, avihu…
Suffixes such as ‘oun’ ‘on’ ‘yout’ ‘out’ characterize adjectives in Hebrew, for example: Hayoun, hayout…

AFFLELOU Alain (XXes.). Algeria (Sidi-Bel-Abb?s). Businessman. Founder of a chain of optics stores in France.

AFLALO Joseph (1939-). Morocco (F?s). Lawyer and Political scientist. Auditor. Executive Director of the Ministry of Tourism among other financial institutions. One of the Founders of ‘Identit? et Dialogue’ to bridge between Moslems, Jews and Christians and peace in the Middle East.

AFLALO Ayouche (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Chief rabbi of Agadir. Author of many judical rulings.

References:

ABEHSSERA Chalom S?f?r youhassin (Genealogy Registers).

Azoulay, Hayim Yossef Shem Hagdolim (the names of the great)

AZOULAY Ha?m Yossef David (Hida) (1724-1807) Ch?m hagu?dolim va?ad lahakhamim (The names of the Great Council of Sages).

Levi, J et. al. 2000        Dictionnaire biographique du monde Juif Sepharade et Mediteranean, Editions Elysee, Montreal.

Toledano, J. 1983        La saga des familles, Les juifs du Maroc et leurs noms, Editions Stavit, Tel Aviv

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc (Madrid, 1978)

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

Abensour (EvenZur, Tsur, Zur)

among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

AbenSour is represented here mostly by rabbis of Moroccan and Spanish origin but the name was widespread in Morocco. At least one of the Abensours (Itshak) contributed to the formulation of Takkanot ham?gorachim (Rulings for the Expulsed from Spain) which distinguished them from the ancient Jewish inhabitants of Morocco led by the AbenDanans.

The name is believed to be of ancient Hebrew origin.It consists of the prefix avi (aben, Ben, Ibn or Even) which implies fatherhood or lineage, the root ‘Zur’ = rock or the town of ‘Zur’ = Tyr in Northern Israel (contemporary Lebanon). The prefix ‘even’ = stone may be part of the name root rather than a prefix and may have expressed an emphasis (stone+rock).

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abe, abi, abou, avi, am, ben, bin, abou, a, aj, al, bel, even, ha, i, la, lel, me, m, o, wi, vi, ) denotes usually a relation to a person, i.e., the father of or the son of X, a place, i.e., a person from X, an occupation, i.e., a person who practices a specific occupation, a characteristic of a person, i.e., beautiful… The prefixes al, el are equivalent to ‘the’ in English or the article ‘le’ in French. In the Moroccan Berbers tradition, prefixes such as ‘wi’ ‘vi’ ‘i’ means usually a family relationship to X, the equivalent of Abu in Arabic, i.e., ‘the father of’, ‘son of’ a man, a tribal affiliation and so forth.In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix ‘M ‘ is an abbreviation of the word ‘from.’

Complex prefixes such as ‘BarHa’ in the name BarHaNess consist of two elements Bar=son and Ha=the.

Suffixes such as ‘an’ or ‘in’ denote affiliation or a characteristic in Aramaec.
Suffixes such as ‘a’ characterize ancient Hebrew names, i.e., AviHatsir’a’
Suffixes such as oulah, oulay, ilah, ily, el, eli are used in Hebrew and Arabic to associate a name with God’ blessing.
Suffixes such as ‘i’ or ‘ri’ ‘ti’ refer to an association with a person or a location, for example: arditi= from ardou or ard.
Suffixes such as ‘illo’ ‘ano’ ‘ino’ ‘nino’ are used in Spain and Italy to indicate descendence or association with an attribute.
Suffixes such as ‘yah’, ‘yahu’ ‘hu’ are used in Hebrew to denote God’s benediction, for example: aviyah, aviyahu, avihu…
Suffixws such as ‘oun’ ‘on’ ‘yout’ ‘out’ characterize adjectives in Hebrew, for example: Hayoun, hayout…

