Iraq

Internationalism, ultimately from Arabic الْعِرَاق (al-ʕirāq). The pronunciation with /ʔ/ is probably spelling-based, but perhaps reinforced by a learned understanding that the Arabic ق (q) corresponds to Maltese q.

Repubblika tal-Iraq
Repubblika tal-Iraq#Maltese

Iraq (a country in Western Asia, in the Middle East; official name: Repubblika tal-Iraq)


Andorra

Prinċipat ta’ Andorra
Prinċipat ta' Andorra#Maltese

Andorra (a microstate in Southern Europe, between Spain and France; official name: Prinċipat ta’ Andorra)


Iran

Repubblika Iżlamika tal-Iran
Repubblika Iżlamika tal-Iran#Maltese

Iran (a country in West Asia, in the Middle East; official name: Repubblika Iżlamika tal-Iran)


Malta

→ English: Malta

French: Malte

Irish: Málta

→ Italian: Malta

→ Portuguese: Malta

→ Spanish: Malta
→ Tagalog: Malta

From Arabic مَالِطَا (māliṭā) etc., from Latin Melita, from Ancient Greek Μελίτη (Melítē).

inh

Arabic مَالِطَا (māliṭā)

Malta (an archipelago and country in Southern Europe, in the Mediterranean Sea)

Malta (the largest island in the Maltese Archipelago)


Oman

Oman (a country in Western Asia, in the Middle East; official name: Saltna tal-Oman)


Pakistan

Pakistan (a country in South Asia; official name: Repubblika Iżlamika tal-Pakistan)


Qatar

Qatar (a country in Western Asia, in the Middle East; official name: Stat tal-Qatar)


Sudan

Repubblika tas-Sudan
Repubblika tas-Sudan#Maltese

Sudan (a country in North Africa and East Africa; official name: Repubblika tas-Sudan)


Singapore

Repubblika ta’ Singapore
Repubblika ta' Singapore#Maltese

Singapore (an island and city-state in Southeast Asia, located off the southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula; a former British crown colony and state of Malaysia (1963-1965); official name: Repubblika ta’ Singapore)


Chad

Repubblika taċ-Chad
Repubblika taċ-Chad#Maltese

Chad (a country in Central Africa; official name: Repubblika taċ-Chad)


Belarus

synonym of Belarussja: Belarus (a country in Eastern Europe)


Belfast

Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland#English

Belfast (the capital city of Northern Ireland)


Adam

From Sicilian Adamu, Addamu and/or Italian Adamo, both from Latin Ādāmus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), from Hebrew אָדָם (āḏām). All religious names (though not all religious words) in Maltese are borrowings from Romance. The inherited form from Arabic آدَم (ʔādam) would be *Iedem, which is preserved in bniedem (“human being”, literally “son of Adam”).


Afrika

Africa (the continent south of Europe and between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans)

L-AmerikaL-Amerika ta’ FuqL-Amerika ĊentraliL-Amerika t’Isfel


Londra

London (the capital city of the United Kingdom; the capital city of England)


Svizzera

(perhaps nonstandard) alternative spelling of Żvizzera: Switzerland (a country in Western Europe and Central Europe)


Marte

Borrowed from Italian Marte, from Latin Mārs.


Abraham

Borrowed from Italian Abramo, from Latin Ābrahām, from Ancient Greek Ἀβραάμ (Abraám), from Hebrew אַבְרָהָם (ʾaḇrāhām). The insertion of the mute -h- in the spelling directly after the Hebrew form; compare Għesaw (“Esau”).

der

Hebrew אַבְרָהָם (ʾaḇrāhām)

a male given name, equivalent to English Abraham


Afganistan

Afghanistan (a landlocked country between Central Asia and South Asia; official name: Repubblika Iżlamika tal-Afganistan)


Amerika

America, the Americas (a supercontinent consisting of North America, Central America and South America regarded as a whole; in full, the Americas)

United States of America
United States of America#English

America, United States of America (a country in North America; in full, United States of America)


Alla

From Arabic اَللّٰه (allāh, “God”) through the common dialectal form alla with loss of the final -h. The Arabic word is a general term for “God” used also by Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians.

Il-qanpiena ħarġet tħabbar
mill-kampnar: Sar ħin it-talb;
ejjew nies, il-kelma t’Alla
sa niżirgħu, ħejju l-qalb!”

1966, Anton Buttigieg, “Il-Qanpiena”, in Ejjew Nidħku Ftit Ieħor:


Koran

Borrowed from Italian Corano, from Arabic الْقُرْآن (al-qurʔān). Related with inherited Maltese qara (“to read”). The inherited form would have been *qran.


Ramadan

Borrowed from Arabic رَمَضَان (ramaḍān). Doublet of inherited Randan (“Lent”).


Albanija

Southeast Europe
Southeast Europe#English

Repubblika tal-Albanija
Repubblika tal-Albanija#Maltese

Albania (a country in Southeast Europe; official name: Repubblika tal-Albanija)


Jemen

Repubblika tal-Jemen
Repubblika tal-Jemen#Maltese

Yemen (a country in Western Asia, in the Middle East; official name: Repubblika tal-Jemen)


Kosovo

Balkan Peninsula
Balkan Peninsula#English

Kosovo (a partly-recognized country on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe)


Franza

France (a country located primarily in Western Europe)


Perù

Repubblika tal-Perù
Repubblika tal-Perù#Maltese

Peru (a country in South America; official name: Repubblika tal-Perù)


Russja

Federazzjoni Russa
Federazzjoni Russa#Maltese

Russia (a transcontinental country in Eastern Europe and North Asia; official name: Federazzjoni Russa)


Federazzjoni Russa

Russian Federation
Russian Federation#English:_Q159

Russian Federation (official name of Russia: a transcontinental country in Eastern Europe and North Asia)


Bulgarija

Bulgaria (a country in Southeast Europe)


Turkija

Southeastern Europe
Southeastern Europe#English

Repubblika tat-Turkija
Repubblika tat-Turkija#Maltese

Turkey (a country located in Eastern Thrace in Southeastern Europe and Anatolia in western Asia; official name: Repubblika tat-Turkija)


Spanja

Renju ta’ Spanja
Renju ta' Spanja#Maltese

Spain (a country in Southern Europe, including most of the Iberian peninsula; official name: Renju ta’ Spanja)


Venere

Borrowed from Italian Venere, from Latin Venus.

planets of the Solar System: pjaneti tas-Sistema Solari: Merkurju · Venere

Il-Ħamra · Ġove · Saturnu · Uranu · Nettunu [edit]


Irlanda

Ireland (an island and country in northwestern Europe)


Stati Uniti

L-Istati Uniti (canonical masculine plural)
Istati Uniti (alternative)

Borrowed from Italian Stati Uniti, from English United States.

United States (a country in North America)


Xuereb

From Arabic شَوَارِب (šawārib, “moustaches”).
The earliest references of this family go back to 1517 with Tommeo Xuereb mentioned as "Nobile" or "Noble". The coat of arms shows two Moors' heads, which could signify that the Xuerebs distinguished themselves when participating in The Crusades.


Estonja

Estonia (a country in northeastern Europe, on the southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea)


Marsaxlokk

From marsa (“harbour”) + xlokk (“southeast”).

Marsaxlokk (a village and local council of the Southern Region, Malta)


Magreb

Borrowed from Italian Magreb, itself from مَغْرِب (maḡrib, literally “where the sun sets”, “the West”), noun of place from غَرَبَ (ḡaraba, “to set”, “to go down”). Doublet of Magħreb (Semitic-based).

Maghreb (the predominantly Arabic-speaking geographic region comprising northwest Africa, particularly the region of Africa north of the Sahara and west of the Nile; the coastal plains of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and western Libya)


Indri

Borrowed from Sicilian Andrìa, from Latin Andreas, from Ancient Greek Ἀνδρέας (Andréas). It being an early borrowing, the initial vowel underwent regular imala. Otherwise one would expect Indrija. It may be conjectured that the -a was deleted in order to avoid the feminine-sounding ending and the stress then shifted to the first syllable according to the stress system of older Maltese.

(also biblical) a male given name from Sicilian [in turn from Latin, in turn from Ancient Greek], equivalent to English Andrew


Nikola

Borrowed from Sicilian Nicola and/or Italian Nicola, from Latin Nīcolāus, from Ancient Greek Νῑκόλᾱος (Nīkólāos).

Niklaw (alternative)
Niklusi (alternative)
Nikol (alternative)
Kola (alternative)
Nikajli (alternative)

a male given name from Sicilian [in turn from Latin, in turn from Ancient Greek], equivalent to English Nicholas


Ġappun

Internationalism. Compare Italian Giappone.

