Coptic names

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Coptic names refer to the personal names used by the Copts, the indigenous inhabitants of Egypt. They reflect the intersection of Egyptian, Greek and Arab influences in the region and encompass a diverse range of naming practices, which have evolved over centuries.

Contents

History

The oldest layer of the Egyptian naming tradition is native Egyptian names. These can be either traced back to pre-Coptic stage of the language, attested in Hieroglyphic, Hieratic or Demotic texts (i.e. ⲁⲙⲟⲩⲛAmoun, ⲛⲁⲃⲉⲣϩⲟNaberho, ϩⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱϫHerwōč, ⲧⲁⲏⲥⲓTaēsi) or be first attested in Coptic texts and derived from purely Coptic lemmas (i.e. ⲡⲁⲛⲓⲣⲁⲛPaniran, ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱPambō, ⲗⲟⲩⲗⲉLoule, ⲧⲁⲗⲟⲩϣⲏⲙTaloušēm).

The conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great and subsequent rule of the Ptolemaic dynasty led to Hellenisation of Egypt, which led to adoption of a great number of Greek names by the Copts (i.e. ⲅⲉⲱⲣⲅⲓⲟⲥGeōrgios, ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥPaulos, ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲱⲣⲟⲥTheodōros, ⲑⲉⲕⲗⲁThekla, ⲕⲗⲉⲟⲡⲁⲧⲣⲁKleopatra), which was advanced even further by the Christianization and influx of Hellenised Hebrew and Aramaic names (i.e. ⲓⲱϩⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥIōhannēs, ⲓⲱⲥⲏⲫIōsēph, ⲁⲃⲣⲁϩⲁⲙAbraham, ⲉⲗⲓⲥⲁⲃⲉⲧElisabet). Most names with exclusively pagan connotations, both Egyptian and Greek, fell out of use after the 3rd century, although some persisted, taken from the martyrdoms of venerated saints, e.g. Anoup, Phib, Diogenes, Phoibammon, Shenoute, Sarapion, Onnophris. [1]

The Roman conquest of Egypt added Latin names to Egyptian naming tradition (ⲃⲓⲕⲧⲱⲣViktōr, ⲥⲉⲩⲏⲣⲟⲥSevēros). Over time, many of these foreign names were gradually Egyptianized, while some Egyptian names underwent Hellenization, resulting in the development of a distinctive syncretic Graeco-Egyptian naming tradition.

After the Arab conquests of the Middle East, the Arabs implemented a policy of strict segregation to subjugate the native inhabitants of the occupied lands, including the Copts in Egypt. This policy aimed to easily identify and exploit them financially. The second Caliph, Umar I, established a code known as "The Pact of Umar" that governed the relationship between ruling Muslims and the non-Muslim "People of the Book" (including Christians). The code restricted non-Muslims from using certain names, nicknames, and kunyas. The Sunni jurist Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya emphasized that Muslim names were reserved exclusively for Muslims, while non-Muslims were allowed to use their own names or shared names. However, non-Muslims were prohibited from using names that implied honor or virtue, e.g. Rashid (Arabic : رشيد, lit. 'rightly guided') or Salih (Arabic : صالح, lit. 'good').

Despite these strict restrictions, changes began to emerge over time. During the Fatimid Dynasty, which ruled Egypt from 969 to 1171 and followed the Ismaili branch of Shia Islam, there was a relative period of tolerance towards the Copts. The Fatimids sought the support of the educated Coptic population and relaxed some of the Sunni restrictions. As a result, Copts started assimilating into Arab and Muslim culture to escape social segregation and promote social mobility. This included adopting Arab and Muslim names for their children, as well as using nicknames and kunyas that were previously exclusive to Arabs and Muslims. [2]

Given names

Egyptian [α]

CopticArabicTranslation
Male names
ⲁⲙⲟⲩⲛ (Amoun) Arabic : آمون, romanized: Amūn Ancient Egyptian : Ỉmn, lit. ' Amun '
ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲡ (Anoup) Arabic : أنوب, romanized: Anūb Ancient Egyptian : Ỉnpw, lit. ' Anubis '
ⲁⲧⲣⲉ

(Atre)

Arabic : أثريه, romanized: Athrīya Ancient Egyptian : ḥtr, lit. 'a twin'
ⲃⲁⲛⲉ

(Vane)

