Reveal the Mystery Behind Male Akkadian Names

The male Akkadian names are different, the Akkadian language spoken in Mesopotamia for Millenia.

Understanding male Akkadian names, particularly those for men. These names unveils the cultural values, religious beliefs, and even social structures of this ancient civilization.

Let’s have a tour to the past and learn about male Akkadian names and their meanings.

A Door to the Male Akkadian Names World:

The male Akkedian names are popular and reflect their importance in the Akkedian past.

Additionally, the prevalence of names seeking divine favour or expressing gratitude highlights the deep religious undercurrent of Akkadian society.

1. Ašur-bāni-apli (Ashur has created an heir) – Theophoric (Ashur) + Descriptive (heir)
2. Bêl-ibni (Bel has built) – Theophoric (Bel) + Verb (built)
3. Dagān-milku (Dagan is king) – Theophoric (Dagan) + Title (king)
4. Ennam-Sin (Enlil is the moon god) – Theophoric (Enlil, Sin) + Descriptive (moon god)
5. Ili-imguru (God is merciful) – Theophoric (god) + Descriptive (merciful)
6. Inanna-itti (Inanna is with me) – Theophoric (Inanna) + Preposition (with) + Pronoun (me)
7. Kudurru (Firstborn son) – Descriptive (firstborn son)
8. Libit-Ištar (Favored by Ishtar) – Theophoric (Ishtar) + Verb (favored by)
9. Marduk-apla-iddina (Marduk has given a son) – Theophoric (Marduk) + Verb (given) + Noun (son)
10. Marduk-zakir-šumi (Marduk remembers the name) – Theophoric (Marduk) + Verb (remembers) + Noun (name)
11. Muballiṭ-apli (Preserver of the heir) – Verb (preserver) + Noun (heir)
12. Nabû-kudurri-usur (Nabu, protect my firstborn son) – Theophoric (Nabu) + Vocative (protect) + Descriptive (firstborn son)
13. Nabû-šâkin-šumi (Nabu establishes the name) – Theophoric (Nabu) + Verb (establishes) + Noun (name)
14. Naram-Sin (Beloved of Sin) – Theophoric (Sin) + Descriptive (beloved)
15. Sin-ahhē-erība (Sin has replaced the brothers) – Theophoric (Sin) + Verb (replaced) + Noun (brothers)
16. Sin-šarru-lam (Sin is the legitimate king) – Theophoric (Sin) + Title (king) + Descriptive (legitimate)
17. Šamaš-šuma-ukin (Šamaš has established the name) – Theophoric (Šamaš) + Verb (established) + Noun (name)
18. Sargon (True king) – Descriptive (true king)
19. Tukulti-Ninurta (Trust in Ninurta) – Theophoric (Ninurta) + Noun (trust)
20. Wardu-ilani (Servant of the gods) – Noun (servant) + Theophoric (gods)
21. Abi-ramu (Father is exalted) – Genealogical (father) + Descriptive (exalted)
22. Ahi-milki (Brother is king) – Genealogical (brother) + Title (king)
23. Mār-Ištar (Son of Ishtar) – Genealogical (son) + Theophoric (Ishtar)
24. Aššur (From Assur) – Location (Assur)
25. Sippar (From Sippar) – Location (Sippar)
26. Kandalanu (Possibly “Possessor of fortresses”) – Uncertain meaning
27. Kurigalzu (Theophoric element likely referencing a local deity) – Theophoric (uncertain deity)
28. Mannu-ki-bābi (Possibly “Who is like my god?”) – Uncertain meaning + Theophoric (god)
29. Marduk-balassu-iqbi (Marduk has declared his protection) – Theophoric (Marduk) + Verb (declared) + Noun (protection)
30. Mutir-Ištar (Beloved of Ishtar) – Descriptive (beloved) + Theophoric (Ishtar)
31. Nabû-mukin-apli (Nabu has established the heir) – Theophoric (Nabu) + Verb (established) + Noun (heir)
32. Nagar (Meaning debated, possibly “Carpenter” or “Bright”) – Uncertain meaning
33. Rim-Sin (Possibly “Weeping for Sin”) – Uncertain meaning + Theophoric (Sin)
34. Sin-magir (Sin is mighty) – Theophoric (Sin) + Descriptive (mighty)
35. Šamaš-haddina (Šamaš has replaced) – Theophoric (Šamaš) + Verb (replaced)
36. Sumu-la-El (Granted by god) – Verb (granted) + Theophoric (god) + Descriptive (El, another possible deity)
37. Sargon of Akkad (True king) – Founder of the Akkadian Empire
38. Narām-Sin (Beloved of Sin) – Grandson of Sargon, known for his military campaigns
39. Manishtushu (My god is Anu) – Successor to Narām-Sin
40. Sharru-kin (The legitimate king) – Sargon II of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, possibly inspired by the Akkadian Sargon
41. Šamaš-šuma-ukin (Šamaš has established the name) – King of Babylon in the 8th century BCE
42. Marduk-apla-iddina (Marduk has given a son) – King of Babylon in the 10th century BCE
43. Nabu-kudurri-usur (Nabu, protect my firstborn son) – More commonly known as Nebuchadnezzar II, a powerful Babylonian king
44. Sin-ahhe-erība (Sin has replaced the brothers) – Assyrian king known for his military campaigns and building projects
45. Aššurbanipal (Ashur, protect the heir) – Last great king of the Assyrian Empire, famous for his vast library
46. Tukulti-Ninurta (Trust in Ninurta) – A series of kings throughout Mesopotamian history
47. Following are names of other prominent Akkadians:
48. Sargon of Agade (True king of Agade) – Possibly a legendary ruler predating Sargon of Akkad
49. Ur-Nammu (The great wild bull) – Founder of the Third Dynasty of Ur
50. Shulgi (Mighty king) – Successor to Ur-Nammu, known for his administrative reforms
51. Iltani (My god is Anu) – An early ruler of Isin
52. Lipit-Ištar (Favored by Ishtar) – A king of Isin
53. Abi-ramu (Father is exalted) – High priest during the reign of Hammurabi
54. Hammurabi (Exalted by the storm god) – King of Babylon, famous for his law code
55. Gimil-Marduk (Possibly “Reward of Marduk”) – A high official during the reign of Hammurabi (uncertain meaning)
56. Sin-magir (Sin is mighty) – A powerful official during the reign of Hammurabi
57. Iddin-Dagan (Dagan has given) – A high priest during the reign of Sin-muballit
58. Names from Literary Sources:
59. Atrahasis (The exceedingly wise) – Hero of the Akkadian Epic of Atrahasis
60. Enmerkar (Lord of Enmerkar) – King mentioned in the Sumerian and Akkadian literary tradition
61. Lugalbanda (The great bull) – Legendary hero and father of Gilgamesh in the Epic of Gilgamesh
62. Adad-guppi (Adad is powerful)
63. Ennamirki (Possibly “Lord of Eridu”) (uncertain meaning)
64. Kandalanu (Possibly “Possessor of fortresses”) (uncertain meaning)
65. Kurigalzu (Theophoric element likely referencing a local deity)
66. Libit-Ištar (Favored by Ishtar)
67. Marduk-balassu-iqbi (Marduk has declared his protection)
68. Marduk-zakir-šumi (Marduk remembers the name)

Famous Male Akkadian Names:

Here is the list of Famous male Akkadian names:

Rulers and Officials:

1. Sargon of Akkad (True king) – Founder of the Akkadian Empire
2. Narām-Sin (Beloved of Sin) – Grandson of Sargon, known for his military campaigns
3. Manishtushu (My god is Anu) – Successor to Narām-Sin
4. Ur-Nammu (The great wild bull) – Founder of the Third Dynasty 
5. Shulgi (Mighty king) – Successor to Ur-Nammu, known for his administrative reforms
6. Šamaš-šuma-ukin (Šamaš has established the name) – King of Babylon in the 8th century BCE
7. Marduk-apla-iddina (Marduk has given a son) – King of Babylon in the 10th century BCE
8. Nabu-kudurri-usur (Nabu, protect my firstborn son) – More commonly known as Nebuchadnezzar II, a powerful Babylonian king
9. Sin-ahhe-erība (Sin has replaced the brothers) – Assyrian king known for his military campaigns and building projects
10. Aššurbanipal (Ashur, protect the heir) – Last great king of the Assyrian Empire, famous for his vast library
11. Tukulti-Ninurta (Trust in Ninurta) – A series of kings throughout Mesopotamian history
12. Iltani (My god is Anu) – An early ruler of Isin
13. Lipit-Ištar (Favoured by Ishtar) – A king of Isin
14. Abi-ramu (Father is exalted) – High priest during the reign of Hammurabi
15. Hammurabi (Exalted by the storm god) – King of Babylon, famous for his law code
16. Gimil-Marduk (Possibly “Reward of Marduk”) – A high official during the reign of Hammurabi (uncertain meaning)
17. Sin-magir (Sin is mighty) – A powerful official during the reign of Hammurabi
18. Iddin-Dagan (Dagan has given) – A high priest during the reign of Sin-muballit
19. Adad-guppi (Adad is powerful) – High official or ruler
20. Ennamirki (Possibly “Lord of Eridu”) (uncertain meaning) – Ruler of an early Mesopotamian city

Figures from Literature:

1. Atrahasis (The exceedingly wise) – Hero of the Akkadian Epic of Atrahasis
2. Enmerkar (Lord of Enmerkar) – King mentioned in the Sumerian and Akkadian literary tradition
3. Lugalbanda (The great bull) – Legendary hero and father of Gilgamesh in the Epic of Gilgamesh
4. Kandalanu (Possibly “Possessor of fortresses”) (uncertain meaning) – Ruler or official
5. Kurigalzu (Theophoric element likely referencing a local deity) – Ruler of an early Mesopotamian city
6. Libit-Ištar (Favoured by Ishtar) – Official or ruler
7. Marduk-balassu-iqbi (Marduk has declared his protection) – Ruler or official
8. Marduk-zakir-šumi (Marduk remembers the name) – Official or ruler
9. Mutir-Ištar (Beloved of Ishtar) – Official or ruler
10. Nabû-mukin-apli (Nabu has established the heir) – Ruler or official
11. Nagar (Meaning debated, possibly “Carpenter” or “Bright”) – Official or ruler
12. Naram-Sin (Beloved of Sin) – Ruler or official (may refer to the famous king or another individual)
13. Nabû-kudurri-usur (Nabu, protect my firstborn son) – While Nebuchadnezzar II is the most famous bearer, this name likely belonged to others as well 

Rare Male Akkadian Names and Meanings:

1. Ašgi-KAL (Ashur is powerful) – Theophoric (Ashur) + Descriptive (powerful) – “KAL” might be a title or descriptive element.
2. Daštiku (Gift) – Descriptive (gift)
3. Enلیل-bani (Enlil has built) – Theophoric (Enlil) + Verb (built)
4. Imgur-Dagan (Mighty Dagan) – Theophoric (Dagan) + Descriptive (mighty)
5. Liblut (Exalted) – Descriptive (exalted)
6. Marduk-šuma-lišir (Marduk has written the name) – Theophoric (Marduk) + Verb (written) + Noun (name)
7. Muballiṭ-atum (Preserver of Atum) – Verb (preserver) + Theophoric (Atum, a possible foreign deity)
8. Nabû-šunu – Theophoric (Nabu) + Possibly a shortened form with unknown meaning
9. Nidinti-Ištar (Justice of Ishtar) – Noun (justice) + Theophoric (Ishtar)
10. Šamaš-Hablu (Šamaš is merciful) – Theophoric (Šamaš) + Descriptive (merciful)
11. The following names have uncertain or debated meanings:
12. Abdi-Išhara – Theophoric element likely referencing a lesser-known deity + Noun (servant)
13. Ili-išmanni (God has heard me) – Theophoric (god) + Verb (heard) + Pronoun (me) (uncertain interpretation)
14. Kalamu (Perfection) – Descriptive (perfection)
15. Kiridkuš (Uncertain meaning, possibly referencing a location) – Location (uncertain)
16. Namrata (Kindness) – Descriptive (kindness)
17. Si-um (Meaning debated, possibly “Day” or a title) – Uncertain meaning
18. Sin-uballiṭ (Sin has exalted) – Theophoric (Sin) + Verb (exalted) (uncertain interpretation)
19. Wan-ken (Uncertain meaning) – Uncertain meaning
20. Zikir-Šamaš (Remembrance of Šamaš) – Noun (remembrance) + Theophoric (Šamaš)
21. Zu❜zu (Raven) – Descriptive (raven)

It’s important to remember that these interpretations may change as scholars continue to decipher Akkadian texts. 

The rarity of these names also means their exact meanings might remain elusive.

Final Thoughts:

In conclusion, male Akkadian names are the best choices for you boy.

For those who are interested to learn deeper, consider exploring resources on Akkadian onomastics (the study of names).

Or they can  consult online databases of Akkadian personal names.