Misplaced Pages

Moksha names are the personal names among people of Moksha language and culture generally consist of a given name, a patronymic, and a family name.

The study of ancient Moksha personal names is a branch of onomastics, the study of names, and more specifically of anthroponomastics, the study of names of persons. There are hundreds of Moksha names on record, making them an important resource for any general study of naming, as well as for the study of Moksha culture itself. The names are found in place names analyzed by experts and evaluated by archaeological findings, epic tales, clan names and modern family names. This article will concentrate on Moksha naming from the 2–5th centuries AD, when the evidence begins, to the end of the 19th century AD.

History

Ancient history

Ancient Mokshas generally had a single name, often qualified with a patronymic, a clan or tribe, or a place of origin. Married women were identified by the name of their husbands, not their fathers.

Hereditary family names or surnames began to be used by elites in the Khazar, Bolgharian or Muscovy service. Well into the 9th century, they were rare. But by the 11th and 12th centuries, elite families often used family names.

During the Russian period, surnames with Russian suffixes such as "-ov", "-yev","-(k)in", "-(o)vich" became common, first among Tambov, Tula, Penza and Siberian Mokshas. It is not clear when stable family surnames became widely used. Though elite families often had stable family names, many of the "last names" used by Mokshas into the 19th century were either patronymics or nicknames. It is also possible that family names were simply not recorded because Russian administrative practice preferred patronymics, and did not require surnames.

In the 19th century, patronymic surnames became common but still few family names still reflected archaic clan names.

For personal names, from the first century CE until the nineteenth century CE, pagan names from the past were partially replaced by names from Judaic scriptures and tradition. During the Russian Colonisation names of Jewish origin still were popular since they now became Biblical.

Family names may be patronymic in origin or else based on occupation, location, or personal characteristic. These origins are often indicated by roots or suffixes. Traditionally a woman used a feminine version of her father's family name, replacing it with a feminine version of her husband's name with suffix – (o/a)räsj (<Moksha: рьвясь, romanized: rvas, lit. 'the wife of') and in documents husband's family name on marriage. In modern time, a woman keeps her father's family name for life until marriage then husband's family name is used.

In official documents in modern Russia, people are given three names: a given name, a patronymic and a family name.

Given names

Until the late 19th century, many Judaic Mokshas had names from the Torah and later Old and New Testaments. Names from antiquity became less popular.

Male names usually end in -a/-ä, -ai/ei, -u/-iu but sometimes archaic forms in -man, -mas, -for, -as/es/is, -ash/esh/ish are also used. Female names almost always end in -a/ä- and -u/iu, though a few end in -ai with -l, -gä or being possible.

Since ancient times, there has been a strong tradition of naming the first and second sons after the paternal and maternal grandfathers and the first and second daughters after the paternal and maternal grandmothers.

This results in a continuation of names in the family line, but cousins with the same official name are almost always called by different shortened forms or diminutives. The Pagan and Christian have been divided into two lists in Moksha Misplaced Pages, showing the widespread use of shortened forms in addition to the rarely used formal forms of the official Russian name forms. These lists are understandable even if one doesn't understand Moksha. These variants make it possible to differentiate between cousins despite these traditionally having the same official names because they are traditionally named after their grandparents.

Family names

Moksha family names are most commonly patronymics but may also be based on occupation, personal characteristics or clan name (Yarman Päta, Pekaren Yaku, Kavalon Serga, Uzer Pavol .

Russian surnames

People in speaking use the family name followed by the given name, so Osä Cherapon is called Cherapon Osä. In modern practice he is called Russian name Iosif Cherapkin, where Iosif is the Russian form of the formal Joseph and Cherapkin is possessive form from Moksha name Cherapa . The Russian feminine version is usually the genitive of the family name of the woman's father or husband; so, for example, Mr. Shukshin and Mrs. Shukshina. Children usually receive the paternal surname. In official documents, the father's name in the genitive will be inserted between a person's first and last names. For example, if Uchaen Roman has a daughter named Mariu and a son named Andiu, they will be referred to as María Románovna Ucháeva and Andréy Románovich Ucháev. If Mariu then marries Yaku Tumaen, she may retain her original name or choose to be called María Románovna Tumáeva.

