For years, you might have been asking yourself: What does my name or last name mean? You ask your yimma and baba, and all they say is, "It's a name."
In hopes of a definite answer, you wander off and ask your Nanunta and Sawoona. You hoped you'd receive a different answer than what your parents said, but it's just the same.
Below is a list of Assyrian surnames and first names. Originally, Assyrian names consisted of a first name with a patronymic such as -bar or -bet, Aramaic words meaning "son of/after" and "house of," respectively.
Most modern Assyrian surnames were actually first names of the grandparent of the person who signed legal documents with the advent of surname laws in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria -- most of which were legalized in the 1920s and 1930s with the formation of their eponymous states. This is why many Assyrian last names are also very common first names. Today, the Assyrians speak modern dialects of Aramaic -- the language of Jesus -- known as Neo-Aramaic. Their liturgical language is a form of Christian Aramaic, known as Syriac.
Due to the Arabization policies of the states in which Assyrians lived in, such as Syria and Iraq, they were forced to take Arabic surnames and abandon their native Assyrian names. In Turkey and Iran, similar practices were employed; whether Assyrians were forced by their governments or feared persecution for having a different surname, many Assyrians in Turkey in Iran were forced or felt coerced into taking Turkish or Persian surnames.
Therefore, most Assyrians today still carry native Aramaic surnames. A minority of Assyrians has taken Arabic, Turkish, or Persian surnames; those that are fairly common are noted in parenthesis. Otherwise the names are native Assyrian surnames.
A very interesting fact is that -- according to William Warda -- "until recently, there was a tendency among the Assyrians to abbreviate personal names into fewer syllables" (e.g. Essarhaddon became Sarhad and Sagu, Sargon). Below you will find Assyrian surnames and Assyrian first names.
BIBLICAL NAMES
Adam - man / blood
Ishaia- Prophet Isaiah / "God is salvation"
Eshai- Jesse, the father of David / "God exists"
Israel - Israel / "wrestles with God"
Natan - the prophet Nathan / "he has given"
Mikhael - Michael / "Who is like God?"
Elishva - Elizabeth, the cousin of the Blessed Mother Mary / "My God is an oath"
Sara - Sarah, Abraham's wife
Istir - Esther, a queen in the Bible "bright star"
Youel -the prophet Joel / "Yah is God"
Iskhaq -Isaac, the son of Abraham / "he laughs"
Oraham / Oraha / Avrahim / Abrohom - Abraham
Maryam - the Blessed Mother, Mary / "bitter"
Yosep - Joseph, Mary's husband / "God will increase"
Moushe - the prophet Moses
Eesho/Ishu/Isho (deformation of Iahushwa) - Jesus, the son of Mary
Rebqah - Rebecca, Isaac's wife / "connection"
Yaqu/Yaqub/Yaghoub - Jacob, ancestor of the tribes of Israel / "heel"
Layah - Leah, Jacob's wife / "cow"
Shlemun/Shlemon - Solomon, a king of Israel
Shalimoon - a combination of the Persian word for Solomon, "Suleyman" and the Aramaic word for Solomon, "Shlemun"
Dawid/Dawood/Davood - King David / "beloved"
Bartulme- Bartholomew, an apostle / "son of Tulme"
Bathishwa - Bathsheba, wife of King David, "daughter of the promise"
Khawa/Khava - Eve, the wife of Adam
Nukh- Noah, from the flood / "comfort"
Haron/Ahrun - Aaron, Moses' brother
Shimun/Shamoun- Simon / "he has heard"
Daniyel- Daniel, the interpreter of dreams / "God is my judge"
Matti- Matthew, an apostle / "Gift from God"
Luqa - Luke, an apostle / "light"
Ammanuel - Emmanuel, a name given to Jesus / "God is with us"
Yukhannan/Yokhanna- John / "Graced by God"
Younadam/Yonandam- Johnathan
Khannah/Hanna/Hanno - Hannah, the mother of Samuel / "merciful" (from the root of rakhmana (merciful)) OR a shortening of Yohanna (John)
Shmuel - Samuel, a prophet / "God has heard"
Polous - Paul, an apostle
Petros - Peter, an apostle
Binyamin - Benjamin, son of Jacob / "Son of days"
Eliyah - Elijah, a prophet / "My God is Yah"
Nami - Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law / "my sweet"
Shooshan/Shooshanah - Susanna, a disciple of Jesus
Dwura - Deborah / "bee"
Gabriel/Goriel/Geriel - Gabriel, the angel / "God is my strength"
Younan/Youna - Jonah, a prophet / "dove"
Ruel/Rowel - Jethro, Moses' father-in-law / "friend of God"
Toma/Toma/Touma - Thomas, an apostle / "twin"
Lazar- a priest; the son of Aaron / "God has helped"
Pithyou/Pityou- from the Assyrian word Pithyoun/Pityoun, meaning "Anthony"
COMMON ARABIC/PERSIAN/TURKISH NAMES (Many Iranian Assyrians have "BIBLICAL NAMES" as last names with the Persian suffixes -pour or -zadeh.)
Hormuzd/Hormizd/Hormuz/Hermiz (Persian) - a Persian king
Ashuri (Arabic / Persian) - "Assyrian"fna
Asmar (Arabic) - "brown"
Aziz (Arabic) - "dear" or "beloved"
Amir (Arabic) - "prince"
Asur (Turkish) - "Assyrian"
Behnam (Persian) - many Assyrians use this name because Mar Behnam was a 4th century saint who was martyred by his father, Sencharib, the king of Atur, upon his conversion to Christianity in Nimrud, Iraq (then part of Persia); "honorable"
Issavi (Persian) - a Christian
Albazi /Baz / Bazi (Persian) - the name of an Assyrian tribe / "falcon" (in Persian)
Shahbaz / Shabaz (Persian) - "royal falcon"
Mourad / Murad (Arabic) - "desired"
Rustam / Rostam (Persian) - hero from the epic Shahnameh
Mansour / Mansur (Arabic) "victorious by the will of God"
Mirza/Merza (Persian) - denoted the rank of a nobleman
Shahen/Shahin (Persian) - the name of a falcon
Yusef (Turkish) - Joseph
Tamraz (Persian) - "strong dog"
Yadgar/Yadegar (Persian) - a Persian king; "memorial"
PLACE NAMES
Arbilaya- "from Arbil (an Assyrian city in northern Iraq)"Albarwary- from Barwar (with an Arabic "al" prefix)
Altyary- from the Tiyari tribe (with an Arabic "al" prefix)
Altlkefe- meaning from the town of Assyrian town of Tel Keppe (hill of stones) in the Nineveh Plains
Asheetha/Ashatnaya- a region and 18th-19th century tribe in the Hakkari mountains; means "avalanche; "Ahastnaya" is one from Asheeta
Arbo- while it means the number four, it denoted a clan of families in Tur Abdin, Turkey
Ankawa/Ankawy- from the Assyrian town of Ankawa in northern iraq in the modern-day Erbil province
Barwar / Barwari - a region in Northern Iraq in the Nuhadra (Duhok) province
Baz - a village in the Barwar region
Batnaya- a village in the Nineveh Plains whose name means "house of mud"
Gazarta / Gozarto - the modern-day Al-Hasakah Governorate in Syria
Tyaraya/Tyari - a member of the Tiyari tribe, means "people of the mountains"
Nochiya- a tribe in southeastern Turkey whose name meant "between the mountains" in Kurdish.
Elqosh/Alqosh/Alqoshy - an Assyrian town in Northern Iraq; "God's power" or "God's arrow"
Jeelo/Jilu - an Assyrian tribe/region in extreme southeastern Turkey, literally a shortening of the world "Galouta," meaning "exile/diaspora."
Ebraya / Ebroyo - "one from the village of Ebra / Ebro (an old village once around Kharput and Diyarbikar in Turkey)"
Salamas- an Assyrian town in the city of Urmia
Izla - an Assyrian mountain range (Turo d'Izlo) in southeastern Turkey
Gulpashan-/ Golpashin - from the Persian words "Gul," flower and "pashan" meaning "to spread out -- e.g. [an area of] flower-growing; was a wealthy Assyrian town in the city of Urmia until the town was destroyed and population of 2,500 was massacred in 1918.
Alkhas - a small village in northeastern Iraq
Mardin- an Assyrian city in southeastern Turkey
Tkhoomi/Tkhooma- from the Assyrian Tkhooma tribe/region; literally means "border"
Spoorghan / Sporghan - an Assyrian village in the city of Urmia
Simele - an Assyrian city in northern Iraq meaning "left" or a corrupted form of "Shmi'el," meaning "listen, God"
Zakho - an Assyrian city in northern Iraq whose name comes from the world "zakhota," meaning "victory"
Nuhadra - an Assyrian city whose name was originally Beth Nuhadra
Beth Zabdai- was an Assyrian town (3rd-6th centuries) located by modern-day Cizre, Turkey.
OCCUPATIONAL NAMES
Akkara- a farmer
Asya- a doctor
Zamar - a singer
Sawuah - a painter
Apaya - a baker
Garsa- a barber
Sapra/Katawa - a scribe, a writer
Naggara- a carpenter
Qanaya / Kenaya - a blacksmith (word is similar to Biblical figure of "Cain," Qana -- perhaps blacksmithery was viewed as a negative job)
Takhana - a miller, a grinder
Tagara - a merchant, a storekeeper, a trader
Palkha - soldier
RELIGIOUS TERMS
Qasha/Qasho/Qashisha/Qashisho/Kash/Qash - a priest
Qasyounan- "priest Younan"
Alqasyounan- "priest Jonah" with the Arabic prefix "al" meaning "the"
al-Qas Younan- "priest Jonah" with the Arabic prefix "al" meaning "the"
Shamasha - a deacon
Brekh/Brekha- blessed
Ramel/Ramiel/Ramoel - "God is high/great"
Yahallaha- "Lord God"
Aboona - a bishop
Matran/Mattran - a Metropolitan or an Archbishop (oversees the bishops of a province
Beniel- according to a 13th century Aramaic and Hebrew Kabbalah text, Sefer Raziel HaMalakh, Beniel was an angel.
Kohno - a ritual priest (especially in reference to the Old Testament)
Umra- a church
Qayyoma- resurrection/rising
Malakha- an angel
Nasraya- a Nazarane, usually Jesus Christ; this name means "a follower of Jesus." Azerbaijanis often refer to Assyrians as Nasraya
Peera/Pira/Pera- "lamb"
Babella - "God is [my] father"
Naby/Nabi/Naba - "to be a prophet" or "to see the future"
Slibazkha/Sliwazkha- the name of an Assyrian Church of the East patriarch; "the cross has conquered"
Abdo/Abda- "servant (of God)"
Gilyana- "Revelation"
Oda / Odo - "servant (of God)"
Yaballaha/Yawallaha- "God gives"
Youmaran- similar to the name above, "Yaw-Maran," meaning "our Lord gives"
Denkha /Dinkha / Dinha / Danho - the Epiphany "rising up"
Shlikha- an apostle
Sehyon- Zion
Kaldani (Turkish)- referring to an Assyrian whose family belonged to the Chaldean Catholic Church
Sulaqa-/ Solaka - ascension
Rabban/Raban- a monk
Rakho/Rakhu- from the Aramaic root "Resh-Khet-Mem," meaning "Mercy"
Soma / Somo - a fast
Somi - "my fast"
Khoshaba - Sunday
Sliwa / Sliwo - a cross
DIMINUTIVE NAMES (Many Assyrians have surnames/first names that, in actuality, are diminutives, or nicknames, of longer names. For instance, Mike is the diminutive of Michael.) [Much thanks to Rabbi Nineb Lamassu, Rabbi Mardean Isaac, and Rabbi Nicholas Al-Jeloo for help with these difficult names.] Aramaic scholar Dr. Geoffrey Khan says that "the vowel -o replaces -a in various words expressing family relations
Patto/Pattu/Patu/Batou/Bato- diminutive of Petrus (Peter)
Ammo- diminutive of Emmanuel
Sankhiro/Sankiro/Sankaru/Sakkho- diminutive of the Sennacherib, who was an 8th century B.C.E. Assyrian king
Chopee/Chopeh/Chope/Chocho- diminutive of Yosip (Joseph)
Jajji- diminutive of Gewargis (George)
Gaggo- diminutive of Gewargis (George)
Jajjo/Jaju/Jajoo/Jajou- diminutive of Gewargis (George)
Jajji/Jaggo/Gaggi/Gaggo- diminutive of Gewargis (George)
Chayyo/Khayyo- diminutive of Shmuel (Samuel)
Chiyyo/Khiyyo- diminutive of Sliwa/Sliwo (the Cross)
Jabo- diminutive of Khoshaba (Sunday)
Shabo- diminutive of Khoshaba (Sunday)
Mikha- diminutive of "Mikhael"
Mikho- diminutive of "Mikhael" (Michael)
Chiqqeh- diminutive of "Iskhaq" (Isaac) ("Iskh" became "ch")
Chikko- diminutive of "Iskhaq" (Isaac) ("Iskh" became "ch")
Chikku/Chaqqe- diminutive of "Iskhaq" (Isaac) ("Iskh became "ch")
Chieko- diminutive of "Iskhaq" (Isaac) ("Iskh" became "ch")
Kanna-diminutive of "Yukhanna" (Jonathan)
Kanno- diminutive of "Yukhanna" (Jonathan)
Cheikho- diminutive of the Arabic word Sheykh used for "frontman of the tribe;" an honorific meaning "elder"
Shaykho- diminutive of the Arabic word Sheykh used for "frontman of the tribe;" an honorific meaning "elder"
Soro- diminutive of Sorisho/Sawrisho/Sorishu ("hope of Jesus")
Soru- diminutive of Sorisho/Sawrisho/Sorishu ("hope of Jesus")
Lawando- diminutive of the name Lawand, which itself is from Levent, a name used for men in Turkish that was derived from the name of a position in the Ottoman Navy, Levend, which meant "Marine soldier." The Turkish word Levend came from the Italian word Levantino, which meant "person from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean"). Apparently, that was how Italians would describe Ottoman sailors; the Turks themselves eventually embraced this name in the 16th century. (from the "Etymology" section at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levent)
Isso- Rabbi Nicholas Al-Jeloo conjectures that this name might be from the "Esau," ("hairy"/"rough") who, in the Bible, is the older son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob.
Goru- diminutive of Goriel (Gabriel)- Gabriel, the angel / "God is my strength"
Istefo- diminutive of Istepanus/Istefanus (Stephen, Christianity's first martyr in 34 A.D)
Istefu- diminutive of Istepanus/Istefanus (Stephen, Christianity's first martyr in 34 A.D)
Saggu- diminutive of Sergius (Sargis) an Assyrian martyr in the year 303 C.E.
Givo- diminutive of Gewargis (George)
Givu- diminutive of Gewargis (George)
Edo- diminutive of Odisho ("servant of Jesus")
Edu- diminutive of Odisho ("servant of Jesus")
Nakhwashu- diminutive of the Kurdish word meaning unwell ("na-khwash")
Nono- diminutive of Younan (Jonah, the Prophet; "dove") OR, according to Geoffrey Khan's "The Neo-Aramaic Dialects of Barwar, 1095) diminutive of Binyamin (Benjamin)
Nonu- diminutive of Younan (Jonah, the Prophet; "dove")
Alqasnona- diminutive of Younan (Jonah, the Prophet; "dove") combined with the Arabic definite article "Al," meaning "the" and Arabic word "Qas," meaning "priest." Therefore, the name means "the priest Jonah"
Alnono- diminutive of Younan (Jonah, the Prophet; "dove")
Nona- diminutive of Younan (Jonah, the Prophet; "dove")
Nouna- diminutive of Younan (Jonah, the Prophet; "dove")
Asmaro-diminutive of "Asmar," the Arabic word meaning "brown;" an ancestor's name was most likely "Asmar."
Asmoru- diminutive of "Asmar," the Arabic word meaning "brown;" an ancestor's name was most likely "Asmar."
Bako- diminutive of Bakos/Bakus- the saint that was martyred alongside Sargis in 303 C.E., Bacchus
Makko- diminutive of "Malko," meaning "king"
Maqo- diminutive of "Malko," meaning "king"Mekko- diminutive of "Malko," meaning "king"
Pirayou-from the word "pira" meaning "lamb," and the Farsi or Russian suffix "you," from Russian "Yev" or Persian "you," meaning "descendant of"
Yaldiko-diminutive of "yalda," meaning "birth" combined with the Kurdish affix "ik" meaning "from"
Yaldko- diminutive of "yalda," meaning "birth" combined with the Kurdish affix "ik" meaning "from"
Mamo- diminutive meaning "paternal uncle."
Benno- diminutive of "Binyamin" (Benjamin)
Bebbo (f) - diminutive of Khoshebo (f) (Sunday)
Mayyo- diminutive of Maryam (Mary)
Khezzo- diminutive of Khenzada
Asho- diminutive of Ashur
Abro/Awro- diminutive of Awrhaham/Orahim (Abraham)
Akho/Aho- diminutive of Akhiqar/Akhikar/Ahikar **(this name has been in continuous use, especially in Barwar and Nineveh Plains), an Assyrian sage from 500 B.C.E. who was chancellor to the Assyrian kings Sennacherib and Essarhaddon
Iqqo/Eqqo- diminutive of Iskhaq (Isaac)Chana- diminutive of Oshana, a palm from a palm-tree (e.g. Palm Sunday)
Dodo- diminutive of Dawid (David)
Gillo- diminutive of Gilyana (revelation)
Humche- diminutive of Hormuzd
Jajo- diminutive of Lazar
Sankho- diminutive of Sankhiro
Khawsho- diminutive of Khoshaba (Sunday)
Chabo- diminutive of Khoshaba (Sunday)
Saggo- diminutive of Sargon
Asho- diminutive of Yuwarash
Gicho- diminutive of Giwargis (George)
Khano/Khanno- diminutive of Yukhanna (Jonathan)
Zekko/Zeko/Zakko- diminutive of Zayya
Shayo- diminutive of Zaya
Khaye- diminutive of Mikhael
ASSYRIAN (SECULAR/NATIONALISTIC) NAMES
Sargon / Sharukin - Sargon, an Assyrian king
Sharukina - a female version of "Sharukin"
Sarhad - an abbreviation of the ancient Assyrian king, Esarhaddon
Kakko/Kako/Kakku- a common Assyrian surname that dates back to the ancient Akkadian name "Kakku-Aplo-Usur."
Sencharib / Senharib - an Assyrian king
Hedo/Hedu- pronounced "Heydoo," was a popular name among Assyrians of Hakkari; possibly a deformation of the daughter of Sargon the Great's name, En-Hedu-anna;" Hedo means ornament/adornment in Akkadian
Shalim/Oshalim - an ancient Akkadian name whose name was used for the first ruler of Ashur, Shalim-ahun; Ashur-Ushalim was also an officer in Babylon in antiquity
Tamuza- from the Assyrian month "Tammuz (July);" a Sumerian god; name of a patriarch of the Church of the East
Sagou/Sagoo/Sagu - another name for King Senharib (According to the Treasury of Knowledge and Library of Reference, Parts I,II, & III, an 1834 book) or Sargon
Ashurina - female form of Ashur
Atoraya - an Assyrian
Siduri/Sidori - a character in the Epic of Gilagmesh
Arbella - an Assyrian city in northern Iraq meaning "four gods"
Akkad- from the ancient Assyrian language, Akkadian; a geographical region around central and northern Iraq
Atour - the land of Assyria
Kanun / Kenoun - Assyrian name for the months of December and January
Larsa- a Sumerian city in southern Iraq
Naramsin / Ramsin / Ramsen - an Assyrian king whose name meant "beloved of the moon god" in Akkadian
Gilgamesh / Bilgamish - the hero from the Epic of Gilgamesh
Shamiram/Shamiran/Shamo/Shammo - the first Assyrian queen, Semiramis; the latter two are deformations of the Akkadian word for Semiramis, "Shammu-ramat"
Manno/Mannu - a name dating back to ancient Assyria; Mannu-ki-Ashur was Sargon II's bodyguard
Shaboo/Shabu/Shabo - a popular Assyrian name that dates back to the name of a street in Babylon, "A-ibur-shabu."
Kandalo/Kindalo- a Babylonian king
Hano - a name used by Assyrians that was an ancient Assyrian king
Samano, Alsamano- a name used by Assyrians that was an ancient Assyrian king
Adamo - a name used by Assyrians that was an ancient Assyrian king
Belo/Bello - a name used by Assyrians that was an ancient Assyrian king
Khammo / Khammu / Hammo / Hammu- deformation of the Akkadian word "Khammu-rabi," meaning "Hammurabi"
Sharbil/Sharbel/Charbil - "according to a 2nd century Syriac document known as the 'Acts of Sharbil,' it was the name of a pagan priest in the city of Edessa who converted to Christianity." (Warda, William, Assyrians Beyond the Fall of Nineveh)
Ninus- the mythological king and founder of Nineveh
Nimrod- an ancient Assyrian leader
Deqlat- the Tigris river
Ishtar- an Assyrian sex goddess
Nina - another name for the Assyrian goddess, Ishtar
Ashur - the ancient Assyrian god, king, and founder of Assyria
Nineb (m.) /Ninev (m.) / Ninurta (f.)- an ancient Assyrian deity
Ninwe/Ninveh/Ninwa - one of the first and most important Assyrian cities built; from the word Nuna, meaning "fish"
Oshanah / Oshana - a palm from a palm-tree (e.g. Palm Sunday)
Sahdah/Sohdo/Saado - a "martyr" or "witness"
Enwiya/Nviya - a prophet
Akhiqar/Akhikar/Ahikar **(this name has been in continuous use, especially in Barwar and Nineveh Plains)- an Assyrian sage from 500 B.C.E. who was
chancellor to the Assyrian kings Sennacherib and Essarhaddon
FAMILIAL NAMES
Nano - initially used as a nickname for a girl or woman who bore the name of her grandmother; it is used as an actual name though, today (e.g. if a woman's name was Shmuni, and her grandmother was also Shmuni, the granddaughter would be nicknamed "Nano.")
Babo / Babu - initially used as a nickname for a boy or man who bore the name of his grandfather; it is used as an actual name though, today (e.g. if a man's name was Shlemun, and his grandfather was also Shlemun, the grandson would be nicknamed "Babo.")
Baba / Aba / Awa / Ava / Abo - a father
Aho/Akha - a brother
Sawa / Sobo / Saba - an old man; a grandfather
MISCELLANEOUS TERMS
Palakh- from the Assyrian word, "Palakha," meaning "worker"
Sabri - "my hope"
Dashto- a plain (from the Persian word "Dasht," meaning "a plain")
Omta - a nation
Shima- "name"
Yatooma- an orphan
Shila (Hebrew)- the name of a patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East; "question"
Narsai (Pahlavi)- "potent utterance"
Nahrain - a river
Malik / Malek - a chieftain; a tribe leader
Aryo / Arya - a lion
Marta- "owner" (f.)
Yona / Yauno - a dove
Malka / Malko - a king
Malke- kings
Malikishu- Chieftain Ishu (Jesus)
Malki - "my king"
Khaya - "life"
Shabeh- a week
Warda/Varda/Wardo/Werdo- a flower, a rose
Ilona - a tree
Gabbara- "great"
Ramina / Romina (feminine) - a form of "Rama"
Warduni- "my small flower"
Rama- "high"
Iskander- Alexander
Nissan/Neesan- the month of April
Aiwah- a cloud
Malkuna/Malkuno - a prince
Talya/Talia - "boy"
Zeyno - a weapon
Raba / Rabo - "great"
Nuri - "my light"
Athra - a country
Atta - a flag
Khamis - "to be sour"
Nuhra/Nuhro - a fire, a mirror
Sayad /Sayada- a hunter
Shapira - "fine" or "beautiful"
Dawa- "gold"
Sharo - after the Akkadian word, "Sharau," meaning "king."
Yalda/Yelda- "birth"
Kino/Kinu/Kina- "just / righteous" (similar to pronunciation of Sharu-kinu (Akkadian name for Sargon)
ASSYRIAN SAINT & PATRIARCH NAMES
Shmuni - according to the book of Maccabees, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Greek king tortured a Jewish mother and her seven sons for not giving up their faith. Since the Bible did not mention her name, so the Assyrian Church gave her the name "Shmuni," meaning "my name," and honor her.
Khananya / Hananyo - "graceful," after the Mor Hananyo Monastery in southeastern Turkey
Augin / Ogin / Awgin- Eugene, he founded monasticism in Bet Nahrain
Aggai- a disciple of Mar Addai who was the Catholicos of the Assyrian Church of the East in the first century
Aprim / Afrem - Ephrem, a fourth century Assyrian theologian and writer
Qardagh- a Sassanian prince who converted to Christianity and was martyred
Istapanus - Stephen, Christianity's first martyr in 34 A.D.
Ogar/Abgar- Abgar (from Armenian 'Avag Har' - 'senior father'), the king of Edessa who converted to Christianity
Zaia / Zaya- an Assyrian Saint and martyr
Quryakos / Kiryakus / Kiryakos - an Assyrian child who was martyred in Antioch
Giwargis / Gewargis / Gevergis - George, an Assyrian martyr
Addai / Addi / Adde - Thaddeus of Edessa, an apostle who spread Christianity throughout Mesopotamia
Sargis / Sarkis / Segu / Segoo- Sergius, an Assyrian martyr (the last three are deformations of Sergis)
Sako/Sakko- also a short form for Sargis (Sergius, in English)
Mari - a student of Mar Addai who spread Christianity throughout Mesopotamia
Pityou/Pithyou- from the Assyrian word "Pityoun," meaning "Andrew"
Andriyous/Andreus- the Apostle Andrew
Bakos/Bakus- the saint that was martyred alongside Sargis in 303 C.E., Bacchus
NAMES WITH -ISHO/ISHU (JESUS) PREFIX OR SUFFIX
Sabrisho / Sawrisho/Sorishu - "hope of Jesus"
Maisho/Maishu - a deformation of the honorary, "Mar Isho," meaning "Lord Jesus"
Babisho - "Jesus is [my] father"
Ishodnakh- "Jesus rises" [Isho - Jesus and dnakh from dnkh-"epiphany"/"rising up"]
Abdisho/Odisho / Odishu - "servant of Jesus"
Dishu- a deformation of Odishu
Bukhtishu - "saved by Jesus" (Bukht is a Persian word meaning "saved")
Bishu / Bisho - "with Jesus"
Khnanisho / Khnanishu/Hnanisho - "mercy / grace of Jesus"
Ishoyahb / Ishoyahw / Dadisho / Datishu / Ishodad - "Jesus gave" Dad or Dat is a Persian word meaning "gave"
Shubhalisho - "praise to Jesus"
Barikhisho / Berikhisho - "blessed is Jesus"
UNKNOWN (many, many of these names are from Northern Iraqi villages like Alqosh, Nuhadra, Baqofa, Bartella, Arbil and many end in -o/u. I'ms starting to get the feeling that they are abbreviations of words/names. The ending is probably part of the local dialect because I've seen the "o" ending used in conversations, for example, someone on a Facebook group from Nuhdra said the following: "Thank u khayo." We see the o-ending used here as clearly the word, "khaya." So, in some cases, I believe the -o replaces the -a as a part of Nineveh Plains dialects. On the other hand, I've seen it used for nicknames (Michael becomes Mike). For instance, on a Facebook profile of an Assyrian from the Nineveh Plains, the name of the profile is "Evan." However, in parenthesis the person put "Evo." Evan is not an Assyrian name and entered Assyrian nomenclature with the arrival of the British in 1930s' Iraq. As you see, Evan is a relatively modern name (to Assyrians) and the person changed Evan to Evo. So, this -o ending is also a nickname ending, too.)
Darmo/Darmu
Jallu/Jallo
Basso
Mando
Tatar
Barcham/Barkham
Sonki
Qasi
Sinjana
Shimini
Pnuel
Damman
Tolus
Jwamar
Jafaro
Asho/Ashu
Shikko/Shikku
Tosi
Bilbas
Havil
Hablu
Deesha
Gisou
Chobou
Dishbata
Hasdo
Meelis
Pithyiti
Alakko
Chokhaya
Dashtu
Marshu
Khinzada
Belathi
Loqou- from Luqa?
Narsa
Shela
Monera
Marogel
Melo
Kena
Marbina
Nazeh
Eskharia
Chebeh
Juna
Bobou
Parto
Hamaneh
Choushino
Nicola
Kosha
Giwa
Pittu
Baruta- brightness (light), cypress
Shalitta
Hamama
Youwarash/Youarash
Jatou
Graish
Meska
Shirinsha
Araz
Kando- from Kandalo?
Dasho
Arkhan
Rasho/Rashu
Japu
Jangar
Baram
Dishu
Kharibo/Kharibu
Beplo
Jubbit
Zaka
Mesho
Kharbo/Kharbu
Yatron
Attu
Khubiar
Esbu
Kolia/Kolya
Mina
Badal / BadelTaitu
Homeh
Assani
Shmiwal
Masikh
Ilaron
Jendo/Jindo/Jindu
Kharsu
Barkho
Barkhu
Hassado
Deelo
Mato-
Isdu
Shibu
Khamur
Gortu
Ellu
Sibdin
Mikitail
Jannu
Bachiballo
Dikhu
Jammo
Attu/Atto
Silmu
Somo
Jamma
Yadkoo
Demo
Marado
Yatrun
Biko
Talo
Gandar
Anhar- from the Assyrian village in Urmia called Anhar, but don't know what Anhar means in Persian
Baruta
Marus
Balu
Gaddo
Kaisar
Garmo/Garmou
Sulmo
Dolabani
Sitto
Shahara
Kaktoma
Tomika
Arabo
Gersnaya
Alaroshy/Alaroushi/Arushi/Aroshy/Aroushi
Malishu
Rahu
Raho
Hidou
Sitto
Anoneta
Yaqonda/Yakonda
Khayyath
Khayyat
Kacho- from the village 15 miles southeast of Sinjar, Kojo/Kocho?
Beth Kado/Kado
Kassab
Keko
Kindalo
Chato
Kasso
Cheikho
Tammo
Namo
Safar
Bawai
Enshkayax
Ballo
Jojo
Maksabo
Kaka
Shamaya
Pola
Jiwo
Qawila
Majji
Bibi
Kochi
Azzo/Azzu
Eramyah
Sapar
Tamar
Alaroguil
Alqasrane
Bicho
Shayoka
Shabilla
Alakko
Koza
Margaya
Bako- maybe from Bakus, the saint associated with Sargis
Shameka
Koja/Qoja
Dagaly/Dagali
Bedary
Lasso
Baho
Hammo
Khazmi
Kachocha
Tola
Baito
Channo
Patoza
Barwaya
Chato
Mamino
Kalabat
Qilo
Khani
Khorga
Patti
Botany- from the plain of Bohtan, which was a region in southeast Turkey
Zalla
Ramo/Rammo- from Ramel?
Golagh
Jolagh
Albelaty?
Rano
Yolita
Lahdo
Shino/Shinu/Sheeno
Kalasho
In hopes of a definite answer, you wander off and ask your Nanunta and Sawoona. You hoped you'd receive a different answer than what your parents said, but it's just the same.
Below is a list of Assyrian surnames and first names. Originally, Assyrian names consisted of a first name with a patronymic such as -bar or -bet, Aramaic words meaning "son of/after" and "house of," respectively.
Most modern Assyrian surnames were actually first names of the grandparent of the person who signed legal documents with the advent of surname laws in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria -- most of which were legalized in the 1920s and 1930s with the formation of their eponymous states. This is why many Assyrian last names are also very common first names. Today, the Assyrians speak modern dialects of Aramaic -- the language of Jesus -- known as Neo-Aramaic. Their liturgical language is a form of Christian Aramaic, known as Syriac.
Due to the Arabization policies of the states in which Assyrians lived in, such as Syria and Iraq, they were forced to take Arabic surnames and abandon their native Assyrian names. In Turkey and Iran, similar practices were employed; whether Assyrians were forced by their governments or feared persecution for having a different surname, many Assyrians in Turkey in Iran were forced or felt coerced into taking Turkish or Persian surnames.
Therefore, most Assyrians today still carry native Aramaic surnames. A minority of Assyrians has taken Arabic, Turkish, or Persian surnames; those that are fairly common are noted in parenthesis. Otherwise the names are native Assyrian surnames.
A very interesting fact is that -- according to William Warda -- "until recently, there was a tendency among the Assyrians to abbreviate personal names into fewer syllables" (e.g. Essarhaddon became Sarhad and Sagu, Sargon). Below you will find Assyrian surnames and Assyrian first names.
BIBLICAL NAMES
Adam - man / blood
Ishaia- Prophet Isaiah / "God is salvation"
Eshai- Jesse, the father of David / "God exists"
Israel - Israel / "wrestles with God"
Natan - the prophet Nathan / "he has given"
Mikhael - Michael / "Who is like God?"
Elishva - Elizabeth, the cousin of the Blessed Mother Mary / "My God is an oath"
Sara - Sarah, Abraham's wife
Istir - Esther, a queen in the Bible "bright star"
Youel -the prophet Joel / "Yah is God"
Iskhaq -Isaac, the son of Abraham / "he laughs"
Oraham / Oraha / Avrahim / Abrohom - Abraham
Maryam - the Blessed Mother, Mary / "bitter"
Yosep - Joseph, Mary's husband / "God will increase"
Moushe - the prophet Moses
Eesho/Ishu/Isho (deformation of Iahushwa) - Jesus, the son of Mary
Rebqah - Rebecca, Isaac's wife / "connection"
Yaqu/Yaqub/Yaghoub - Jacob, ancestor of the tribes of Israel / "heel"
Layah - Leah, Jacob's wife / "cow"
Shlemun/Shlemon - Solomon, a king of Israel
Shalimoon - a combination of the Persian word for Solomon, "Suleyman" and the Aramaic word for Solomon, "Shlemun"
Dawid/Dawood/Davood - King David / "beloved"
Bartulme- Bartholomew, an apostle / "son of Tulme"
Bathishwa - Bathsheba, wife of King David, "daughter of the promise"
Khawa/Khava - Eve, the wife of Adam
Nukh- Noah, from the flood / "comfort"
Haron/Ahrun - Aaron, Moses' brother
Shimun/Shamoun- Simon / "he has heard"
Daniyel- Daniel, the interpreter of dreams / "God is my judge"
Matti- Matthew, an apostle / "Gift from God"
Luqa - Luke, an apostle / "light"
Ammanuel - Emmanuel, a name given to Jesus / "God is with us"
Yukhannan/Yokhanna- John / "Graced by God"
Younadam/Yonandam- Johnathan
Khannah/Hanna/Hanno - Hannah, the mother of Samuel / "merciful" (from the root of rakhmana (merciful)) OR a shortening of Yohanna (John)
Shmuel - Samuel, a prophet / "God has heard"
Polous - Paul, an apostle
Petros - Peter, an apostle
Binyamin - Benjamin, son of Jacob / "Son of days"
Eliyah - Elijah, a prophet / "My God is Yah"
Nami - Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law / "my sweet"
Shooshan/Shooshanah - Susanna, a disciple of Jesus
Dwura - Deborah / "bee"
Gabriel/Goriel/Geriel - Gabriel, the angel / "God is my strength"
Younan/Youna - Jonah, a prophet / "dove"
Ruel/Rowel - Jethro, Moses' father-in-law / "friend of God"
Toma/Toma/Touma - Thomas, an apostle / "twin"
Lazar- a priest; the son of Aaron / "God has helped"
Pithyou/Pityou- from the Assyrian word Pithyoun/Pityoun, meaning "Anthony"
COMMON ARABIC/PERSIAN/TURKISH NAMES (Many Iranian Assyrians have "BIBLICAL NAMES" as last names with the Persian suffixes -pour or -zadeh.)
Hormuzd/Hormizd/Hormuz/Hermiz (Persian) - a Persian king
Ashuri (Arabic / Persian) - "Assyrian"fna
Asmar (Arabic) - "brown"
Aziz (Arabic) - "dear" or "beloved"
Amir (Arabic) - "prince"
Asur (Turkish) - "Assyrian"
Behnam (Persian) - many Assyrians use this name because Mar Behnam was a 4th century saint who was martyred by his father, Sencharib, the king of Atur, upon his conversion to Christianity in Nimrud, Iraq (then part of Persia); "honorable"
Issavi (Persian) - a Christian
Albazi /Baz / Bazi (Persian) - the name of an Assyrian tribe / "falcon" (in Persian)
Shahbaz / Shabaz (Persian) - "royal falcon"
Mourad / Murad (Arabic) - "desired"
Rustam / Rostam (Persian) - hero from the epic Shahnameh
Mansour / Mansur (Arabic) "victorious by the will of God"
Mirza/Merza (Persian) - denoted the rank of a nobleman
Shahen/Shahin (Persian) - the name of a falcon
Yusef (Turkish) - Joseph
Tamraz (Persian) - "strong dog"
Yadgar/Yadegar (Persian) - a Persian king; "memorial"
PLACE NAMES
Arbilaya- "from Arbil (an Assyrian city in northern Iraq)"Albarwary- from Barwar (with an Arabic "al" prefix)
Altyary- from the Tiyari tribe (with an Arabic "al" prefix)
Altlkefe- meaning from the town of Assyrian town of Tel Keppe (hill of stones) in the Nineveh Plains
Asheetha/Ashatnaya- a region and 18th-19th century tribe in the Hakkari mountains; means "avalanche; "Ahastnaya" is one from Asheeta
Arbo- while it means the number four, it denoted a clan of families in Tur Abdin, Turkey
Ankawa/Ankawy- from the Assyrian town of Ankawa in northern iraq in the modern-day Erbil province
Barwar / Barwari - a region in Northern Iraq in the Nuhadra (Duhok) province
Baz - a village in the Barwar region
Batnaya- a village in the Nineveh Plains whose name means "house of mud"
Gazarta / Gozarto - the modern-day Al-Hasakah Governorate in Syria
Tyaraya/Tyari - a member of the Tiyari tribe, means "people of the mountains"
Nochiya- a tribe in southeastern Turkey whose name meant "between the mountains" in Kurdish.
Elqosh/Alqosh/Alqoshy - an Assyrian town in Northern Iraq; "God's power" or "God's arrow"
Jeelo/Jilu - an Assyrian tribe/region in extreme southeastern Turkey, literally a shortening of the world "Galouta," meaning "exile/diaspora."
Ebraya / Ebroyo - "one from the village of Ebra / Ebro (an old village once around Kharput and Diyarbikar in Turkey)"
Salamas- an Assyrian town in the city of Urmia
Izla - an Assyrian mountain range (Turo d'Izlo) in southeastern Turkey
Gulpashan-/ Golpashin - from the Persian words "Gul," flower and "pashan" meaning "to spread out -- e.g. [an area of] flower-growing; was a wealthy Assyrian town in the city of Urmia until the town was destroyed and population of 2,500 was massacred in 1918.
Alkhas - a small village in northeastern Iraq
Mardin- an Assyrian city in southeastern Turkey
Tkhoomi/Tkhooma- from the Assyrian Tkhooma tribe/region; literally means "border"
Spoorghan / Sporghan - an Assyrian village in the city of Urmia
Simele - an Assyrian city in northern Iraq meaning "left" or a corrupted form of "Shmi'el," meaning "listen, God"
Zakho - an Assyrian city in northern Iraq whose name comes from the world "zakhota," meaning "victory"
Nuhadra - an Assyrian city whose name was originally Beth Nuhadra
Beth Zabdai- was an Assyrian town (3rd-6th centuries) located by modern-day Cizre, Turkey.
OCCUPATIONAL NAMES
Akkara- a farmer
Asya- a doctor
Zamar - a singer
Sawuah - a painter
Apaya - a baker
Garsa- a barber
Sapra/Katawa - a scribe, a writer
Naggara- a carpenter
Qanaya / Kenaya - a blacksmith (word is similar to Biblical figure of "Cain," Qana -- perhaps blacksmithery was viewed as a negative job)
Takhana - a miller, a grinder
Tagara - a merchant, a storekeeper, a trader
Palkha - soldier
RELIGIOUS TERMS
Qasha/Qasho/Qashisha/Qashisho/Kash/Qash - a priest
Qasyounan- "priest Younan"
Alqasyounan- "priest Jonah" with the Arabic prefix "al" meaning "the"
al-Qas Younan- "priest Jonah" with the Arabic prefix "al" meaning "the"
Shamasha - a deacon
Brekh/Brekha- blessed
Ramel/Ramiel/Ramoel - "God is high/great"
Yahallaha- "Lord God"
Aboona - a bishop
Matran/Mattran - a Metropolitan or an Archbishop (oversees the bishops of a province
Beniel- according to a 13th century Aramaic and Hebrew Kabbalah text, Sefer Raziel HaMalakh, Beniel was an angel.
Kohno - a ritual priest (especially in reference to the Old Testament)
Umra- a church
Qayyoma- resurrection/rising
Malakha- an angel
Nasraya- a Nazarane, usually Jesus Christ; this name means "a follower of Jesus." Azerbaijanis often refer to Assyrians as Nasraya
Peera/Pira/Pera- "lamb"
Babella - "God is [my] father"
Naby/Nabi/Naba - "to be a prophet" or "to see the future"
Slibazkha/Sliwazkha- the name of an Assyrian Church of the East patriarch; "the cross has conquered"
Abdo/Abda- "servant (of God)"
Gilyana- "Revelation"
Oda / Odo - "servant (of God)"
Yaballaha/Yawallaha- "God gives"
Youmaran- similar to the name above, "Yaw-Maran," meaning "our Lord gives"
Denkha /Dinkha / Dinha / Danho - the Epiphany "rising up"
Shlikha- an apostle
Sehyon- Zion
Kaldani (Turkish)- referring to an Assyrian whose family belonged to the Chaldean Catholic Church
Sulaqa-/ Solaka - ascension
Rabban/Raban- a monk
Rakho/Rakhu- from the Aramaic root "Resh-Khet-Mem," meaning "Mercy"
Soma / Somo - a fast
Somi - "my fast"
Khoshaba - Sunday
Sliwa / Sliwo - a cross
DIMINUTIVE NAMES (Many Assyrians have surnames/first names that, in actuality, are diminutives, or nicknames, of longer names. For instance, Mike is the diminutive of Michael.) [Much thanks to Rabbi Nineb Lamassu, Rabbi Mardean Isaac, and Rabbi Nicholas Al-Jeloo for help with these difficult names.] Aramaic scholar Dr. Geoffrey Khan says that "the vowel -o replaces -a in various words expressing family relations
Patto/Pattu/Patu/Batou/Bato- diminutive of Petrus (Peter)
Ammo- diminutive of Emmanuel
Sankhiro/Sankiro/Sankaru/Sakkho- diminutive of the Sennacherib, who was an 8th century B.C.E. Assyrian king
Chopee/Chopeh/Chope/Chocho- diminutive of Yosip (Joseph)
Jajji- diminutive of Gewargis (George)
Gaggo- diminutive of Gewargis (George)
Jajjo/Jaju/Jajoo/Jajou- diminutive of Gewargis (George)
Jajji/Jaggo/Gaggi/Gaggo- diminutive of Gewargis (George)
Chayyo/Khayyo- diminutive of Shmuel (Samuel)
Chiyyo/Khiyyo- diminutive of Sliwa/Sliwo (the Cross)
Jabo- diminutive of Khoshaba (Sunday)
Shabo- diminutive of Khoshaba (Sunday)
Mikha- diminutive of "Mikhael"
Mikho- diminutive of "Mikhael" (Michael)
Chiqqeh- diminutive of "Iskhaq" (Isaac) ("Iskh" became "ch")
Chikko- diminutive of "Iskhaq" (Isaac) ("Iskh" became "ch")
Chikku/Chaqqe- diminutive of "Iskhaq" (Isaac) ("Iskh became "ch")
Chieko- diminutive of "Iskhaq" (Isaac) ("Iskh" became "ch")
Kanna-diminutive of "Yukhanna" (Jonathan)
Kanno- diminutive of "Yukhanna" (Jonathan)
Cheikho- diminutive of the Arabic word Sheykh used for "frontman of the tribe;" an honorific meaning "elder"
Shaykho- diminutive of the Arabic word Sheykh used for "frontman of the tribe;" an honorific meaning "elder"
Soro- diminutive of Sorisho/Sawrisho/Sorishu ("hope of Jesus")
Soru- diminutive of Sorisho/Sawrisho/Sorishu ("hope of Jesus")
Lawando- diminutive of the name Lawand, which itself is from Levent, a name used for men in Turkish that was derived from the name of a position in the Ottoman Navy, Levend, which meant "Marine soldier." The Turkish word Levend came from the Italian word Levantino, which meant "person from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean"). Apparently, that was how Italians would describe Ottoman sailors; the Turks themselves eventually embraced this name in the 16th century. (from the "Etymology" section at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levent)
Isso- Rabbi Nicholas Al-Jeloo conjectures that this name might be from the "Esau," ("hairy"/"rough") who, in the Bible, is the older son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob.
Goru- diminutive of Goriel (Gabriel)- Gabriel, the angel / "God is my strength"
Istefo- diminutive of Istepanus/Istefanus (Stephen, Christianity's first martyr in 34 A.D)
Istefu- diminutive of Istepanus/Istefanus (Stephen, Christianity's first martyr in 34 A.D)
Saggu- diminutive of Sergius (Sargis) an Assyrian martyr in the year 303 C.E.
Givo- diminutive of Gewargis (George)
Givu- diminutive of Gewargis (George)
Edo- diminutive of Odisho ("servant of Jesus")
Edu- diminutive of Odisho ("servant of Jesus")
Nakhwashu- diminutive of the Kurdish word meaning unwell ("na-khwash")
Nono- diminutive of Younan (Jonah, the Prophet; "dove") OR, according to Geoffrey Khan's "The Neo-Aramaic Dialects of Barwar, 1095) diminutive of Binyamin (Benjamin)
Nonu- diminutive of Younan (Jonah, the Prophet; "dove")
Alqasnona- diminutive of Younan (Jonah, the Prophet; "dove") combined with the Arabic definite article "Al," meaning "the" and Arabic word "Qas," meaning "priest." Therefore, the name means "the priest Jonah"
Alnono- diminutive of Younan (Jonah, the Prophet; "dove")
Nona- diminutive of Younan (Jonah, the Prophet; "dove")
Nouna- diminutive of Younan (Jonah, the Prophet; "dove")
Asmaro-diminutive of "Asmar," the Arabic word meaning "brown;" an ancestor's name was most likely "Asmar."
Asmoru- diminutive of "Asmar," the Arabic word meaning "brown;" an ancestor's name was most likely "Asmar."
Bako- diminutive of Bakos/Bakus- the saint that was martyred alongside Sargis in 303 C.E., Bacchus
Makko- diminutive of "Malko," meaning "king"
Maqo- diminutive of "Malko," meaning "king"Mekko- diminutive of "Malko," meaning "king"
Pirayou-from the word "pira" meaning "lamb," and the Farsi or Russian suffix "you," from Russian "Yev" or Persian "you," meaning "descendant of"
Yaldiko-diminutive of "yalda," meaning "birth" combined with the Kurdish affix "ik" meaning "from"
Yaldko- diminutive of "yalda," meaning "birth" combined with the Kurdish affix "ik" meaning "from"
Mamo- diminutive meaning "paternal uncle."
Benno- diminutive of "Binyamin" (Benjamin)
Bebbo (f) - diminutive of Khoshebo (f) (Sunday)
Mayyo- diminutive of Maryam (Mary)
Khezzo- diminutive of Khenzada
Asho- diminutive of Ashur
Abro/Awro- diminutive of Awrhaham/Orahim (Abraham)
Akho/Aho- diminutive of Akhiqar/Akhikar/Ahikar **(this name has been in continuous use, especially in Barwar and Nineveh Plains), an Assyrian sage from 500 B.C.E. who was chancellor to the Assyrian kings Sennacherib and Essarhaddon
Iqqo/Eqqo- diminutive of Iskhaq (Isaac)Chana- diminutive of Oshana, a palm from a palm-tree (e.g. Palm Sunday)
Dodo- diminutive of Dawid (David)
Gillo- diminutive of Gilyana (revelation)
Humche- diminutive of Hormuzd
Jajo- diminutive of Lazar
Sankho- diminutive of Sankhiro
Khawsho- diminutive of Khoshaba (Sunday)
Chabo- diminutive of Khoshaba (Sunday)
Saggo- diminutive of Sargon
Asho- diminutive of Yuwarash
Gicho- diminutive of Giwargis (George)
Khano/Khanno- diminutive of Yukhanna (Jonathan)
Zekko/Zeko/Zakko- diminutive of Zayya
Shayo- diminutive of Zaya
Khaye- diminutive of Mikhael
ASSYRIAN (SECULAR/NATIONALISTIC) NAMES
Sargon / Sharukin - Sargon, an Assyrian king
Sharukina - a female version of "Sharukin"
Sarhad - an abbreviation of the ancient Assyrian king, Esarhaddon
Kakko/Kako/Kakku- a common Assyrian surname that dates back to the ancient Akkadian name "Kakku-Aplo-Usur."
Sencharib / Senharib - an Assyrian king
Hedo/Hedu- pronounced "Heydoo," was a popular name among Assyrians of Hakkari; possibly a deformation of the daughter of Sargon the Great's name, En-Hedu-anna;" Hedo means ornament/adornment in Akkadian
Shalim/Oshalim - an ancient Akkadian name whose name was used for the first ruler of Ashur, Shalim-ahun; Ashur-Ushalim was also an officer in Babylon in antiquity
Tamuza- from the Assyrian month "Tammuz (July);" a Sumerian god; name of a patriarch of the Church of the East
Sagou/Sagoo/Sagu - another name for King Senharib (According to the Treasury of Knowledge and Library of Reference, Parts I,II, & III, an 1834 book) or Sargon
Ashurina - female form of Ashur
Atoraya - an Assyrian
Siduri/Sidori - a character in the Epic of Gilagmesh
Arbella - an Assyrian city in northern Iraq meaning "four gods"
Akkad- from the ancient Assyrian language, Akkadian; a geographical region around central and northern Iraq
Atour - the land of Assyria
Kanun / Kenoun - Assyrian name for the months of December and January
Larsa- a Sumerian city in southern Iraq
Naramsin / Ramsin / Ramsen - an Assyrian king whose name meant "beloved of the moon god" in Akkadian
Gilgamesh / Bilgamish - the hero from the Epic of Gilgamesh
Shamiram/Shamiran/Shamo/Shammo - the first Assyrian queen, Semiramis; the latter two are deformations of the Akkadian word for Semiramis, "Shammu-ramat"
Manno/Mannu - a name dating back to ancient Assyria; Mannu-ki-Ashur was Sargon II's bodyguard
Shaboo/Shabu/Shabo - a popular Assyrian name that dates back to the name of a street in Babylon, "A-ibur-shabu."
Kandalo/Kindalo- a Babylonian king
Hano - a name used by Assyrians that was an ancient Assyrian king
Samano, Alsamano- a name used by Assyrians that was an ancient Assyrian king
Adamo - a name used by Assyrians that was an ancient Assyrian king
Belo/Bello - a name used by Assyrians that was an ancient Assyrian king
Khammo / Khammu / Hammo / Hammu- deformation of the Akkadian word "Khammu-rabi," meaning "Hammurabi"
Sharbil/Sharbel/Charbil - "according to a 2nd century Syriac document known as the 'Acts of Sharbil,' it was the name of a pagan priest in the city of Edessa who converted to Christianity." (Warda, William, Assyrians Beyond the Fall of Nineveh)
Ninus- the mythological king and founder of Nineveh
Nimrod- an ancient Assyrian leader
Deqlat- the Tigris river
Ishtar- an Assyrian sex goddess
Nina - another name for the Assyrian goddess, Ishtar
Ashur - the ancient Assyrian god, king, and founder of Assyria
Nineb (m.) /Ninev (m.) / Ninurta (f.)- an ancient Assyrian deity
Ninwe/Ninveh/Ninwa - one of the first and most important Assyrian cities built; from the word Nuna, meaning "fish"
Oshanah / Oshana - a palm from a palm-tree (e.g. Palm Sunday)
Sahdah/Sohdo/Saado - a "martyr" or "witness"
Enwiya/Nviya - a prophet
Akhiqar/Akhikar/Ahikar **(this name has been in continuous use, especially in Barwar and Nineveh Plains)- an Assyrian sage from 500 B.C.E. who was
chancellor to the Assyrian kings Sennacherib and Essarhaddon
FAMILIAL NAMES
Nano - initially used as a nickname for a girl or woman who bore the name of her grandmother; it is used as an actual name though, today (e.g. if a woman's name was Shmuni, and her grandmother was also Shmuni, the granddaughter would be nicknamed "Nano.")
Babo / Babu - initially used as a nickname for a boy or man who bore the name of his grandfather; it is used as an actual name though, today (e.g. if a man's name was Shlemun, and his grandfather was also Shlemun, the grandson would be nicknamed "Babo.")
Baba / Aba / Awa / Ava / Abo - a father
Aho/Akha - a brother
Sawa / Sobo / Saba - an old man; a grandfather
MISCELLANEOUS TERMS
Palakh- from the Assyrian word, "Palakha," meaning "worker"
Sabri - "my hope"
Dashto- a plain (from the Persian word "Dasht," meaning "a plain")
Omta - a nation
Shima- "name"
Yatooma- an orphan
Shila (Hebrew)- the name of a patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East; "question"
Narsai (Pahlavi)- "potent utterance"
Nahrain - a river
Malik / Malek - a chieftain; a tribe leader
Aryo / Arya - a lion
Marta- "owner" (f.)
Yona / Yauno - a dove
Malka / Malko - a king
Malke- kings
Malikishu- Chieftain Ishu (Jesus)
Malki - "my king"
Khaya - "life"
Shabeh- a week
Warda/Varda/Wardo/Werdo- a flower, a rose
Ilona - a tree
Gabbara- "great"
Ramina / Romina (feminine) - a form of "Rama"
Warduni- "my small flower"
Rama- "high"
Iskander- Alexander
Nissan/Neesan- the month of April
Aiwah- a cloud
Malkuna/Malkuno - a prince
Talya/Talia - "boy"
Zeyno - a weapon
Raba / Rabo - "great"
Nuri - "my light"
Athra - a country
Atta - a flag
Khamis - "to be sour"
Nuhra/Nuhro - a fire, a mirror
Sayad /Sayada- a hunter
Shapira - "fine" or "beautiful"
Dawa- "gold"
Sharo - after the Akkadian word, "Sharau," meaning "king."
Yalda/Yelda- "birth"
Kino/Kinu/Kina- "just / righteous" (similar to pronunciation of Sharu-kinu (Akkadian name for Sargon)
ASSYRIAN SAINT & PATRIARCH NAMES
Shmuni - according to the book of Maccabees, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Greek king tortured a Jewish mother and her seven sons for not giving up their faith. Since the Bible did not mention her name, so the Assyrian Church gave her the name "Shmuni," meaning "my name," and honor her.
Khananya / Hananyo - "graceful," after the Mor Hananyo Monastery in southeastern Turkey
Augin / Ogin / Awgin- Eugene, he founded monasticism in Bet Nahrain
Aggai- a disciple of Mar Addai who was the Catholicos of the Assyrian Church of the East in the first century
Aprim / Afrem - Ephrem, a fourth century Assyrian theologian and writer
Qardagh- a Sassanian prince who converted to Christianity and was martyred
Istapanus - Stephen, Christianity's first martyr in 34 A.D.
Ogar/Abgar- Abgar (from Armenian 'Avag Har' - 'senior father'), the king of Edessa who converted to Christianity
Zaia / Zaya- an Assyrian Saint and martyr
Quryakos / Kiryakus / Kiryakos - an Assyrian child who was martyred in Antioch
Giwargis / Gewargis / Gevergis - George, an Assyrian martyr
Addai / Addi / Adde - Thaddeus of Edessa, an apostle who spread Christianity throughout Mesopotamia
Sargis / Sarkis / Segu / Segoo- Sergius, an Assyrian martyr (the last three are deformations of Sergis)
Sako/Sakko- also a short form for Sargis (Sergius, in English)
Mari - a student of Mar Addai who spread Christianity throughout Mesopotamia
Pityou/Pithyou- from the Assyrian word "Pityoun," meaning "Andrew"
Andriyous/Andreus- the Apostle Andrew
Bakos/Bakus- the saint that was martyred alongside Sargis in 303 C.E., Bacchus
NAMES WITH -ISHO/ISHU (JESUS) PREFIX OR SUFFIX
Sabrisho / Sawrisho/Sorishu - "hope of Jesus"
Maisho/Maishu - a deformation of the honorary, "Mar Isho," meaning "Lord Jesus"
Babisho - "Jesus is [my] father"
Ishodnakh- "Jesus rises" [Isho - Jesus and dnakh from dnkh-"epiphany"/"rising up"]
Abdisho/Odisho / Odishu - "servant of Jesus"
Dishu- a deformation of Odishu
Bukhtishu - "saved by Jesus" (Bukht is a Persian word meaning "saved")
Bishu / Bisho - "with Jesus"
Khnanisho / Khnanishu/Hnanisho - "mercy / grace of Jesus"
Ishoyahb / Ishoyahw / Dadisho / Datishu / Ishodad - "Jesus gave" Dad or Dat is a Persian word meaning "gave"
Shubhalisho - "praise to Jesus"
Barikhisho / Berikhisho - "blessed is Jesus"
UNKNOWN (many, many of these names are from Northern Iraqi villages like Alqosh, Nuhadra, Baqofa, Bartella, Arbil and many end in -o/u. I'ms starting to get the feeling that they are abbreviations of words/names. The ending is probably part of the local dialect because I've seen the "o" ending used in conversations, for example, someone on a Facebook group from Nuhdra said the following: "Thank u khayo." We see the o-ending used here as clearly the word, "khaya." So, in some cases, I believe the -o replaces the -a as a part of Nineveh Plains dialects. On the other hand, I've seen it used for nicknames (Michael becomes Mike). For instance, on a Facebook profile of an Assyrian from the Nineveh Plains, the name of the profile is "Evan." However, in parenthesis the person put "Evo." Evan is not an Assyrian name and entered Assyrian nomenclature with the arrival of the British in 1930s' Iraq. As you see, Evan is a relatively modern name (to Assyrians) and the person changed Evan to Evo. So, this -o ending is also a nickname ending, too.)
Darmo/Darmu
Jallu/Jallo
Basso
Mando
Tatar
Barcham/Barkham
Sonki
Qasi
Sinjana
Shimini
Pnuel
Damman
Tolus
Jwamar
Jafaro
Asho/Ashu
Shikko/Shikku
Tosi
Bilbas
Havil
Hablu
Deesha
Gisou
Chobou
Dishbata
Hasdo
Meelis
Pithyiti
Alakko
Chokhaya
Dashtu
Marshu
Khinzada
Belathi
Loqou- from Luqa?
Narsa
Shela
Monera
Marogel
Melo
Kena
Marbina
Nazeh
Eskharia
Chebeh
Juna
Bobou
Parto
Hamaneh
Choushino
Nicola
Kosha
Giwa
Pittu
Baruta- brightness (light), cypress
Shalitta
Hamama
Youwarash/Youarash
Jatou
Graish
Meska
Shirinsha
Araz
Kando- from Kandalo?
Dasho
Arkhan
Rasho/Rashu
Japu
Jangar
Baram
Dishu
Kharibo/Kharibu
Beplo
Jubbit
Zaka
Mesho
Kharbo/Kharbu
Yatron
Attu
Khubiar
Esbu
Kolia/Kolya
Mina
Badal / BadelTaitu
Homeh
Assani
Shmiwal
Masikh
Ilaron
Jendo/Jindo/Jindu
Kharsu
Barkho
Barkhu
Hassado
Deelo
Mato-
Isdu
Shibu
Khamur
Gortu
Ellu
Sibdin
Mikitail
Jannu
Bachiballo
Dikhu
Jammo
Attu/Atto
Silmu
Somo
Jamma
Yadkoo
Demo
Marado
Yatrun
Biko
Talo
Gandar
Anhar- from the Assyrian village in Urmia called Anhar, but don't know what Anhar means in Persian
Baruta
Marus
Balu
Gaddo
Kaisar
Garmo/Garmou
Sulmo
Dolabani
Sitto
Shahara
Kaktoma
Tomika
Arabo
Gersnaya
Alaroshy/Alaroushi/Arushi/Aroshy/Aroushi
Malishu
Rahu
Raho
Hidou
Sitto
Anoneta
Yaqonda/Yakonda
Khayyath
Khayyat
Kacho- from the village 15 miles southeast of Sinjar, Kojo/Kocho?
Beth Kado/Kado
Kassab
Keko
Kindalo
Chato
Kasso
Cheikho
Tammo
Namo
Safar
Bawai
Enshkayax
Ballo
Jojo
Maksabo
Kaka
Shamaya
Pola
Jiwo
Qawila
Majji
Bibi
Kochi
Azzo/Azzu
Eramyah
Sapar
Tamar
Alaroguil
Alqasrane
Bicho
Shayoka
Shabilla
Alakko
Koza
Margaya
Bako- maybe from Bakus, the saint associated with Sargis
Shameka
Koja/Qoja
Dagaly/Dagali
Bedary
Lasso
Baho
Hammo
Khazmi
Kachocha
Tola
Baito
Channo
Patoza
Barwaya
Chato
Mamino
Kalabat
Qilo
Khani
Khorga
Patti
Botany- from the plain of Bohtan, which was a region in southeast Turkey
Zalla
Ramo/Rammo- from Ramel?
Golagh
Jolagh
Albelaty?
Rano
Yolita
Lahdo
Shino/Shinu/Sheeno
Kalasho