Abensour Isaac (1861-1927). Morocco (Tanger). Banker. Merchant. Community leader (1903-1932). Founder of the Hygene Commission. Honorary consul of Austria. British representative to the legislative assemblee in Tanger.
ABENSOUR Chalom (?-1727?). Morocco. Rabbi. Poet. Linguist. Author of S?f?r Chir hadach (New Poems) contains poems/lithurgy for the Jewish calendar and life cycle.
ABENSOUR Ch?lomo ?liahou (1822-1873). Morocco (F?s). Rabbi. Author of P?n? Ch?lomo (Solomon’s scale), a compilation of ancient rabbinical rulings.
ABENSOUR Ch?mou?l (XVes.). Spain. Rabbi. Community leader of Valladolid.
ABENSOUR Moch? (XVes.). Spain. Rabbi. Converted to Christianity to escape the Spanish Inquisition. Escaped to Fes where he returned to Judaism.
ABENSOUR Itshak (?-1605?). Morocco. Rabbi (F?s). One of the rabbi who formulated Takkanot ham?gorachim (Rulings for the Expulsed from Spain). Assassinated due to one of his rulings.
ABENSOUR Moch? (XVIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi. Poet. Lived in Sal?. Author of commentaries on the Kabala.
ABENSOUR Moch? (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi in Mekn?s and F?s. Author of an abstract of the work of Rabbi Ha?m Vital. His work remains in manuscript form.
ABENSOUR Rapha?l (1830-1917). Morocco. Rabbi. Notary. Chief of the rabbinical court (F?s). Author of rabbinical court rulings and commentaries. ABENSOUR R?ouven (16??-17??). Morocco. Rabbi. Kabalist. Author of rulings relating to ritual baths (cleansing).
ABENSOUR Yah?acov (YABETS) (1673-1753). Morocco. Son of R?ouven Abensour above. Rabbi in F?s, Mekn?s and T?touan . Kabalist. Linguist. Astronomer. Poet. Re-established the rabbinical court in Fes. Author of E’t l?kol h?f?ts (A time for everything); Michpat outsdakah b?yah?acov (Justice and charity for Israel). His eulogy for the destruction of the Second Temple is part of the 9th of Av ritual.

References:

ABEHSSERA Chalom S?f?r youhassin (Genealogy Registers).

Azoulay, Hayim Yossef Shem Hagdolim (the names of the great)

AZOULAY Ha?m Yossef David (Hida) (1724-1807) Ch?m hagu?dolim va?ad lahakhamim (The names of the Great Council of Sages).

Levi, J et. al. 2000        Dictionnaire biographique du monde Juif Sepharade et Mediteranean, Editions Elysee, Montreal.

Toledano, J. 1983        La saga des familles, Les juifs du Maroc et leurs noms, Editions Stavit, Tel Aviv

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc (Madrid, 1978)

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

ALNAKAOUA
ANKAOUA
ELN?CAV?
among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

The root of the name may be ‘kavei’ from the Hebrew word ‘hope.’
‘ Nakoua’ may mean cleanliness in Arabic (North African Arabic dialect). ‘Kaoua’ may also mean ‘power’ or ‘authority’ in Arabic (North African Arabic dialect). It may be a Judeo-Moroccan transformation of the Hebrew word ‘koah’ (power).

The root ‘Kavei’ is preceded by the prefix ‘el,’ a common Hebrew prefix refering to god or ‘elohim’ in Hebrew. The prefixes ‘al’ or ‘an’ are articles equivalent to ‘the’ in English or ‘le’ in French.

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abi, avi, ben, bin, abou, a, aj, al, bel, i, la, lel, me, m, o, wi, vi, ) denotes usually a relation to a person, i.e., the father of or the son of X, a place, i.e., a person from X, an occupation, i.e., a person who practices a specific occupation, a characteristic of a person, i.e., beautiful… The prefixes al, el are equivalent to ‘the’ in English or the article ‘le’ in French. In the Moroccan Berbers tradition, prefixes such as ‘wi’ ‘vi’ ‘i’ means usually a family relationship to X, the equivalent of Abu in Arabic, i.e., ‘the father of’, ‘son of’ a man, a tribal affiliation and so forth.In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix ‘M ‘ is an abbreviation of the word ‘from.’

