*Origins and meanings
Sephardic Genealogy Resources
It will be helpful for the reader of this section to first go to the page about the general origins of Jewish names (just click here). This will provide a better basis for understanding this section.
Because Jewish Sephardic names are often so ancient, discovering the origins and meanings of these names can be of interest. There is no way I can list all Sephardic names here, but this is a sampling that can give the reader an idea. I have elected to skip Jewish names that were simply adopted from existing spanish names (Rodriguez, Henriquez, etc.) because I cannot provide a meaning to them of Jewish interest other than that they were adopted from Spanish names - usually their Catholic godfather when forcibly converted. Many of these families reverted to Judaism when able to do so.
Please do not write to ask about the meaning of your own name. I am flooded with queries as it is and already feel guilty at my inability to get to them all. If your name is not listed, make it a project to discover its meaning. Start by going to my listing of books and search for yourself. Be a detective. That is what makes genealogy fun! Name Variants Origin Meaning Notes
Abenrey Malka,Ben Rey,Ibn Rey,Avenreyna,Ben Melekh,Reyno,Soberano Hispanic-Arabic son of king
Abitbol Toboul,Abitboul (see also Botbol) Arab Drummer (taboula)
Abrabanel,Abravanel unk unk ancient family said to descend from King David
Abulafia Boulafia, Alafia Arabic Possessor of strength/health or well being (afia) some Moslem families carry this name.
Aknin Aqnine, ben Aknine Berber Jacob
Albaz Elbaz,Elvas,ben.. Arabic Falconer, also locality in spain
Alfassi Elfassi,Fasi,Defaz Arabic from Fez, Morocco
Anonios Greek Eternal Found in Ioannina
Aragon De Aragon Spanish from Aragon Moslems and Jews both carry this name
Arapis Greek Arab Found in Ioannina
Ashkenazi Eshkanazi, Eskinazi Hebrew means German
Assouline Asulin,ben..,Benasuly Berber Rocks
Azulay ben.. Berber or Spanish Good (Ber), blue eyes (Sp)
Barcilon Barchilon,Barcilon,Bargeloni Hebrew old name of Barcelona <
Ben Sushan ben Sussan Persian name of ancient Persian capital
Botbol Tebol,Boutbol. (See also Abitbol) Arab drum maker or seller
Cabalero Caballero,Cabaliero Spanish Knight or horseman
Cardoza Cartoso, Spanish/Port. from town in Guadalajara, Spain or Viseu, Port
Caro Spanish dear or beloved
Carvalho Cabalo Portuguese Oaktree,
town in Portugal
Castorianos Greek from Castoria
Castro Decastro Spanish/Portuguese Jewish fortress in Leon
Charbit Sharbit Hebrew Sceptre
Cohen multiple combined names Hebrew Priest
Crespin Crispin,Crispin,aven..,ben.. Spanish Spanish Curly (hair)
Dalyan Dalven Turkish fishnets/fishpond found in Ioannina
Danon Dondon,aben..,.abendanno Spanish/Heb Judge
Dayan Hebrew Judge
De Aragon Ragon. (See also Aragon) Spanish Kingdom in Spain
De Fez Alfassi Arabic from Fez, Morocco
De Silva Da Silva Spanish/Portuguese from the forest (Silva)
blackberry bush
De Soto Soto, Del Soto Spanish Swamp
Enriquez Henriquez, Henriques Spanish Son of Henri Spanish/Portug name adopted by converso family at forced conversion
Ferreres Ferares, ben.. Spanish Blacksmith, or from towns in Majorca or Zamora
Foinquinos Follinquinos,Foyinquinos Greco-Latin Phonecian
Franco Franca can be seen as first name Spanish Freed (from taxes or bondage)
Gabbay Gabai,Avin..,Cabay Hebrew In talmudic era were alms collectors, in Spain:tax collectors
Gaguin Gagin Spanish Town in Pontevedra, Spain
Galanos Greek Blue-eyed
Guedalia Guadella,Guedalha Hebrew Elevated by God
Hakim Elhakim,Alhakim,Hkim Arab Physician or sage
Halfon Khalfon,Jalfon,Alfon,Halpen Arab Replacement (like Makhlouf)
Hamu Hammou,Hamuy Arab Father-in-law,heat (Ham Hebr), Berber tribe
Hasdai Hasday, Chasdai, ben .., Acday, Azday Aramaic Goodness
Hazan Azan,Chasan,Ha-Hazan Hebrew Official,cantor
Kampanaris Greek Bells found in Ioannina, Greece
Kokkinos Greek Red (redhead?)
Laredo Spanish Town in Santander,Castile
Levy Halevy,Levita Hebrew Levy tribe
Lombroso Spanish Translation of Hebrew Nehora or Eir, luminous
Lugasi Lugashi Arabic From town of Lugas in Oviedo
Maimon ben..,Mainonides,Mimon,Maymo Hebrew Fortunate,lucky
Malka ben Melekh,Soberano,Ibn Rey,Reino,Malki,Abimelekh Aramean King in Aramean, From Malaga
Malqui Malka,Almalqui,Almalki,Maleque,Malaki Spanish from Malaga
Mandil Arab Apron
Marcus Marcos Spanish plural of Marco (measuring weight)
Medina De Medina Hebrew, Arabic State (Hebr.); town (Arab.); several in Spain
Mizrahi see also Ben Ashurqui, De Levante, Shuraqui Hebrew Eastern
Montefiore Italian from Montefiore in Papal states
Moreno ben.. Spanish Brown
Nahon Heb/Spanish from town of Naon in Oviedo, Spain
Nahman ben Nahman Biblical Lord will heal or console
Navaro Nabaro Spanish Navarre kingdom
Obadya Obadiah, Ovadia, Abdias, etc Hebrew Servant of God
Ohanna O'Hana, Bohana, Abuhana, Abuhenna Berber (O=son) son (O) of Hanna
Ohayon Berber (O=son) + Hebrew (Hayon) son (O) of Life (Hayon)
Oiknine Waknin, Ouaknin, ben.., etc. Berber Son of Jacob
Patish Betache (N. Africa) Hebrew Hammer In Greece, N. Africa
Perez Biblical The grandson of Jacob
Pereira Portuguese Peartree Many Jews forced to convert to Chritianity took on the names of trees.
Pinto De Pinto, Pynto Spanish Town near Madrid
Pisa Italian Town in Italy
Rabi Ribbi, ben.. Hebrew My Rabbi
Rofe Ha Rofe, Roffe, Rophe, see also Del Medico Hebrew Physician
Rosales Rozales Spanish Rosebush, from towns in Spain
Sabah Caba Arabic Morning
Saltiel Shaltiel, Chaltiel Hebrew Asked of G-d
Santob Shemtob, Sentob, Sento Hebrew Good name
Sasson Çaçon,Sassoon Hebrew Happiness
Sebag Sabag, Assabagh, Essebagh, etc. Arabic Dyer of cloth
Senor Senior, Bonsenyor, Ben Senor, Bonsignour Spanish Elder, Sir
Serfati Sarfati, Zarfati, Ha-Zarfatti, Hasserfaty Hebrew Frenchman
Sevillano Spanish From Sevilla, Spain
Shalom ben.. Hebrew Peace
Shuraqui ben, Souraqi, Shouraqui; (see also Mizrahi) Arabic Easterner
Soberano see Malka Spanish Sovereign see Malka
Sofer HaSoffer, Soffer, Sopher Hebrew Scribe, notary
Soriano Spanish From Soria in Spain
Soto De Soto, Del Soto Spanish Marshland
Tangier Tanjir, Tanzir, Tandjir Berber clay cooking pot
Turqui El Turqui, Eturki, Atturki Arabic Turk
Uaknin Waknin, see Oiknine Berber
Uziel Oziel, Uzziel, Ouziel, etc. Biblical God is my Strength
Valensi Balenci Arabic, Spain from Valencia
Veniste Beniste, Benveniste, Spanish You came
Verdugo Berdugo Spanish Branch (of tree)
Vidal Vital, Vitalis, Bitales, Viton, Hayyim, etc. Latin Life
Zadoq Sadoc, Zadoc, Acencadoque, Aben Cadoc, Sadox, etc Biblical Just
Zafrani Ezafrani, Alzafrani, etc. from Zafaran (in Persia)
* JeffMalka@SephardicGen.com
Sephardic Genealogy Resources
Sephardic Genealogy Resources
It will be helpful for the reader of this section to first go to the page about the general origins of Jewish names (just click here). This will provide a better basis for understanding this section.
Because Jewish Sephardic names are often so ancient, discovering the origins and meanings of these names can be of interest. There is no way I can list all Sephardic names here, but this is a sampling that can give the reader an idea. I have elected to skip Jewish names that were simply adopted from existing spanish names (Rodriguez, Henriquez, etc.) because I cannot provide a meaning to them of Jewish interest other than that they were adopted from Spanish names - usually their Catholic godfather when forcibly converted. Many of these families reverted to Judaism when able to do so.
Please do not write to ask about the meaning of your own name. I am flooded with queries as it is and already feel guilty at my inability to get to them all. If your name is not listed, make it a project to discover its meaning. Start by going to my listing of books and search for yourself. Be a detective. That is what makes genealogy fun! Name Variants Origin Meaning Notes
Abenrey Malka,Ben Rey,Ibn Rey,Avenreyna,Ben Melekh,Reyno,Soberano Hispanic-Arabic son of king
Abitbol Toboul,Abitboul (see also Botbol) Arab Drummer (taboula)
Abrabanel,Abravanel unk unk ancient family said to descend from King David
Abulafia Boulafia, Alafia Arabic Possessor of strength/health or well being (afia) some Moslem families carry this name.
Aknin Aqnine, ben Aknine Berber Jacob
Albaz Elbaz,Elvas,ben.. Arabic Falconer, also locality in spain
Alfassi Elfassi,Fasi,Defaz Arabic from Fez, Morocco
Anonios Greek Eternal Found in Ioannina
Aragon De Aragon Spanish from Aragon Moslems and Jews both carry this name
Arapis Greek Arab Found in Ioannina
Ashkenazi Eshkanazi, Eskinazi Hebrew means German
Assouline Asulin,ben..,Benasuly Berber Rocks
Azulay ben.. Berber or Spanish Good (Ber), blue eyes (Sp)
Barcilon Barchilon,Barcilon,Bargeloni Hebrew old name of Barcelona <
Ben Sushan ben Sussan Persian name of ancient Persian capital
Botbol Tebol,Boutbol. (See also Abitbol) Arab drum maker or seller
Cabalero Caballero,Cabaliero Spanish Knight or horseman
Cardoza Cartoso, Spanish/Port. from town in Guadalajara, Spain or Viseu, Port
Caro Spanish dear or beloved
Carvalho Cabalo Portuguese Oaktree,
town in Portugal
Castorianos Greek from Castoria
Castro Decastro Spanish/Portuguese Jewish fortress in Leon
Charbit Sharbit Hebrew Sceptre
Cohen multiple combined names Hebrew Priest
Crespin Crispin,Crispin,aven..,ben.. Spanish Spanish Curly (hair)
Dalyan Dalven Turkish fishnets/fishpond found in Ioannina
Danon Dondon,aben..,.abendanno Spanish/Heb Judge
Dayan Hebrew Judge
De Aragon Ragon. (See also Aragon) Spanish Kingdom in Spain
De Fez Alfassi Arabic from Fez, Morocco
De Silva Da Silva Spanish/Portuguese from the forest (Silva)
blackberry bush
De Soto Soto, Del Soto Spanish Swamp
Enriquez Henriquez, Henriques Spanish Son of Henri Spanish/Portug name adopted by converso family at forced conversion
Ferreres Ferares, ben.. Spanish Blacksmith, or from towns in Majorca or Zamora
Foinquinos Follinquinos,Foyinquinos Greco-Latin Phonecian
Franco Franca can be seen as first name Spanish Freed (from taxes or bondage)
Gabbay Gabai,Avin..,Cabay Hebrew In talmudic era were alms collectors, in Spain:tax collectors
Gaguin Gagin Spanish Town in Pontevedra, Spain
Galanos Greek Blue-eyed
Guedalia Guadella,Guedalha Hebrew Elevated by God
Hakim Elhakim,Alhakim,Hkim Arab Physician or sage
Halfon Khalfon,Jalfon,Alfon,Halpen Arab Replacement (like Makhlouf)
Hamu Hammou,Hamuy Arab Father-in-law,heat (Ham Hebr), Berber tribe
Hasdai Hasday, Chasdai, ben .., Acday, Azday Aramaic Goodness
Hazan Azan,Chasan,Ha-Hazan Hebrew Official,cantor
Kampanaris Greek Bells found in Ioannina, Greece
Kokkinos Greek Red (redhead?)
Laredo Spanish Town in Santander,Castile
Levy Halevy,Levita Hebrew Levy tribe
Lombroso Spanish Translation of Hebrew Nehora or Eir, luminous
Lugasi Lugashi Arabic From town of Lugas in Oviedo
Maimon ben..,Mainonides,Mimon,Maymo Hebrew Fortunate,lucky
Malka ben Melekh,Soberano,Ibn Rey,Reino,Malki,Abimelekh Aramean King in Aramean, From Malaga
Malqui Malka,Almalqui,Almalki,Maleque,Malaki Spanish from Malaga
Mandil Arab Apron
Marcus Marcos Spanish plural of Marco (measuring weight)
Medina De Medina Hebrew, Arabic State (Hebr.); town (Arab.); several in Spain
Mizrahi see also Ben Ashurqui, De Levante, Shuraqui Hebrew Eastern
Montefiore Italian from Montefiore in Papal states
Moreno ben.. Spanish Brown
Nahon Heb/Spanish from town of Naon in Oviedo, Spain
Nahman ben Nahman Biblical Lord will heal or console
Navaro Nabaro Spanish Navarre kingdom
Obadya Obadiah, Ovadia, Abdias, etc Hebrew Servant of God
Ohanna O'Hana, Bohana, Abuhana, Abuhenna Berber (O=son) son (O) of Hanna
Ohayon Berber (O=son) + Hebrew (Hayon) son (O) of Life (Hayon)
Oiknine Waknin, Ouaknin, ben.., etc. Berber Son of Jacob
Patish Betache (N. Africa) Hebrew Hammer In Greece, N. Africa
Perez Biblical The grandson of Jacob
Pereira Portuguese Peartree Many Jews forced to convert to Chritianity took on the names of trees.
Pinto De Pinto, Pynto Spanish Town near Madrid
Pisa Italian Town in Italy
Rabi Ribbi, ben.. Hebrew My Rabbi
Rofe Ha Rofe, Roffe, Rophe, see also Del Medico Hebrew Physician
Rosales Rozales Spanish Rosebush, from towns in Spain
Sabah Caba Arabic Morning
Saltiel Shaltiel, Chaltiel Hebrew Asked of G-d
Santob Shemtob, Sentob, Sento Hebrew Good name
Sasson Çaçon,Sassoon Hebrew Happiness
Sebag Sabag, Assabagh, Essebagh, etc. Arabic Dyer of cloth
Senor Senior, Bonsenyor, Ben Senor, Bonsignour Spanish Elder, Sir
Serfati Sarfati, Zarfati, Ha-Zarfatti, Hasserfaty Hebrew Frenchman
Sevillano Spanish From Sevilla, Spain
Shalom ben.. Hebrew Peace
Shuraqui ben, Souraqi, Shouraqui; (see also Mizrahi) Arabic Easterner
Soberano see Malka Spanish Sovereign see Malka
Sofer HaSoffer, Soffer, Sopher Hebrew Scribe, notary
Soriano Spanish From Soria in Spain
Soto De Soto, Del Soto Spanish Marshland
Tangier Tanjir, Tanzir, Tandjir Berber clay cooking pot
Turqui El Turqui, Eturki, Atturki Arabic Turk
Uaknin Waknin, see Oiknine Berber
Uziel Oziel, Uzziel, Ouziel, etc. Biblical God is my Strength
Valensi Balenci Arabic, Spain from Valencia
Veniste Beniste, Benveniste, Spanish You came
Verdugo Berdugo Spanish Branch (of tree)
Vidal Vital, Vitalis, Bitales, Viton, Hayyim, etc. Latin Life
Zadoq Sadoc, Zadoc, Acencadoque, Aben Cadoc, Sadox, etc Biblical Just
Zafrani Ezafrani, Alzafrani, etc. from Zafaran (in Persia)
* JeffMalka@SephardicGen.com
Sephardic Genealogy Resources
Verdugo is an Old Sephardic Jewish name from Spain.
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