Arabic : فانا, romanized: Fāna Ancient Egyptian : Bne, from Proto-Semitic *ban- "son"
ⲃⲉⲛⲓⲡⲓ (Venipi) Arabic : وانيبى, romanized: Wanībi Ancient Egyptian : bjꜣ n pt, lit. 'iron, lit. "metal of the heaven"'
ⲃⲉⲛⲟϥⲉⲣ (Venofer) Arabic : نُوفِير, romanized: Nūfir Ancient Egyptian : wnn-nfrw, lit. 'he who is in a state of well-being', an epithet of Anubis
ⲃⲏⲥ (Vēs) Arabic : ويصا, romanized: Wīsa,

Arabic : فاصا, romanized: Fāsa

Ancient Egyptian : Bi-s, lit. ' Bes '
ⲉⲃⲱⲛϩ

(Evōnh)

Arabic : إيبونه, romanized: Ibūna Ancient Egyptian : Ỉw-f-ʿnḫ, lit. 'may he live'
ⲕⲉⲗⲗⲟⲩϫ (Kellouj) Arabic : كَلُوج, romanized: Kalūj Ancient Egyptian : ḳꜣlꜣwḏꜣ, lit. 'a whelp'
ⲛⲁⲃⲉⲣϩⲟ (Naverho) Arabic : نَهْرُوه, romanized: Nahrūh Ancient Egyptian : nfr-ḥr, lit. 'beautiful in face', an epithet of Ptah
ⲛⲁϩⲣⲱⲟⲩ (Nahrōw) Ancient Egyptian : Ỉr.t-Ḥr-r.rw, lit. 'the eye of Horus is against them'
ⲟⲩⲉⲣϣⲉⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ (Weršenoufi) Arabic : ورشنوفة, romanized: Waršanūfa Ancient Egyptian : wršy-nfr, lit. 'good guardian'
ⲡⲁⲏⲥⲓ (Paēsi) Arabic : ابا يسي, romanized: Abaīsi Ancient Egyptian : Pa-Ỉs.t, lit. 'the one of Isis'
ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ (Pambō) Arabic : بموا, romanized: Bemwāⲡⲁ- (possessive masculine article) + ⲙⲃⲱ ("Ombos"), "the one of Ombos"
ⲡⲁⲙⲓⲛ (Pamin) Arabic : بمين, romanized: Bamīn Ancient Egyptian : pꜣ-mn, lit. 'the one of Min'
ⲡⲓⲗⲓϩⲏⲩ (Pilihēi) Arabic : بلحاو, romanized: Bilihāw"possessing profit, useful"
ⲡⲉⲙⲥⲁϩ(Pemsah) Arabic : بامساح, romanized: Bamsāh;

Arabic : امساح, romanized: Amsāh

Ancient Egyptian : Pȝ-Msḥ, lit. 'the crocodile'
ⲡⲁⲛⲁⲩ (Panau) Arabic : باناو, romanized: BānāūFrom ⲡⲁ- (possessive masculine article) + ⲛ- (genitive marker) + ⲁⲩ ("donkey"), "donkey driver" or "the one of Set"
ⲫⲁⲛⲓⲥⲛⲏⲟⲩ

(Phanisnēw)

Arabic : بانسناو, romanized: Banisnāwⲫⲁ- (possessive masculine article) + ⲛⲓ- ("plural definite article") + ⲥⲛⲏⲟⲩ ("brothers"), "the one of the brothers"
ⲡⲁⲛⲉϩⲁⲥ (Panehas) Arabic : فينحاس, romanized: Finhās Ancient Egyptian : pꜣ-nḥs, lit. 'the black'
ⲡⲁⲛⲓⲛⲉ (Panine) Arabic : باننينا, romanized: BānīnāFrom ⲡⲁ- (possessive masculine article) + ⲛ- (genitive marker) + ⲉⲓⲛⲉ ("chain"), "the one of chain", "guardian"
ⲡⲁⲛⲓⲣⲁⲛ (Paniran)ⲫⲁ- (possessive masculine article) + ⲛⲓ- ("plural definite article") + ⲣⲁⲛ ("names"), "the one of many names, honours"
ⲫⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ

(Phanoub)

Arabic : بانوب, romanized: Banūbⲫⲁ- (possessive masculine article) + ⲛⲟⲩⲃ ("gold"), "the one of gold"
ⲡⲁⲧⲁⲡⲓ

(Patapi)

Arabic : بضابا, romanized: Biḍāba Ancient Egyptian : pꜣ-dỉ-Ḥp, lit. 'given by the Apis/Nile'
ⲡⲁⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ

(Paphnouti)