Suffixes such as ‘i’ or ‘eri’ refer to an affiliation with a person or a place, for example: a descendent of ‘Mos’ or a ‘masri’ a person from Egypt.
Suffixes such as ‘ano’ ‘no’ ‘lino’ ‘nino’ are used in Spain and Italy to indicate descendence.

ALNAKAOUA Isra?l ben Yossef (?-1391). Spain. Po?t. Singer/prayer leader. Author of M?norat hama?or (The source of light). Attacked in a pogrom in Toledo. Committed suicide (1391). ELN?CAV? David (1882-1956). Turkey. Rabbi. Journalist. Editor in Bulgaria and Argentina. Founder of La Luz (the light). Member of the 12th Zionist congress in Karlsbad. Went to Latin America to enlist support for zionism and to encourage immigration to Palestine.
ELN?CAV? Nissim (XXes.).Argentina. son of David (above). Editor of La Luz.
ANKAOUA Abraham (1810-1860). Morocco. Rabbi. Chief Rabbi of Tlemcen, Mascara, Tunis and Livorno. Author of Otsrot hayim (Life treasures).
ANKAOUA Ephra?m (?-1442). Spain. Rabbi in Morocco and Algeria. Doctor. Philosopher. Linguist. Author of Chah?ar K?vod Hach?m (Gates to Divinity). An object of pilgrimage as a saint.
ANKAOUA Rapha?l (1848-1935). Morocco. Rabbi. Founder of a Rabbinical learning centre and a high rabbinic court in Rabat. Author of Pah?amon zahav (the golden bell). Became an object of pilgrimage as a saint.
ANKAOUA Yom Tov (XVIIIes.). Turkey. Rabbi. Author of commentaries on Maimonides and many rabbinical rulings.

References:

Levi, J et. al. 2000        Dictionnaire biographique du monde Juif Sepharade et Mediteranean, Editions Elysee, Montreal.

Toledano, J. 1983        La saga des familles, Les juifs du Maroc et leurs noms, Editions Stavit, Tel Aviv

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc (Madrid, 1978)

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

ALMOS (Moses, Moshei, Moise, Moissis)
ALMOSNINO
ELMOZNINO
MOZO
MOSSERI (Masri)
among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

The root of the name may be ‘Mos’ from the Hebrew name Moses or a transformation of ‘masri,’ Arabic for Egyptian. The name may have a Spanish/Moore meaning, i.e., philantropist or a charitable person or a kind/good person (from the North African Arabic dialect ‘mezian.’)

The root ‘Mos’ is preceded by the prefix ‘al’ and followed by the suffix ‘nino’ in one case and ‘o’ in second case and ‘eri’ in a third case. Mos may refer to ‘Moses’ or an origin or location, perhaps Egypt. The use of ‘z’ in ‘Mozo’ is a likely spelling variation.

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abi, avi, ben, bin, abou, a, aj, al, bel, i, la, lel, me, m, o, wi, vi, ) denotes usually a relation to a person, i.e., the father of or the son of X, a place, i.e., a person from X, an occupation, i.e., a person who practices a specific occupation, a characteristic of a person, i.e., beautiful… The prefixes al, el are equivalent to ‘the’ in English or the article ‘le’ in French. In the Moroccan Berbers tradition, prefixes such as ‘wi’ ‘vi’ ‘i’ means usually a family relationship to X, the equivalent of Abu in Arabic, i.e., ‘the father of’, ‘son of’ a man, a tribal affiliation and so forth.In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix ‘M ‘ is an abbreviation of the word ‘from.’

