The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

Ceh, Alceh,
Cheikh, Acheikh, Ben Echeikh
Seh, Siah

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

The root of the name may be ‘ceh’ or ‘Cheikh’

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 ‘ceh’’ in Arabic refers usually to ‘phlegm’ if pronounced as ‘keh.’ However it may be a transformation of ‘Cheikh’ i.e., leader or chief or ‘seha’ i.e., health.

The root ‘ch’’ in Hebrew refers usually to ‘taking’ if pronounced as ‘kh’ and possibly phlegm (kiah) but it may also be pronounced as ‘siah’ (conversation) or ‘se’ which may mean ‘lamb’ or ‘sacrificial lamb.’

ALCEH Mathilde (1923-1967). Turkey. Poet. Author of a collection of poems in Le go?land.

ALCHEKH Moch? (XVIIes.). Palestine (Safed). Rabbi. Poet. Author of many commentaries on the Bible and the poem Chah?ar? Tsion (The gates of Zion).
ALCHEKH Mo?se (1508-1600?). Turkey.Rabbi in Safed. Community leader. Author of Torat Moch? (Moses Law). Student of Rabbi Yosef Caro..

Ben Echeikh Abraham (XVIII) Morocco. Rabbi. Issued a ruling relating to fund collections in Morocco.

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 ?

Kalae, KALA?, Cala, Calah, ALCALA?

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

The root of the name may be kala’

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 ‘kala’’ in Arabic and Hebrew refers usually to ‘weaver.’

ALCALA? Aaron (1924-). Bulgaria. Painter and teacher. Lives in Isra?l.

ALCALA? David M. (1862-1933). Yougoslavia. Journalist. Editor of the Zionist journal Jevrejski glasnik (The Jewish Speaker).
ALCALA? Salomon (1878-1929). Serbia. Head of the Jewish Community of Belgrade. Member and president of the Zionist federation in Yugoslavia.
ALCALA? David ben Moch? (1814-1882). Serbia. Hebrew Professor. Translated Pirk? Avot (Treaties of the Fathers).
ALCALA? Abraham ben Ch?mou?l (1750?-1811). Turkey. Rabbi. Judge. Yeshiva director. Author of Z?khor l?Abraham (A memorial of Abraham).
ALCALA? Bentsion (1858-1913). Morocco.Rabbi. Author of H?achir varach (Rich and Poor) among other publications.
ALCALA? Isaac (1881-1978). Bulgaria. Chief Rabbi of Serbia and Yougoslavia. Membre of the senat of Belgrade (1924-1941). Found refuge in USA during WWII.
ALCALA? Y?houdah Salomon Ha? (1798-1878). Bosnia. Rabbi of Semlin, near Belgrade. Called for a return to Israel in Ch?mah? Yisra?l (Listen, Oh Israel).

KALA? Baroukh ben Ch?lomo (XVIes.). Turkey. Rabbi of Sardokoupis. Author of M?kor Baroukh (Blessed Sources).
KALA? Ch?mou?l ben Moch? (1550-1582). Corfou. Rabbi. Author of Michpat? Ch?mou?l (Samuel’s Rules).
KALA? Mord?kha? ben Ch?lomo (XVIIes.). Turkey. Chief rabbi of Salonica. Director of the Portuguese. Author. His books were lost to a city wide fire (1625).

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 Maro

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

ALBUQUERQUE

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

Albuquerque is represented by one entry from Spain. It is in all likelihood a name of Spanish/Moorish origin on the basis of its composition. It consist of the typical Arab two prefixes ‘al’ = the and ‘bu’= father as well as the root ‘querque’ = a place in Spain. The name is rare among Mediterranean Jews. The Albuquerque family originated in all likelihood from Spain, immigrating to NorthAfrica and Italy after the Expulsion from Spain in 1492.

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…

ALBUQUERQUE Jacob Franco (XVIIes.). Spain. Innovator and manufacturer in wool/thread making in Algeria and Italy (Livorno).

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 ?

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

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

ALBAHARI

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

Al Bahari is represented by one entry from Bosnia. It is in all likelihood a name of Spanish/Moorish origin on the basis of its composition. It consist of the typical Arab prefix ‘al’ and the root ‘bahar’ = sea and the suffix ‘i’. The name refers to the occupation of a sea-goer or sailor. Jews were involved in maritime activities around the time of the Expulsion from Spain. Some played an important role in international/maritime trading. Jews expelled from Spain in 1492 and from Portugal in 1497 found refuge in the Turkish Empire, among other places. An important Jewish community lived in Bosnia/Yogoslavia from the time the region was occupied by the Ottoman Empire. The name may have a Hebrew meaning, i.e., bahir = light, fair, blond.

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…

ALBAHARI Nissim (XXes.). Bosnia. Hero of WWII resistance in Yougoslavia.

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 ?

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.
?
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

The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany ?

ALACHKAR (Ascar, Ashkar)

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

Al Achkar is represented by Palestinian and Spanish creators, mainly rabbis. The name appears to be of Arab origin. It consists of the prefix ‘al’ and the root ‘achkar’ = soldier. Jews served in Arab armies at different functions during the expansion of Islam from the Middle East to North Africa. Descendents of the said soldiers amy have settled in Spain, during its occupation by the Moors. The word ‘ashkar’ may also mean ‘truth’ in popular Arabic.

