Personal (Theophoric) Names
Some modern Sumerian polytheists wish to take on a Sumerian "craft name", or have an interest in the structure of Sumerian personal names. Lists of Sumerian names are however difficult to find, translations even more so.
By far the greatest portion of the available literature regarding Sumerian personal names so far focuses on theophoric names - those that express reverence to a deity. Not all Sumerians bore theophoric names, but they were extremely common in Sumer. At present, therefore, this page is intended to present a collection of Sumerian theophoric names, with their translations. It is intended that, in time, this page will be expanded to provide a wider overview of Sumerian personal names.
Most Sumerian names are unisex; names that are strictly masculine or feminine are indicated. Sumerians had one given name, and no surname, although these given names often translate to full sentences and could end up quite long. In legal documents, a person's name would often be followed by dumu 𒌉, "child of", followed by the name of a parent, or otherwise that person's birth city or nation, or even a personal deity.
The cities and nations of ancient Mesopotamia were interconnected, and a degree of international trade, influence, and migration did occur. Akkadian, Elamite, Amoritic and other names were found in Sumer, with varying frequency over time. This page, however, focuses on names of Sumerian origin.
In this list, the string 𒀭∅ is a placeholder; these names do not stand alone, but this string should be substituted with the name of a deity to build a personal name. This is indicated in translation by the Sumerological convention DN. Cuneiform values for deity names can be found on this site's pages for the seven gods who decree fate, and other deities.
Sumerian transliteration has no silent letters and names on this list are pronounced syllabically, as written (eg: DN-dame'ene is pronounced DN.da.me.e.ne).
Aba-DN-kim 𒀀𒁀𒀭∅𒁶: who is like DN? Abbreviated as Aba-DN 𒀀𒁀𒀭∅.
Amar-DN 𒀫𒀭∅: calf of DN.
Arad-DN 𒀴𒀭∅: (masc.) servant of DN, see also Ur-DN.
Ba-DN 𒁀𒀭∅: one allotted to DN.
Diš-DN 𒁹𒀭∅: person of DN.
Dubhur-DN 𒁾𒄯𒀭∅: artist of DN.
Dubsar-DN 𒁾𒊬𒀭∅: scribe/writer of DN.
Duga-DN 𒅗𒂵𒀭∅: the command of DN.
Dumu-DN 𒌉𒀭∅: child of DN.
Dumugi-DN 𒌉𒄀𒀭∅: freeborn child of DN.
Dumumi-DN 𒌉𒊩𒀭∅: (fem.) daughter of DN.
Dumunitah-DN 𒌉𒍑𒀭∅: (masc.) son of DN.
Geme-DN 𒁶𒀭∅: (fem.) servant of DN, see also Ur-DN.
Ibni-DN 𒅁𒉌𒀭∅: DN has created them.
Inim-DN 𒅗𒀭∅: the word of DN.
Izkur-DN 𒄑𒆳𒀭∅: called by DN.
Ka-DN-ma 𒅗𒀭∅𒈠: speak, DN, the name!
Ka-DN-udu 𒅗𒀭∅𒌋𒆕: the word of DN exults.
Lu-DN 𒇽𒀭∅: (masc.) man of DN.
Me-DN 𒈨𒀭∅: divine power of DN.
Munuš-DN 𒊩𒀭∅: (fem.) woman of DN.
Nabi-DN 𒈾𒉈𒀭∅: one named by DN.
Nar-DN 𒈜𒀭∅: musician/singer of DN.
Nig-DN 𒃻𒀭∅: treasure of DN.
Ninan-DN 𒊩𒌆𒀭𒀭∅: DN is Lady of Heaven.
Sag-DN-gal 𒊕𒀭∅𒃲: DN is chief.
Sag-DN-kin 𒊕𒀭∅𒆥: the head of DN turns.
Šu-DN 𒆃𒀭∅: blessing of DN.
Ur-DN 𒌨𒀭∅: servant of DN. By far the most common way of constructing a theophoric name in Sumer.
Ur-DN-zi 𒌨𒀭∅𒍣: true servant of DN.
Zal-DN 𒉌𒀭∅: light of DN.
DN-a'igidu 𒀭∅𒀀𒅆𒆕: DN lifts up the eyes.
DN-akalama 𒀭∅𒀉𒌦𒈠: DN is the strength of the land.
DN-amu 𒀭∅𒀀𒈬: DN is my father.
DN-azida 𒀭∅𒀉𒍣𒁕: DN is my right hand.
DN-adlal 𒀭∅𒀜𒋭: I praise DN.
DN-almah 𒀭∅𒀠𒈤: DN is sublime.
DN-amamu 𒀭∅𒂼𒈬: DN is my mother.
DN-An-kiaĝ 𒀭∅𒀭𒆠𒉘: DN is beloved of An.
DN-azaga 𒀭∅𒆬𒀭𒂵: DN is brilliant.
DN-bani 𒀭∅𒁀𒉌: DN created them.
DN-bad 𒀭∅𒂦: DN is the wall of the city.
DN-badkalama 𒀭∅𒂦𒌦𒈠: DN is the wall of the land.
DN-bara 𒀭∅𒁇𒊏: DN is lord.
DN-da 𒀭∅𒁕: with DN.
DN-dala 𒀭∅𒊑𒆷: DN protects.
DN-dame'a 𒀭∅𒁕𒈨𒀀: To DN there is no superior.
DN-dame'ene 𒀭∅𒁕𒈨𒂊𒉈: the divine powers are with DN.
DN-danirgal 𒀭∅𒁕𒉪𒅅: authority lies with DN.
DN-diĝirkalama 𒀭∅𒀭𒌦𒈠: DN is the god of the land.
DN-diĝirmu 𒀭∅𒀭𒈬: DN is my god.
DN-dug 𒀭∅𒂁: DN is perfect.
DN-ebazi 𒀭∅ 𒂊𒁀𒍣: DN has made them live.
DN-egir 𒀭∅𒂕: DN is behind [me].
DN-egirsu 𒀭∅𒂕𒋗: DN is behind my hand.
DN-endug 𒀭∅𒂗𒂁: DN is righteous lord.
DN-ezem 𒀭∅𒂡: DN piles up offerings.
DN-galka 𒀭∅𒅅𒅗: DN is for protection.
DN-galzu 𒀭∅𒃲𒍪: DN knows all.
DN-galama 𒀭∅𒃴𒈠: DN is exalted.
DN-gimu 𒀭∅𒄀𒈬: DN is my guide.
DN-girgal 𒀭∅𒄫𒃲: DN is great strength.
DN-gugal 𒀭∅𒄖𒃲: DN is a leader.
DN-harug 𒀭∅𒄩𒊿: may DN increase.
DN-hazal 𒀭∅𒄩𒉌: may DN be great.
DN-hegal 𒀭∅𒃶𒅅: DN is abundance.
DN-hegul 𒀭∅𒄭𒆰: DN is a rich blessing.
DN-išag 𒀭∅𒉌𒊕: DN favours them.
DN-ibta'e 𒀭∅𒅁𒋫𒂊: DN sends their word forth.
DN-imkala 𒀭∅𒅎𒆗: DN is mighty.
DN-inimsilima 𒀭∅𒅗𒁲𒈠: DN is a word of peace.
DN-inimzi 𒀭∅𒅗𒍣: DN is a true word.
DN-lugal 𒀭∅𒈗: DN is king.
DN-lugalana 𒀭∅𒈗𒀭𒈾: DN is king of heaven.
DN-lugalgigi 𒀭∅𒈗𒄀𒄀: DN reigns over the faithful.
DN-kala 𒀭∅𒆗𒆷: DN is strong.
DN-kalama-hilibi 𒀭∅𒌦𒈠𒄭𒇷𒁉: the land is the delight of DN.
DN-kalame 𒀭∅𒌦𒂊: DN is for the whole land (of Sumer).
DN-kiaĝme 𒀭∅𒆠𒉘𒈨: DN loves us.
DN-kiharsaĝ 𒀭∅𒆠𒄯𒊕: DN is like a mountain.
DN-kiuršag 𒀭∅𒆠𒌨𒊷: DN brings joy.
DN-mahkala 𒀭∅𒈤𒆗𒆷: DN exalts the humble.
DN-mašib 𒀭∅𒈦𒅁: DN is a mighty prince.
DN-melam 𒀭∅𒈨𒉈: DN radiates splendour.
DN-mene 𒀭∅𒈨𒉈: Truly, they are DN.
DN-mišar 𒀭∅𒈪𒊬: DN is justice.
DN-mušana 𒀭∅𒈽𒀭𒈾: DN is the life of heaven.
DN-na'e 𒀭∅𒈾𒂊: DN is rightly exalted.
DN-namtara 𒀭∅𒉆𒋻𒊏: DN decrees the fates.
DN-namzitara 𒀭∅𒉆𒍣𒋻𒊏: DN decrees the fates of life.
DN-ninanki 𒀭∅𒊩𒌆𒀭𒆠: DN is lord of the universe.
DN-nišag 𒀭∅𒉌𒊕: DN is gracious.
DN-ninšeg 𒀭∅𒊩𒌆𒋠: DN is a compassionate ruler.
DN-pada 𒀭∅𒉻𒁕: DN is bright.
DN-rakalama 𒀭∅𒊏𒌦𒈠: The land is behind DN.
DN-rakam 𒀭∅𒊏𒄰: One who belongs to DN.
DN-saga 𒀭∅𒊕𒂵: DN is favourable.
DN-sidi 𒀭∅𒋛𒁲: DN is upright.
DN-sisa 𒀭∅𒋛𒁲: DN establishes equity.
DN-sisa-kalama 𒀭∅𒋛𒁲𒌦𒈠: DN establishes equity in the land.
DN-sipad-dari 𒀭∅𒉺𒇻𒁕𒌷: DN is the eternal shepherd.
DN-tešmu 𒀭∅𒀸𒈬: DN is my virility.
DN-unamte 𒀭∅𒌋𒉆𒋼: DN is the food of life.
DN-usudra 𒀭∅𒌓𒋤𒊏: DN forever.
DN-ur 𒀭∅𒌨: DN is abundant.
DN-urmah 𒀭∅𒌨𒈤: DN is a lion.
DN-urmahana 𒀭∅𒌨𒈤𒀭𒈾: DN is the lion of the heavens.
DN-urmu 𒀭∅𒌨𒈬: DN is my abundance.
DN-urra 𒀭∅𒌨𒊏: DN is a protector.
DN-ursag 𒀭∅𒌨𒊕: DN is a warrior.
DN-uruna 𒀭∅𒌷𒈾: DN exalts the city.
DN-ušumana 𒀭∅𒁔𒀭𒈾: DN is the dragon of the heavens.
DN-ušumgal 𒀭∅𒃲𒁔: DN is the mighty sovereign.
DN-ušumka 𒀭∅𒁔𒅗: DN is the great one.
DN-za'emen 𒀭∅𒍝𒂊𒈨𒂗: truly, you are DN!
DN-zami 𒀭∅𒍠𒊩: praised be DN!
DN-zi 𒀭∅𒍣: DN is life.
DN-zimu 𒀭∅𒍣𒈬: DN is my life.
DN-zizi 𒀭∅𒍣𒍣: DN, give life!
By far the greatest portion of the available literature regarding Sumerian personal names so far focuses on theophoric names - those that express reverence to a deity. Not all Sumerians bore theophoric names, but they were extremely common in Sumer. At present, therefore, this page is intended to present a collection of Sumerian theophoric names, with their translations. It is intended that, in time, this page will be expanded to provide a wider overview of Sumerian personal names.
Most Sumerian names are unisex; names that are strictly masculine or feminine are indicated. Sumerians had one given name, and no surname, although these given names often translate to full sentences and could end up quite long. In legal documents, a person's name would often be followed by dumu 𒌉, "child of", followed by the name of a parent, or otherwise that person's birth city or nation, or even a personal deity.
The cities and nations of ancient Mesopotamia were interconnected, and a degree of international trade, influence, and migration did occur. Akkadian, Elamite, Amoritic and other names were found in Sumer, with varying frequency over time. This page, however, focuses on names of Sumerian origin.
In this list, the string 𒀭∅ is a placeholder; these names do not stand alone, but this string should be substituted with the name of a deity to build a personal name. This is indicated in translation by the Sumerological convention DN. Cuneiform values for deity names can be found on this site's pages for the seven gods who decree fate, and other deities.
Sumerian transliteration has no silent letters and names on this list are pronounced syllabically, as written (eg: DN-dame'ene is pronounced DN.da.me.e.ne).
Aba-DN-kim 𒀀𒁀𒀭∅𒁶: who is like DN? Abbreviated as Aba-DN 𒀀𒁀𒀭∅.
Amar-DN 𒀫𒀭∅: calf of DN.
Arad-DN 𒀴𒀭∅: (masc.) servant of DN, see also Ur-DN.
Ba-DN 𒁀𒀭∅: one allotted to DN.
Diš-DN 𒁹𒀭∅: person of DN.
Dubhur-DN 𒁾𒄯𒀭∅: artist of DN.
Dubsar-DN 𒁾𒊬𒀭∅: scribe/writer of DN.
Duga-DN 𒅗𒂵𒀭∅: the command of DN.
Dumu-DN 𒌉𒀭∅: child of DN.
Dumugi-DN 𒌉𒄀𒀭∅: freeborn child of DN.
Dumumi-DN 𒌉𒊩𒀭∅: (fem.) daughter of DN.
Dumunitah-DN 𒌉𒍑𒀭∅: (masc.) son of DN.
Geme-DN 𒁶𒀭∅: (fem.) servant of DN, see also Ur-DN.
Ibni-DN 𒅁𒉌𒀭∅: DN has created them.
Inim-DN 𒅗𒀭∅: the word of DN.
Izkur-DN 𒄑𒆳𒀭∅: called by DN.
Ka-DN-ma 𒅗𒀭∅𒈠: speak, DN, the name!
Ka-DN-udu 𒅗𒀭∅𒌋𒆕: the word of DN exults.
Lu-DN 𒇽𒀭∅: (masc.) man of DN.
Me-DN 𒈨𒀭∅: divine power of DN.
Munuš-DN 𒊩𒀭∅: (fem.) woman of DN.
Nabi-DN 𒈾𒉈𒀭∅: one named by DN.
Nar-DN 𒈜𒀭∅: musician/singer of DN.
Nig-DN 𒃻𒀭∅: treasure of DN.
Ninan-DN 𒊩𒌆𒀭𒀭∅: DN is Lady of Heaven.
Sag-DN-gal 𒊕𒀭∅𒃲: DN is chief.
Sag-DN-kin 𒊕𒀭∅𒆥: the head of DN turns.
Šu-DN 𒆃𒀭∅: blessing of DN.
Ur-DN 𒌨𒀭∅: servant of DN. By far the most common way of constructing a theophoric name in Sumer.
Ur-DN-zi 𒌨𒀭∅𒍣: true servant of DN.
Zal-DN 𒉌𒀭∅: light of DN.
DN-a'igidu 𒀭∅𒀀𒅆𒆕: DN lifts up the eyes.
DN-akalama 𒀭∅𒀉𒌦𒈠: DN is the strength of the land.
DN-amu 𒀭∅𒀀𒈬: DN is my father.
DN-azida 𒀭∅𒀉𒍣𒁕: DN is my right hand.
DN-adlal 𒀭∅𒀜𒋭: I praise DN.
DN-almah 𒀭∅𒀠𒈤: DN is sublime.
DN-amamu 𒀭∅𒂼𒈬: DN is my mother.
DN-An-kiaĝ 𒀭∅𒀭𒆠𒉘: DN is beloved of An.
DN-azaga 𒀭∅𒆬𒀭𒂵: DN is brilliant.
DN-bani 𒀭∅𒁀𒉌: DN created them.
DN-bad 𒀭∅𒂦: DN is the wall of the city.
DN-badkalama 𒀭∅𒂦𒌦𒈠: DN is the wall of the land.
DN-bara 𒀭∅𒁇𒊏: DN is lord.
DN-da 𒀭∅𒁕: with DN.
DN-dala 𒀭∅𒊑𒆷: DN protects.
DN-dame'a 𒀭∅𒁕𒈨𒀀: To DN there is no superior.
DN-dame'ene 𒀭∅𒁕𒈨𒂊𒉈: the divine powers are with DN.
DN-danirgal 𒀭∅𒁕𒉪𒅅: authority lies with DN.
DN-diĝirkalama 𒀭∅𒀭𒌦𒈠: DN is the god of the land.
DN-diĝirmu 𒀭∅𒀭𒈬: DN is my god.
DN-dug 𒀭∅𒂁: DN is perfect.
DN-ebazi 𒀭∅ 𒂊𒁀𒍣: DN has made them live.
DN-egir 𒀭∅𒂕: DN is behind [me].
DN-egirsu 𒀭∅𒂕𒋗: DN is behind my hand.
DN-endug 𒀭∅𒂗𒂁: DN is righteous lord.
DN-ezem 𒀭∅𒂡: DN piles up offerings.
DN-galka 𒀭∅𒅅𒅗: DN is for protection.
DN-galzu 𒀭∅𒃲𒍪: DN knows all.
DN-galama 𒀭∅𒃴𒈠: DN is exalted.
DN-gimu 𒀭∅𒄀𒈬: DN is my guide.
DN-girgal 𒀭∅𒄫𒃲: DN is great strength.
DN-gugal 𒀭∅𒄖𒃲: DN is a leader.
DN-harug 𒀭∅𒄩𒊿: may DN increase.
DN-hazal 𒀭∅𒄩𒉌: may DN be great.
DN-hegal 𒀭∅𒃶𒅅: DN is abundance.
DN-hegul 𒀭∅𒄭𒆰: DN is a rich blessing.
DN-išag 𒀭∅𒉌𒊕: DN favours them.
DN-ibta'e 𒀭∅𒅁𒋫𒂊: DN sends their word forth.
DN-imkala 𒀭∅𒅎𒆗: DN is mighty.
DN-inimsilima 𒀭∅𒅗𒁲𒈠: DN is a word of peace.
DN-inimzi 𒀭∅𒅗𒍣: DN is a true word.
DN-lugal 𒀭∅𒈗: DN is king.
DN-lugalana 𒀭∅𒈗𒀭𒈾: DN is king of heaven.
DN-lugalgigi 𒀭∅𒈗𒄀𒄀: DN reigns over the faithful.
DN-kala 𒀭∅𒆗𒆷: DN is strong.
DN-kalama-hilibi 𒀭∅𒌦𒈠𒄭𒇷𒁉: the land is the delight of DN.
DN-kalame 𒀭∅𒌦𒂊: DN is for the whole land (of Sumer).
DN-kiaĝme 𒀭∅𒆠𒉘𒈨: DN loves us.
DN-kiharsaĝ 𒀭∅𒆠𒄯𒊕: DN is like a mountain.
DN-kiuršag 𒀭∅𒆠𒌨𒊷: DN brings joy.
DN-mahkala 𒀭∅𒈤𒆗𒆷: DN exalts the humble.
DN-mašib 𒀭∅𒈦𒅁: DN is a mighty prince.
DN-melam 𒀭∅𒈨𒉈: DN radiates splendour.
DN-mene 𒀭∅𒈨𒉈: Truly, they are DN.
DN-mišar 𒀭∅𒈪𒊬: DN is justice.
DN-mušana 𒀭∅𒈽𒀭𒈾: DN is the life of heaven.
DN-na'e 𒀭∅𒈾𒂊: DN is rightly exalted.
DN-namtara 𒀭∅𒉆𒋻𒊏: DN decrees the fates.
DN-namzitara 𒀭∅𒉆𒍣𒋻𒊏: DN decrees the fates of life.
DN-ninanki 𒀭∅𒊩𒌆𒀭𒆠: DN is lord of the universe.
DN-nišag 𒀭∅𒉌𒊕: DN is gracious.
DN-ninšeg 𒀭∅𒊩𒌆𒋠: DN is a compassionate ruler.
DN-pada 𒀭∅𒉻𒁕: DN is bright.
DN-rakalama 𒀭∅𒊏𒌦𒈠: The land is behind DN.
DN-rakam 𒀭∅𒊏𒄰: One who belongs to DN.
DN-saga 𒀭∅𒊕𒂵: DN is favourable.
DN-sidi 𒀭∅𒋛𒁲: DN is upright.
DN-sisa 𒀭∅𒋛𒁲: DN establishes equity.
DN-sisa-kalama 𒀭∅𒋛𒁲𒌦𒈠: DN establishes equity in the land.
DN-sipad-dari 𒀭∅𒉺𒇻𒁕𒌷: DN is the eternal shepherd.
DN-tešmu 𒀭∅𒀸𒈬: DN is my virility.
DN-unamte 𒀭∅𒌋𒉆𒋼: DN is the food of life.
DN-usudra 𒀭∅𒌓𒋤𒊏: DN forever.
DN-ur 𒀭∅𒌨: DN is abundant.
DN-urmah 𒀭∅𒌨𒈤: DN is a lion.
DN-urmahana 𒀭∅𒌨𒈤𒀭𒈾: DN is the lion of the heavens.
DN-urmu 𒀭∅𒌨𒈬: DN is my abundance.
DN-urra 𒀭∅𒌨𒊏: DN is a protector.
DN-ursag 𒀭∅𒌨𒊕: DN is a warrior.
DN-uruna 𒀭∅𒌷𒈾: DN exalts the city.
DN-ušumana 𒀭∅𒁔𒀭𒈾: DN is the dragon of the heavens.
DN-ušumgal 𒀭∅𒃲𒁔: DN is the mighty sovereign.
DN-ušumka 𒀭∅𒁔𒅗: DN is the great one.
DN-za'emen 𒀭∅𒍝𒂊𒈨𒂗: truly, you are DN!
DN-zami 𒀭∅𒍠𒊩: praised be DN!
DN-zi 𒀭∅𒍣: DN is life.
DN-zimu 𒀭∅𒍣𒈬: DN is my life.
DN-zizi 𒀭∅𒍣𒍣: DN, give life!