Suffixes such as ‘i’ or ‘eri’ refer to an affiliation with a person or a place, for example: a descendent of ‘Mos’ or a ‘masri’ a person from Egypt.
Suffixes such as ‘nino’ are used in Spain and Italy to indicate descendence.

ALMOS Abraham (1927-). Bulgaria. Painter in Israel. Paints in the symbolist and surrealist traditions.
ALMOSNINO Gabriel (1804-1894). Bulgaria. Chief Rabbi of Sofia. Was member of the Bulgarian Assembly in 1879.
ALMOSNINO Hasda? (?-1728). Morocco. Chief Rabbi of Tetouan. Author of Michm?rot hakodech (Gards of holiness).
ALMOSNINO Moch? (XVIIe-XVIIIes.). Morocco. Chief Rabbi of Tetouan. Author of B?ourim batanakh (Biblical interpretations).
ALMOSNINO Moch? ben Baroukh (1518?-1579?). Turkey. Rabbi, philosopher, astronomer, g?ographer, prolific author. Author of P?n? Moch? (Perspectives of Moses) on Aristotelian philosophy.
ALMOSNINO Yossef (?-1689). Yougoslavia. Chief Rabbi of Belgrade. Author of Edout l?yossef (Joseph’s testimony).
ALMOSNINO Yossef (1530-1600). Morocco. Rabbi. Doctor. Community leader. Author of S?f?r chor?ch hamitsvot (The roots of the commandments).
ALMOSNINO Yossef Ben Itshak (XVIIe-XVIIIes.). Turkey. Rabbi.

ELMOSNINO Ch?lomo (XIXes.). Morocco. Prayer leader at the Portuguese synagogue in London. Was involved in a controversy as to what is proper pronunciation.
ELMOZNINO Hasda? (1933-). Morocco. Educator and Artist, Painter and sculptor.
Elmoznino Roger (1938-). Morocco. Journalist. Educator. Illustrator of Marriage contracts.

MOZO Luis (El) (?-1596). Spain. One of the first writers in the New World. Originaire d?Espagne. Burnt alive by the Inquisition.
MOSS?RI ?lie (1879-1940). Egypt. Financier. Led the company that built the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.
MOSSERI Albert (1867-1933). Egypt. Doctor. Journalist. Editor of the Zionist Journal Kadimah (Eastward).
MOSSERI Jacques (1884-1934). Egypt. Linguist. Philologue. Contributor to the study of the Cairo G?nizah documents. Founder of Zionist organizations in Egypt. MOSSERI Victor (1873-1930). Egypt. Agronomist. Specialised in coton productivity.

References:

Azoulay, Hayim Yossef Shem Hagdolim (the names of the great)

AZOULAY Ha?m Yossef David (Hida) (1724-1807) Ch?m hagu?dolim va?ad lahakhamim (The names of the Great Council of Sages).

Levi, J et. al. 2000        Dictionnaire biographique du monde Juif Sepharade et Mediteranean, Editions Elysee, Montreal.

Toledano, J. 1983        La saga des familles, Les juifs du Maroc et leurs noms, Editions Stavit, Tel Aviv

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc (Madrid, 1978)

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

ALMOS (Moses, Moshei, Moise, Moissis)
ALMOSNINO
ELMOZNINO
MOZO
MOSSERI (Masri)
among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

The root of the name may be ‘Mos’ from the Hebrew name Moses or a transformation of ‘masri,’ Arabic for Egyptian. The name may have a Spanish/Moore meaning, i.e., philantropist or a charitable person or a kind/good person (from the North African Arabic dialect ‘mezian.’)

The root ‘Mos’ is preceded by the prefix ‘al’ and followed by the suffix ‘nino’ in one case and ‘o’ in second case and ‘eri’ in a third case. Mos may refer to ‘Moses’ or an origin or location, perhaps Egypt. The use of ‘z’ in ‘Mozo’ is a likely spelling variation.

