Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
Such factors as occupation, history, religion and geography played an important role in the formation of Armenian names. The male names Taron, Mushegh, Nairi, Van, Masis, Ararat, Sisak and female names - Hayastan, Ani, Wanuhi, Naira, Araksi, occured from Armenian toponyms. Speaking about the religious aspect, it is worth noting that biblical names in Armenia were slightly changed to the national mood. So John became Hovhannes, keeping close to the original sound. Some borrowed names of religious content, for example, David, and those newly formed from the national native language: Hambardzum - ascension, Calouste - appearance, Srbuhi - holy, Mkrtich - Baptist, are widespread in Armenian reality. Some Armenian names, although they are not biblical, have a religious significance: Khachatur - godsent by the Holy Cross or Arakel - apostle.
Linguist Hrachia Adjarian distinguishes three layers of origin of Armenian names.
The first group includes national names: the names of pagan gods (Hayk, Anahit, Vahagn), the names of the kings (Tigran, Ashot, Artashes) and the generals (Vardan, Gevorg).
The second group is represented by names which are formed by the Armenian names of stars and planets, expensive fabrics, precious stones, holidays: Arev (Sun), Astghik (star) Manushak (violet), Metaksia (silk).
Also it includes names that reflect qualities of character: Jhirayr - glib, Patvakan - respectable, Azat - free, Hamest - modest.
The scientist refers borrowed names to the third group. Although some of the names are foreign-born, however, they became Armenian: Yeghishe, Wahram, Ruzan, Seda, Suren.
The leading role in the formation of Armenian names is played by the complex history of Armenia, its relations with neighboring countries and with the people of those countries, which comprise Armenia.
Despite the prolonged presence of the Ottoman Empire, Turkish names didn't stay in Armenia, but during the Soviet era Russian names became widespread, which, however, were often used in a concise, and sometimes in a diminutive form, for example: Volodya, not Vladimir, and Kolya or Kolik, not Nikolay.
In Soviet times, names with foreign origin became fashionable - Christina, Juliet, Genrikh, Hamlet, Edward. But in spite of the significant influence of the Soviet era, as well as the dissemination of European names, most of the Armenians preferred national names. This trend, as a reflection of patriotic enthusiasm, prevailed in the 1990s, when most young parents gave preference to native Armenian names - Ani, Armine, Gor, Vardan or Ashot. According to anthropologist Nicolas Margaryan, Armenians even chose names of the Urartu period: "There are names that you will not find in the 1960s, for example, the names of the Armenian kings Menua and Argishti."
With regard to the traditions of the Diaspora, the majority of Armenians living in the US and in Europe called and continue to call their children, depending on the country of residence, by US, Argentinian or French names, while maintaining Armenian surnames. Armenian Soviet writer and poet Silva Kaputikyan in the book 'The Caravans are Still Walking', describing an episode of talking to a foreign flight attendant, who happened to be Armenian, Audrey Zhamkochyan, regrets that "the first was stronger than the second," that is, the first name was more important than the surname.Meanwhile, the Armenians living in the East, for example, in the Arab countries, Turkey and Iran, often prefer the Armenian names, or so-called international names.In Armenia today there is a new wave of Europeanization of names. Russian names - Anastasia, Sergei, as well as such exotic ones as Lucia, Anna Maria and David-Amori - are widespread. Specialists do not see a threat to national identity in this and refer to the fickleness of fashion.According to anthropologist Nicola Margaryan, the europeanization of names is more common in the case of female names: "In the matter of naming boys, traditions have been preserved. In Armenian families, male names are traditionally inherited, boys are named after the grandfather or any other relative on the paternal side of the older generation. When a boy is assigned the name of his grandfather, of course, they consider how modern it sounds. Female names are chosen by the child's mother usually, and women generally prefer the names of their favorite characters from novels, movies, and even the names of actresses."Today, according to the National Statistical Service, the most popular male names in Armenia are Narek, Gor, Hayk, Tigran, David, Armen, as well as borrowed - Eric, Arman, Allen, Emile. Among the most popular names for baby girls are Mane, Ani, Mariam, Anahit, Nare and international names such as Helen, Suzanne, Anna, Mary, Eva. Despite the new trends, the majority of parents continue to give preference to Armenian names.
With regard to the traditions of the Diaspora, the majority of Armenians living in the US and in Europe called and continue to call their children, depending on the country of residence, by US, Argentinian or French names, while maintaining Armenian surnames. Armenian Soviet writer and poet Silva Kaputikyan in the book 'The Caravans are Still Walking', describing an episode of talking to a foreign flight attendant, who happened to be Armenian, Audrey Zhamkochyan, regrets that "the first was stronger than the second," that is, the first name was more important than the surname.
Meanwhile, the Armenians living in the East, for example, in the Arab countries, Turkey and Iran, often prefer the Armenian names, or so-called international names.
In Armenia today there is a new wave of Europeanization of names. Russian names - Anastasia, Sergei, as well as such exotic ones as Lucia, Anna Maria and David-Amori - are widespread. Specialists do not see a threat to national identity in this and refer to the fickleness of fashion.
According to anthropologist Nicola Margaryan, the europeanization of names is more common in the case of female names: "In the matter of naming boys, traditions have been preserved. In Armenian families, male names are traditionally inherited, boys are named after the grandfather or any other relative on the paternal side of the older generation. When a boy is assigned the name of his grandfather, of course, they consider how modern it sounds. Female names are chosen by the child's mother usually, and women generally prefer the names of their favorite characters from novels, movies, and even the names of actresses."
Today, according to the National Statistical Service, the most popular male names in Armenia are Narek, Gor, Hayk, Tigran, David, Armen, as well as borrowed - Eric, Arman, Allen, Emile. Among the most popular names for baby girls are Mane, Ani, Mariam, Anahit, Nare and international names such as Helen, Suzanne, Anna, Mary, Eva. Despite the new trends, the majority of parents continue to give preference to Armenian names.
