Our name not only identifies us but also tells a story. It shows our origin, where we come from, who our ancestors are, it shows in which years we were born approximately, it tells a lot about the parents or the person who baptised us with this name, it tells about their personality, their religion, about their passions and desires. In the recent years, Albanians have also taken the course of globalisation and the names of the newborns are becoming shorter and shorter and without nationality.
However, we want to introduce you to the real Albanian names and the meaning behind them. The names we hear today from our parents or grandparents are truly an anthropological indicator of national culture and consciousness.
Let’s go fast through the most typical Albanian names of all time.
Typical names through Illyrian Tribes time:
Arian, Albana, Ilir, Dardan, Ardian, Taulant, Teuta, Drane (Drandofille), Dafina, Dedë, Dodë, Nertila, Dorian, Arben, Arbër, Aranit , Adriatik
These names are mainly related to the tribe names like Taulant, Ardian, Arian , Dardan, Ilir, Arbër – just like Albania was called during 1190 to 1255.
Typical names in the communism period:
Agim/e – Dawn
Afrim/e – Approach
Saimir/a – So good
Shkëlqim (m)– Glow
Shpresa (f) – Hope
Gëzim/e – Joy
Kujtim/e – Memory
Art/a – Art/Golden
Flutura – Butterfly
Liri/je – Freedom
Jetmir/a – Good life
Besmir/a – Good Faith
Fatjon/a – Our Luck
Fatbardh/a – White Luck
Fatmir/a – Good Luck
Diellza (f)– Sun
Luljeta (f)– The flower of Life
Dritan (m)–Light
Vjollca (f)- Violet
Dëshira (f)– Wish
Lind/a – I was born
Lindit/a – Day rises
Majlind/a – In May I was born
Pëllumb (m) – Dove
Çlirim (m) – Liberation
Bujar (m) – Generous
(the letter after slash intends the female version)
These are mainly names that were used in Albania during the communist era 1944 -1990 and were part of a very strict list dictated by the authorities, which did not allow any foreign influence in Albanian culture, but only names with meaning in Albanian. These names are held today by 40-50 and 60 year olds and are very common.
Other typical Albanian names :
Alban/a , Arben/a, Argjend, Astrit, Ajkuna, Alketa, Amantia, Arbion/a, Albion/a, Aulon/a, Bardhyl , Besfort, Besnik , Bora, Bledar , Blerim, Blerina, – Ermir/a – Besmir/a, Briken/a, Blerta, Bukurosh/e, Çiljeta, Dashamir, Denis/a, Dasara, Delina, Dëfrim, Drenushë, Drini, Dhurata, Edlir/a, Ejon/a, Ermal, Erand/a, Enkelejd/a, Eri/a, Fitor/e, Fisnik/e, Fatlum/e, Genci, Gramoz, Genti/a, Jetnor, Jet/a, Jonila, Sonil/a, Kastriot, Klevis/a, Kreshnik, Korab, Kaltrina, Kroi, Lavdim, Ledjon/a, Migjen, Mrika, Mirush, Mirësi, Mirlind/a, Neritan, Netil/a, Oltian/a, Olsi/a, Petrit, Pëllumbesha, Rinor, Rudin/a, Sazan, Selvie, Skerdi, Sokol, Stolie, Shkumbin, Shqipe, Teuta, Tritan, Vesa, Ylber, Ylli, Zamir/a, Zanfina
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A little earlier the names in Albania were influenced by the Greco-Roman culture and the most used names were:
Dionis, Afrodita, Artemisa, Hermes, Helios, Elio, Venera, Hera, Mitro, Klaudio, Diana, Marta
This influence is of course timeless, because ancient antiquity is the cradle of many cultures, just as the names in the Bible today are widely used among Albanians who are returning to their old faith by bringing to life Bible characters like Daniel, Amos, Joel, Luka, Mark, Samuel, Maria, Eve, Ester, Noemi, Sara, Rebeka and one of the most used names in Albania at all times Ana.
Subsequently, the Muslim culture of the Ottoman Empire greatly influenced not only the naming of newborns with Turkish names, but many Albanians were directly or indirectly forced to change their name, religion and identity. The most used names of this time are:
Mehmet, Ahmet, Fatime, Sami, Servet, Bektash, Adnan, Ali, Beqir, Arif, Ferhat, Nazmi, Nadir, Sabri, Ramiz, Haxhi, Qamil,
Our grandparents bear many of these names, some have even inherited them to their grandchildren, as an old Albanian tradition and not only.
As reported by Instat, the Institute of Statistics in Albania, these are the 5 most used terms in the last century in the country:
After the 90’s, it started another era of names, influenced by the western culture but adapted to the Albanian way. These names have probably no meaning at all but sound great and represent the generation of Millennials today. You might have heard some of them:
Altea, Blerina, Bruna, Brunilda, Denisa, Endri, Erald, Elton, Erion, Xhensil/a, Gladiola, Igli, Ina, Ilva, Inva, Jona, Jonid/a, Jonilda, Klajdi, Marinela, Migena, Sibora, Sidorela, Silvana etc.
Meanwhile, it is being noticed, in recent years, while Albania is culturally oriented from the west, an influence also on the names given to small children. The tendency is to be short, simple, internationally understood and modern. The 2 tables below show the names of the girls and boys who are being named more children today.
Which is your favourite Albanian name so far?
Let us know in the comments!