Submitted Name Revision History

This name is best known for being the name of saint Phanourios (also known as PHANURIUS), a pre-congegration saint who is primarily venerated in the Greek Orthodox Church. Since nearly all relevant details about the saint's life have been lost - such as where (and when!) he lived and died - we cannot be certain if he was an ethnic Greek or a foreigner who had become at least partially hellenized. As such, his name (which is most likely a compound name) is either an authentic Greek name, or a hellenized foreign name.

In the case of the former, the first element is almost certainly derived from Greek φανός (phanos) meaning "light" (adjective) as well as "torch, lantern" (noun). The second element is possibly derived from Greek οὖρος (ouros) meaning "watcher, guardian", which might give the name the meaning of "guardian with a torch". Also compare OURANIA and ORION, which might possibly be etymologically related to varying degrees.

In the case of the latter possibility, the name Phanourios might be a hellenization of the Arabic name FANNUR (also written as FANUR), which is also strongly connected to the theme of light.