The meaning of names among Mediterranean Jews

Marc Eliany �

Atar, Attar, Abenatar, Abiatar, Benattar

Prefixes such as (aben, iben, abi, avi, ben, bin, abou) denotes usually a relation to a person, i.e., the father of or the son of� X, a place, i.e., a person from X, a profession, i.e., Atar or spice maker, spice seller, perfume maker, perfume seller.

In the Arab tradition, the prefix Abu means usually the father of, or a tribal affiliation, i.e., a relation to the tribe of Atar. The word �atar� in Arabic means spice maker, spice seller, perfume maker, perfume seller.
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In the Hebrew tradition, the prefix �Avi � denotes patrilineal ancestry, i.e., father of Atar or ben Atar = son of Atar. The word �atar� in Hebrew and Aramean means �place.�

Jews in North Africa often were spice traders or spice makers. It is likely that �atar� does denote the Arabic meaning but one cannot exclude the possibility that the name is an ancient Hebrew or Aramean name transformed into Arabic.

ABENATAR David M�lo (?-1625). Spain. Poet.
ABIATAR Ibn Crescas Hacohen (1450-1479). Spain. Doctor of Jean II, King of Aragon.
BENATTAR C�sar (XXes.). Tunisia. Authored �Le bled en lumi�re�
BENATTAR Moch� (?-1725). Morocco. Banker, jeweler, diplomat.
BENATTAR Ralph (1945-). Morocco. Businessman in Qu�bec (Montr�al).
BENATTAR Chem Tov (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi, merchant, king�s counsellor.
BENATTAR David (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi, poet, lithurgy leader/singer.
BENATTAR David (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi, poet.
BENATTAR Ha�m Ben Moch� (Or HAHA�M) (1691?-1743?). Morocco. Rabbi, author of �Or hahay�m� (the light of life). Celebrated saint.
BENATTAR Ma�mon (1867-1958). Morocco. Rabbi, educator in Egypt.
BENATTAR Mord�kha� (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi. Celebrated saint Originaire du Maroc.
BENATTAR Rapha�l (XVIIIes.). Morocco. Rabbi, poet of �Chir Mi kamokha� (who compares to You).
BENATTAR Y�houdah (1725-1812). Morocco. Rabbi. Judge. Authored �Zikhron livn� Yisra�l� (A memorial to the children of Israel).
BENATTAR Y�houdah ben Yah�acov (1655-1733). Morocco. Rabbi. Judge. Authored �Din� get v�halitsah� (Divorce laws).

References:

Azoulay, Hayim Yossef Shem Hagdolim (the names of the great)

AZOULAY Ha�m Yossef David (Hida) (1724-1807) Ch�m hagu�dolim va�ad lahakhamim (The names of the Great Council of Sages).

Toledano, J. 1983        La saga des familles, Les juifs du Maroc et leurs noms, Editions Stavit, Tel Aviv

Levi, J et. al. 2000        Dictionnaire biographique du monde Juif Sepharade et Mediteranean, Editions Elysee, Montreal.

Laredo A. 1978           Les noms des juifs au Maroc