Sumerian Personal 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. Other names extolled personal attributes, or those of the king; others still honoured temples or the individual's place of birth.
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.
Sumerian names were constructed of a number of different elements, often forming full sentences, and as such, the number of possible names is near infinite. The names given on this page represent only a small sample of those names that we in the modern day know to have been used by the Sumerians.
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).
Abzu-kurgal 𒍪𒀊𒆳𒃲: the Abzu is a great mountain
Almunidu 𒀠𒈬𒉌𒅗: I desired (this child)
Ama-i-de 𒂼𒀀𒇉𒉈: mother by the canal
Amar-ezem 𒀫𒂡: (offertory) calf of the feast
Amma 𒄠𒈠: person of the aurochs
Amsi 𒄠𒋛: elephant
Anita 𒀉𒉌𒋫: by their strength
Anzaše 𒀭𒍠𒂠: to the limits of heaven
Ašane 𒁹𒀀𒉌: alone
Bara-namtara 𒁈𒉆𒋻𒊏: throne dais of destiny
Bara-usuše 𒁈𒌓𒋤𒂠: throne unto a distant past
Bazi 𒁀𒍣: one who stood up
Buru 𒉅𒄷: bird
Burutur 𒉅𒄷𒌉: little bird
Dubsar 𒁾𒊬: scribe
Duta 𒇯𒋫: from the mound
Eden-ne 𒂔𒉌: by the desert
Ennu 𒂗𒉡: guardian
Enragub 𒂗𒊏𒁺: stands before the lord
Eškurgal 𒀊𒆳𒃲: the shrine is a great mountain
Ĝakanaheti 𒂷𒅗𒈾𒃶𒋾: may (this child) live for my sake
Galatur 𒍑𒆪𒌉: little gala (androgynous temple personnel)
Ĝiri 𒄈: scorpion
Gu 𒄞: bull
Gu-be 𒄘𒁉: next to the riverbank
Guduga 𒅗𒄭𒂵: one with a sweet voice
Gugula 𒄞𒄖𒆷: big ox
Hursaĝ 𒄯𒊕: mountain range
Idmah 𒀀𒈤: great river
Igigina 𒅆𒆳𒈾: eyes of lapis lazuli
Igigun 𒅆𒁯: colourful eyes
Igihuš 𒅆𒄭𒄊: fiery eyes
Iginisig 𒅆𒊬: blue/green eyed one
Igisi 𒅆𒋜: brown eyed one
Il 𒅍: porter
Imud 𒀀𒇉𒄷𒄭: creative river
Inimzida 𒅗𒍣𒁕: having righteous words
Itie 𒐊𒋾𒂊: one who lives
Ka-a 𒈜𒀀: fox
Kalgani 𒆗𒂵𒉌: their strong one
Kasa 𒅗𒊷: pretty mouth
Kiaĝ 𒆠𒉘: beloved one
Kinimusu 𒆠𒉌𒈬𒋢: one who knew their place
Kita 𒆠𒋫: from the Earth
Kulitur 𒆪𒇷𒌉: little friend
Kura-agal 𒆳𒊏𒀉𒅅: one with the strength of the mountains
Lugid 𒇽𒆤: tall one
Luguda 𒆸𒁕: short one
Luzi 𒇽𒍣: righteous person
Maš-du-a 𒈦𒇯𒀀: goat among the mounds
Mašda 𒈦𒆕: gazelle
Maštur 𒈦𒌉: little goat
Me-anedu 𒈨𒀭𒉌𒄭: the good divine powers before the sky
Me-anesi 𒈨𒀭𒉌𒋛: divine powers filling the sky
Me-kisale 𒈨𒆦𒇷: divine powers filling the courtyard
Melam-kura 𒈨𒉈𒆳𒊏: divine radiance of the mountains
Mes-zi 𒈩𒍣: resolute youth
Mesabzu 𒈩𒍪𒀊: youth of the Abzu
Minane 𒈫𒈾𒉌: duplicate
Mula 𒀯𒆷: radiant one
Munus-sa 𒊩𒊷: beautiful woman
Munustur 𒊩𒌉: (fem.) little woman
Musub 𒉺𒄛: herdsman
Nagarša 𒉄𒊮: carpenter
Namkulinidu 𒉆𒆪𒇷𒉌𒄭: their friendship is pleasant
Nar 𒈜: musician
Nemur 𒊊𒌉: leopard
Nibanda 𒉌𒌉𒁕: little thing
Niĝir-kagina 𒂇𒅗𒄀𒈾: herald who speaks truth
Niĝirzi 𒂇𒍣: trusty herald
Nirĝal 𒉪𒅅: trustworthy one
Nitasa 𒍑𒊷: handsome man
Nitazi 𒍑𒍣: resolute man
Piriĝ 𒊊: lion
Piriĝ-kura 𒊊𒆳𒊏: mountain lion
Saga 𒊷𒂵: beautiful one