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abi, avi, ben, bin, abou, a, aj, al, bel, i, la, lel, me, m, o, wi, vi, ) denotes usually a relation to a person, i.e., the father of or the son of X, a place, i.e., a person from X, an occupation, i.e., a person who practices a specific occupation, a characteristic of a person, i.e., beautiful… The prefixes al, el are equivalent to ‘the’ in English or the article ‘le’ in French. In the Moroccan Berbers tradition, prefixes such as ‘wi’ ‘vi’ ‘i’ means usually a family relationship to X, the equivalent of Abu in Arabic, i.e., ‘the father of’, ‘son of’ a man, a tribal affiliation and so forth.In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix ‘M ‘ is an abbreviation of the word ‘from.’

Suffixes such as ‘i’ or ‘eri’ refer to an affiliation with a person or a place, for example: a descendent of ‘Mos’ or a ‘masri’ a person from Egypt.
Suffixes such as ‘nino’ are used in Spain and Italy to indicate descendence.

ALMOS Abraham (1927-). Bulgaria. Painter in Israel. Paints in the symbolist and surrealist traditions.
ALMOSNINO Gabriel (1804-1894). Bulgaria. Chief Rabbi of Sofia. Was member of the Bulgarian Assembly in 1879.
ALMOSNINO Hasda? (?-1728). Morocco. Chief Rabbi of Tetouan. Author of Michm?rot hakodech (Gards of holiness).
ALMOSNINO Moch? (XVIIe-XVIIIes.). Morocco. Chief Rabbi of Tetouan. Author of B?ourim batanakh (Biblical interpretations).
ALMOSNINO Moch? ben Baroukh (1518?-1579?). Turkey. Rabbi, philosopher, astronomer, g?ographer, prolific author. Author of P?n? Moch? (Perspectives of Moses) on Aristotelian philosophy.
ALMOSNINO Yossef (?-1689). Yougoslavia. Chief Rabbi of Belgrade. Author of Edout l?yossef (Joseph’s testimony).
ALMOSNINO Yossef (1530-1600). Morocco. Rabbi. Doctor. Community leader. Author of S?f?r chor?ch hamitsvot (The roots of the commandments).
ALMOSNINO Yossef Ben Itshak (XVIIe-XVIIIes.). Turkey. Rabbi.

ELMOSNINO Ch?lomo (XIXes.). Morocco. Prayer leader at the Portuguese synagogue in London. Was involved in a controversy as to what is proper pronunciation.
ELMOZNINO Hasda? (1933-). Morocco. Educator and Artist, Painter and sculptor.
Elmoznino Roger (1938-). Morocco. Journalist. Educator. Illustrator of Marriage contracts.

MOZO Luis (El) (?-1596). Spain. One of the first writers in the New World. Originaire d?Espagne. Burnt alive by the Inquisition.
MOSS?RI ?lie (1879-1940). Egypt. Financier. Led the company that built the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.
MOSSERI Albert (1867-1933). Egypt. Doctor. Journalist. Editor of the Zionist Journal Kadimah (Eastward).
MOSSERI Jacques (1884-1934). Egypt. Linguist. Philologue. Contributor to the study of the Cairo G?nizah documents. Founder of Zionist organizations in Egypt. MOSSERI Victor (1873-1930). Egypt. Agronomist. Specialised in coton productivity.

References:

Azoulay, Hayim Yossef Shem Hagdolim (the names of the great)

AZOULAY Ha?m Yossef David (Hida) (1724-1807) Ch?m hagu?dolim va?ad lahakhamim (The names of the Great Council of Sages).

Levi, J et. al. 2000        Dictionnaire biographique du monde Juif Sepharade et Mediteranean, Editions Elysee, Montreal.

Toledano, J. 1983        La saga des familles, Les juifs du Maroc et leurs noms, Editions Stavit, Tel Aviv

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc (Madrid, 1978)

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

ALGAZI
Ergaz
GUEDJ
GUEZ
among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

The root of the name may be ‘gz’

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abi, avi, ben, bin, abou, a, aj, al, bel, e, er, i, me, m, o, wi, vi, ) denotes usually a relation to a person, i.e., the father of or the son of X, a place, i.e., a person from X, an occupation, i.e., a person who practices a specific occupation, a characteristic of a person, i.e., beautiful…

The prefixes al, el are equivalent to ‘the’ in English or the article ‘le’ in French.

In the Moroccan Berbers tradition, prefixes such as ‘wi’ ‘vi’ ‘i’ means usually a family relationship to X, the equivalent of Abu in Arabic, i.e., ‘the father of’, ‘son of’ a man, a tribal affiliation and so forth.In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix ‘M ‘ is an abbreviation of the word ‘from.’

The root ‘gz’ in North African dialects may refer to a place named ‘gaz’ or ‘gez’.

The root ‘gzz’ in Hebrew refers to ‘shear’ or ‘sheep shearing’ and possibly ‘pass’ or ‘go by.’

ALGAZI Itshak ben Ch?lomo (1882-1964).Turkey. Poet. Singer and composer in Uruguay. Authored Chir? Yisra?l b??r?ts hak?dem (The songs of Israel in the Orient).
ALGAZI L?on Y?houdah (1890-1971). Roumenia. Composer. Conductor. Music professor. Broadcaster with the Voice of Israel.
ALGAZI Abraham ben Moch? (1560?-1640?). Turkey. Rabbi.
ALGAZI Ch?lomo (1610-1683). Turkey. Rabbi. Opposed the false messaiah Chabb?ta? Tsvi. Author of L?h?m s?tarim (Secret Bread).
ALGAZI Ch?lomo ben Abraham (1673-1726). Palestine. Chief rabbi in Egypt. Author. His books disappeared.
ALGAZI Itshak ben Abraham (XVIIes.). Greece. Rabbi. Originaire de Gr?ce. Author of Dor?ch tov (On the path of goodness path).
ALGAZI Nissim Yah?acov ben Ha?m Ch?lomo (XVIIIes.). Turkey. Rabbi. Author of commentaries in Safed, Israel.

GUEDJ Edgard (XXes.). Algeria. Administrator and educator. Contributed to the development of the youth movement in Morocco.
GUEDJ Gaston (XXes.). Tunisia. Author of Nos martyrs sous la botte nazie (Marthyrs under Nazi boots)1943.
GUEDJ Max (XXes.). Algeria. Poet and Fiction author Le voyage en Barbarie (Travelling in Berber Land).
GUEDJ ?liahou Ha? (1830-?). Tunisia. Rabbi. Educator. Rabbi. Poet. Author of Ma?ass? hacha?achou?im (A tale of joy).

GUEZ Mathilda (1918-1990). Tunisia.Member of the Israeli parliament as a Labor representative.
GUEZ Paul (1898-1972). Tunisia. Officer in the France army during WWI and WWII. Author of Six mois sous la botte nazie (Six months under the booth).

ERGAZ Yossef (1685-1730). Italy. Rabbi. Opposed N?h?miah Hia Hayoun, a follower of Shabetai Zvi.

References:

Azoulay, Hayim Yossef Shem Hagdolim (the names of the great)

AZOULAY Ha?m Yossef David (Hida) (1724-1807) Ch?m hagu?dolim va?ad lahakhamim (The names of the Great Council of Sages).

Levi, J et. al. 2000        Dictionnaire biographique du monde Juif Sepharade et Mediteranean, Editions Elysee, Montreal.

Toledano, J. 1983        La saga des familles, Les juifs du Maroc et leurs noms, Editions Stavit, Tel Aviv

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

Albala, Albalag, Albalagh
Albalia, Bally, Bali
Alba, Albou, Albo (see albuquerque) , Albino, Albeda
Beliah, Elbiliah
among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

The root of the name may be balagh, bali, liah or biliah, alb

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abi, avi, ben, bin, abou, a, bel ) denotes usually a relation to a person, i.e., the father of or the son of X, a place, i.e., a person from X, an occupation, i.e., a person who practices a specific occupation, a characteristic of a person, i.e., beautiful…

The prefixes al, el are equivalent to ‘the’ in English or the article ‘le’ in French.