Footnotes

1. pekaren 'baker's '
2. kavalon 'kite's '
3. Uzer 'Axe'
4. Russian suffiks -ka (Cherap-ka) was used historically showing contempt to non-Russians

Examples of given names

Archaic names

1. Afkiman, m Афкиман /,ɑfki'mɑn founder of Afkiman
2. Aguta, f Агута /ɑ'gutɑ/
3. Akshmakai, f /'ɑkʃmɑkɑi/ Акшмакай
4. Alai Алай, m /'ɑlɑi/
5. Alda, f Алда /'ɑldə
6. Aldal, m Алдал /ɑl'dɑl, founder of Aldal
7. Aliona, f Алёна /ɑ'lʲɔnɑ/ Elena
8. Anai, m Анай /'ɑnɑi, founder of Anayu
9. Arista, m Ариста (/'ɑristə/
10. Armai, m Армай /ɑr'mɑi/, founder of Armei velä
11. Arshu, f Арьшу /ɑ'rʲinɑ/'ɑrʲʃu/ Irina
12. Artiush, m Артюш /'ɑrʲtʲuʃ/ Ártamis
13. Aryu, f Арю /'ɑrʲu/ Erekan
14. Atämas,m Атямаз /,ɑtʲɑ'mɑs/ Atämaz
15. Ater, m Атерь /'ɑtʲerʲ/, founder of Ater
16. Atiash, m Атяш /'ɑtʲɑʃ/ founder of Atiash
17. Atman, m Атман /ɑt'mɑn/ founder of Atmanka
18. Azrapa, m Азрапа /ɑz'rɑpə/
19. Bala m Бала /'bɑlɑ/
20. Burmiza, f Бурмиза /burm'izə/
21. Dariush/Darshu, f Дарюш/Дарьшу /'dɑrʲuʃ/'dɑrʲʃu/
22. Donisi, m Дониси /'dɔnʲiʲsi/ Dionysus, God protector of cattle
23. Dora, f Дора /'dɔrə/
24. Ekamas, m Екамас /ekɑ'mɑs/ Darya Ekamasova, actress of Moksha descent
25. Fäka, f Фяка /'fækɑ/ Thekla
26. Garas, m Гарась /'gɑrɑsʲ/ Gerásimos
27. Istarta, f Истарта /is'tɑrtə/
28. Kanor, m Канор /'kɑnər/ Nicanor
29. Kelgä, m Кельге /'kelʲgæ/
30. Kidai, m Кидай /ki'dɑi/, Earth God
31. Kinyaka, m Киняка /ki'nʲɑkɑ/
32. Kirdyapa, m Кирдяпа /kirʲ'dʲɑpə/ Vasily Kirdyapa
33. Kitai, m Китай /ki'tɑi/
34. Kitsiat, m Кицят /ki'tsʲɑt/
35. Klema, m Клема /'klʲemə/ Clymenus
36. Kola /'kolɑ/, Nikolaos
37. Kolapa, m Колапа /kə'lɑpə/ founder of Kolapa
38. Kolamas, m Коламаз /,kolɑ'mɑs/ founder of Mokshen Kolamas
39. Ksniaka, f Ксняка /ks'nʲɑkɑ/
40. Kulisha, f Кулиша /ku'liʃɑ/
41. Kulyaga, f Куляга /ku'lʲɑ'gɑ/
42. Kulyas, m Куляс /ku'lʲɑs/
43. Kutsäi, m Куцяй /ku'tsʲɑi/
44. Lesnifor m Леснифор /lʲesʲ'nʲifər/
45. Lipifor m Липифор /lʲi'pifər/
46. Lituva, f Литува /lʲi'tuwɑ/ Leto
47. Malemas, m Малемас /mɑlʲe'mɑs/
48. Maska, m Маска /'mɑskɑ/ founder of Mokshen Maskanä, Oleg Maskaev boxer of Moksha descent
49. Miyanza, m Миянза /mi'jɑnzə/,
50. Murai, m Мурай /mu'rɑi/, founder of Murai velä
51. Nasta/Nastyu, f Наста/Настю /'nɑstə/'nɑstʲu/, Anastasía
52. Mikefor, m *Микефор /mi'kefər/, Nikephoros
53. Normal, f Нормаль /'normɑlʲ/
54. Oi(ka), m Ой(ка) /'oi(ka)/
55. Oku, m Оку /'oku/
56. Ot, m От /'ot/
57. Osta, m Оста /'ostɑ/
58. Otsiat, m Оцят /o'tsʲɑt/ founder of Otsyadu
59. Paranza, m Паранза /'pɑrɑnzɑ/
60. Polyap, m Поляп /po'lʲɑp/ Philip
61. Polda, m Полда /'bɔldə/, founder of Boldu
62. Poldia, m Польдя /'pɔlʲdʲɑ/, founder of Poldiaz
63. Poshapa/Poshat,m Пошапа/Пошат /pə'ʃɑpə/pə'ʃɑt/, founder of Poshadu velä
64. Pozai, m Позай /'pɔzɑi/
65. Puresh, m Пуреш /pə'reʃ/ , Kanazor of Moxel
66. Saitsä, m Сайце /'sɑjtsæ/
67. Salkai, m Салкай /'sɑlkɑi/
68. Samila m Самила /sɑ'milə/
69. Samka m Самка /'sɑmkə/
70. Sandor, m Сандор /'sɑndər/ Alexander
71. Sandra, f Сандра /'sɑndrə/ Alexándra
72. Sazan, m Сазан /sɑ'zɑn/ Sozon, founder of Od Sazan
73. Selik, m Селик /se'lʲik/, founder of Seliksa
74. Shongor, f /'ʃɔngər/, f rune singer from Vechkänä
75. Sofa, f Софа /'sofɑ/, Sofia
76. Syumerjgä, f Сюмерьге /'sʲumerʲgæ/
77. Tetingei, m Тетингей /'tʲetʲingei/ founder of Tetingei
78. Tsiftomas, m Цифтомас /,tsiftə'mɑs/
79. Tolku, m Толку /'tolku/, founder of Od Tolku
80. Tiushtia, m Тюштя /'tʲuʃtʲɑ/
81. Uskai, m Ускай /us'kɑi/
82. Valgapa, m Валгапа /vəl'gɑpə/
83. Vasalgä/Vasonä, f Васальге/Васоня /'vɑsɑlʲgæ/'vɑsənʲæ/ Basílissa
84. Vechkan/Vechkinza, m Вечкан/Вечкинза /vətʃ'kɑn/'vetʃkinzɑ/ founder of Vechkänä
85. Veka, m Века /'vekɑ/
86. Velmai, m Вельмай /velʲ'mɑi/
87. Virias, m Виряс /vi'rʲɑs/
88. Yan/Yanka, m Янь/Янька /'jɑnʲ/'jɑnʲkə/ Iánthē
89. Yana,f Яна /'jɑnə/
90. Yavsei, m Явсей /'jɑvsʲei/ Eusébios
91. Yefima, m Ефима /e'fimə/ Efthýmios
92. Yermila, m Ермила /jer'milə/ Hermólāos
93. Yon, m Йон /'jon/, Ion
94. Zinä, m Зине /'zʲinʲæ/

Footnotes

1. first record in 1538
2. lit.: White poppy, might be from Ancient Greek Doric μά̄κων /mā́kōn/ ‘opium poppy’
3. recorded in 1637, Keramsurka village
4. first record in 1869
5. name of Ηρέκαν (Erekan), Moksha: ару, romanized: aru, lit. 'clean' Hungarian Réka
6. lit.:loved one
7. in Moksha lit.: patient or cautious, the latter is more precise reflecting the older meaning
8. ancestor of the senior branch of a Rurikid noble family, and the Princes Shuysky
9. *Λησσνιφόρος, not attested in scholarly sources
10. *Λυπηφόρος lit. Bringing sadness', not attested in Greek scholarly sources
11. Lētóā Doric→ /liˈto/
12. lit. Beaver
13. lit. meadow strawbery
14. Moksha: пара, romanized: para, lit. 'good'
15. first recorded in 1637
16. first record 1614
17. lit.: poza brewing time born
18. lit.: pureh brewing time born
19. probably from Σέλευκος
20. archaeologically the city foundation time ca 100 AD
21. recorded in 1696
22. lit.:night born
23. lit.:reborn
24. lit.:forest born

Hebrew and biblical names

1. Abra, m Абра /'ɑbrɑ/, Abraham
2. Adam, m Адам /'ɑdəm/
3. Aksä, f Акся /'ɑksʲæ/, Xenia
4. Älgä, m Эльгя /'ælʲgæ/, Elijah
5. Andiu/Andiama, m Андю/Андяма /'ɑnʲdʲu/ɑnʲ'dʲɑmə/
6. Aniu, f Аню /'ɑnʲu/, Anna
7. Arina, f Арина /ɑ'rʲinɑ, Irene
8. Aron, m /'ɑrən/, Aaron
9. Dania, m /'dɑnʲɑ/, Daniel
10. Daud, m Дауд /dɑ'ud/, David, founder of Daud vele
11. Doma(sha), f Дома(ша) /'dɔmɑ, də'mɑʃɑ/, Domna
12. Dora/Dorka Дора/Дорка /'dɔrə/'dɔrkɑ/, Dora
13. Fadei, m Фадей /fɑ'dʲej/, Thaddeus
14. Foka, m Фока /'fɔkɑ/, Phōkâs
15. Foma, m Фома /fə'mɑ/, Thomas
16. Gavdai, m Гавдай /'gɑvdɑi/
17. Iga, m /'igɑ/, Ignátios
18. Inä Ине /'inʲæ/, Eugenia
19. Kandra, m Кандра /'kɑndrɑ/, Codratus
20. Kanor, m Канор /'kɑnər/ Nicanor
21. Katernä/Katrä, f Катерня/Катря /'kɑtʲerʲnʲæ/'kɑtrʲæ/, Katherine
22. Kavrä, m Кавре /'kavrʲæ/, Gabriel
23. Klema, m Клема /'klʲemɑ/, Clement
24. Kola, m Кола /'kɔlɑ/, Nicolas
25. Kotya, m Котя /'kɔtʲɑ/, Nicodemus
26. Krila, m Крила /'krilɑ/, Cyril
27. Lasei, m *Ласи /'lɑsʲi/ Blaise
28. Lazur, m Лазур /'lɑzur/, Lazarus
29. Lepa, m Лепа /'lʲepɑ/
30. Lisa, f Лиса /'lʲisə/, Elizabeth
31. Luka f Лука /'lukə/
32. Malafei, m Малафей /mə'lɑfei/, Malachi
33. Malka Малка /'mɑlkɑ/
34. Mardei, f Мардей /'mɑrʲdʲei/
35. Maryu, f Марю /'mɑrʲu/, Mariam
36. Marka, m Марка /'mɑrkɑ/ , Mark
37. Marfa, f Марфа /'mɑrfɑ/ Martha
38. Matfei, m Матьфей /mətʲ'fej/, Matthew
39. Mika, m Мика /'mika/ Micah
40. Mikla, m Микла /'mikla/
41. Minus, m Минус /'minəs/
42. Mihaiila, m Михайила /mixɑi'ilɑ/ , Michael
43. Mihei, m Михей /mi'xei/ , Micaiah
44. Miketa, m Микета /mi'ketɑ/, Nicetas
45. Moka, m Мока /'mɔkɑ/, Mocius
46. Mokshai, m Мокшай /'mokʃɑi/ Moxius
47. Mordukai, m *Мордукай /mərdu'kɑi/, Mordecai
48. Mosha, m Моша /'mɔʃɑ/, Moses
49. Nadyu, f Надю /'nɑdʲu/
50. Narchat/Naricha, f Нарчат/Нарича /nɑr'tʃɑt/'nɑrʲitʃɑ/, Queen of Moxel
51. Navum, f Навум /'nɑvum/, Nahum
52. Osä, m Ося /'ɔsʲæ/, Joseph
53. Palaga, f Палага /'pɑlɑgɑ/ Pelagia
54. Päta, m Пята /pæ'tɑ/, Peter
55. Pavol, m Павол /'pɑvəl/, Paul
56. Polad, m Полад /pə'lɑt/
57. Radu(sha), m Раду(ша) /rə'duʃə/
58. Rast, m Раст /rɑst/, Tümen Prince, founder of Rast dynasty
59. Riba, m Риба /'rʲibə/
60. Rizai, m Ризай /rʲi'zɑi/
61. Rusä, m Руся /'rusʲæ/
62. Saiiä, m Сайя /'sɑijæ/, Isaiah
63. Sakai, m Сакай /sɑ'kɑi/, Isaac, founder of Sakayevo
64. Salonä, f Салоня /'sɑlənʲæ/, Salome
65. Sara(i), m Сара(й) /'sɑrɑ(i)/
66. Sekla, f Секла /'sʲeklɑ/
67. Semyä, m Семъя /'sʲemjæ/, Simeon
68. Serga, m Серьга /sʲerʲ'gɑ/, Serge
69. Sila, m Сила /'sʲilə/, Sila
70. Siuriandiei, m Сюряндей /sʲurʲɘnʲ'dʲei/
71. Sofa, f Софа /'sofɑ/, Sofia
72. Soltan, m Солтан /'sɔltən/, Earth God
73. Tair, m Таир /tɑ'ir/, Taher
74. Tama,f Тама /'tɑmə/ , Tamara
75. Trafa, m Трафа /'trɑfɑ/, Trophimus
76. Ulita, f Улита /u'lʲitɑ/
77. Vara, f /'vɑrə/, Barbara
78. Vasil, m Василь /'vɑsʲilʲ/
79. Vera, f Вера /verɑ/, Vera
80. Yäfrim, m Яфрим /'jæfrʲim/, Ephraim
81. Yagor, m Ягор /'jɑgər/, George
82. Yakim, m Яким /'jɑkim/, Joachim
83. Yaku, m Яку /'jɑku/, Jacob
84. Yarma, m Ярма /'jɑrmɑ/, Jeremiah
85. Yavsei, m Явсей /jɑv'sei/, Eusebius
86. Yefiut, m Ефют /je'fjut/
87. Yesha, f Еша /'jeʃɑ/, female of Isaiah
88. Yon(ka), m Йон(ка) /'jɔn(kɑ)/, Jonah
89. Yosha, m Йоша /'jɔʃɑ/, Joshua
90. Yuda, m Йуда /'judɑ/, Judah
91. Yuha, m Юха /'juxɑ/, John
92. Yuvan, m Юван, /'juvɑn/, Evan
93. Zafar, m Зафар /zə'fɑrʲ/, Zechariah

Footnotes

1. Biblical Hebrew IPA/ʔabraːˈhaːm/
2. אדם Biblical Hebrew IPA(key) /ʔɔːˈðɔːm/
3. lit. Hebrew Malka 'Queen'
4. Mihei Micaiah and Mika Micah prophets' names in Russian are not distinguished, both names are Mikhey and Mikhey (son of Imla
5. Mihei Micaiah and Mika Micah prophets' names in Russian are not distinguished, both names are Mikhey and Mikhey (son of Imla
6. Erzya Murdakai, Lat. Morducani /,mordu'kɑj/
7. Persian Jewish پولاد (Pôlâd, lit. “steel”)
8. mentioned in 1689 as the owner of the village of Mordvin faith
9. corresponds to Hungarian Zoltán
10. Persian Jewish اهر(Ṭāhir)
11. Probably Knaanic תמר /tamár/

Gothic names

1. Nava, m Нава /'nɑvɑ/, Noah
2. Stiratӓ, m Стырятя /'sti'rʲɑtʲæ/
3. Yevga, f Евга /'jevgə/, Eve

Footnotes

1. from Anglo-Saxon *Nowa<Hebrew נֹחַn(óakh), nṓaḥ
2. from Anglo-Saxon styran and Error: Error: {{Langx}}: missing language tag (help): transliteration text not Latin script (pos 3) (help) Styr-atӓ (lit.:steerman)
3. from Anglo-Saxon *Iawa<Hebrew חַוָּה/ḥawwā

Muslim names

1. Ahmad, m m Ахмад /ɑx'mɑt/, Emir of Volga Bulgaria
2. Araslan
3. Bazan, m Базан /bɑ'zɑn/
4. Beibars, m Бейбарс Prince from Rast Dynasty
5. Biliar
6. Islam
7. Jaulat, f Джаулат
8. Kasim
9. Kulaa, m Кулаа Prince from Rast Dynasty
10. Mamai
11. Mumin, m Мумин
12. Yanbars, m Янбарс Prince from Rast Dynasty

Footnotes

1. Ahmad Haji, son of Mumin Kuyak, son of Muhshi Bazan al-Bulgari, Bolghar epitaphy inscription
2. Ahmad Haji, son of Mumin Kuyak, son of Muhshi Bazan al-Bulgari, Bolghar epitaphy inscription
3. Bolghar epitaphy inscription
4. Ahmad Haji, son of Mumin Kuyak, son of Muhshi Bazan al-Bulgari, Bolghar epitaphy inscription

Examples of family names

Common suffixes

See also

• Onomastics
• Mokshas

References

1. Inzhevatov, Nikonov & Tsygankin 1987
2. Lyubavsky 2022
3. Maticsák 2005, pp. 65–85
4. Mokshin 1991
5. Mokshin 1991
6. Mokshin 2012
7. Mokshin 2012
8. Mokshin 1991
9. Mokshin 1991
10. Mordvinic names used by speakers of Erzya and Moksha languages
11. Polesskikh M.R. Mordva Gravefields in Penza Oblast. Soviet Archaeology, Issue 4, 1959
12. Paasonen 1996
13. Inzhevatov, Nikonov & Tsygankin 1987
14. Paasonen 1996
15. Inzhevatov, Nikonov & Tsygankin 1987
16. Stetsyuk 2022
17. Provyn 2019
18. Stetsyuk 2022
19. Provyn 2019
20. Stetsyuk 2022
21. Provyn 2019
22. Mukhametshin 2008, p. 43
23. Mukhametshin 2008, p. 43
24. Mukhametshin 2008, p. 43

Sources

• Paasonen, Heikki (1996). Mordwinisches Wörterbuch Helsinki, Suomalais-ugrilainen seura, 1990–1996 [Heikki Paasonen; Kaino Heikkilä; Hans-Hermann Bartens; A P Feoktistov; G I Ermushkin; Martti Kahla. H. Paasonens Mordwinisches Wörterbuch] (in German).
• Inzhevatov, Ivan; Nikonov, Vladimir; Tsygankin, Dmitry, eds. (1987) . Toponymic Dictionary Of Mordvin Autonomous Republic. Mordovian Book Publishing.
• Mokshin, N.F. (1991). Mysteries of Mordvinic Names: Historical Onomasticon of Mordvinic people (in Russian). Cordovan Publishing. ISBN 575950634X.
• Mokshin, Nikolay (2012), "At Sources Of The Mordovian-Jewish Ethnocultural Ties", Social and Political Science (in Russian) (4): 6–8
• Lyubavsky, Matvei (2022). Historical Geography of Russia In The View of Colonisation (in Russian). Litres. ISBN 978-5044121287.
• Mukhametshin, D.G. (2008). "Tatar Epigraphic Monuments. Regional Peculiarities and Ethnocultural Varieties" (PDF). Euroasian Steppes Archaeology (in Russian) (6). Kazan: Mardzhani Institute of History. Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan.

External links

• Paasonens Mordwinisches Wörterbuch, a Major Project of Helsinki University, Mordvinic Languages Dialectal Dictionary including a great number of personal Moksha and Erzya names at least to 5th century.
• Mordvinic names used by speakers of Erzya and Moksha languages
• Lexicon of Mordvinic Personal Names, Republic of Mordovia Historical and ethnographic website. In Russian
• Traditional Moksha Male Names. In Russian
• Moksha Mordvins in Russia
• Stetsyuk, Valentin (2022), Anglo-Saxons in East Europe and at Sources of Russian Power
• Provyn, Hunter (10 August 2019), J-Y12000 Central Europeans Who Became Moksha and Mishar Tatars

Further reading

• Maticsák, Sándor (2005). "The Types of the Mordvin Settlement Names" (PDF). Proceedings of Debrecen University. ISBN 9634729053.

• Volga Finns
• Moksha language
• Indigenous peoples of Europe
• Ethnic groups in Russia