10 02 2009 - THOSE STRANGE SOUNDING ARMENIAN FAMILY NAMES

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/ARMENIA/2001-02/0982421360
THOSE STRANGE SOUNDING ARMENIAN FAMILY NAMES
Have you ever thought about the meaning of "ian"? Most Armenian names end
in "ian" or "yan," meaning the "son of ," but some Diaspora Armenians have
changed these endings to blend in their host societies. Today in Turkey
"oglu" often replaces "ian," while Russian Armenians may change the endings
to "ov"; e.g., Gary Kasparov, Serge Parajanov. A name ending in "ian" is
not always exclusively Armenian, since the ending can also be occasionally
found in names in Irish, Persian, English, Philippine and some other cultures.
Armenian last names generally fall into five specific categories:
Aristocracy, Parent, Geography, Occupation or Trait.

Aristocracy
The ancient Armenian aristocracy ("Nakharar" class) was derived from
Parthian-Persian stock and many of their names ended in "uni" or "ooni."
Most of these families were destroyed over the centuries but some still
survive today; e.g., Sasuni, Rshtuni.

Parent
Many Armenian names are derived from the first names of an ancestor,; e.g.,
Davidian, "son of David," Stepanian, "son of Stepan," or Krikorian, "son of
Krikor/Grigor." Until the 19th century, virtually all first names had a
religious origin, so most of those last names are also religious.

Geography
Some last names are based on geographic origin and end in "lian" (Turkish)
or "tsian" (Armenian). Typical examples are Sivaslian "from Sivas,"
Urfalian "from Urfa" and Vanetzian "from Van." These names were typically
given to an immigrant who migrated from a different region of Armenia.
Obviously everyone living in Marash would not call himself or herself
"Marashlian".

Occupation
Most last names were taken from the professions of an ancestor. These names
frequently originated with the tax collectors who needed to identify all
individuals for tax purposes. Typical examples are Najarian "son of a
carpenter," Arabian "son of a wagon/ teamster," and Vosgarichian "son of a
goldsmith." Many of these occupations are not Armenian, since the tax man
(typically a Moslem Turk, Persian, Arab, etc.) would use his own native
word for the occupation; e.g., the name Boyajian is based on the
Arab/Turkish term "boyaji" "one who dyes."

Trait
The most confusing and curious names are those based on some trait of an
ancestor. Typical examples are Topalian "son of the cripple," Dilsizian
"son of the tongueless one," or Sinanian "son of the spearpoint." Many of
the origins of these names are unclear unless one understands the original
context. As an example, Dilsizian indicates that an ancestor had his tongue
cut out by the Turks for using the Armenian language, while the term
"Sinan" was a slang term applied to somebody either with a very erect
military-like carriage or who was "hung like a horse." Some of these traits
are not physical, but rather reflect personality or social status; e.g.,
Melikian "son of the king" or Harutunian "son of the resurrection." The
name Harutunian could be based on an ancestor named Harutune (so-named
because he was born around Eastertime), or adopted by a convert to
Protestantism to show his status as a "born-again Christian."
Many last names today have been shortened or modified to aid pronunciations
by non-Armenians; e.g., the name "Mugerditchian/ Mkrtichian" becomes
"Mugar," "Husseniglian," becomes "Hewsen," and "Samourkashian" becomes
"Samour." These abbreviated names often drop the "ian" ending, and are not
immediately identifiable as being Armenian to an outsider.
The name categories of Occupation and Trait can differ significantly
between Eastern Armenians and Western Armenians, since the eastern names
often have Persian, Georgian or Russian roots, while the western names may
have Turkish, Arab, or Greek roots. Names with the prefix "Der" or "Ter"
show that one of the ancestors was a "Der Hayr" (a married parish priest),
a position of great social status among Armenians; e.g., DerBedrosian, Ter
Petrosian.
The study of Armenian Names is a fascinating exercise, since virtually
every aspect of the culture is reflected in names. There have been
extensive studies of Armenian names in the Armenian language, but little
has appeared in English and many Armenians (born outside of Armenia) do not
understand the significance of their own names.

The study of Armenian first names is also fascinating since virtually every
aspect of our culture is reflected in them.

GIRLS NAMES
AGHAVNI Armenian; "pigeon, dove"
ANAHID Armenian version of Diana. An Ancient Godess in Armenian Mythology
ANI Name of an ancient Armenian capital City
ANOUSH Armenian; "Sweet"
ARPIE Armenian; "rising of sun"
BERJOUIE Armenian; "gorgeous, elegant lady"
DEROUHI Armenian; "Lady of the house"
DZOVIG Armenian; "small sea"
GADAR Armenian; "apex, top of a mountain, perfect pure"
GAYANE Martyred Nun of Armenian Church. Cathedral built in name
HRIPSIME Martyred Nun of Armenian Church. Cathedral built in name
HOURIG Armenian; "small fire"
HAIGANOUSH Armenian; "sweet Armenian woman"
SATENIG Armenian; "An Armenian Princess"
SURPOOHIE Armenian: "sacred or holy women"
SIRANOUSH Armenian ; "Lovely woman"
SIRVARTArmenian: "dear rose, lovely rose"
SOSSYArmenian; "the plane tree"
TAKOUHIArmenian; "Queen, wearer of a crown"
TALINEName of an old old Armenian monastery
VARTOUHIArmenian; "beautiful as a rose"
VOSKIEArmenian; "gold"

BOYS NAMES
ANTRANIGArmenian; the oldest; the first born; coming first
ARA Name of legendary Armenian King and hero, Ara Keghetzig (Handsome)
ARAKELArmenian; "to send"
ARAMArmenian; "Father of King Ara"
AVEDISArmenian; good tidings, bringer of Good news
BAGHDASSARArmenian version of Balthasar; one of three wise Kings
BEDROSArmenian version of Peter
CARNIGArmenian; "small lamb"
DICKRANThe great King of Armenia
DIRANArmenian; "one who rules"
GARABEDArmenian; "Caravan Leader, pioneer"
KEVORKArmenian version of George
GHOUGASArmenian; version of Luke
GOMIDASArmenian; a famous musician and Clergyman
HAGOPArmenian ; version of Jack or Jacob
HAIGLegendary Armenian Patriarch and hero
JIRAIRArmenian; strong and active working man
KHACHIGArmenian; "small cross"
KHAJAGArmenian; "one who has blue eyes; also beautiful flower"
KRIKORArmenian form of Gregory. Krikor was the first Christian leader
LEVONArmenian version of Leon; "Lion-like"
MANOOGArmenian; "small child, infant"
NISHANArmenian; "Cross, mark, sign"
PAPKEN"A Catholicos of Armenian Church"
RAZMIG Armenian. "A soldier; one who fights a battle"
SARKISArmenian version of Sergius, (to serve)
VAHANArmenian; "Shield"
YERVANTAn Armenian King
ZAVENArmenian version of Savinus, or Savin

A.M