The Phoenicians were an ancient civilization located in the Eastern Mediterranean. Their trade network and innovations in industry and agriculture are thought to have set the foundation for Classical Western civilization (i.e., the Romans and Ancient Greeks).
While not very commonly used in modern society, their naming practices are interesting to consider, especially if you are looking for a unique name for your child. Phoenician names typically referred to a deity as parents believed that the god included in their child’s name would influence their future. The best known of their gods is Ba’al but there were also several others like Hamon, Astarte, and Melqart.
Phoenician names are mostly portmanteaus combining the name of a god with a prefix like Abd- as in Abdhamon, meaning ‘servant of Hamon’, and Hanni- meaning ‘favored by’ as in Hannibal (favored by Ba’al). Other examples are Eshmounhiles, meaning ‘Eshmoun has saved’ and Ummashtart, meaning ‘Astarte is my mother’.
You could take this idea to create your own name based on the deity you follow and create a truly unique Phoenician-style name for your child. However, if this doesn’t appeal to you, there are other names unconnected to a deity, such as Ahumm, meaning ‘brother of the sea’.
Abdhamon
Meaning: Servant of Hamon
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Abibaal
Meaning: Baal is my father
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Abirami
Meaning: God-father is elated
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Adon
Meaning: Lord
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Adonibaal
Meaning: Baal is my lord
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Ahinadab
Meaning: My god-brother was noble
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Ahirom
Meaning: God-brother is elated
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Ahumm
Meaning: Brother of the sea
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Anath
Meaning: Singer
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Girl
Asherah
Meaning: Grove
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Girl
Astarte
Meaning: Grove
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Girl
Athirat
Meaning: Earth
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Girl
Azmelqart
Meaning: Melqart is powerful
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Baalat
Meaning: Lady, Mistress
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Girl
Baaliahon
Meaning: So that Baal favors
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Baaliaton
Meaning: Baal has given
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Barekbaal
Meaning: Baal has blessed
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Batnoam
Meaning: Son (daughter) of charm
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Unisex
Bōdashtart
Meaning: From the hand of Astarte
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Dido
Meaning: Virgin, Wanderer
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Girl
Eshmounhilles
Meaning: Eshmoun has saved
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Eshmouniaton
Meaning: Eshmoun has given
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Hannibal
Meaning: Favored by Ba’al
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Itthobaal
Meaning: Baal is with him
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Melqart
Meaning: Phoenician god and patron deity of the city of Tyre
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Melita
Meaning: Bitter
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Girl
Nikkal
Meaning: Great lady
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Girl
Paltibaal
Meaning: My refuge is Baal
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Shapash
Meaning: Sun
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Girl
Sikarbaal
Meaning: Baal has remembered
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Tanit
Meaning: Stab, Pierce
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Girl
Ummashtart
Meaning: Astarte is my mother
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Urumilki
Meaning: Milki is my light
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Yada’milk
Meaning: Milk has known
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
Yehomilk
Meaning: So that Milk makes life
Origin: Phoenician
Gender: Boy
