The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?
AZEROUAL (zaroual, BenAzeroual)

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

Azeroual is a North African name, common in Algeria, consisting of the prefix ‘a’ which denotes affiliation and the root ‘zeroual’=.name of a tribe. It may also denote ‘pants’ (possibly pant maker), ‘colorful’ or ‘of many colors’ (possibly dye maker), as well as ‘blue eyes’ (one who has blue eyes).

The name may be of Hebrew origin, since its structure is typical to old Hebrew names. It mey be related to A’zriel (God is my help) or A’zruel (One who has the support of God).

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.
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…

AZEROUAL Yves (1964). France (Algerian origin). Journalist. Author of Mitterand et les Juifs (with Yves Dra?) and De Foi et R?publique (on Faith and the Republic).

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 ?
AZERAD (Zerad, Zeradi)

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

Azerad is a North African name, common in Morocco, consisting of the prefix ‘a’ which denotes affiliation and the root ‘zerad’ may have several meanings in Arabic: locust or (straw) mat maker or porter (the one who pulls a carriage).

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.
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…

AZERAD Yah?acov (?-1997). Morocco. (Mekn?s). Violonist, founder of an orchestra of Andalousian musique which accompanies the choral Tsfon maarav led by Joseph Ch?trit.

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 ?
AZAIYAH (see also azoulay, azziayani, azouelos)

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

Azaiyah is a rare name in the inventory of Mediterranean Jewish creators. It is in all likelihood a Hebrew name, consisting of ‘az’ = strong and ‘yah’=god.

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.
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…

AZAIYAH Bokhor (XXes.). Bulgaria. Journalist. Editor of the paper Hachofar. Translated into Judeo-Spanish a play of Max Nordau.

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 ?

AYOUN (a’youn)
HAYOUN (BenHayoun)
HAY
HAYYOUT (BenHayout)
among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

A’youn means ‘eyes’ in Arabic.
Hayoun, Hay and Hayout refer to ‘life’ in Hebrew.

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.
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…

AYOUN Monique (1954-). Algeria (Algiers). Poet. Author of Le radeau du d?sir et de Mon Alg?rie (The dock of desire and my Algeria with Jean-Pierre Stora).
AYOUN Maurice (XXes.). Algeria (Algiers). Lawyer. Assisted the American forces to take over Algeria’s governor general and command headquarter in 1942 (Operation Torch).
AYOUN Richard (XXes.). Algeria (Oran). History professor at the Institut of Oriental Langues and Oriental Civilizations in Paris. Specialised in North African Jewry. Author of Les Juifs d?Alg?rie : deux mille ans d?histoire (The Jews of Algeria: 2000 years of history).

HAYOUN Maurice (XXes.). Morocco. Painter. Painted scenes of exile, uprooting, holaucost.
HAYOUN Maurice-Ruben (XXes.). Algeria. Author of La haine de soi : le refus d??tre Juif de Th?odor Lessing (Self hate: Theodor Lessings rejection of Judaism) as well as: Dix-neuf ?p?tres sur le juda?sme de Samson Rapha?l Hirsch; L?essence du juda?sme de L?o Baeck; L??thique du juda?sme de Herman Cohen; des ?tudes sur le juda?sme dont : La litt?rature rabbinique; La philosophie m?di?vale juive; Le juda?sme moderne; La liturgie juive; La science du juda?sme ainsi que des biographies dont : Ma?monide; Averro?s et l?averro?sme; Ma?monide ou l?autre Mo?se.
HAY RICCHI Emmanuel (1688-1743). Netherlands. Rabbi. Author of Yots?r l?vav (Heart creator) as well as Michnat hassidim.
HAYOUN N?h?miah Hia (1650-1730). Bosnia (Sarajevo). Rabbi. Excommunicated due to his support for Chabb?ta? Tsvi. Author of Divr? N?h?myah (Nehemiah’s message) as well as Hatsad Ts?vi and Rah?ya dyhouda. Found refuge in North Africa.
HAYYOUT M?nahem (?-1636). Moravia. Chief rabbi of Vilna. Author of Z?mirot l?-chabbat (Sabbath Lithurgy)

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 ?

AYACHE

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

Avayou is a rare name in the inventory of creators of Mediterranean Jewish origin. It may consist of two element typical to Hebrew names, ‘av’ and ‘yahu’ father’ and ‘god’. Avayou may be a transformation of Aviyahu. It may also mean ‘aba’ and ‘hu’ which implies ‘he is our father.’

