The Game of the Name

The Game of the Name

When the Jews of Germany were required to adopt family surnames in the language of the rulers of the country, the Jews were free to choose whatever names they wished without restriction. Thus, family names of German Jews are poetically beautiful. We are well acquainted with Rosenberg (rose mountain), Mandelbaum (almond tree), Morgenthau (morning dew), and Blumenthal (blooming dale).

When the Armenians of Ottoman Turkey were required to adopt family names in the language of the rulers of the country, local officials often derisively stigmatized hapless Armenians with unflattering names. Thus came about family names such as, Topalian (topal = lame), Chirkinian (chirkin=ugly), Zulumian (zulum=cruel, oppressive), and Tekirian (tekir=marked with spots).