Arabic : ببنودة, romanized: Babnūda Ancient Egyptian : pꜣy-pꜣ-ntr, lit. 'the one of the god'
ⲡⲁϣⲟⲛϯ

(Pašonti)

Arabic : بشندي, romanized: Bašandiⲡⲁ- (possessive masculine article) + ϣⲟⲛϯ ("acacia tree"), "the one of acacia tree"
ⲡⲁϩⲱⲣ

(Pahōr)

Arabic : باهور, romanized: Bahūr Ancient Egyptian : pꜣ-ḥr, lit. 'the one of Horus '
ⲡⲁϧⲱⲙ

(Pakhōm)

Arabic : باخوم, romanized: Bakhūm Ancient Egyptian : pꜣ-ꜥẖm, lit. 'the one of the falcon'
ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲫⲣⲏ

( Petephrē )

Arabic : بادبرا, romanized: Badabra Ancient Egyptian : pꜣ-dj-pꜣ-rꜥ, lit. 'he whom Ra has given'
ⲡⲉϣⲟⲩⲣ (Pešour)/

ⲡⲓⲥⲟⲩⲣⲁ (Pisoura)

Arabic : بيسورا, romanized: Bisūra Ancient Egyptian : pꜣ-ꜥswr, lit. 'the Assyrian'
ⲡⲓϣⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ

(Pišennoufi)

Arabic : بشنونة, romanized: Bašnunaⲡⲓ- (definite masculine article) + ϣⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ ("good news"), "the good news, gospel", a calque of Greek "εὐαγγέλιον"
ⲫⲓⲃ

(Phib)

Arabic : بيب, romanized: Bīb Ancient Egyptian : pꜣ-hb, lit. 'the ibis'
ⲡⲓϣⲱⲓ

(Pišōy)

Arabic : بيشوي, romanized: Bišūy,

Arabic : ابشاي, romanized: Ibšāy

Ancient Egyptian : pꜣ-šꜣj, lit. 'the fate'
ⲡⲓϫⲓⲙⲓ

(Pijimi)

Arabic : بيجيمي, romanized: Bijīmiⲡⲓ- (definite masculine article) + ϫⲓⲙⲓ ("finding, thing found")
ϩⲁⲣⲙⲓⲛⲏ

(Harminē)

Arabic : هرمينا, romanized: Harmīna Ancient Egyptian : Ḥr-Mn, lit. 'Horus-Min'
ϩⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱϫ

(Herwōj)

Arabic : هرواج, romanized: Harwāj Ancient Egyptian : ḥr-wḏꜣ, lit. 'healthy Horus'
ϫⲁⲙⲟⲩⲗ

(Jamoul)

Arabic : جامول, romanized: Jamūl"camel"
ϫⲓϭⲱⲓ

(Jičōi)

Arabic : جيجوي, romanized: Jijūy Ancient Egyptian : Ṯȝy-ḏy, lit. 'the bearer of the hairlock', an epithet of Harpocrates
ϫⲱⲣⲓ (Jōri) Arabic : جورى, romanized: Jūri"strong", the Arabic form Khuzi (خوزي) mentioned in the Synaxarium is a scribal mistake
ϣⲉⲛⲟⲩϯ

(Šenouti)

Arabic : شِنُودة, romanized: Šinūdaϣⲉ- ("son") + ⲛⲟⲩϯ ("god"), "son of god"
ϭⲓⲛⲟⲩⲥⲓ

(Çinousi)

Arabic : شنوسي, romanized: Šinūsi
Female names
ⲁⲥⲉⲛⲛⲉⲑ

(Asenneth)

Arabic : اسنات, romanized: Asnāt Ancient Egyptian : js.w-(n)-n(j)t, lit. 'belonging to Neth'
ⲗⲟⲩⲗⲉ

(Loule)

Arabic : لولا, romanized: Lūla"girl"
ⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧ

(Menrit)

Arabic : مريت, romanized: Mirrīt"beloved"
ⲧⲁⲏⲥⲓ

(Taisi)

Arabic : تاييس, romanized: Taīyis Ancient Egyptian : ta-Ỉs.t, lit. 'the one of Isis'
ⲧⲁⲙⲡⲣⲟ

(Tampro)

Arabic : أمبيرة, romanized: Ambīra"doorkeeper"
ⲧⲁⲗⲟⲩϣⲏⲙ

(Taloušēm)

Arabic : طالوشاط, romanized: Talušām,

Arabic : ضالوشام, romanized: Ḏalušām

"the little maiden"
ⲧⲁⲥⲱⲛⲓ

(Tasōni)

Arabic : تاسونى, romanized: TasūniFrom ⲧⲁ- (possessive feminine article) + ⲥⲱⲛⲓ ("sister"), "my sister"
ⲧⲁⲣⲟⲟⲩ

(Taroow)

Arabic : دروى, romanized: Darwa"burr, thistle"
ⲧⲉϭⲟϣⲉ

(Teçoše)

Arabic : دجاشة, romanized: Dajāša"Ethiopian"
ⲧϣⲉⲛⲟⲩϯ

(Tšenouti)

Arabic : دشنودة, romanized: Dašanūdaⲧϣⲉ- ("daughter") + ⲛⲟⲩϯ ("god"), "daughter of god"
ⲧⲁⲡϣⲁⲓ

(Tapšay)

Arabic : دبشاية, romanized: DabšāyaFrom ⲧⲁ- (possessive feminine article) + ⲡϣⲁⲓ ("the celebration, festival"), "the one of the celebration, festival"
ⲧⲁϩⲟⲩⲙⲓⲥⲓ

(Thoumisi)

Arabic : دهميسة, romanized: DahumīsaFrom ⲧⲁ- (possessive feminine article) + ϩⲟⲩⲙⲓⲥⲓ ("birthday"), "the one of birthday"
ⲕⲟⲩⲗⲱϫⲉ

(Koulōje)

Ancient Egyptian : ḳꜣlꜣwḏꜣ, lit. 'a whelp'
ⲑⲉⲗⲗⲱ

(Thellō)

Arabic : تالا, romanized: Talā"respectable", "honorable elder"
ϫⲉⲙⲙⲁϩⲱⲣ

(Jemmahōr)

From ϫⲉⲙ- (possessive feminine article) + ⲁϩⲱⲣ ("treasures"), "finder of treasures"
ϣⲱϣⲉⲛ

(Šōšen)

Ancient Egyptian : zšn, lit. 'lotus flower'

Greek and Latin

CopticArabicTranslation
Male names
ⲁⲑⲁⲛⲁⲥⲓⲟⲥ Arabic : أثناسيوس, romanized: Atnasiūs Athanasius
ⲁⲗⲉⲝⲁⲛⲇⲣⲟⲥ Arabic : ألكسندروس, romanized: Alaksandrūs Alexander
ⲁⲛⲇⲣⲉⲁⲥ Arabic : اندراوس, romanized: Andarāwus Andrew
ⲃⲁⲥⲓⲗⲉⲓⲟⲥ Arabic : باسليوس, romanized: Basalyūs Basil
ⲃⲓⲕⲧⲱⲣ Arabic : بقطر, romanized: Buqṭur Victor
ⲅⲉⲱⲣⲅⲓⲟⲥ; ⲅⲉⲱⲣⲅⲓ Arabic : جاورجيوس, romanized: Gawargiūs;

Arabic : جرجس, romanized: Girgis;

Arabic : جُرَيْجُ, romanized: Guraig

George
ⲉⲡⲓⲫⲁⲛⲓⲟⲥ Arabic : أبفانيوس, romanized: Abifānius;

Arabic : أبيبان, romanized: Abibān

Epiphanius
ⲉⲩⲇⲁⲓⲙⲱⲛ Arabic : ودامون, romanized: Wadamūn Eudaemon
ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲁⲕⲟⲥ Arabic : قرياقوس, romanized: Qiryāqūs Cyriacus
ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲗⲗⲟⲥ Arabic : كيرلس, romanized: Kirūllus Cyril
ⲕⲩⲣⲟⲥ Arabic : كاراس, romanized: Kārās;

Arabic : كاروس, romanized: Kārūs

Cyrus
ⲙⲁⲣⲕⲟⲥ Arabic : مرقس, romanized: Murqus Mark
ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ Arabic : بولس, romanized: Būlus Paul
ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ Arabic : بطرس, romanized: Butrus Peter
ⲑⲁⲗⲁⲥⲥⲓⲱⲛ Arabic : لتصون, romanized: Latṣūn"of the sea"
ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲱⲣⲁⲕⲏ Arabic : تيودوراكي, romanized: TiwudurākiTheodorakios
ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲱⲣⲟⲥ Arabic : تواضروس, romanized: Tawadrūs;

Arabic : تادرس, romanized: Tādrus

Theodore
ⲥⲉⲩⲏⲣⲟⲥ Arabic : ساويرس, romanized: Sawarīs Severus
ⲫⲓⲗⲟⲡⲁⲧⲱⲣ Arabic : فيلوباتير, romanized: Filubatīr Philopator
Female names
ⲉⲩⲫⲣⲟⲥⲓⲛⲁ Arabic : افروسينا, romanized: Afrūsīnā"cheerful"
ⲇⲁⲙⲓⲁⲛⲏ Arabic : دميانة, romanized: Damiāna Demiana
ⲉⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ Arabic : إيريني, romanized: Irīnī,

Arabic : إيراني, romanized: Irānī

Irene
ⲧⲁⲣⲭⲱⲛ Arabic : دركن, romanized: Darkūn,

Arabic : دركنة, romanized: Darkūna

"ruler, leader"
ⲧⲉⲩⲗⲟⲅⲓⲁ Arabic : دولاجي, romanized: Dulājiⲧ- (definite feminine article) + Ancient Greek : εὐλογία, lit. 'blessing'
ⲕⲗⲉⲟⲡⲁⲧⲣⲁ Arabic : كليوباترا, romanized: Kliubātra Cleopatra
ⲑⲉⲕⲗⲁ Arabic : تكله, romanized: Takla Thecla
ⲣⲓⲯⲓⲙⲏ Arabic : أربسيما, romanized: Arabsīma Hripsime, Ancient Greek : Ριψιμιά
ϩⲏⲣⲁⲓⲥ Arabic : هيرايسي, romanized: Hirāisi Ancient Greek : Ἡραίς, lit. 'of Hera '
ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲱⲣⲁ Arabic : ثيودورا, romanized: Thiūdūra Theodora
ⲥⲩⲛⲕⲗⲏⲧⲓⲕⲏ Arabic : سينكليتيكا, romanized: Sīnklītīka Syncletica

Graeco-Egyptian

CopticArabicTranslation
Male names
ⲁⲣⲡⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ

(Arpokratōr)

Arabic : اربقراطور, romanized: Arbuqrātūr Harpocrates
ⲓⲥⲓⲇⲱⲣⲟⲥ

(Isidōros)

Arabic : سيداروس, romanized: Sidārūs Isidore
ⲫⲁⲛⲓⲕⲉⲣⲟⲥ/ⲡⲁⲛⲓⲕⲩⲣⲟⲥ(Phanikeros/Panikyros) Arabic : بانيقاروس, romanized: BaniqārusFrom ⲡⲁ- (possessive masculine article) + ⲛ- (genitive marker) + ⲕⲩⲣⲟⲥ ("Lord"), "the one of the Lord"
ⲫⲟⲓⲃⲁⲙⲙⲱⲛ

(Phoibammōn)

Arabic : بيفام, romanized: BifāmΦοῖβος (“Brilliant one, epithet of Apollo”) + Ἄμμων (“Amun”)
ⲡⲁⲧⲉⲣⲙⲟⲩⲑⲓⲟⲥ (Patermouthios) Arabic : بدرمتاوش, romanized: BadarmutaūsA Hellenisation of ⲡⲁⲧⲉⲣⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ
ⲡⲉⲥⲩⲛⲑⲓⲟⲥ (Pesynthios) Arabic : بسنده, romanized: BasandaA Hellenisation of ⲡⲁϣⲟⲛϯ
ⲡⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ

(Psōtēr)

Arabic : ابصودار, romanized: Absudārⲡ- (definite masculine article) + Σωτήρ "saviour", an epithet of Christ
ⲥⲉⲛⲟⲩⲑⲓⲟⲥ (Senouthios) Arabic : سنوتيوس, romanized: SanutyūsA Hellenisation of ϣⲉⲛⲟⲩϯ
ⲥⲁⲣⲁⲡⲁⲙⲱⲛ (Sarapamōn) Arabic : سربام, romanized: SarabāmΣέραπις (“Serapis”) + Ἄμμων (“Amun”)
ⲙⲏⲛⲁ

(Mēna)

Arabic : مينا, romanized: MīnaFrom Ancient Greek Μηνᾶς (Mēnâs) which comes from Demotic mnw (“the god Min”)

Semitic/Biblical

CopticArabicTranslation
Male names
ⲁⲃⲣⲁϩⲁⲙ (Avraham) Arabic : ابرام, romanized: Abrām,

Arabic : إبراهيم, romanized: Ibrahīm

Abraham
ⲃⲉⲛⲓⲁⲙⲓⲛ (Veniamin) Arabic : بنيامين, romanized: Binyamīn Benjamin
ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ (Gavriēl) Arabic : غبريال, romanized: G̣abriyāl Gabriel
ⲇⲁⲩⲉⲓⲇ (Daueid) Arabic : داويد, romanized: Dawīd,

Arabic : داود, romanized: Dawūd

David
ⲉⲛⲱⲭ (Enōkh) Arabic : اخنوخ, romanized: Akhnūkh Enoch
ⲓⲱⲥⲏⲫ (Iōsēph) Arabic : يوساب, romanized: Yusāb Joseph
ⲓⲱϩⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ (Iohannēs) Arabic : يوحانس, romanized: Yuhānnis,

Arabic : يحنس, romanized: Yahnis, Arabic : يوحنا, romanized: Yuhanna

John
ⲓⲥⲁⲁⲕ (Isaak) Arabic : إسحاق, romanized: Ishāq Isaac
ⲙⲓⲭⲁⲏⲗ (Mikhaēl) Arabic : ميخاييل, romanized: Mikhayīl Michael
ⲡⲁⲣⲥⲱⲙⲁ (Parsōma) Arabic : برسوما, romanized: Barsūma;

Arabic : برسوم, romanized: Barsūm

Classical Syriac : ܒܪܨܘܡܐ, romanized: Barsauma, lit. 'son of fasting'
ⲥⲉⲇⲣⲁⲕ (Sedrak) Arabic : سدراك, romanized: Sidrāk Sydrach
ⲥⲓⲥⲓⲛⲛⲓⲟⲥ (Sisinnios) Arabic : سيسينيوس, romanized: SisinyūsFrom Syriac : sysnʾ, ultimately from Akkadian : sissinnu, lit. 'fruited date palm branch'
ⲍⲁⲭⲁⲣⲓⲁⲥ (Zakharias) Arabic : زكريا, romanized: Zakarīyā Zachary
Female names
ⲉⲗⲓⲥⲁⲃⲉⲧ

(Elisavet)

Arabic : اليصابات, romanized: Alisabāt Elisabeth
ⲙⲁⲣⲑⲁ

(Martha)

Arabic : مرتا, romanized: Martā Martha
ⲣⲉⲃⲉⲕⲕⲁ (Revekka) Arabic : رفقة, romanized: Rifqa Rebecca
ⲥⲟⲩⲥⲁⲛⲛⲁ

(Sousanna)

Arabic : سوسنة, romanized: Susana Susan

Arabic [β]

ArabicEnglishCopticTranslation
Male names
نجيبNaguib"extraordinary"
فريدFarid"unique"
فاديFadi"redeemer, saviour"
راميRami"archer"
ثروتTharwat"treasure"
عبد المسيح Abd el-Masih ⲁⲡⲧⲏⲗⲙⲉⲥⲏϩ

(Aptēlmesēh)

"slave of the Messiah"
لبيبLabibⲗⲁⲃⲓⲃ

(Labib)

"wise"
سيدهمSidhomⲥⲓⲇϩⲟⲙ (Sidhom)"their Lord"
ميلادMilad"birth", "Christmas"
رمزيRamzi"iconic"
كاملKamal"perfect, genuine"
صليبSalibⲥⲁⲗⲉⲡ

(Salep)

"cross"
باسمBasemⲃⲁⲥⲓⲙⲟⲥ

(Basimos)

"smiling"
حديدHadidϩⲁⲇⲓⲇ (Hadid)"iron"
حبيبHabibϩⲁⲡⲓⲡ (Hapip), ⲁⲃⲓⲃⲟ (Abibo)"beloved"
عبد اللهAbdullaⲁⲃⲇⲉⲗⲗⲁ (Abdella), ⲃⲓⲕⲟⲩⲗⲗⲁ (Bikoulla), a Copto-Arabic hybrid, where Arabic "abd" is replaced with "ⲃⲱⲕ" "servant""servant of God"
Female names
ماجدةMajda"glorious"

Christian concepts

Some of the modern Coptic Arabic names are translation of Christian names and concepts from Coptic and Greek:

Arabic translationCoptic/Greek nameMeaning
Salah (صلاح)Αγαθόν (Agathon)"good"
Atallah (عطاالله)Θεόδωρος (Theodoros)"given by God"
Abd al-Mashih (عبد المسيح)ⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲇⲟⲩⲗⲟⲥ (Khristodulos)"servant to the Messiah (Christ)"
Sadiq (صديق)ⲡⲓⲑⲙⲏⲓ (Pithmei)"true, righteous"
Sami (سامي)ⲡⲓϣⲱⲓ (Pišōy)“high, exalted”
Habib (حبيب)ⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧ (Menrit)"beloved"
Eid (عيد)ⲡⲓϣⲁⲓ (Pišai)"feast, holiday"
Fadi (فادي)ⲡⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ (Psōtēr)"saviour"
Ḥikma (حكمة)ⲥⲟⲫⲓⲁ (Sophia)"wisdom"
Iman (إيمان)ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲓⲥ (Pistis)"faith"
Bishara (بشارة)ⲡⲓϣⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ (Pišennoufi)"good news", "Annunciation"
Salib (صليب)ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲁⲩⲣⲟⲥ (Pistauros)"cross"

Diminutives and short forms

Diminutives and shortened forms are created by either removing one or more syllables from the beginning or end of the original first name to create a familiar or affectionate variation that is often used in casual or close relationships. [3]

Examples:
NameDiminutive
ⲁⲑⲁⲛⲁⲥⲓⲟⲥⲁⲑⲁ, ⲁⲑⲁⲛ, ⲁⲑⲁⲥ
ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲱⲣⲟⲥⲧⲉϫⲓ (Arabic : داجى, romanized: Dāji), ⲑⲱⲧⲣⲓ, ⲇⲱⲣⲉ
ⲁⲗⲉⲝⲁⲛⲇⲣⲟⲥⲁⲗⲉⲝ, ⲁⲗⲝⲁⲓ
ⲧⲓⲙⲟⲑⲉⲟⲥϯⲙⲱ
ⲕⲩⲣⲟⲥⲕⲩⲣⲓ
ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥⲡⲁⲩⲗⲉ
ⲉⲡⲓⲫⲁⲛⲓⲟⲥⲫⲁⲛⲓⲟⲥ (Arabic : بنايوس, romanized: Banayūs), ⲡⲉⲫⲁⲛⲏ (Arabic : بفان, romanized: Befān)
ⲥⲧⲉⲫⲁⲛⲟⲥⲡⲫⲁⲛⲟⲥ (Arabic : فانوس, romanized: Fanūs)
ⲕⲗⲁⲩⲇⲓⲟⲥⲕⲗⲟⲧⲓ
ⲕⲗⲉⲟⲡⲁⲧⲣⲁⲕⲗⲉⲱⲡⲁ

Compound names

Coptic has a number of compound names, made by combining ⲁⲡⲁ, a Coptic rendering of the Greek word ἀββα (abba, “abba, father”), with a personal name of a saint or a martyr, whose honorific title "abba" became a part of his name (i.e. St. Abadir, St. Abamun, St. Abanub). [4]

CopticArabicTranslation
Male names
ⲁⲡⲁⲕⲩⲣⲓ

(Apakyri)

Arabic : اباكير, romanized: AbakīrA combination of ⲁⲡⲁ and a personal name ⲕⲩⲣⲓ
ⲁⲡⲁⲙⲟⲩⲛ

(Apamoun)

Arabic : ابامون, romanized: AbamūnA combination of ⲁⲡⲁ and a personal name ⲁⲙⲟⲩⲛ
ⲁⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ

(Apanoub)

Arabic : ابانوب, romanized: AbanūbA combination of ⲁⲡⲁ and a personal name ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ
ⲁⲡⲁⲥⲭⲩⲣⲟⲛ (Apaskhyron) Arabic : أباسخيرون, romanized: AbaskhirūnA combination of ⲁⲡⲁ and a personal name ⲓⲥⲭⲩⲣⲱⲛ
ⲁⲡⲁⲧⲓⲗ (Apatil) Arabic : اباتيل, romanized: AbatīlA combination of ⲁⲡⲁ and a personal name ⲧⲓⲗ
ⲁⲡⲁⲧⲏⲣ (Apatēr) Arabic : ابادير, romanized: AbadīrA combination of ⲁⲡⲁ and a personal name ⲧⲏⲣ

European forms

In recent years the original Coptic forms of the names get replaced with European ones, mostly from English, French and German, e.g. Maurice (Arabic : موريس, Coptic : ⲙⲱⲣⲓⲥ, ⲙⲁⲩⲣⲏⲥ) replaced the native Maurikios (Coptic : ⲙⲁⲩⲣⲓⲕⲓⲟⲥ, Arabic : موريكيوس) and George (Arabic : جورج) replaced Georgios (Coptic : ⲅⲉⲱⲣⲅⲓⲟⲥ, Arabic : جرجس, romanized: Girgis).

With the rise of Egyptology in the 19th and the first half of the 20th century, Ancient Egyptian names, often adopted from Ancient Greek "Egyptological" forms, gained prominence among the Coptic community, i.e. Ramesses or Ramsis (compare to Coptic : ⲣⲁⲙⲁⲥⲥⲏ, romanized: Ramassē, a form attested in the Bible), Amasis, Sesostris, Narmer.

Second names and surnames

The concept of second name and a surname wasn't developed in Classical Coptic, although epithets and nicknames were used to distinguish people, such as:

ⲁⲙⲉ "herd, pastor", ⲙⲁⲣⲏⲥ "Southener", ⲡⲉⲃⲱ "dumb", ⲡⲕⲱϩⲧ "fire", ⲡⲟⲩⲱⲛϣ "the wolf", ⲡⲓⲭⲁⲙⲉ "the black", ⲡⲓϧⲉⲙⲥ "ear of corn", ⲡⲉϭⲱϣ "Ethiopian, black", ⲡϭⲏϫⲉ "purple", ⲱ "great", ϣⲏⲙ "small", ⲗⲁⲙⲡⲟⲩⲥ (Gr.) "bright, shining", ⲧⲭⲉϩⲗⲓ (Ar.) "of the elders", ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲁⲩⲣⲟⲥ (Arabic : بسطاوروس, romanized: Bastawrus) "the cross".

Demonyms

Demonyms are based on the place of origin, formed by either using a prefix ⲡⲓⲣⲉⲙ- ("the man of") and its female equivalent ϯⲣⲉⲙ- or by using possessive article ⲡⲁ- and its feminine parallel ⲧⲁ- "the one of" (typical to Middle Egypt [5] ):

Masculine: ⲡⲓⲣⲉⲙⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ (pi-Remrakoti) "from Alexandria", ⲡⲓⲣⲉⲙⲡⲟⲩⲥⲓⲣⲓ (pi-Rempousiri) "from Pousiri", ⲡⲁⲛⲉ (Pane) "from Thebes", ⲡⲣⲟⲙⲉⲛⲉⲥⲓⲛⲁ (p-Romenesina) "from Sinai";

Feminine: ⲧⲁⲡⲓⲁⲙ (Tapiam) "from Faiyum", ⲧⲣⲟⲙⲡⲁⲃⲁⲓⲧ (t-Rompabait) "from Behbeit", etc.

Patronymics

The patronymics, like in many other languages, Coptic uses patronymics to establish lineage, differentiate individuals and provide practical identification within certain cultures by incorporating the father's name into a person's own name. In Coptic it is achieved by adding prefix ⲡϣⲉⲛ- (or its forms ⲡⲥⲉⲛ-/ⲯⲉⲛ-), "the son of" or ⲧϣⲉⲛ- (or its forms ⲧⲥⲉⲛ-/ϫⲉⲛ-) "the daughter of" to a father's name. Additionally, ⲡϣⲏ is used to translate Arabic patronymic (Arabic : ابن, romanized: ibn, lit. 'son of'). So if someones name is Tawadrus ibn Mīnā in Arabic, it would be Theodoros pshe Mena (ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲱⲣⲟⲥ ⲡϣⲏ ⲙⲏⲛⲁ) in Coptic. [6]

References

  1. Bagnall, Roger S. (1982). "Religious Conversion and Onomastic Change in Early Byzantine Egypt". The Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists. 19 (3/4): 105–124. ISSN   0003-1186. JSTOR   24518914.
  2. "THE IMPORTANCE OF COPTIC NAMES". DIOSCORUS BOLES ON COPTIC NATIONALISM. 2016-01-27. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  3. Heuser, Gustav (1929). Die Personennamen der Kopten (in German). Vol. 1. Leipzig: Dietrich. pp. 56–59.
  4. Heuser, Gustav (1929). Die Personennamen der Kopten (in German). Vol. 1. Leipzig: Dietrich. p. 125.
  5. Ochała, Grzegorz (2017-01-01). "Petition to a guard". Journal of Coptic Studies.
  6. Heuser, Gustav (1929). Die Personennamen der Kopten (in German). Vol. 1. Leipzig: Dietrich. pp. 65–66.
  1. The Arabic version of the name is given if it has survived into usage after the language shift or is mentioned in the Synaxarium.
  2. The Coptic version of the name is given if it is mentioned in literary sources

Further reading