Armenian Names
& their Roots
A crucial aspect of a race’s survival is upholding traditions and passing them down to future generations.
One of the most overlooked traditions which has been on the verge of extinction for Armenians in the diaspora has been the naming of Armenian names. Modern parents are opting for more universal names when it comes to naming their babies. Yet the fact is that giving a child a name that has ethnic roots ties them to their heritage. It becomes the first step in teaching them where their ancestors come from and instills pride in their ethnicity. My father was very adamant that Armenian children should be given authentic Armenian names. This has become a very important mission for me too, as I strive to carry on his legacy. I have researched, sourced, and actually created some names that I feel are beautiful and modern, as a resource for new parents to revive this part of our important traditions – by being able to access the resulting list of names for free, and finding inspiration in it. I have heard over and over again that one of the reasons that Armenian names are passed over is that they are hard to pronounce for non-Armenians. And I say, “What’s wrong with that?” Guiding a person to pronounce your name correctly creates interest, and opens the door for conversations which in turn create empathy.
Please note that I’m not an expert in this field. I’m just fascinated by it, and it’s why I’ve lovingly spent months researching the names and their roots listed here.
I have also included words which I personally thought would make great new names. Again, I am NOT an expert in this field. If you feel there need to be any corrections or there are names I’ve missed, please email me and let me know. My biggest source of information was Ohannes Hannessian’s Dictionary of Armenian Names. This book is wonderful because it has 1,500 names and includes their Armenian spellings as well. The link I’m including is from Abril Bookstore in Glendale, California but it is also available at Sardarabad Bookstore, likewise in Glendale. Please consider supporting local, small businesses. Abril and Sardarabad Bookstores are essential businesses in providing invaluable resources for Armenians in the diaspora to learn about and share Armenian history, language, and culture. We need them to stay and thrive. Even if some of their products cost a few dollars more, consider it a small contribution to the preservation of Armenian culture.
(This is NOT a sponsored ad for the book nor the stores.)
Girls Names
Abril -1.to live 2. Month of April
Adrine – of the Adriatic Sea
Aida – prosperous, happy
Aik – dawn, daybreak, morning
Aiki – vineyard
Aghavni – dove
Aleni – dzovanush mermaid
Alice/Alis/Alisa/Alisia/Alicia – modern variation of Alidz.
Alidz – joyous, merry, gentle
Alin/Aline – Bearer or transporter of Light. Roots are German or Irish
Alique/Alik – wave of the ocean
Almasd/Almast – diamond (Persian origin)
Alvart – red rose
Alenoush – sweet white wave
Alyag – small wave
Amalia/Amalig/Amala – Industrious one
Amar– summer
Amasia – A village and rural community in the Shirakprovince of Armenia
Anahid/Ano – goddess of Armenian mythology representing family and fertility
Anayis – A variant of Anahid
Anca – Armenian National Committee of America. My creation for children of couples who met through ANCA!
Ani – ancient capital of Armenia
Ania – A variant of Ani
Anig – A diminutive of Ani
Ankin/Ankine – priceless
Anoushig – pretty
Antaram – eternal flower, evergreen
Antsrev – rain
Arakil (Ah-rah-keel), Արաքիլ -stork, the bird
Araksya/Araxia , Արաքսիա – variation of Arax
Arax / Araxie (Ah-rox, Ah-roxie), Արաքս/ Արաքսի – a river in Armenia, national river for Armenians
Arda – unknown origin, granddaughter of Roupen !, known as the King of Cilicia
Ardemis – 1. healthy 2. Greek Goddess
Arin – A village in Armenia
Areni – A village in Armenia famous for it’s wine. Formerly called Arpa
Arkina – was a small city or district in medieval Armenia located near Ani.
Arin/Areen – assumed to be from Arun meaning blood
Arineh – brave woman
Armani – Armenian woman. Mountain in Armenia
Armenouhi – Armenian woman. Feminine of Armen
Armig – 1.short for Armine. 2.derived from the Armenian mythological name Armaniag. 3. Head of Armenian race
Armine – modern feminine variant of Armen
Arous – Short for Arousiag
Arousiag – the planet Venus
Arpa – a river in Armenia.
Arpeni – fancy name for the sun, modern varian for Arpi
Arpi/Arpig/Arpine – sunshine, the rising sun. also the name of a village in Armenia.
Arshalooys – dawn, sunrise
Arus, Arousiag – Venus, shining, light emiting
Arsine – feminine of Arsen
Arsho – diminutive of Arsahalooys -dawn
Asdghig – small star, Armenian Goddess corresponding to Venus
Ashken – On of the Queens of ancient Armenia
Ashoun – autumn
Azaduhi/Azadig – Feminine of Azad, free, independent
Azniv – kind
Baydsar/Baidzar – bright
Barig/Parig – fairy
Berjouhie/ Berj – superb, abundant, luxurious
Carnie/Carni/Garni – a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia known for the Temple of Garni
Chinar/Cheenar – the plane tree
Chiva/Shiva – A village in Armenia
Dalita – pure
Datev – An Armenian monastary. Also spelled Tatev
Davigh , Տաւիղ – Ancient Armenian harp
Decille – vision
Derev – leaf
Dikranuhi/ Diko – the feminine version of Dikran-1.fighter with arrow 2.Armenian emperor
Dirouhi – princess, lady
Dvin – the capital city of early Armenia
Dzia – short for Dziadzan meaning rainbow
Dziadzan – rainbow
Dzaghig – flower
Dziran, Ծիրան – apricot
Dzirani , Ծիրանի – color of apricot
Dzovig – small ocean
Gadar – summit
Gaia – short for Gayane
Gali – Female version of Galoust, meaning arrival.
Garni – The last remaining pagean temple in Armenia
Garin – city in Western Armenia, now called Erzroom
Garine – from the city of Garin
Garod – longing
Gateel , Կաթիլ – drop of water or Rain drop
Gasia/Gacia – cinnamon tree
Gayane – Referring to St. Gayane, a 4th century Armenian Apostolic church
Grag (guh-rawg), Կրակ – fire
Hamesd – Modest
Hasmig – Jasmine
Haverj – eternal
Hayarpi – Armenian Sunrise
Hayastan – Armenia
Heghine – basket full of beautiful roses
Hera – short for Heranoush
Heranoush – one with beautiful hair
Houshig – memory. ig suffix makes it a term of endearment
Hooys – hope
Hripsime – A 7th century Armenian Apostolic church in Armenia
Isgouhi – authentic woman
Jebid – smile
Joud/ Joudig – chickadee
Jrak (juh-rock) – spark
Kami – strong wind
Karoon – Spring
Keghetsig – Beautiful, very pretty, stunning
Knar – lyre
Lar – musical instrument strings
Lara – pleasant
Lareen/Larine , Լարին – Ancient Armenian currency
Lelag – lilac
Lena – charming woman Latin in origin
Lim, Leem – an island in Lake Van in Armenia
Looys – light
Lor – quail
Lorig – young quail
Loreni – Linden tree
Lory – linden tree
Louisa – derivitive of Looys – light
Lousig – small light
Lousin/Lousine/Lusineh – moon
Luseres , Լուսերես – face with a bright and radiant glow
Maneh –derived from the word manana meaning “semolina”
Manish/Manishag/Manoushag – violet
Maral – 1-beautiful 2- deer
Maralik – A town in Armenia
Markrid – pearl, daisy
Mayis – The month of May
Medaks , Մետաքս – silk
Medaksya , Մետաքսիա – made of silk
Meghety – melody
Meghri – 1-A region in Armenia 2-diminutive of meghr meaning honey
Nanor – sleep, lullaby
Narin (Naw-reen), Նարին – The part of the branch of the pomegranate tree that has the fruit and flowers.
Narod – the crown in the Armenian wedding crowning ceremony
Naz/Nazani/Nazeli/Nazig – graceful
Nectar – Nectar
Noji – tree
Noor – pomegranate
Noushig – small almond
Nuneh – Clean, holy
Nvart – newly blossomed rose
Nver – gift
Orig – day -ig is a suffix used as a term of endearment
Oror – lullaby
Ovsanna/Ovsan/Osig – benediction, praise
Pailoon – shines brightly
Paleni (paw-leh-nee), Բալենի – cherry
Palig – child
Pardi – tree
Pareli – embraceable, lovely
Pari – kind
Pareen/Parin , Բարին –femine for Kind or good natured
Parik – kindness
Patil – snowflake
Payla – short for Pailadzou, planet of Mercury
Paze´ (Paw-zeh), Բազէ – falcon
Pegor (Peh-gore), Բէկոր– piece, fragment
Peri – fairy
Pergri/Pega – short for Pergrouhie meaning “delight”
Pergrouhi – Cheerful-female
Perouz – precious stone
Pouregh – Crystal
Rehan – basil
Salpi – cypress tree
Sanahin – name of an Armenian monastery
Sanan –
Sarig – small mountain
Sarin/Sarine – the best rose (of mountain)
Ser / Serig– love
Serineh –
Serli – full of love
Sevan – famous lake in Armenia and the daughter of a famous Armenian artist 🙂
Sevatch – one with black eyes
Shaghig – light rain
Shakar – sugar
Shogher – sunrays
Shushan/ Shushig – the flower Lily
Shushi – A city in Artsakh
Sina/Sinam – peacock
Silva – forest , garden , vineyard ( Latin roots)
Sira – from love
Sireli – dear
Siran/Siranoush – sweet love
Sirarpi – love of the sun
Siroon – pretty, lovely
Sirouhi – sweetheart, darling
Sirov (See-Rove) , Սիրով – with love
Sirvart – rose of love
Sis – a town in the Ararat Province of Armenia
Sona (So-nah), Սօնա – A tall woman. Prevalent in the Van region and belonging to the Van dialect.
Sosse – 1. Plane tree 2. The name of an Armenian Freedom Fighter – Sosse Mayrig
Sossi – plane tree
Srpouhi/Srpoug – female saint
Suineh – a mountain in Armenia
Takuhi, Takush – queen
Tatev – A village in Armenia. Also spelled Datev
Talar – evergreen
Tali – diminutive of Talar
Talin – A town in Armenia
Tamar – island and province in Armenia
Tangakin – precious, valuable
Tavush – One of the provinces in Armenia
Tsoler /Tsoline/Tshoghig/ Tsolig – reflection
Van/ Vana/Vaughn – city and lake in ancient Armenia
Vaneni/Vaneh – of crystal
Vanuhi – woman from the city of Van
Vanya – made of crystal
Varsenig/Varseh – woman with beautiful hair
Vart/Vartoug/Vartoush/ Vartuhi – Rose
Varteni – rose bush
Varter – bouquet of roses
Vehig – majestic, noble
Vehanoush , Վեհանուշ – Noble and sweet
Vosgee – gold
Yar – sweetheart
Yeran/Yerani – lucky, blessed
Yeva – Eve – as in Adam and Eve
Yerchanig – joyful
Zabel – The name of an ancient Armenian queen
Zaroug/ Zarouhi – golden
Zartar – ornament
Zepure – breeze
Zvart – joyous
Boys Names
Abril – 1-to live 2- Month of April
Acher – eyes
Adis – short for Avedis meaning good news
Adour – short for Asdvadsadour meaning gift from God
Agheg – good,well,kind
Amas – short for Amasia meaning Force of God
Amour – tight, solid , strong , firm
Anoushavan – 1. immortal soul 2. Dedicated to the Forest of Sosi
Andar – forest
Anti/Antranig/ Anto/Antreas – grand, oldest member, usually referring to the first born son
Antsrev – rain
Apov – assured by hope of God
Ara – Armenian mythological name which symbolizes the spring
Arad : abundant
Arakadz – a mountain in Armenia which means “throne of Armenia”
Arakel – disciple of Jesus
Aram/Arameh/Aramig – The Father of Ara Keghetsig, also means Excellency or Highness
Arameh – excellency, highness
Aramayis – Armenian mythological name 2.mild, sweet, good tempered in Assyrian
Ararat/Ararad – mount Ararat
Araz – The name of a river in Armenia
Arek, Arekag – sun
Archoug – bear cub
Ardashes/Ardash – prince of justce
Ardsat – silver
Ardziv – Eagle
Arek/ Arekag – Sun god in Armenian mythology
Aren – spelled with ra- gift from God Arnvadz Ehyootyoonnen Asdoodzmeh. Spelled with reh, a city in Armenia
Arev – sun
Arevshad – long life, in eternal sun
Ari – brave
Arin/Areen – assumed to be from Arun meaning blood
Arka – king
Armavir – First capital of Armenia
Armen/Armenag/Armeni/Armig/Armo/Aro – 1.derived from the Armenian mythological name Armaniag. 2. Head of Armenian race
Armig – 1.short for Armine. 2.derived from the Armenian mythological name Armaniag. 3. Head of Armenian race
Arnag – A man with strength and high energy, virile.
Argishd –Name of an ancient Armenian king
Arpoun – real force
Arsen – virile male
Arshag – bear cub
Arshalooys – Dawn
Artar – just, fair
Arti – modern, of the times
Artsvi – of an eagle as in artsvi teveruh (wings of an eagle)
Artik – A city in Armenia’s Shirak province
Artoon – awake, alert
Arudz – lion
Asadoor – short for Asdvadzadoor meaning “given by God”
Asbed – knight
Ashod – Armenian king, founder of the Pakradouni Dynasty
Atam – 1. Man 2. Adam of Adam and Eve
Avak – great
Avo/ Avedis/ Aved / Avig – Goog news
Azad – liberated
Aznavour – giant man, titan, hero
Barkev – gift
Barooyr – 1. circuit, ring, circle 2. The name of a famous poet and author, Barooyr Sevag
Barkev – presence, to endow as in barkevel
Bartev – Tall
Baykar – perseverence
Berj – superb, abundant, luxurious
Boghos – minor
Chan/Chanig/Jan – soul
Charentz – 1. Naughty, mischievous 2. The last name of famous author, Yeghisheh Charentz
Chiva – A village in Armenia
Christapor – 1. Armenian version of Christopher, Christ-bearer. 2.Also the names of Armenian freedom fighter Christapor
Dadour – variation of Asdvadzdour meaning gift of God
Daron – A province in Armenia
Datev – An Armenian monastary. Also spelled Tatev
Davigh , Տաւիղ – Ancient Armenian harp
Dikran/Tigran – 1.fighter with arrow 2. An ancient Armenian emperor called Tigran the Great
Dir – mythological god of Armenian letters, sciences, arts and eloquence
Dirair – man of God
Diran – derived from God (Der, Dir)
Donig/Donabed – head of celebration
Drtad – gift of God (Der, Dir)
Dvin – A village in Armenia
Dzaghig – flower
Dzovag – one with eyes the color of the sea
Gaidzag – lightning
Gadar – summit
Gaidar – active, vivacious
Garabed/Garo – forerunner, guide
Garo – looming, desire, missing someone
Gdrij – brave, courageous
Gomidas/Komitas – an Armenian priest, musicologist, composer, arranger, singer, and choirmaster, who is considered the founder of the Armenian national school of music.
Gorune/Goryoon/Gor (Go-ruin), Կորիւն– lion’s cub
Grag (guh-rawg), Կրակ – fire
Hagop – Name of a saint
Haig – giant man
Hampig / Hampartsoom – ascension of Jesus
Harout / Haro / Haroutiun – resurrection of Jesus
Hayastan/Hayasdan – Armenia
Hayaser – someone who loves the Armenian race
Haytoug (Hye-toog), Հայդուկ – A soldier in a revolutionary army
Hazar – a thousand
Heros – hero
Hoki/Hoky – soul, spirit
Hovag / Hovagim – God rising
Hovig – 1. breeze 2. a variant of Hovhannes meaning “grace of God”
Hrad – 1.the planet Mars 2.Hot as fire
Hrahad – piece of fire
Hrair – man of fire
Hrant – unextinguishable fire
Hratch / Hratchia – one with fiery eyes
Hraztan – a river in Armenia
Ishkhan (Eesh-khan), Իշխան – prince
Janig (Jaw-neeg), Ճանիկ- soul, spirit
Jarbig – clever, able
Jirair / Jiro – active man
Kach – brave
Kacher – many brave ones
Kail/Kayl – wolf
Kalusd – Pentecost
Kami – strong wind
Karekin – worth quadruple
Karnig – lamb
Kegham – beauty
Keghon – glory, dedication
Kero / Kerop / Kerovpe – angel, cherub
Kevork – 1. farmer 2. name of a saint
Khachadour – given by cross
Khacher – many crosses
Khachig / Khacho – cross
Khajag – blue eyed
Khosrov – An ancient Armenian King
Krikor/ Koko – awake
Kristapor – 1.Christ bearer in Greek 2. The name of an Armenian hero, Kristapor Mikaelian
Lernig – small mountain
Louys – light
Levon – lion (Greek origin)
Manoug – child, infant
Mardig – warrior
Mardouni – region and city in Armenia
Masis – Mount Masis
Mayis – The month of May
Meghri – 1.A region in Armenia 2.diminutive of meghr meaning honey
Melik – prince, king
Mesrob – inventor of the Armenian alphabet
Mher – Name of an Armenian hero
Moush – An ancient Armenian city
Nareg – 9th century saint
Nayiri – Historically, Nayiri has been used interchangeably with the name Armenia. In official documentation, the Kingdom of Urartu (590 BC) is referred to as the lands of Nayiri. The literal translation is the land of canyons or river.
Nigol – short for Nigoghos-conquerer of the people (Greek origin)
Njteh – exile, foreigner
Norayr – new male
Noy – Noah
Nshan – Mark
Oshagan- A village in Armenia
Pailag – lightning
Paze´ (Paw-zeh), Բազէ – falcon
Pegor (Peh-gore), Բէկոր– piece, fragment
Raffi – 1. flash of lightning 2. Glorious man
Razmig – soldier,combatant, warrior
Rshdouni – An ancient Armenian dynasty
Sahag – The first name of the creator of the Armenian alphabet
Saren– From the mountain
Sarkis/Sako – from Assyrian name “Sargis” and Persian Sarkis meaning rainbow
Saro – cypress tree
Sasoun – An Armenian province and city
Sayat – hunter in Arabic. The first name of the famous Armenian poet and musician Sayat Nova.
Sebouh – nobleman, knight
Serop – short for Serovpe, group of angels. Also the name of an Armenian hero
Sevan – Lake Sevan
Sevag – one with black eyes
Shabouh – A derivative of an ancient Armenian King’s name of Vramshapuh
Shadarev – One who sees many suns -one who lives long
Shahan – short for Shahanshah meaning king of kings
Shahe – from the verb shahil meaning to win
Shen – joyful, cheerful
Shirag/Shirak – A village and province in Armenia
Shiraz – 1. The last name of an Armenian poet, Hovhannes Shiraz 2. short for Shirazabad meaning free as a lion
Siamanto – The pen name of a famous Armenian writerS
Sirak- 1. Famous author, William saroyan’s pen name. 2. Eyes full of love
Sipan –A mountain range in Armenia
Sis – A mountain range in Armenia
Tavush – One of the provinces in Armenia
Torkom , Թորգոմ – Armenian progenitor Hayk’s father, fore-ancestor of Armenians
Toros – gift from God
Tro – 1. A derivative of Trasmatad meaning straight walker. 2. The name of an Armenian hero
Tvin – Ancient capital of Armenia
Vahagk/Vahakn – God of war and victory in Armenian mythology
Vahan – shield
Vahe- Persian origin meaning the best
Van/Vaughn – Name of a city and Lake in Western Armenia
Varak – Name of a mountain range and monastary in Armenia
Varouj/Varoujan – male dove
Vartan – A famous Armenian hero
Vartavar – A holiday in Armenian church
Vartkes – one with rose colored and full hair
Vatche – young boy
Vayk Vyke – A town in Armenia
Vem – boulder
Viken – victorious (Latin origin)
Vishab (Vee-shawb), Վիշապ – dragon
Vosdan , Ոստան – capital city, the Medieval Armenian Royal residence on lake Van (Middle name of Arshil Gorky was Vosdanig- Ոստանիկ)
Vosgam – from gold
Vram – 1. A derivative of an ancient Armenian King’s name of Vramshapuh 2. Fiery (Persian origin)
Vrej – revenge
Yeprad – A river in Armenia
Yeram – Flock of birds
Yerevan – Capital of Armenia
Yerchanig – happy, joyous
Yergat – iron
Zadig – Easter
Zareh – weeping, in pain
Zorair – strong man
Unisex Names
Arates – 1. A village in Armenia 2. Someone who see the glass half full Arad des
Araz – used interchangeably for one of the largest rivers in the Caucasus, Arax River, with one of its borders being
Arin/Areen – assumed to be from Arun meaning bloodArmenia : Armenia!
Arek – sun
Armig – 1.short for Armine. 2.derived from the Armenian mythological name Armaniag. 3. Head of Armenian race
Artik – A city in Armenia’s Shirak province
Arshalooys – Dawn
Chiva/Shiva – A village in Armenia
Datev – An Armenian monastary. Also spelled Tatev
Davigh , Տաւիղ – Ancient Armenian harp
Dvin – A village in Armenia
Grag (guh-rawg), Կրակ – fire
Kami – strong wind
Louys – light
Mayis – The month of May
Meghri – 1.A region in Armenia 2.diminutive of meghr meaning honey
Nayiri – Historically, Nayiri has been used interchangeably with the name Armenia. In official documentation, the Kingdom of Urartu (590 BC) is referred to as the lands of Nayiri. The literal translation is the land of canyons or river.
Paze´ (Paw-zeh), Բազէ – falcon
Pegor (Peh-gore), Բէկոր– piece, fragment
Sevan– famous lake in Armenia and the daughter of a famous Armenian artist 🙂
Tavush – One of the provinces in Armenia
Yerevan – capital city of Armenia