These names were used in the ancient Near East. That is, by the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Canaanites, Phoenicians and others. Listed separately are Ancient Egyptian names and Ancient Persian names.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
AbbamAncient Aramaic, Hebrew, Jewish Derived from Aramaic אבא (’abā’) meaning "father", which is ultimately derived from Proto-Semitic ʾab meaning "father".
AbdemonmPhoenician Of unknown origin, name borne by a king of Cyprus (fl. 5th century BCE).
AbdesmAncient Aramaic (Latinized) The name is formed with the word Abd "servant (of)" and Es which is less clear. It may refer to Yah, the Judeo-Christian God, making the name a variant of Abdias, or to the Egyptian goddess Isis.... [more]
Abdi-milkutti𐤏𐤁𐤃𐤌𐤋𐤊𐤕mPhoenician Possibly deriving in part from the Phoenician element 𐤌𐤋𐤊 mlk ("king"). Name borne by a King of Sidon who rebelled against Assyrian rule.
AbgarmAncient Aramaic Abgar was the name of several kings of Edessa (today: Şanlıurfa, Turkey).... [more]
AbimilkimPhoenician Means "my father is king", deriving in part from the Phoenician element 𐤌𐤋𐤊 mlk ("king"). Name borne by a prince of Tyre known from his correspondance with Akenhaten, recorded in the Amarna letters.
AbnātufBabylonian Means "precious stone", deriving from the Akkadian word aban nisiqtu ("a choice stone, a precious stone, a gem").
Adad-guppifBabylonian Means "Adad has saved", possibly deriving from the Old Akkadian element gamalum ("to save"). Name borne by a prominent priestess of the moon god Sin.
AdmonאדמוןmAncient Hebrew it belongs to a tana תנא (tana, a rabbinical sage whose views were recorded in the Mishnah) דיין (dayan) (a judge in religious court)... [more]
'AdyahumAncient Hebrew likely a combination of the elements עד ('ad) "eternity" and יהו (yahu) referring to the Israelite god. Put together the name means "Yahweh is everlasting"
Aga𒀝𒂵, 𒀝mSumerian Derived from Sumerian akka "made by (a god)", derived from Sumerian 𒀝 (ak) "to make". This is the name of the twenty-third and last king in the first dynasty of Kish during the Early Dynastic I period.
AgušayafAkkadian, Near Eastern Mythology Means "the whirling dancer", deriving from the Akkadian words gâšum ("to dance") and gūštum ("dance"). Attested as an epithet for Ishtar in the Hymn of Agushaya.
AhāssunufBabylonian Means "their sister", deriving from the Akkadian element aḫātu ("sister") combined with the suffix -(aš)šunu ("for them (masculine plural), to them, towards them"),
AhatmilkufAncient Near Eastern Possibly means "sister of the king" in Amorite. Name borne by a princess of Amurru (fl. 1265 BCE), who would go on to become queen of Ugarit (modern day Ras Shamna in Northern Syria) as the wife of King Niqmepa.
AhaziahאֲחַזְיָהוּmAncient Hebrew, Biblical Derived from אֲחַזְ ('ahaz) meaning "to hold" and יָהוּ (yahu), composing the meaning "held by Yahweh"
Ah'emאחאםmAncient Hebrew Means "(maternal) uncle" in ancient Hebrew. (compare Ahab). This name is derived from the combination of the elements אח (ah') "brother" and אם (em) "mother"
Akurgal𒀀𒆳𒃲mSumerian Means "descendant of the great mountain", deriving from the Sumerian elements 𒀀 a ("offspring, father"), 𒆳 kur ("mountain, highland"), and 𒃲 gal ("large, mighty, great")... [more]
AlaksandumHittite (Archaic) Ancient Hittite form of Alexandros (see Alexander). This was the name of a Wilusan king who signed a treaty with the Hittite kings Muwatalli II and Mursuli II.
Alākšu-lūmurfBabylonian Means "may I see his path", deriving from the Akkadian element alaktu ("the route,the journey (of gods, of people)").
AllaituraḫḫifHurrian Possibly deriving in part from the Hurrian element allai=ni ("lady, mistress"). Name borne by a Hittite ritual practitioner, likely of Hurrian origin, known from several texts that bear her name.
Ama-efSumerian Possibly deriving in part from the Sumerian element ama ("mother"). Name borne by a Sumerian businesswoman who lived during the reign of Sargon of Akkad.
Amat-nanāyafBabylonian Means "servant of Nanaya", deriving from the Akkadian element amtu ("woman servant").
Amat-nanāya-qerbetfBabylonian Means "the servant of Nanaya is at hand" deriving from the Akkadian elements amtu ("woman servant") and qereb ("close ,near ,at hand ,within reach").
Amat-ninlilfBabylonian Means "servant of Ninlil", deriving from the Akkadian element amtu ("woman servant").
AmemarאַמֵּימָרmAncient Aramaic Formed from the personal name Ammi (which means "my people" from Hebrew עַם (ʿam) "people, nation, kinsman" and the suffix י (i) "my") and the title מַר (mar) meaning "master"... [more]
AmiltufBabylonian Means "servant woman", deriving from the Akkadian element amtu ("woman servant").
AmmanmAncient Hebrew The given name of the second son of Lot, (The Veil), by his younger daughter meaning "Son of my Race" or "Son of my People. The father of the Ammanites, (AKA Ammonites). ... [more]
AmmiעמיmBiblical, Ancient Aramaic Means "my people" in Hebrew, from עַם (ʿam) meaning "people, nation, kinsman" with the suffix י (i) "my"... [more]
AmminayafHittite Meaning unknown. Name borne by a Hittite queen, who is known only from a mention in a single document (KBo XIX 84,7). Her spouse is unknown, however some historians theorize that she was married to Arnuwanda II.
AmmurapimAncient Semitic Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by the last king of Ugarit, known from a letter he wrote to the king of Alashiya pleading for military aid during an invasion.
AnniwiyannifHittite Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by the mother of an augur, known from a text detailing a fertility ritual involving burying clay birds on the steppe.
Annunitum𒀭𒉡𒉌𒌈fNear Eastern Mythology, Akkadian Means "the skirmisher" or "the martial one". This was an epithet of Ishtar in her capacity as a war goddess. Later in the Sargonic period, Annunitum became a distinct deity in her own right.
ArinnitifAncient Near Eastern Hittite name meaning "lady of the forest", from Sanskrit aranya meaning "forest". This name was given to the Sun Goddess of Arinna. Also connected to the Vedic goddess Aranyani.
Asarhaddon𒀀𒋛𒌑𒁺mAkkadian Derived from asar (or Aššur) meaning the god Ashur, the chief deity of the Assyrian pantheon and haddon (or Addu) meaning the brother, the benefactor. Asarhaddon (or Esarhaddon) was the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 681 BCE until his death in 669 BCE.
Asītu-tabnifAncient Assyrian, Babylonian Means "you created the tower", deriving from the Akkadian elements atti ("thou, you") and banû ("to create, to build").
Ašmu-nikalfHittite While the meaning is unknown, the second element likely derives from Nikkal, a Hittite goddess derived from the Sumerian Ningal.
AstyagesmOld Median (Hellenized), Akkadian (Hellenized), History Hellenized form of Akkadian Ishtovigu or Ištovigu, from Old Median R̥štivaigah, ultimately derived from Ancient Iranian rishti vaiga, meaning "swinging the spear". Modified through folk etymology by Greek ἄστυ (ásty) meaning "city" and ἄγνυμι (ágnumi) meaning "break"... [more]
AvihudאביהודmAncient Hebrew Meaning "My Father is glorious" in reference to God.
AviramAncient Aramaic (Rare, ?) This name is listed in Kolatch's Complete Dictionary of English and Hebrew Names (1984), where it is given an Aramaic origin, meaning "air, atmosphere, spirit." It was the name of a Babylonian Talmudic scholar.
BabathafAncient Aramaic, Early Jewish Babatha is the name of a Jewish woman who owned land near Petra (modern Jordan) and En-Gedi (modern Israel) in the 2nd century AD. Because her personal documents were preserved, much of her personal life is known today.
Banât-esagilfBabylonian Means "Esagil is beautiful", deriving from the Akkadian element banûtu ("beauty").
BanitufAncient Assyrian Of unknown etymology. Possibly derived from either Akkadian banītu meaning "beautiful", or bānītu (also Akkadian), meaning "divine Creatress". Banitu was a queen of the Neo Assyrian empire circa 729 BCE.
Bara-irnunfSumerian Etymology 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).
BaranamtarrafSumerian Etymology 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.
BarsoummAncient Aramaic Transferred use of the surname Barsoum. St. Barsoum El Erian was a Coptic saint in the thirteenth century.
Bartatua𒁹𒁇𒋫𒌅𒀀mAkkadian Akkadian form of either the Scythian name Pr̥ϑutavah ("with far-reaching strength") or the Scythian name Pṛtatavah ("mighty in battle").
Bēl-bullissumBabylonian Means "Bel, keep him alive", deriving from the Akkadian element balāṭu ("to revive ; to keep alive, healthy").
BēletafBabylonian Means "lady", deriving from the Akkadian element bēltu ("lady, mistress").
Bēlet-bābilifBabylonian, Akkadian, Near Eastern Mythology Means "lady of Babylon", deriving from the Akkadian element belet (mistress, lady). This was a Babylonian name for the goddess Ishtar. Ishtar was worshipped under this name in the temple of Eturkalamma.
Bēlet-balāṭifNear Eastern Mythology, Akkadian Means "mistress of life", deriving from the Akkadian elements bēlet ("mistress or lady") and balāṭu ("life, vigour, good health"). This was possibly an Akkadian name for the goddess Nungal.
Belet-eannafNear Eastern Mythology, Akkadian An Akkadian name for the goddess Inanna, specifically in her capacity as Inanna of Uruk. Likely derives in part from the Akkadian belet ("mistress or lady").
Belet-nagarfAkkadian, Near Eastern Mythology Means "Mistress of Nagar" (an ancient city in Syria), from the Akkadian element belet (meaning "mistress or lady"). Belet-Nagar was a tutelary goddess associated with kingship. She was possibly an Akkadian equivalent to the Hittite goddess Nabarbi.
Belet-ninuafAkkadian, Near Eastern Mythology Means "Lady of Nineveh", deriving from Akkadian elements belet ("lady") and ninua (likely an Akkadian form of Nineveh).
Belet-uruk-atkalfBabylonian Means "I trusted in the Lady of Uruk", deriving from the Akkadian element belet ("mistress, lady").
Bēl-ṣarbimNear Eastern Mythology, Akkadian Means "lord of the poplar", deriving from the Akkadian elements bēlu ("boss, chief, master, lord") and ṣarbat (deriving from a place name, that presumably later became associated with groves of trees... [more]
BissāyafBabylonian Of as yet unknown etymology, this name is attested several times in various Babylonian legal records from the Late Assyrian period.
BuniבּוּנִיmAncient Hebrew Means "son." This was the nickname (or original Hebrew name) of Nicodemus ben Gurion, who may be mentioned in the Gospel of John as a secret seeker of Jesus of Nazareth... [more]
Carthalo𐤒𐤓𐤕𐤇𐤋𐤑mPhoenician Carthalo was an officer in Hannibal's army during the Second Punic War.
ChuldufAncient Aramaic Meaning uncertain. Name borne by a Nabatean queen who ruled alongside her husband Aretas IV.
CucuphasmPhoenician Phoenician origin with the meaning of "he who jokes" or "he who likes to joke". Saint Cucuphas is a is a martyr of Spain who lived from roughly 269 A.D. to 304 A.D. ... [more]
DaduhepafHittite Of uncertain etymology, although the second element of the name (hepa) likely derives from the Hurrian sun goddess Ḫepat. Name borne by a Hittite queen who was possibly the wife of Tudhaliya I. She is known to have occupied the role of Tawananna (ruling queen) during the reign of Šuppiluliuma I, who is thought to have been her son.
Dalilu-essumBabylonian Means "new praise", deriving from the Akkadian elements dalīlu ("praise, thanks") and eššu ("new, modern").
DamqāyafBabylonian Means "good", deriving from the Akkadian element damqu ("good, pretty, nice").
DanuhepafHittite Etymology uncertain. The second element of the name (hepa) likely derives from the Hurrian sun goddess Ḫepat. Danuhepa was a Hittite queen who was likely the wife of Mursili II.
Dumqišu-āmurfBabylonian Means "I saw his goodness", from the Akkadian elements damqu ("good, pretty, nice"), iššû ("his, hers"), and amāru ("to see (someone, something)").
Ea-nāṣir𒂍𒀀𒈾𒍢𒅕mAkkadian Means "Ea is his warden". This was the name of an Akkadian copper merchant whose customer, a man named Nanni, wrote to him the oldest known written complaint.
Ea-nišafSumerian, Ancient Near Eastern Of uncertain etymology, possibly deriving from the name of the god Ea 1, and the Sumerian element nisig ("beautiful, blue, green")... [more]
EashoamAncient Aramaic Ancient Aramaic form of Latin/Greek " Jesus ", Hebrew " Yeshua " & Arabic " Isa ". Presently thought as Jesus's given name in his perceived native language.
Eḫli-nikkalfAncient Near Eastern, Hurrian, Hittite Means "let Nikkal keep safe", deriving from the name of the goddess Nikkal, and the Hurrian element eġl=i ("to keep safe"). This name was borne by a Hittite princess, who was likely the daughter of Tudhaliya IV.
Enlil-nadin-aplimBabylonian Means "Enlil (is) giver of an heir". Name borne by the fifth king of the 2nd dynasty of Isin, who ruled from c. 1099–1096 BC.
Enmebaragesi𒂗𒈨𒁈𒄄𒋛mSumerian From Sumerian 𒂗𒈨𒁈𒄄𒋛 (Enmebárgisi) meaning "crown fit for a ruler", from Sumerian 𒂗 (en) "lord", 𒈨 (me) "crown", 𒁈 (bara₂) "ruler, king", and 𒋛 (si) "to fill"... [more]
Enpap-XmSumerian Possibly 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.
Enshakushanna𒂗𒊮𒊨𒀭𒈾mSumerian Possibly deriving from Sumerian elements en meaning "dignitary; lord; high priest", ur-saĝ meaning "hero, warrior" and an meaning "sky, heaven; the god An"... [more]
Entemena𒂗𒋼𒈨𒈾mSumerian Of 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.
ErramNear Eastern Mythology, Babylonian, Akkadian The Babylonian god of war, death, and other disasters. He may be identified with Nergal, the god of death. Erra expressed death himself symbolically by his continuous lethargy as he lay in a drunken stupor... [more]
Esharra-hammatfAncient Assyrian From from Akkadian elements ešarra (the name of a temple), and ḫammat meaning "mistress". Possibly means, "In Ešarra, she is mistress". Name of a queen of the Neo-Assyrian empire (c... [more]
Eshmunazar𐤀𐤔𐤌𐤍𐤏𐤆𐤓mPhoenician Meaning "Eshmun helps" (Eshmun was a Phoenician god of healing and the tutelary god of Sidon). Name borne by two kings of Sidon.
Etana𒂊𒋫𒈾mSumerian The 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... [more]
Gabbi-ina-qātēfBabylonian Means "In the hands (of the gods) is totality", deriving from the Akkadian element kalû ("totality, all").
Gal-SalmSumerian Possibly one of the earliest names recorded. It occurs on a tablet dated ca 3200-3100 BC. Gal-Sal was a slave owner.
GassulawiyafHittite Possibly means "woman of Kashulas" (a settlement in the Kashka region of the Hittite empire), deriving from the Luwian element wiya ("woman").
Geme-ninlillafSumerian, Ancient Near Eastern Of uncertain etymology, however the last element is likely derived from the goddess Ninlil. Geme-Ninlilla was a wife of King Shulgi during the final years of his reign.
Gerarm & fAncient Hebrew Also Gerara, (LXX). Name of the land in which Abimelech dwelt. Genesis 20:2.
GilukhipafHurrian Means "Ḫepat is my strength" in Hurrian. Hepat is a sun goddess, whose name is commonly seen as an element in Hurrian and Hittite theophoric names... [more]
HarapšekifHittite Meaning uncertain, possibly derived in part from the Hittite element ḫāran ("eagle"). Name borne by a Hittite queen (fl. 15th century BCE).
ḪarapšilifHittite Meaning uncertain, possibly derived in part from the Hittite element ḫāran ("eagle"). Name borne by a Hittite queen (fl. circa 1550 BCE).
HarimחָרִםmAncient Hebrew Meaning "with pierced nose." May also mean "destroyed" or "dedicated to God" depending on your source.
ḪaštayarfHittite Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by a Hittite noblewoman who was speculated to be either a daughter or a wife of Hattusili I.
Hattusa-zitimHittite Possibly means "man from Hattusa", deriving from the Luwian element ziti ("man"). The city of Hattusa was a major political center for the Hittite Empire. Name borne by an envoy of Suppiluliuma I, who was sent to the court of the Egyptian queen Ankhesenamun.
ḪentifHittite Meaning uncertain, name borne by a Hittite queen who was the first wife of King Suppiluliuma I.
HilkiahmAncient Hebrew Hilkiah means “portion of Yah” or “the LORD is my portion.” Hilkiah was a Levite and high priest during the reign of King Josiah. He found the long-lost Book of the Law (see II Chronicles 34).
Ḥomilqart𐤇𐤅𐤌𐤋𐤒𐤓𐤕mPhoenician Derived from the root word "milqart", which refers to the god Melqart, a prominent deity in Phoenician religion. The prefix "ḥomi-" ultimately refers to the god associated with the Tyrian city of Tyre, often known as the "king of the city."
HuzālumBabylonian Means "gazelle", deriving from the Akkadian ḫuzālu ("gazelle kid").
IabafAncient Aramaic Possibly derives from one of the following West Semitic elements: yph ("beautiful"), nby ("to name") or yhb ("to give"). Name borne by an Assyrian queen, who was possibly of Aramean origin.
IamblikhosmAncient Aramaic (Hellenized) Hellenized form of Aramaic ימלכו (Yamlīḵū), possibly a causitive form of Aramaic מלך (melech) "to rule, absolute".
ImmaאמאfAncient Aramaic, Early Jewish Means "mother" in Aramaic and Modern Hebrew. This was the 9th or 10th most common name for Jewish women living in Palestine in late antiquity.
Ina-eturkalamma-alsišufBabylonian Means "In Eturkalamma, I called out to him", deriving from the Akkadian element šasû ("to shout, to call for"). Eturkalamma was a temple to Ishtar in Babylon, where she was worshipped as Bēlet-bābili.
Ina-ṣilli-esabadfBabylonian Means "In the protection of Esabad" (the temple of the medicine goddess Gula), from the Akkadian ina ṣilli ("under the aegis of, in shadow, in the shade").
InbāyafBabylonian Means "fruit", deriving from the Akkadian inbu ("fruit").
IranzumAncient Near Eastern Of uncertain etymology, name borne by a king of Mannae (a small kingdom in present day north-western Iran) that ruled during the reign of Tiglath-Pileser.
IštapariyafHittite Possibly deriving from the Luwian element tapar, meaning "strong, mighty". Name borne by a Hittite queen (fl. 15th Century BCE), who was possibly of Luwian origin. Queen Ištapariya was assassinated during a period of political intrigue by rivals to her husband's throne.
IthobaalאֶתְבַּעַלmBiblical, Phoenician It is borne by (Ithobaal I) of the biblical queen Jezebel and Baal-Eser II, other Phoenician kings mentioned by the historian Josephus and Assyrian sources... [more]
KabtāyafBabylonian Means "honoured", deriving from the Akkadian element kabātu ("to be honored, shown respect").
KaraaקראהfAncient Hebrew Derived from the root קרא (Kara) meaning "to call, to read". This name means "(she has) called"
Katešḫapim & fHittite Means "King of the Gods", from the Hittite elements katte ("king") and ašḫab ("god"). The name of a Hittite god, which was also borne by a queen of the Middle Kingdom period of the Hittite empire, who is known only from fragmentary documents... [more]
KeditefMinoan, Ancient Near Eastern An ancient Minoan name recorded on a Linear B tablet. Its meaning is unknown, and its gender is not confirmed as feminine but assumed to be.
Kiluš-ḫepafHittite Possibly means "Messenger of Ḫepat" deriving from the Hattic element kiluḫ ("spy, scout, messenger"), with the second element hepa likely deriving from the name of the Hurrian sun goddess Hepat... [more]
KurunnītufAkkadian, Near Eastern Mythology Likely means "high quality beer", deriving from the Akkadian kurunnum (itself a derivation of the Sumerian kurun). Name borne by an Akkadian goddess, likely equivalent to the Sumerian goddess of beer Ninkasi.
Kurunnitu-tabnifAkkadian, Ancient Assyrian Possibly means "Kurunnitu is our comrade", derived from the name of the goddess Kurunnītu, and the Akkadian elements tappa-um ("comrade") and ni ("our").
KushimmSumerian Kushim 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.
Kwanza-piyamAncient Near Eastern, Luwian Means "gift of the Kwanza (goddesses of fate in the Luwian pantheon)", deriving from the Luwian element pi-i-ya ("to give").
LabbatufNear Eastern Mythology, Akkadian Means "lioness", deriving from the Akkadian lābatu ("lioness"). This is attested as an alternate name for Ishtar in an Eblaite god list.
Lamashtu𒀭𒈕𒈨fNear Eastern Mythology, Akkadian Possibly means "she who erases", deriving from the Akkadian element pašāṭu ("to erase"). Name borne by a female demon thought to menace women during childbirth. Since her name was written with the symbol 𒀭 (dingir, used to signify the name of a deity), and she is described as acting malevolently of her own accord (rather than at the direction of the gods), it is hypothesised that she was a goddess or demigoddess in her own right.
Libbali-sharratfAncient Assyrian Possibly derived from the Akkadian elements libbāli meaning "inner city" (possibly an epithet of the goddess Ishtar) and šarratum, meaning "queen".
Lugal-kinishe-dudu𒈗𒆠𒉌𒂠𒌌𒌌mSumerian Etymology 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-kisalsi𒈗𒆦𒋛mSumerian Possibly 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.
Lugalsilâsi𒈗𒋻𒋛mSumerian Means "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")... [more]
LurindufBabylonian Means "pomegranate", from the Akkadian lurintu ("a pomegranate").
MaliawašḫifAncient Near Eastern Ancient Assyrian feminine given name recorded in 18th century BC Assyrian documents from Kültepe. It may derive from the name of the goddess Maliya and potentially (w)ashib meaning "dweller, person who dwells in" or "of".
MallidunnafAncient Near Eastern, Luwian Possibly deriving in part from the Luwian element ma-al-li ("honey"). Name borne by a ritual practitioner known from fragments of ritual tablets that bear her name.
MamreמַמְרֵאmAncient Hebrew The name of an Amorite ally of Abraham, owner of some famous great trees at or near Hebron.
MardukamAncient Near Eastern Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by several court officials in the courts of Xerxes I and Darius, and is considered as a possible origin for the name Mordecai.
Marduk-kabit-ahheshumBabylonian Means "Marduk is the most important among his brothers". Name borne by the founder of the 2nd dynasty of Isin, who ruled c. 1153–1136 BC.
Marduk-shapik-zerimBabylonian Means "Marduk (is) outpourer of seed", deriving from the god Marduk, and the Akkadian elements šapāku ("to pour on / to lavish") and zēru ("seed ; offspring ; sown, arable land").
MasedemMinoan, Ancient Near Eastern An ancient Minoan masculine name recorded on a Linear B tablet. Its meaning is currently unknown.
MashdamSumerian, Akkadian Likely meaning "gazelle", from the Akkadian word ṣabîtum ("gazelle"). According to the Sumerian king list, this is the name of the eleventh Sumerian king in the First Dynasty of Kish.
MašḫuiluwamLuwian Means "mouse" in Luwian. Name borne by a king of the Luwian kingdom of Mira, a vassal state to the Hittite empire, that married Muwatti, the sister of Mursili II.
MassanauzzifHittite Means "god's wish", deriving in part from the Luwian element massanalli ("divine"). Name borne by a Hittite princess (fl. 1300s BCE), who is mentioned in correspondance between King Hattusilli II and Pharaoh Ramesses II.
MataiמַתַּאיmAncient Hebrew Means "when." Features in Sanhedrin 43a in the Talmud, during an apocryphal description of the death of Yeshua the Nazarene, as one of his five disciples. This may have been the way early Rabbinic Jews understood the Christian apostle Matthew... [more]
MonobazmAncient Near Eastern Monobaz I (also known as Bazeus or Monobazus) was king of the neo Assyrian Parthian client state of Adiabene in the 20s and 30s of the 1st century CE.
MullissufNear Eastern Mythology, Ancient Assyrian Meaning uncertain. Name borne by an obscure goddess who was a consort of the god Ashur. May derive from "Mullitum", which was an epithet for the Sumerian goddess Ninlil.
Mullissu-mukannishat-NinuafAncient Assyrian Etymology uncertain. A possible meaning is "Mullissu is the victor in Nineveh" (Ninua being the Akkadian form of Nineveh), deriving from the Akkadian element mukannišum ("subjugator /subduer / conqueror / victor").
Mutakkil-nuskumAncient Assyrian Means "He whom Nusku endows with confidence". Name borne by a king of Assyria who ruled for a brief period c. 1132 BCE.
MuwatallimHittite Meaning unknown. Name borne by two Hittite kings, Mutawalli I (fl. 15th century BCE), and Mutawalli II (fl. 13th century BCE).
Muwattim & fHittite Means "mighty/potent", deriving from the Luwian element mo:wa ("to be mighty, potent").
NabonidusmBabylonian, Akkadian Means "may Nabu be exalted" or "Nabu is praised" in Akkadian. Nabonidus (c.615 BC - after 522 BC) was the last native king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and ancient Mesopotamia.
NadāyafBabylonian Meaning uncertain, possibly derived from the Akkadian element nadānu ("gift, tribute, payment").
Nafisנָפִ֖ישׁmBiblical Hebrew, Ancient Hebrew Means "Revival, Expansion, to breathe". According to the Syriac usage, “refreshment”, or "to be refreshed."... [more]
Nanāya-kānatfBabylonian Possibly means "Nanaya has gathered", deriving from the Akkadian element kanāšu ("to gather in (harvest, people)").
Nanaya-kesiratfBabylonian, Akkadian Means "Nanaya is the one who compensates", deriving from the goddess Nanaya, and the Akkadian element kašāru ("to compensate, to give its due").
Nanāya-rīšatfBabylonian Possibly means "Nanaya's joy", deriving from the Akkadian element rīšātu ("joy, happiness").
Napir-asufAncient Near Eastern, Elamite Possibly derived from the name of the Elamite god of the moon Napir. Name borne by Napir-Asu, who was the queen of Elam during the Middle Elamite period... [more]
NaqaiוְנָקִיmAncient Hebrew Means "innocent." Compare Arabic Naqi. Features in Sanhedrin 43a in the Talmud, during an apocryphal description of the death of Yeshua the Nazarene, as one of his five disciples... [more]
NedebeusנדבאיmAncient Hebrew (Hellenized, Rare) Latinized form of the Greek form of Hebrew נדבאי (Nadvay). Nebedeus was the father of Ananias, the Jewish high priest from about 47 to 58 AD. Ananias is mentioned in both Acts 23 and the writings of Josephus, but only Josephus mentions the name of his father, Nebedeus.
Ne'ehevetנאהבתfAncient Hebrew derived from נאהבת meaning "beloved", which is a derivative of the root אהב meaning "love"
Nehoraiנהוראיm & fHebrew, Ancient Hebrew From the Aramaic root nehora, meaning "light". Rabbi Nehorai was the name of one of the Tannaim.
NetzarוְנֵצֶרmAncient Hebrew Means "branch, shoot." Compare Nazareth, which stems from the same word. Netzar features in Sanhedrin 43a in the Talmud, during an apocryphal description of the death of Yeshua the Nazarene, as one of his five disciples... [more]
NikkalmatifHittite Likely means "the wisdom of Nikkal" from the Hurrian element madi, meaning "wisdom", and Nikkal, a Hittite goddess derived from the Sumerian Ningal. Name borne by a Hittite queen (fl... [more]
Nin-kallafSumerian Means "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.
NinšatapadafAncient Near Eastern, Sumerian Means "Lady Chosen by (means of) the Heart (Omens)", deriving from the Sumerian elements nin ("queen, mistress") and saĝ ("to chose"). Name borne by a high-priestess of Meslamta-ea (fl... [more]
Ninurta-nadin-shumimBabylonian Means "Ninurta is giver of progeny". Name borne by a Babylonian king of the 2nd dynasty of Isin, who ruled c. 1127–1122 BC.