In the Arab tradition, the prefix ‘Abu’ means usually ‘the father of’, a man is given the prefix ‘abu’ to identify him as the father of X. ‘Abu’ may also indicate a tribal affiliation. In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix ‘El ‘ is an abreviation of Elohim, Hebrew for God.

The root ‘balagh’ in Arabic refers usually to ‘shoemaker.’ The prefix as well as the letters ‘g’ and ‘h’ may have been omitted due to foreign languages influence.
The root ‘bali’ in Arabic refers usually to ‘old’ or ‘ancient.’ The prefix may have been omitted due to foreign languages influence.
The root ‘alb’ in Arabic refers usually to ‘heart.’ Alba means ‘her heart’ and Albou or Albo mean ‘his heart.’
The root ‘beda’ in Arabic refers usually to ‘white.’ Albeda means ‘the white.’ It may lend credence to the suggestion that Albo refers to Albinos in Spanish/Protuguese (see below) and to the Hebrew reference to ‘Laban’ or white (see below).

Albo may be a diminutive of Albinos in Spanish and Portuguese, indicating to a physical characteristics as well as to Spanish/Portuguese origin.
Albo may be a translation to Portuguese of the Hebrew word ‘Laban’ i.e., white or a Biblical ancestor related to Abraham, Laban the Aramean.

Beliah and Elbiliah may be deformations of the Hebrew names Leah and Bilhah.

ALBALA DE LEVY Ana (XXes.). Chili. Poet.
ALBALA David (1886-1942). Serbia. Doctor. Zionist community leader.
ALBALAG Itshak (XIIIes.). Spain. Philosopher. translated Al-Ghaz?l?, Makasid alfalasifa into Hebrew (Opinions des philosophes).

ALBALIA Baroukh ben Itshak (1077-1126). Spain. Rabbi. Judge. Versed in Greek and Arab Philosophy. Director of the Cordoba Yeshiva.
ALBALIA Itshak ben Baroukh (1035-1094). Spain. Rabbi. Astrologue. Mathematician. Communuty leader. Advisor to King Al Moutamid of S?ville. Author of Mahb?r?t sod hah?ibour (the Book of Additions).

BALLY Ment?s (XIXes.). Turkey. Community leader. Head of the Sepharadi community of Bucarest.

BELIAH Ha?m bar Abraham (1832-1919). Algeria. Rabbi.

ALBA Nissim (Miki) (XXes.). Macedonia. Colonel. Fought against the Nazi occupation in Bulgaria.
ALBOU Roger (XXes.). Algeria. Member of the Algerian resistance.
ALBO Dan (1956-). Morocco. Political scientist. Poet. Writer. Painter. Lives and works in Israel.
ALBO Yossef (1383-1444). Spanish. Rabbi. Philosopher. Doctor. Author of et m?decin, S?f?r hah?ikarim (The Book of Principles).

ALB?DA Moch? Ben Yah?acov (1500-1583?). Spain. Philosopher. Rabbi in Grece and Albania. Author of commentaries on the Bible and Ma?monides.

References:

Azoulay, Hayim Yossef Shem Hagdolim (the names of the great)

AZOULAY Ha?m Yossef David (Hida) (1724-1807) Ch?m hagu?dolim va?ad lahakhamim (The names of the Great Council of Sages).

Levi, J et. al. 2000        Dictionnaire biographique du monde Juif Sepharade et Mediteranean, Editions Elysee, Montreal.

Toledano, J. 1983        La saga des familles, Les juifs du Maroc et leurs noms, Editions Stavit, Tel Aviv

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc