The Evolution of the Algerian First Names

After the Arab Muslim conquered Algeria in the 8TH century Algeria became an Arabic Islamic country, nevertheless there are still some Berber regions. Therefore, the influence of the Islamic culture on Algeria is considered profound. Such influence can be seen in many aspects; for instance the cuisine, art, family life, outfit, architecture, language, and personal names.
Choosing names for newborn babies in Algeria was strongly based on the Islamic Arabic culture. However, is it really the same case nowadays?

Personal names have been changing throughout the years in the Algerian society. When talking about choosing names for their babies, most Algerians are inspired by names from other countries (foreign names); names which are more fashionable considering their grandparents’ names, they are also inspired by Egyptian TV shows. Hence, the Algerian old names exist but they are gradually vanishing.

I am writing this article in order to discuss the source of the impact on the Algerian society that lead to the partial disappearance of the old names. Besides, on this paper I will elicit some new names of the Algerian people.

First of all, let us have a look at some of the old Algerian names. Giving names in the previous century in Algeria were mostly inspired by the religion of Islam. We can see that from the following names: Abdullah, Abdel Halim, Chems-eddine, Nour-eddine, Seif-eddine, Badr-eddine, etc… in which Eddine here means the religion. Naming kids in Berber-speaking regions is mostly inspired by historical figures; they have their own Amazigh names such as: Arezki, Jughurta, Juba, Améziane, Djowhar, Tassadit, Idir, Lunja, Taos, Takfarinas, Kahéna, Massininssa, Dihya…etc
Older names are also influenced by colors, days, religion holidays, flowers, seasons, and events.
The following are some of most famous Algerian names
Male names: Mohamed, Saleh, Abdullah, Abdelmalak, Allawa, Abd elhamid, Belkasem, Moloud, Ramadan, Mustapha, Tayeb, Ali, Messoud, Ferhat, Khemisi, Said, Nasser, Laamri, Sadek, Omar, Mokhtar, Sebti, Taher, Sleyman, Lakhdar, Rabeh, Bachir, Khoudhir, Bouaalam, Aachour, Mbarek, Hakim, Naoui,…etc.
Females names: Halima, Laakri, Khadra, Garmiya, Rougiya, Rahima, Zuleikha, Zohra, Aicha, Houria, Yamina, Tourkiya, Farida, Saliha, Sakina, Khayra, Dhahbiya, Fouziya, Aaljiya, Massouda, Saadiya, Naima, Hassiba, Fella, Zhor, Wahida, Dhawiya, Ziya, Manouba, Hayziya, Hafsiya, Elkhamsa, Bakhta, Elaarem, Fatma,...
Throughout the years, most of the Algerian people started to have new fashionable names for their kids. The main reason of this change is the effect of media like Television as it shows them various names from other countries and it affects women in particular. Mothers nowadays are more independent and involved when it comes to naming their babies and they want to give their kids unique rare names. Also they are fond of the actors and singers they see on T.V. as a result they name their kids after them. Therefore, Egyptian, Turkish, and Syrian series; as well as the oriental singers have an impact on names in Algeria.
Examples for female names nowadays: Aseel, Ranim, Maya, Sherin, Ilham, Sawsan, Nihal, Ahlam, Jouriya, Lamis, Ibtisam, Razzan, Betul, Hadil, Jawhar, Leena, Manar, Asala, Najwa , Jihane, Ismahan , Jomana, Dunia, Rawan, Ritaj, Sulafa, Meissoun, Yousra, Chadiya, Chahd, Farah, Nourhane, Hidaya, Ghada, Faten, …
Example of males names: Oussama, Nabil, Ahmed, Raif, Choukri, Mahdi, Bilal, Ayman, Nizar, Houssam, Issam, Jawad, Iyad, Yazan, Raid, Bahaa, Riadh, Soufiane, Radhouane, Jude, Rayane, Alaa, Chawki ,Rafat, Amir, Safouane, Ishak, Haytham, Zakariya, Saber,…

Another aspect that led the old names to vanish is that nearly all of the Algerians in the past had the pride to name their kids after their mothers, fathers or grandparents to keep the ancestral past alive, unlike at the present time most of them believe that their parents’ names are old-fashioned and dull. Furthermore, people are more open in naming foreign names than before. Names like: Camilia, katia, Melissa,Anais, Dalia, Kenzi, Yanis, Muhanad…

All in all, names in Algeria are not totally the same as they used to be a century ago due to the intervention of technology as well as the media. For example, we barely come across babies with names that mean days, color, or religious holidays, such as: Sebti, Khadra, Eleid…etc. In addition, Algerian people nowadays are more open minded than before; they accept their wives to name their kids. Plus they are more open to the idea of naming their babies new foreign unique names which result to the fading of Algerian older names.