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.
Suffixes such as ‘yah’, ‘yahu’ ‘hu’ are used in Hebrew to denote God’s benediction, for example: aviyah, aviyahu, avihu…

AYACHE Alain (1930-). Algeria. (Algiers). Journalist, editor in France.

AYACHE Germain (1915-1990). Morocco (Berkane). Professor of history at Mohamed V University in Rabat. Editor of Hesp?ris-Tamuda. Author of Les origines de la guerre du Rif (What led to the Rif War) as well as Le Maroc, bilan d?une colonisation and ?tudes d?histoire marocaine.

AYACHE Y?houdah (1690-1761). Algeria (M?d?e). Chief rabbi of Algiers. Author of L?h?m Y?houdah (Judah’s bread).

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 ?

ABEHSERA ABEHSERA ABEHSSERA
ABOUHATS?RA (AbiHsera, AviHatsira, Hatsir, Hatsira)

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

AviHatsira is represented here by Moroccan and Algerian creators. The name is common among Jews in North Africa. It is associated with a long line of rabbis from the Tafilalet region in Morocco. The name consist of the prefix avi (or ab, abe, abou) which implies fatherhood or lineage and the root ‘hatsira’ = a carpet made of hay or other vegetal material. The family is believed to be of Palestinian/Syrian origin. The name is in all likelihood an ancient Hebrew name derived from the word ‘hatsir’ = hay. It appears here with the suffix ‘a’ which is typical to ancient Hebrew name. It appears in Israel in contemporary transformations such as ‘hatsir’ and ‘hatsira.’

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abe, abi, abou, 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 ‘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…

ABEHSERA Charles (XXes.). Morocco (Mekn?s). Textile manufacturer in France. Known for his Morgan trademark.
AB?HS?RA Aaron (XXes.). Morocco (Erfoud). Descendent of a family of rabbis of great reputation (see below). Politician, parliament member and minister in a Liberal government formed by the Likud Party in Israel.
ABEHSSERA Chalom (?-1971). Alg?ria (Touat). Rabbi of Colomb-B?char. Author of M?litss tov (The good preacher) and S?f?r youhassin (A geneology Registry).
ABOUHATS?RA (Abihsera) Yah?acov Ben Masoud (1808?-1880). Morocco (Tafilalet). Rabbi. Kabalist. Prolific author: Pitouh? hotam; Yorou michpat?kha l?yah?acov; Chah?ar? Aroukha among other publications. Died and buried in Cairo on his way to Jerusalem. His tomb is subject to pilgrimage. Click here for a detailed profile: Theological Conceptions of Existence among Moroccan Jews Based on the Writings of Rabbi Yaacov Avi Hatsira
ABOUHATS?RA Abraham (1868-1948). Morocco (Mekn?s). Rabbi. Member of the rabbinical court of Casablanca.
ABOUHATS?RA David (1866-1920). Morocco (Tafilalet). Rabbi. Kabalist. Assassinated in Morocco. Prolofic author S?f?r s?khel tov (The good sense guide); P?tah oh?l (The gate of the Tent); S?f?r B?r?chit ou Shemot (Genesis and Exodus). Director of a rabbinical seminary in Tafilalet.
ABOUHATS?RA Isra?l (Baba Sal?) (1890-1984). Morocco. Rabbi. Kabalist.Founder of a Rabbinical seminary in J?rusalem and N?tivot (Israel). His tomb became subject to pilgrimage.

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 ?

AVAYOU (AviYahu, AbaHu)
among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

Avayou is a rare name in the inventory of creators of Mediterranean Jewish origin. It may consist of two element typical to Hebrew names, ‘av’ and ‘yahu’ father’ and ‘god’. Avayou may be a transformation of Aviyahu. It may also mean ‘aba’ and ‘hu’ which implies ‘he is our father.’

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.
Suffixes such as ‘yah’, ‘yahu’ ‘hu’ are used in Hebrew to denote God’s benediction, for example: aviyah, aviyahu, avihu…

AVAYOU Ch?lomo (1939-). Turkey (Izmir). Author. published writing on sepharadi life.

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 ?

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

Atlan is a rare name in the inventory of creators of Mediterranean Jewish origin. It may mean ‘the one who is late’ in Arabic. The name is represented by three entrees of Algerian origin.

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.

ATLAN Jean (1913-1960). Algeria (Constantine). Painter. Used Arab and Berber symbolism in his paintings.
ATLAN ?mile (XXes.). Algeria. Membre of the Algerian resistance against the Vichy regime.
ATLAN Henri (XXes.). Algeria. Biologist in France. Specialist of the complex systems theory. Author of L?organisation biologique et la th?orie de l?information (Biological organization and the theory of information).

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 ?

ATHIAS
ATIAS
ATTIAS
ATTIA (BenAtia)

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

A’tia means gift in Arabic. The name is common in North Africa and around the Mediteranean.

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.

ATHIAS Immanuel (XVIIes.). Netherlands. Brother of Joseph Athias. Publisher of Judaica.
ATHIAS Joseph (?-1700). Netherlands. Brother of Immanuel Athias. Publisher of Judaica. Originaire des Pays-Bas.
ATIAS Mord?kha? (XXes.). Bosnia. Chair of the Sepharadi Community of Sarajevo. He introduced proportional elections and progressive taxes in his community.
ATTIAS M?nahem (1864-1942). Morocco (Tanger). Journalist. Multi-lingual. Editor of l?Eco Mauritani founded by Isaac Lar?do.
ATHIAS Itshak (XVIIes.). Portugal. Rabbi of Hambourg and Venise. Editor of Tesoro de Preceptos (The precepts).
ATHIAS Moch? Isra?l (?-1665). Spain. Rabbi. Spiritual leader of the sepharadi community of London.
ATHIAS Yom Tov (XVIes.). Spain. Contributed to the Bible traslation into Spanish in Ferrare (Italy).
ATTIA ?zra (1881-1970). Syria (Alepo). Rabbi. Director of the Porat Yossef Yeshiva Academy. Author of a commentary on K?toubbot (Marriage contracts).
ATTIA Itshak (XVIIe-XVIIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi. Author of M?sharet Moch? (Moses’ Assistant).
ATTIAS David Isra?l (XVIIIes.). Portugal. Rabbi. Known for his approval of May?m rabim (Rich Sources) of Rapha?l Meldola, rabbi of Bayonne.
ATTIAS M?nahem (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Chief rabbi of T?touan. Author of Ner Ma?aravi (Western light).

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 ?

Atar, Attar, Abenatar, Abiatar, Benattar

Prefixes such as (aben, iben, abi, avi, ben, bin, abou) 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, a profession, i.e., Atar or spice maker, spice seller, perfume maker, perfume seller.

In the Arab tradition, the prefix Abu means usually the father of, or a tribal affiliation, i.e., a relation to the tribe of Atar. The word ?atar? in Arabic means spice maker, spice seller, perfume maker, perfume seller.
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In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix ?Avi ? denotes patrilineal ancestry, i.e., father of Atar or ben Atar = son of Atar. The word ?atar? in Hebrew and Aramean means ?place.?

Jews in North Africa often were spice traders or spice makers. It is likely that ?atar? does denote the Arabic meaning but one cannot exclude the possibility that the name is an ancient Hebrew or Aramean name transformed into Arabic.

ABENATAR David M?lo (?-1625). Spain. Poet.
ABIATAR Ibn Crescas Hacohen (1450-1479). Spain. Doctor of Jean II, King of Aragon.
BENATTAR C?sar (XXes.). Tunisia. Authored ?Le bled en lumi?re?
BENATTAR Moch? (?-1725). Morocco. Banker, jeweler, diplomat.
BENATTAR Ralph (1945-). Morocco. Businessman in Qu?bec (Montr?al).
BENATTAR Chem Tov (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi, merchant, king?s counsellor.
BENATTAR David (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi, poet, lithurgy leader/singer.
BENATTAR David (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi, poet.
BENATTAR Ha?m Ben Moch? (Or HAHA?M) (1691?-1743?). Morocco. Rabbi, author of ?Or hahay?m? (the light of life). Celebrated saint.
BENATTAR Ma?mon (1867-1958). Morocco. Rabbi, educator in Egypt.
BENATTAR Mord?kha? (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi. Celebrated saint Originaire du Maroc.
BENATTAR Rapha?l (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi, poet of ?Chir Mi kamokha? (who compares to You).
BENATTAR Y?houdah (1725-1812). Morocco. Rabbi. Judge. Authored ?Zikhron livn? Yisra?l? (A memorial to the children of Israel).
BENATTAR Y?houdah ben Yah?acov (1655-1733). Morocco. Rabbi. Judge. Authored ?Din? get v?halitsah? (Divorce laws).

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).

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

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

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc