Oldest Armenian Names and Meanings (Throughout History)

Modern Armenian names and meanings full list.

Prehistoric Armenian Names

If we take a glimpse at our history we will see that Armenians were freedom-loving people starting with our forefather Haig. Free means Azad, and that’s an Armenian name.

Haig was assertive and brave and won the battle against Bel. He built his own Village, Haigashen, near Lake Van where he lived with his family of 300. We are proud and loyal to our history.

We have gathered a bouquet of names with their most probable definitions to offer whoever is interested in the information to enjoy and why not choose from or recommend for our new generation babies. And we do appreciate any additions or corrections.

Nowadays we see many choose Armenian names based on those of their parents or relatives, others of saints, in addition to a significant segment who choose from among a long list of heroes of history and art.

Armenian Names related to Strength

• A commonly used name to start with for instance is Azad meaning freedom.
• Names meaning power like Ari for brave.
• Vahan As in Shield.
• Vrej as in Revenge.
• Krikor as in Fast.

Pagan Armenian Names

Ever since the beginning, people showed respect to the Forefather and his family. Soon Haig’s children became gods and later their names became the names of months, each dedicated to a god.

• Next comes Nayiri the old name of the Land of Armenia.
• Hayk, Aram, Aramazt, Ara (forefathers), Vahakn, and Varak.
• Parantzem (queen)
• Mihr, Anahid (gods)

Armenian Names of Nature

Armenians adore their lands and mountains and Mother Nature so naturally, you will find people named:

• Ararat and Sipan, Massis the mountains.
• Arax, Araz, Arpi, Aris, Iris the rivers.
• Patil (snowflake), Shogher (beam of light)
• Van, Moush, Ani, Garine the cities.
• Karoun as in Spring
• Dzaghig (flower), Vart (Rose), Hasmig (Jasmine), Shoushan (Lilies), Lala (Tulip), Karoun for Spring, Pardi (Poplar Tree), Talar (Evergreen), Mekhag (Carnation), Seta (Silk) for flowers and nature.

Biblical and Christian Armenian Names

Some of our names have Greek, Latin or Persian roots due to long years of neighboring and mixed marriages between the royal families.

Like most religious and believing people, Armenians name their children Biblical, Christian, and Saints Names too. Their pronunciation might differ, like:

• Eva, Mariam, Sara, Yeghisapet (Elizabeth), Mikayel, Manuel, Gabriel, Yezegel
• Hovhannes (John), Hagop (Jacob), Garabed (Forerunner), Kevork (George)
• In addition, names related to God, like Abaven (Protector), Khatchadour (given to The Cross), and Asdvadzadour (given to God)
• Names of Feasts like Hampartsoum meaning Ascension, Haroutiun – Resurrection, Kalousd – Pentecost
• Kayane, Shoghagat, Hripsime

Later on, after becoming Christians, we see biblical names sometimes used with another name indicating where the person proudly came from, for instance, Moses of Khoren, Hagop of Mdzpin, etc.

Old Armenian Female Names

Armenians respected their mothers, grandmothers, and wives, even had goddesses Anahid of beauty and Nane for motherhood who was the head of their household.

Unlike other cultures, Armenian men generally respected the females and were proud of them and added the particle “tousder” or “toukhd” or “anoush” to their own names to show she was their daughter or sister. For Example :

• khosrovitoukhd
• Hayganoush
• Zarmantoukht
• Haygouhi,
• Armenouhi
• Vartouhi
• keghouhi
• Zevart
• Nayiri

Old Armenian Names Male

Our Culture is rich and we are lucky to have had talented and dedicated poets and writers, largely priests, and monks who have preserved and passed the stories of bravery of our long-lost heroes through books of songs, poetry, and different artistic and historical material.

Royal names are used today again showing how Armenians respect their kings and princes, such as Arshag, Vramshabouh, Aram, Dikran, Drtad, Khosrov, etc.

If we visit any Armenian School today, we will find babies with old Armenian Male Names. Most of them are names of Royals, Princes, Bishops, and Kings that go from generation to generation, like:

• Vartan,
• Sahag,
• Mesrob,
• Vahan,
• Levon,
• Ardashes
• Dikran
• Aram,
• Ara,
• Gagig,
• Ashod,
• Smpad

The Ancient Armenian Calendar

Ancient Armenians had their own calendar or Domar. They dedicated the days of the month to the ancient gods, to their forefathers, and their descendants.

Later people started giving the names of their ancient gods, planets, etc to their children. Following are the names of the months, the weeks, the days, and the hours.

Names of the Weekdays During Ancient Armenian Kingdoms:

The Names of the Days of the Month During Ancient Armenian Kingdoms: