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 ?

ASSAL (Assaly, Assli)
ASSOULINE
BENASSOULI(BenAssouline)

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

Assal means honey in Arabic. Assoulin in Berber means ‘rock.’ The name may also refer to a tribal affiliation with the tribe Ait Tizguin Oua-Assouline. The name is common in Morocco in the Assouline form and the Assaly form elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle East.

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.

ASSAL Yah?acov (XXes.) Tunisia. Television producer in Israel.
ASSOULINE Pierre (1953-). Morocco (Casablanca). Journalist. Director of the edition Lire. Author of biographies such as Gaston Gallimard.
ASSOULINE Makhlouf (XXes.). Morocco. Maroc). Colonel in the Moroccan army. Finance director of the municipality of Casablanca. Director of the Ittihad schools.
ASSOULINE Benjamin (1918-1993). Alg?ria (Constantine). Rabbi. Arrested by the Nazis in 1940. Escaped to Lyon. Rabbi in Lyon and the collective settlement B?t Ouziel in Israel.
ASSOULINE L?vi (1828-1903). Morocco (Marrakech). Rabbi of Constantine. Author of S?f?r Zibh? ?lokim (Ritual Slaughter).
ASSOULINE Moch? (XVIes.). Morocco. Rabbi in F?s and Taroudant. Author of S?f?r d?rachot (Sermons).

BENASSOULI-Nahon Jonas (1888-1962). Morocco (Tanger). Engineer. Community leader in Spain. Vice president of the Spanish Red Cross.

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 ?

ASSER (Asher)
BEN ACHER
among other possible variations depending on the country and language of the person.

Asser is in all likelihood a deformation of the Hebrew name/word Asher = happiness. Asher is one of the children of the patriarch Jacob and one of the tribes of Israel. It is a popular Hebrew name in Modern Israel too. It appears as a first name as well as a family name, in many cases with the prefix Ben, i.e., Ben Asher.

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 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…

ASSER Mos?s Salomon (XIXes.). Netherlands. Lawyer. Social activist who pushed for the integration of Jews in the Dutch society. Advisor of King Guillaume I.

BEN ACHER Abraham (XVIIIes.). Palestine. Rabbi. Fund raiser for the old settlements in Jerusalem and Palestine. He also determined criteria for fund allocation in Palestine.

BEN ACHER Yah?acov (1260-1340?). Spain. Rabbi. Judge. Kabalist. Author of Arbah?a tourim (Four columns), a moral and legal commentary on the Torah.

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 ?
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 ?

AMIEL
BEN AMI

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

AMIEL and BEN AMI are represented by entries from Morocco. The name is indeed prevalent in Morocco in the form of Ben Ami but not as much in the Amiel transformation. The name consists of the prefix ‘ben’ = son of , the root ‘am’ = people and the suffix ‘i’ = my, conveying affiliation to the people of Israel. ‘Amiel’
consists of the root ‘am’ = people and a complex suffix made of ‘i’ = my and ‘el’ = god, to convey association or benediction of God.

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, iel 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…

AMIEL Andr? (1928-). Morocco (El Jadida). Community leader in Montr?al, Quebec. First president of The Sepharade Francophone Association (1966-1967).

BEN AMI Ch?lomo (XXes.). Morocco (Tanger). Historian. Specialist of Spain. Diplomat. First Ambassador of Isra?l in Spain. Member of the Israeli parliament and minister (interior and foreign affairs) representing the Labor party. Fascism from above: The dictatorship of Primo Rivera in Spain; The origins of the second republic in Spain; La revoluci?n desde arriba : Espa?a 1936-1979. Member of the team negociating peace with the Palestinians.
BEN AMI Issakhar (1933-). Morocco (Casablanca). Professor of folklore at the Hebrew University in J?rusalem. Author of Cultes des saints et p?lerinages jud?o-musulmans au Maroc; Le juda?sme marocain : ?tudes ethnoculturelles; La v?n?ration des saints parmi les Juifs du Maroc.

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 ?

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

Sayag means jeweler in Arabic. The name is common among Jews in Moslem countries since Islam prohibited its followers from handling precious metals.

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.

ASSAYAG Motty (1943-). Morocco. Artist. Graduate of the Bezalel art academy in Israel. Known for his graphic illustrations of posters and books.
ASSAYAG Pinhas (XIXe-XXes.). Morocco (Tanger). Community leader. Journalist. Contributed to papers in Madrid.
ASSAYAG Amram (XXes.). Morocco. Rabbi in Toronto. Spiritual director of the Toronto Torah Center.
BenAssayag Issac (XIX) Industrialist. Founder of tobbacco manufacturing in Tanger (Sananes&BenAssayag).
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 ?

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 ?

ABENA?S (Naeh, BarHaNess, Baal HaNess, Baranes, Ness, aNass, Nouss)

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

Abenaes is represented here by a Portugues Marrano knight. The name is rare in our inventory. The name may be read in a variety of ways. It typifies possible transformations due foreign influences on Jewish names. The name consist of the prefix avi (abe) which implies fatherhood or lineage and the root ‘naes’ = miracle in Hebrew. It may be associated with the Hebrew name ‘BarHaNess’ =miracle maker, i.e., Rabbi Meir Baal HaNess). It may mean naeh = ‘nice’ or ‘good looking.’ One may read the name as ‘aben’ = son of and ‘aes’ or ‘ish’ in Hebrew. The name has several meanings in Arabic: Nass = person, Nouss = Half, Barani or Baranes = foreigner(s).

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.’

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

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…

ABENA?S Ch?lomo (Alvaro Mend?s) (1520?-1603). Portugal (Tavira). The Duke of Mytilene. Marrano who returned to Judaism in Istanbul. Diplomat. International businessman. Took over the position of Yossef Nasi as advisor to the Trukish Emperor. Supported the establishment of a Jewish autonomy in Palestine. Tiberias benefited from his support.. Knighted by the Queen of England as well as by the Turkish Emperor.

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