Prefixes attached to the root name such as (aben, iben, abe, abi, abou, aboul, avi, am, ben, bin, abou, a, aj, al, ala, 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…

ALACHKAR Ch?lomo (XVIes.). Spain. Community leader. Philanthropist. Subsidized a network of Rabbinical seminaries and the publication of Yossef Caro’s (Choulhan A’roukh).
ALACHKAR David (XVIIes.). Palestine. Rabbi in Jerusalem. His tomb is subject to pilgrimage.
ALACHKAR Moch? ben Itshak (1466?-1542?). Spain. Left Spain at the time of the Expulsion. Travelled through North Africa, settling in Tunisia, Egypt and Palestine, after a brief passage through Greece. Rabbi. Poet. Kabalist. Author of rabbinic rulings. Author of Bamey Akad?m (How shall I praise?).
ALACHKAR Yossef ben Moch? (XVIes.). Spain. Rabbi. Kabalist. Poet. Director of a Rabbinical seminary in Tlemcen after the Expulsion from Spain. Author of E’dout b?yossef (Joseph’s memoires); Mirk?v?t hamichn?h (The second chariot); R?fouat han?f?ch (Soul salvation); Tsafnat pa’n?a’ (The code) a mystic commentary on the Mishnah.

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 ?

ACRICH
AKRICH (Akris)

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

Akrich is a relatively rare name. It is represented in our inventory by two rabbis from Spain and Turkey as well as a community leader in Panama. It seems the name is of an Arab origin but existing records point to a Spanish/Arab background. The family spread around the Mediterranean after the Expulsion from Spain. Some members of the family settled in Latin America.

The name consists of the prefix ‘a’ and ‘krish’ = thistle, thorn or perhaps ‘stomach’ in Arabic.

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

ACRICH David L. (XIXes.). Community leader. Founder of the first community centre and synagogue in Panama.

AKRICH Itshak (XIXes.). Turkey. Rabbi. Excommunicated the Camondo Institution, founded by the philanthrope Abraham Camondo, because he judged it to liberal.

AKRICH Itshak (1489-1578). Spain. Rabbi. Talmudist. Book collector. Editor and publisher. Found refuge in Italy after the Expulsion from Spain. Travelled around the Mediterranean. His descendent settled in Mogador around 1760, when the port city became a centre of international commerce.

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 ?

ALEMAN,
AJIMAN
ALMANSI, (see also MANSANO)
MAMAN MAMANE
MANI
MANOR
WIZEMAN, (Weitzman, Vizeman)

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

The root of the name may be ‘mn’ or ‘zmn’

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 ‘zmn’ in Moroccan Berber may refer to the tribe Ait Izman. Jews affiliated or protected by Ait Izmen may have used their tribal affiliation to identify themselves.

The root ‘mn’ in Hebrew refers to ‘mana’ a food provided to the Hebrews during their wandering in the Sinai desert after their departure from Egypt.
The root ‘zmn’ in Hebrew refers usually to ‘time’ and the name may refer to time calculation. This function was reserved to rabbis with great authority thus reducing the likelihood the name refers to the occupation in question, but it is not unlikely.

Another possibility is that the name may refer to an origin, i.e., from ‘aman’ (Jordan) or ‘meaman’ (Spain) or ‘aleman’ (Germany) or ‘zman’ (a Berber tribe in Southern Morocco), ‘mans’ (France).

The names Wiseman (smart man) or Weitzman (white man), common among European Jews, share similarities with some of the names above. European Jews did settle in North Africa from time to time but the likelihood of a relationship between the European version and the Mediterranean names is not likely but not excluded.

The name Manor is a recent Hebrew adaptation (although Dan Manor’s family name was Lugassy before the change to Manor).

AL?MAN Mat?o (1547?-1615). Spain. Marrano.lived in Mexico. Doctor. Author of Guzm?n de Alfarache.

AJIMAN Y?chaia (XVIIIe-XIXes.).Turkey. Community leader. Founded a transition home in Jaffa for pilgrims and immigrants to Jerusalem/Palestine.

ALMANSI Joseph (1801-1860). Italy. Poet.
ALMANSI Dante (?-1948). Italy. Judge. Jewish community leader in Italy duting WWII.
ALMANSI Emilio (1869-1948). Italy. Physicist. Mathematician.Contributed to the developement of the theory of elasticity.

MANOR Dan (XXes.). Morocco. Professor. Author of Kabalah vemoussar b?maroco (Mysticism and ethics in Morocco).

MAMAN Aaron (1947-). Morocco. Linguistics Professor in Jerusalem. Co-author of Les juifs d?Afrique du Nord en Isra?l de rabbi Ha?m Benattar ? nos jours. MAMANE Abraham (1915-1992). Morocco. Rabbi. Author of several ritual slaughter codes.
MAMANE Moch? (?-1783). Morocco. Rabbi. Merchant. Court counsellor and banker. Philantrope.
MAMANE Rapha?l (1810-1882). Morocco. Rabbi. Chief of the rabbical court in Safed. Author of Marp? lan?f?ch (Healing the soul).
MAMANE Yossef (Elmograbi) (1725-1823). Morocco. Rabbi. Established Jewish education in Boukhara. Founder of the Zionist organization Hibat Tsion. Led immigration from Boukhara to Jerusalem and the construction of the Boukhara quarter in Jerusalem.
MAMANE Yossef (XIXes.). Morocco. Originaire du Maroc (Sefrou). Rabbin, il est l?auteur de Ch?t? yadot (Deux mesures) qui comprend Yad rama (Main ?tendue) un ensemble de responsa et Yad harachim (La main des pauvres), des hom?lies.

MANI ?liyahou ben Sliman (1818-1899). Iraq. Rabbi. Founder of a Yeshiva in H?bron Author of Zikhronot Eliyahou (Memories of Eliahu).

WIZEMANE Shemouel (XVIII) Morocco. Chief rabbi of Mogador (Essaouira).

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 ?

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)