These
names were used in ancient Sumer.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Akurgal 𒀀𒆳𒃲 m SumerianMeans "descendant of the great mountain", deriving from the Sumerian elements 𒀀
a ("offspring, father"), 𒆳
kur ("mountain, highland"), and 𒃲
gal ("large, mighty, great")... [
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Ama-e f SumerianPossibly deriving in part from the Sumerian element
ama ("mother"). Name borne by a Sumerian businesswoman who lived during the reign of Sargon of Akkad.
Bara-irnun f SumerianEtymology uncertain, possibly deriving in part from the Sumerian element
bára, meaning "throne dais, ruler". Name borne by a queen of the city of Umma (fl. 2400 BCE).
Baranamtarra f SumerianEtymology unknown, possibly deriving from Sumerian elements
nam meaning "(area of) responsibility; destiny, fate, lot" and
tar meaning "deliberate, judicious". Name borne by a queen of Lagash (circa 2384 BCE), known for her involvement in the trade of wool, silver, and bronze between Lagash, Dilmun, and Umma.
Ea-niša f Sumerian, Ancient Near EasternOf uncertain etymology, possibly deriving from the name of the god
Ea, and the Sumerian element
nisig ("beautiful, blue, green"). Ea-niša was a lesser wife of Shulgi, a king of Ur who ruled during the Neo-Sumerian period.
Enpap-X m SumerianPossibly one of the earliest names recorded. He was mentioned on a tablet dated 3200-3100 BC. He was one of two Sumerian slaves owned by
Gal-Sal.
Enshakushanna 𒂗𒊮𒊨𒀭𒈾 m SumerianPossibly deriving from Sumerian elements
en meaning "dignitary; lord; high priest",
ur-saĝ meaning "hero, warrior" and
an meaning "sky, heaven; the god An". Name of a King of Uruk (c... [
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Entemena 𒂗𒋼𒈨𒈾 m SumerianOf uncertain etymology, possibly deriving in part from the Sumerian element
en, meaning "lord, high priest, dignitary". Name borne by a king of Lagash, notable for being named in the earliest known peace treaty between two kings.
Etana 𒂊𒋫𒈾 m SumerianThe thirteenth god-king of the Sumerian dynasty ruling the city of Kish. He was appointed by
Anu himself. Etana had no son and prayed daily to
Shamash, the sun-god, to grant him a child... [
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Gal-Sal m SumerianPossibly one of the earliest names recorded. It occurs on a tablet dated ca 3200-3100 BC. Gal-Sal was a slave owner.
Kushim m SumerianKushim is possibly the earliest given name recorded. He is mentioned on the Kushim Tablet (ca 3200 BC). He was probably a scribe or a kind of "accountant" among Sumerians.
Lugal-kinishe-dudu 𒈗𒆠𒉌𒂠𒌌𒌌 m SumerianEtymology uncertain, likely deriving in part from the Sumerian element
lugal ("master, king"). Name borne by a king of Uruk and Ur who ruled at the end of the 25th century BCE.
Lugal-kisalsi 𒈗𒆦𒋛 m SumerianPossibly deriving from Sumerian element
lugal, meaning "king, owner, master", and
tar " to cut; to decide". Name of a King of Uruk and Ur (some contemporary sources also place him as King of Kish), circa 2400 BCE.
Lugalsilâsi 𒈗𒋻𒋛 m SumerianMeans "The lord fills the streets", deriving from the Sumerian elements 𒈗
lugal ("king, master, lord"), 𒋻𒋛
silâ ("street, path"), and 𒋛
si ("to fill up"). Name borne by a king of Uruk and Kish that ruled in the Early Dynastic III period (2500-2350 BCE).
Nin-kalla f SumerianMeans "precious sister", deriving from the Sumerian elements
nin ("sister") and
níĝ-kal-la ("precious"). Name borne by many prominent high-status women during the Neo-Sumerian Empire.
Shulgi 𒀭𒂄𒄀 m SumerianOf uncertain etymology, name borne by a king of the 3rd dynasty of Ur, who ruled for 48 years circa 2094 BC to 2046 BC.
Sukkalgir m SumerianPossibly one of the earliest names recorded. His name occurs on a tablet dated 3200-3100 BC. He was one of two Sumerian slaves of
Gal-Sal.
Turgunu-Sanga m SumerianTurgunu-Sanga (3100 BC) seems to have been a Sumerian accountant for the Turgunu family. His names is one of the earliest names recorded.
Ubartum f Ancient Near Eastern, SumerianOf uncertain etymology, possibly derived from the Sumerian element
tum, meaning "wind; cardinal point" or "to bring; to carry away; to obtain". Ubartum was a female physician of the Neo-Sumerian Empire, who lived in Garšana.
Ur-nanshe 𒌨𒀭𒀏 m SumerianPossibly meaning "Servant of
Nanshe", deriving from Sumerian element
ur, meaning " servant; young man, warrior". Name borne by the first king of the dynasty of Lagash, who ruled in the Early Dynastic Period III of Sumer.
Urzage 𒌨𒍠𒌓𒁺 m SumerianEtymology uncertain, possibly deriving from the Sumerian elements 𒌨
ur ("servant, warrior"), and
zàg ("to choose, chosen").
Ziusudra m Near Eastern Mythology, SumerianMeaning, "life of long days." The name of a king listed in the Sumerian king list; listed as the last king of Sumer prior to the deluge and subsequently recorded as the hero of the Sumerian flood epic... [
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