# أسماء العرب القديمة في النقوش الثمودية - لؤي الشريف

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvysVdsYDbY
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/bvysVdsYDbY
Generated: 2025-07-22T06:36:15.132+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Ancient Arabic names, dating back even before Christ, are primarily known through rock inscriptions found across the Arabian Peninsula, offering direct insights into pre-Islamic Arab culture and language.

**Key Points:**
- Ancient Arabic names are primarily known through rock inscriptions, as early Arabs did not use papyrus or animal skins for writing.
- The oldest known open Arabic library is Jabal Ikmah in AlUla, containing numerous inscriptions from the Lihyanite people.
- Inscriptions served various purposes, including documenting daily events, recording vows to deities, and conveying personal messages or signatures.
- The name Jamal was known in ancient times, as an inscription reads 'Jamal longed for Basila,' indicating a known male name and a female name Basila.
- The name Jazi was also common, with an inscription stating 'Jazi and his uncle hated disputes,' showing a preference for peace.
- Rana, a female name, is found in an inscription where she declares 'I divorced Zabal, and I am Rana,' highlighting a woman's agency in ancient times.
- Names like Wadad and Aws were also prevalent, with Wadad being a unisex name in antiquity, and Aws documenting his enjoyment of nature.

![Screenshot at 0:38: A close-up of a large rock face covered with ancient Thamudic inscriptions, showing intricate carvings.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/bvysVdsYDbY/00-00-38.png)

**Context:** This video delves into the fascinating history of ancient Arabic names, revealing how they have been preserved through rock inscriptions found across the Arabian Peninsula. Before the advent of paper or animal skins for writing, early Arabs meticulously carved their stories, vows, and even personal messages onto stone. These inscriptions, particularly the Thamudic script, offer a unique window into the daily lives, beliefs, and linguistic heritage of pre-Islamic Arab societies, showcasing names that were common millennia ago and some that persist to this day.

## Detailed Analysis

The video explores ancient Arabic names discovered through rock inscriptions across the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in regions like AlUla and Hail. These inscriptions, primarily Thamudic, Lihyanite, and Safaitic, served as a vital form of documentation and communication before the widespread use of papyrus or animal skins. The speaker highlights that the oldest open Arabic library is Jabal Ikmah in AlUla, rich with inscriptions detailing vows to Lihyanite deities and daily events. The primary purpose of these engravings was to document important events, record offerings to specific deities, or convey messages, often including the names of the individuals who created them as a form of signature or historical record. The video delves into several prominent Thamudic names, such as Jamal and Basila, whose inscription reveals a tale of longing; Jazi, who expressed a dislike for disputes; Hani, whose inscription describes harvesting; Sanad, who simply documented his presence; Rana, a woman who defiantly recorded divorcing her husband Zabal; Wadad, a name used for both males and females in ancient times but now predominantly for females; and Aws, who documented enjoying the greenery of spring. These inscriptions provide invaluable linguistic and historical data, demonstrating the continuity of certain Arabic names and cultural practices over millennia.

### Discovery of Ancient Names

- Ancient Arabic names are primarily known through rock inscriptions on mountains and stones, as Arabs did not use papyrus like Egyptians or animal skins like Jews.
- The oldest open Arabic library is Jabal Ikmah in AlUla, containing numerous inscriptions.
- These inscriptions document important events, vows to deities (like Dhu Ghabah for the Lihyanites), and personal messages.

### Purpose of Inscriptions

- Inscriptions served as a form of documentation, similar to modern-day signatures, allowing individuals to record their presence or significant life events.
- Studying these inscriptions provides extensive benefits, especially in identifying the names of the people who wrote them.

### Thamudic Inscriptions

- Thamudic inscriptions are named after a specific writing style prevalent across the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Jubbah, Hail, Saudi Arabia, and are not necessarily linked to the people of Thamud.
- This distinction is crucial to avoid confusion regarding the historical context of the inscriptions.

### Notable Thamudic Names & Stories

- Jamal and Basila: An inscription reads 'Jamal longed for Basila,' indicating these were known names and suggesting a romantic connection.
- Jazi: An inscription states 'Jazi and his uncle hated disputes,' highlighting a desire for peace.
- Hani: An inscription reads 'Hani harvested the crop,' using the Thamudic verb 'raghala' for harvesting or planting.
- Sanad: An inscription simply states 'Sanad son of Abu Hadar,' serving as a basic signature or proof of presence.
- Rana: A powerful inscription by Rana declares 'I divorced Zabal, and I am Rana,' indicating her agency in ending the marriage.
- Wadad: An inscription reads 'Wadad bin Barz,' showing Wadad was a male name, unlike its common female usage today, suggesting it was a unisex name.
- Aws: An inscription states 'By Aws bin Hayy, and he enjoyed the greenery of spring,' reflecting a peaceful moment in nature.

### Continuity of Arabic Names

- Many ancient Arabic names found in these inscriptions, like Sanad and Wadad, continue to be used today, demonstrating a deep historical continuity in naming conventions.
- The video aims to encourage the use of these authentic ancient Arabic names for newborns.

![Screenshot at 0:33: An aerial view of ancient rock-cut tombs and structures in a desert landscape, showcasing the historical site.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/bvysVdsYDbY/00-00-33.png)
![Screenshot at 0:38: A close-up of a large rock face covered with ancient Thamudic inscriptions, showing intricate carvings.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/bvysVdsYDbY/00-00-38.png)
![Screenshot at 1:30: A detailed shot of a rock surface with numerous ancient inscriptions, highlighting the 'open library' of Jabal Ikmah.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/bvysVdsYDbY/00-01-30.png)
![Screenshot at 1:47: A text overlay in Arabic listing the purposes of inscriptions: '1- Documenting important events \| 2- Vows offered to a specific deity \| 3- Messages from the owner of the inscription'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/bvysVdsYDbY/00-01-47.png)
![Screenshot at 2:27: The speaker holding up a book titled 'Safaitic Inscriptions from Northern Saudi Arabia' by Dr. Sulaiman Al-Dheeb, indicating research sources.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/bvysVdsYDbY/00-02-27.png)
![Screenshot at 3:20: An overlay showing a Thamudic inscription with its Arabic translation: 'Jamal longed for Basila', illustrating an ancient love story.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/bvysVdsYDbY/00-03-20.png)
![Screenshot at 3:41: An overlay showing a Thamudic inscription with its Arabic translation: 'Jazi and his uncle hated disputes', reflecting a desire for peace.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/bvysVdsYDbY/00-03-41.png)
![Screenshot at 4:14: An overlay showing a Thamudic inscription with its Arabic translation: 'Hani harvested \(raghala\) the crop', demonstrating an ancient agricultural record.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/bvysVdsYDbY/00-04-14.png)
![Screenshot at 4:33: An overlay showing a Thamudic inscription with its Arabic translation: 'Sanad bin Abu Hadar', a simple personal signature.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/bvysVdsYDbY/00-04-33.png)
![Screenshot at 5:08: An overlay showing a Thamudic inscription with its Arabic translation: 'I divorced Zabal, and I am Rana', a bold statement of female agency.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/bvysVdsYDbY/00-05-08.png)