NohramAncient Aramaic Means "light" in Aramaic. This was the name of a Maronite saint.
NuptafBabylonian Meaning uncertain, possibly deriving from the Akkadian element nuāru ("singer , musician , poet"). Name borne by the wife of Itti-marduk-balatu.
PaškuwattifHittite, Luwian Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by a magician from Arzawa, known from a text that details a ritual dedicated to the goddess Uliliyašši to cure impotence.
PhasaelisfAncient Aramaic Of uncertain etymology. Name borne by a Nabatean princess, who was the first wife of Herod Antipas.
PuduḫepafHittite Meaning unknown, although the second element of the name (hepa) likely derives from the Hurrian sun goddess Ḫepat. Name borne by a Hittite queen (fl. 13th century BCE). Puduḫepa was the wife of King Hattusili III, and the mother of Maathorneferure, who went on to become the Great Royal Wife of Rameses II.
PusaimAncient Aramaic The name of a Christian priest and companion in martyrdom with Simeon Barsabae and others (†344).
QardaghmAncient Aramaic Meaning and origin unknown. He is a 4th saint venerated in Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, Syro-Malabar Church. Mar Qardagh (Mar means "lord" and it's like "holy"a honorific title) was a Sassanid prince who was martyred for converting to Christianity... [more]
Qibī-dumqī-ilatfAkkadian, Babylonian Meaning uncertain, however the name possibly derives from the Akkadian elements qibītu "speech ; order, command ; request, prayer" and "dumqu ("goodness , good thing").
Rimush𒌷𒈬𒍑mAkkadian Meaning unknown. A noted bearer is Rimush, an Akkadian king (c.2280 BCE), the second king of the Akkadian empire, son of King Sargon of Akkad and Queen Tashlultum, brother of Manishtushu, and uncle of Naram-Sin.
RīšatufBabylonian Means "joy", deriving from the Akkadian element rīšātu ("joy, happiness").
SalampsiofAncient Hebrew (Hellenized) Hellenized form of the Hebrew name Shalom-zion "peace of Zion". The name "Shalom Zion" was used by the Judean royal family in the Roman period and is variously modified in rabbinical literature... [more]
Samas-zeru-ibnimBabylonian Means "Shamash created the offspring", deriving from the Akkadian element zēru ("seed; offspring; sown, arable land").
Šamši𒊓𒄠𒋛fAncient Near Eastern, Ancient Semitic Old Arabic name meaning "my sun". It was borne by a queen of the Qedar who reigned from 735 to 710 BCE. Her successor was queen Yatie.
SamyazamAncient Aramaic, Jewish Legend This is the name of a fallen angel in the Book of Enoch, who is portrayed as the leader of a band of angels called the Watchers that lust after mortal women and become fallen angels.
SanduarrimAncient Near Eastern Means "Šanta will help". Name borne by a king of the kingdoms of Kundu (which has been tentatively linked with the city of Anzarbus), and Sissu (the location of which is uncertain but is likely in one of the southern provinces of Turkey).
SarbelmAncient Near Eastern The name of an early Christian martyr from Edessa (today: Şanlıurfa, Turkey).
SarratufAkkadian, Ancient Assyrian Means "princess" and is related to the name Sarah. (The description of the entry Sarah should include this information about "Sarratu" I think as it is stronger evidence that Sarah means princess for those say it doesn't mean princess and means more of a position of power in general)
Satanduhepa𒊩𒊭𒋫𒀭𒁺𒃶𒉺fHittite, Hurrian Meaning unknown, although the second element of the name (hepa) likely derives from the Hurrian sun goddess Ḫepat. Name borne by a Hittite queen (1390 BC-1365 BC)... [more]
Serua-eteratfAncient Assyrian From Akkadian elements Šērū’a and ēṭirat, meaning "Šerua (a minor deity, possibly a consort of the god Ashur) is the one who saves". Name borne by a princess of the Sargonid dynasty, known from her letter (circa 670 BCE) to her sister-in-law Libbali-sharrat.