Sala 𒊩𒆷: delicate one
Sasa 𒊷𒊷: most beautiful one
Ses-tur 𒋀𒌉: little brother
Silatur 𒃢𒌉: little lamb
Simtur 𒋆𒌉: little swallow
Šubur 𒋚: servant, minister
Sudaĝ 𒋤𒉘: one of electrum (or amber)
Šumah 𒋗𒈤: large hands
Tila 𒋾𒆷: the one who lived
U-zi 𒌑𒍣: food of life
U-zi-šaĝal 𒌑𒍣𒊮𒅅: (one who has) life-giving food
Udu 𒌑𒁺: herdsman
Umme 𒌝𒈨: wet nurse
Ur-ki 𒌨𒆠: servant of the Earth
Ur-kiši-du-a 𒌫𒄉𒆕𒀀: thighs like an upright treetrunk
Urmah 𒌫𒈤: large thighs
Ursaĝ 𒌨𒊕: hero
Ursaĝtur 𒌨𒊕𒌉: little hero
Uru-inimgina 𒌷𒅗𒄀𒈾: city of true spoken words
Urukuta 𒌷𒅥𒋫: from the holy city
Zabartur 𒆉𒁇𒌉: little bronze one
Zagin 𒍝𒆳: lapis lazuli
Zagintur 𒍝𒆳𒌉: little lapis lazuli
Zana 𒍝𒈾: doll
Zena 𒀖𒊮𒄀𒈾: palm midrib (ie, lithe and delicate)
Zinibagu 𒍣𒃻𒁀𒈬: life was my gift
Zurzur 𒀫𒀫: caretaker (of animals)
Theophoric Names
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.
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!
Names honouring temples
Temples were a significant part of Sumerian civil life. In many cases, they would serve as hubs for civil administration, and would contain the city's archives and stores, as well as a sacred inner sanctum dedicated to the worship and reverence of a god, usually the patron deity of the city in question.
Eannatum 𒂍𒀭𒈾𒁺: fit for the E-anna temple
Eanzu 𒂍𒀭𒅎𒈪𒄷: temple of the Anzu bird
Eku 𒂍𒆬: holy temple
Emelemsu 𒂍𒈨𒉈𒋤: temple shining with fearsome radiance
Emubidu 𒂍𒈬𒁉𒄭: temple whose name is pleasing
Ešegzide 𒂍𒋞𒍣𒉈: by the temple with fine brickwork
Geme-edam 𒊩𒆳𒂍𒁮: servant of the temple of the divine spouse
Names honouring localities
In these names, the text highlighted in blue can be freely substituted with the name of any other city or place; modern practitioners may find it helpful to consult our list of modern place names in Sumerian.
Eridu-e-kiaĝ 𒉣𒆠𒂊𒆠𒉘: beloved of Eridu
Lagaš-girina 𒉢𒁓𒆷𒆠𒄫𒈾: Lagaš at their feet
Me-Uruk-ta 𒈨𒀕𒆠𒋫: divine powers from Uruk
Tintir-duga 𒁷𒌁𒆠𒂁𒂵: Babylon is a pleasant place
Nippur-ta 𒂗𒇸𒆠𒋫: from Nippur
Names honouring royalty
The Sumerian city states revered their kings and queens, who were frequently given divine or semi-divine status, and a selection of names given in honour of the king are offered here.
Igi-lugal-še 𒅆𒈗𒂠: before the king
Lugal-ašne 𒈗𒁹𒉌: the king alone
Lugal-idmah 𒈗𒀀𒈤: the king is a great river
Lugal-kišigal 𒈗𒄉𒃲: the king is (as) a great acacia
Lugal-ludu 𒈗𒇽𒄭: the king is good
Lugal-niazinuak 𒈗𒉌𒀉𒍣𒉡𒀝: the king does no violence
Lugal-tiragub 𒈗𒌁𒀀𒁺: the king stands to serve in the forest
Lugal-urudu 𒈗𒍏: the king is (as) copper
Lugalbad 𒈗𒁁: the king is the wall of the city
Lugaltemen 𒈗𒋼: the king is a foundation
Lugalzide 𒈗𒍣𒉈: by the righteous king
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. Other names extolled personal attributes, or those of the king; others still honoured temples or the individual's place of birth.
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.
Sumerian names were constructed of a number of different elements, often forming full sentences, and as such, the number of possible names is near infinite. The names given on this page represent only a small sample of those names that we in the modern day know to have been used by the Sumerians.
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).
Abzu-kurgal 𒍪𒀊𒆳𒃲: the Abzu is a great mountain
Almunidu 𒀠𒈬𒉌𒅗: I desired (this child)
Ama-i-de 𒂼𒀀𒇉𒉈: mother by the canal
Amar-ezem 𒀫𒂡: (offertory) calf of the feast
Amma 𒄠𒈠: person of the aurochs
Amsi 𒄠𒋛: elephant
Anita 𒀉𒉌𒋫: by their strength
Anzaše 𒀭𒍠𒂠: to the limits of heaven
Ašane 𒁹𒀀𒉌: alone
Bara-namtara 𒁈𒉆𒋻𒊏: throne dais of destiny
Bara-usuše 𒁈𒌓𒋤𒂠: throne unto a distant past
Bazi 𒁀𒍣: one who stood up
Buru 𒉅𒄷: bird
Burutur 𒉅𒄷𒌉: little bird
Dubsar 𒁾𒊬: scribe
Duta 𒇯𒋫: from the mound
Eden-ne 𒂔𒉌: by the desert
Ennu 𒂗𒉡: guardian
Enragub 𒂗𒊏𒁺: stands before the lord
Eškurgal 𒀊𒆳𒃲: the shrine is a great mountain
Ĝakanaheti 𒂷𒅗𒈾𒃶𒋾: may (this child) live for my sake
Galatur 𒍑𒆪𒌉: little gala (androgynous temple personnel)
Ĝiri 𒄈: scorpion
Gu 𒄞: bull
Gu-be 𒄘𒁉: next to the riverbank
Guduga 𒅗𒄭𒂵: one with a sweet voice
Gugula 𒄞𒄖𒆷: big ox
Hursaĝ 𒄯𒊕: mountain range
Idmah 𒀀𒈤: great river
Igigina 𒅆𒆳𒈾: eyes of lapis lazuli
Igigun 𒅆𒁯: colourful eyes
Igihuš 𒅆𒄭𒄊: fiery eyes
Iginisig 𒅆𒊬: blue/green eyed one
Igisi 𒅆𒋜: brown eyed one
Il 𒅍: porter
Imud 𒀀𒇉𒄷𒄭: creative river
Inimzida 𒅗𒍣𒁕: having righteous words
Itie 𒐊𒋾𒂊: one who lives
Ka-a 𒈜𒀀: fox
Kalgani 𒆗𒂵𒉌: their strong one
Kasa 𒅗𒊷: pretty mouth
Kiaĝ 𒆠𒉘: beloved one
Kinimusu 𒆠𒉌𒈬𒋢: one who knew their place
Kita 𒆠𒋫: from the Earth
Kulitur 𒆪𒇷𒌉: little friend
Kura-agal 𒆳𒊏𒀉𒅅: one with the strength of the mountains
Lugid 𒇽𒆤: tall one
Luguda 𒆸𒁕: short one
Luzi 𒇽𒍣: righteous person
Maš-du-a 𒈦𒇯𒀀: goat among the mounds
Mašda 𒈦𒆕: gazelle
Maštur 𒈦𒌉: little goat
Me-anedu 𒈨𒀭𒉌𒄭: the good divine powers before the sky
Me-anesi 𒈨𒀭𒉌𒋛: divine powers filling the sky
Me-kisale 𒈨𒆦𒇷: divine powers filling the courtyard
Melam-kura 𒈨𒉈𒆳𒊏: divine radiance of the mountains
Mes-zi 𒈩𒍣: resolute youth
Mesabzu 𒈩𒍪𒀊: youth of the Abzu
Minane 𒈫𒈾𒉌: duplicate
Mula 𒀯𒆷: radiant one
Munus-sa 𒊩𒊷: beautiful woman
Munustur 𒊩𒌉: (fem.) little woman
Musub 𒉺𒄛: herdsman
Nagarša 𒉄𒊮: carpenter
Namkulinidu 𒉆𒆪𒇷𒉌𒄭: their friendship is pleasant
Nar 𒈜: musician
Nemur 𒊊𒌉: leopard
Nibanda 𒉌𒌉𒁕: little thing
Niĝir-kagina 𒂇𒅗𒄀𒈾: herald who speaks truth
Niĝirzi 𒂇𒍣: trusty herald
Nirĝal 𒉪𒅅: trustworthy one
Nitasa 𒍑𒊷: handsome man
Nitazi 𒍑𒍣: resolute man
Piriĝ 𒊊: lion
Piriĝ-kura 𒊊𒆳𒊏: mountain lion
Saga 𒊷𒂵: beautiful one
Sala 𒊩𒆷: delicate one
Sasa 𒊷𒊷: most beautiful one
Ses-tur 𒋀𒌉: little brother
Silatur 𒃢𒌉: little lamb
Simtur 𒋆𒌉: little swallow
Šubur 𒋚: servant, minister
Sudaĝ 𒋤𒉘: one of electrum (or amber)
Šumah 𒋗𒈤: large hands
Tila 𒋾𒆷: the one who lived
U-zi 𒌑𒍣: food of life
U-zi-šaĝal 𒌑𒍣𒊮𒅅: (one who has) life-giving food
Udu 𒌑𒁺: herdsman
Umme 𒌝𒈨: wet nurse
Ur-ki 𒌨𒆠: servant of the Earth
Ur-kiši-du-a 𒌫𒄉𒆕𒀀: thighs like an upright treetrunk
Urmah 𒌫𒈤: large thighs
Ursaĝ 𒌨𒊕: hero
Ursaĝtur 𒌨𒊕𒌉: little hero
Uru-inimgina 𒌷𒅗𒄀𒈾: city of true spoken words
Urukuta 𒌷𒅥𒋫: from the holy city
Zabartur 𒆉𒁇𒌉: little bronze one
Zagin 𒍝𒆳: lapis lazuli
Zagintur 𒍝𒆳𒌉: little lapis lazuli
Zana 𒍝𒈾: doll
Zena 𒀖𒊮𒄀𒈾: palm midrib (ie, lithe and delicate)
Zinibagu 𒍣𒃻𒁀𒈬: life was my gift
Zurzur 𒀫𒀫: caretaker (of animals)
Theophoric Names
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.
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!
Names honouring temples
Temples were a significant part of Sumerian civil life. In many cases, they would serve as hubs for civil administration, and would contain the city's archives and stores, as well as a sacred inner sanctum dedicated to the worship and reverence of a god, usually the patron deity of the city in question.
Eannatum 𒂍𒀭𒈾𒁺: fit for the E-anna temple
Eanzu 𒂍𒀭𒅎𒈪𒄷: temple of the Anzu bird
Eku 𒂍𒆬: holy temple
Emelemsu 𒂍𒈨𒉈𒋤: temple shining with fearsome radiance
Emubidu 𒂍𒈬𒁉𒄭: temple whose name is pleasing
Ešegzide 𒂍𒋞𒍣𒉈: by the temple with fine brickwork
Geme-edam 𒊩𒆳𒂍𒁮: servant of the temple of the divine spouse
Names honouring localities
In these names, the text highlighted in blue can be freely substituted with the name of any other city or place; modern practitioners may find it helpful to consult our list of modern place names in Sumerian.
Eridu-e-kiaĝ 𒉣𒆠𒂊𒆠𒉘: beloved of Eridu
Lagaš-girina 𒉢𒁓𒆷𒆠𒄫𒈾: Lagaš at their feet
Me-Uruk-ta 𒈨𒀕𒆠𒋫: divine powers from Uruk
Tintir-duga 𒁷𒌁𒆠𒂁𒂵: Babylon is a pleasant place
Nippur-ta 𒂗𒇸𒆠𒋫: from Nippur
Names honouring royalty
The Sumerian city states revered their kings and queens, who were frequently given divine or semi-divine status, and a selection of names given in honour of the king are offered here.
Igi-lugal-še 𒅆𒈗𒂠: before the king
Lugal-ašne 𒈗𒁹𒉌: the king alone
Lugal-idmah 𒈗𒀀𒈤: the king is a great river
Lugal-kišigal 𒈗𒄉𒃲: the king is (as) a great acacia
Lugal-ludu 𒈗𒇽𒄭: the king is good
Lugal-niazinuak 𒈗𒉌𒀉𒍣𒉡𒀝: the king does no violence
Lugal-tiragub 𒈗𒌁𒀀𒁺: the king stands to serve in the forest
Lugal-urudu 𒈗𒍏: the king is (as) copper
Lugalbad 𒈗𒁁: the king is the wall of the city
Lugaltemen 𒈗𒋼: the king is a foundation
Lugalzide 𒈗𒍣𒉈: by the righteous king