Japan (a country and archipelago of East Asia)


Isvizzera

alternative form of Svizzera, used after the definite article.


Ġamajka

Il-Ġamajka (canonical feminine)
Ġammajka (alternative)

Internationalism, from Italian Giamaica.

Jamaica (an island and country in the Caribbean)


Lussemburgu

Internationalism, from Italian Lussemburgo.

Luxembourg (a small country in Western Europe)

Luxembourg (a province of Wallonia, Belgium)

Luxembourg, Luxembourg City (the capital city of Luxembourg)

Luxembourg (one of the twelve cantons of the country of Luxembourg, which includes its capital city)


Awstralja

Australia (a country consisting of a main island, the island of Tasmania and other smaller islands, located in Oceania; historically, a collection of former colonies of the British Empire)

(geology) Australia (a continent consisting of the land on the Australian tectonic plate, i.e. Australia, New Guinea and intervening islands)


Ingilterra

Internationalism, from Italian Inghilterra.

England (a constituent country of the United Kingdom)


Għarbi

From Arabic عَرَبِيّ (ʕarabiyy). One of the few words referring to Arabo-Islamic culture that was actually inherited (and not later reborrowed from Italian). Might also be used to refer to the early forms of Maltese language either by its speakers or foreigners who visited Muslim and later re-Christianized Malta.

L-Għarbi huwa lingwa Semitika Ċentrali.


Lejliet il-Milied

From Arabic لَيْلَة اَلْمِيلاد (laylat al-mīlād).

inh

لَيْلَة اَلْمِيلاد

Literally, “nights of Christmas”.

Christmas Eve (nights before the final night of Christmas).


Baħar l-Isfar

A loan translation, probably of Italian Mar Giallo. Compare the corresponding Arabic البَحْر الأَصْفَر (al-baḥr al-ʔaṣfar), which cannot be the source, however.

cog

البَحْر الأَصْفَر


Għanja tal-Għanjiet

l- Għanja tal-Għanjiet (canonical feminine)

Calque of Latin Canticum Canticorum, itself of Ancient Greek ᾎσμα τῶν ᾈσμάτων (Âisma tôn Āismátōn), itself of Hebrew שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים (šīr haš-šīrīm).

der

ᾎσμα τῶν ᾈσμάτων

שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים

šīr haš-šīrīm

(biblical) Canticles, Song of Songs, Song of Solomon


Baħar l-Aħmar

Probably a loan translation of Italian Mar Rosso. Inheritance from Arabic الْبَحْر الْأَحْمَر (al-baḥr al-ʔaḥmar) cannot be ruled out entirely, but is very unlikely in light of the fact that Maltese has inherited virtually no geographical names from outside Malta at all.

cog

الْبَحْر الْأَحْمَر


Spanjol

Borrowed from Sicilian spagnolu and/or Italian spagnolo.


Nikosija

Nicosia (the capital city of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus)


Ġibiltà

Internationalism, from English Gibraltar.

Gibraltar (a peninsula, city, and overseas territory of the United Kingdom, at the southern end of Iberia)

Strait of Gibraltar
Strait of Gibraltar#English

Gibraltar, Strait of Gibraltar (a strait connecting the Mediterranean to the Atlantic between Gibraltar and Morocco; in full, Strait of Gibraltar)


Ukrajna

Ukraine (a country in Eastern Europe, bordering on the north shore of the Black Sea)


Marija

Borrowed from Sicilian Marìa, from Latin Maria, from Ancient Greek Μαρία (María), from Aramaic מַרְיָם (Maryām).

(also biblical) a female given name from Sicilian [in turn from Latin, in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Aramaic], equivalent to English Mary


Irlanda ta' Fuq

Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland#English:_Q26

Northern Ireland (a constituent country and province of the United Kingdom, situated in the northeastern part of the island of Ireland)


Urugwaj

Uruguay (a country in South America; official name: Repubblika Orjentali tal-Urugwaj)


Portugall

Repubblika Portugiża
Repubblika Portugiża#Maltese

Portugal (a country in Southern Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula; official name: Repubblika Portugiża)


Malti

From Arabic مالْطِيّ (mālṭiyy). By surface analysis, Malta + -i.


Armenja

Repubblika tal-Armenja
Repubblika tal-Armenja#Maltese

Armenia (a country in the South Caucasus region of Asia, sometimes considered to belong politically to Europe; official name: Repubblika tal-Armenja)


Mdina

Literally, “the city”, from mdina (“city”, obsolete), from Arabic مَدِينَة (madīna, “city, town”).

Mdina (a city and local council of the Western Region, Malta; the former capital city of Malta)


Mtarfa

Mtarfa (a town and local council of the Northern Region, Malta)


Baħar Adrijatiku

Il-Baħar Adrijatiku (canonical masculine)


Baħamas

Bahamas (an archipelago and country in the Caribbean)


Kanċer

(astrology) synonym of Il-Qabru: Cancer (zodiac sign)


Ewropa

Europe (a continent located west of Asia and north of Africa)


Kristjaneżmu

Borrowed from Italian cristianesimo, from Latin Christianismus, from Ancient Greek Χριστιανισμός (Khristianismós).

der

Χριστιανισμός


kalendarju Gregorjan

il-kalendarju Gregorjan (canonical masculine)


Angulja

Anguilla (an archipelago and overseas territory of the United Kingdom, in the Caribbean Sea)


Italja

Borrowed from Italian Italia, from Latin Italia.


Muħammed

Borrowed from Arabic مُحَمَّد (muḥammad).
The inherited form would be Mħammed, which died out as a given name after the Rechristianisation of Malta, but was still attested as a surname up to the 15th century (then obviously borne by Christians). Even today it survives in the place name Tal-Imħammed.


Wistin

Borrowed from Sicilian Austinu, from Latin Augustīnus. Probably first borrowed as roughly *Awustin; the further development (loss of initial unstressed vowel and wu- → wi-) is standard in Maltese.

Wistinu (alternative)
Tinu (alternative)

a male given name from Sicilian [in turn from Latin], equivalent to English Augustine


Isvediż

alternative form of Svediż, used after the definite article


Ġammajka

alternative form of Ġamajka: Jamaica (an island and country in the Caribbean)


Renju Unit

United Kingdom
United Kingdom#English:_Q145

Renju Unit tal-Gran Brittanja u l-Irlanda ta' Fuq#Maltese

United Kingdom (a kingdom and country in Northern Europe; official name: Renju Unit tal-Gran Brittanja u l-Irlanda ta’ Fuq)


mt-proper noun

Ir-Renju Unit tal-Gran Brittanja u l-Irlanda ta' Fuq

Ir-Renju Unit tal-Gran Brittanja u l-Irlanda ta’ Fuq m

/ɪrˈrɛn.ju wuˈniːt talˈɡram brɪtˈtan.ja‿w lɪrˈlan.da taˈfuːʔ/

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland#English:_Q145

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (official name of the United Kingdom: a country in Northern Europe)


Gran Brittanja

Ir-Renju Unit tal-Gran Brittanja u l-Irlanda ta’ Fuq

Great Britain
Great Britain#English:_Q23666

Great Britain (a large island (sometimes also including some of the surrounding smaller islands) off the north-west coast of Western Europe, made up of England, Scotland, and Wales)

Great Britain
Great Britain#English:_Q145

(loosely) Great Britain (the United Kingdom, a kingdom and country in Northern Europe including the island of Great Britain as well as Northern Ireland on the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland)


Istati Uniti

alternative form of Stati Uniti, used after the definite article


Awstrija

Repubblika tal-Awstrija
Repubblika tal-Awstrija#Maltese

Austria (a country in Central Europe; official name: Repubblika tal-Awstrija)


Ażerbajġan

Azerbaijan (a country in the South Caucasus in Asia and Europe)


Ċipru

Borrowed from Sicilian Cipru and/or Italian Cipro.

Southeast Europe
Southeast Europe#English

Cyprus (an island and country in the Mediterranean Sea, normally considered politically part of Southeast Europe but geographically part of Western Asia)


Ġermanja

Germany (a country in Central Europe, formed in 1949 as West Germany, with its provisional capital Bonn until 1990, when it incorporated East Germany; official name: Repubblika Federali tal-Ġermanja)


Litwanja

Ir-Repubblika tal-Litwanja
Repubblika tal-Litwanja#Maltese

Lithuania (a country in northeastern Europe; official name: Ir-Repubblika tal-Litwanja)


Omeru

Borrowed from Italian Omero, from Latin Homērus, from Ancient Greek Ὅμηρος (Hómēros).


Indja

Repubblika tal-Indja
Repubblika tal-Indja#Maltese

India (a country in South Asia; official name: Repubblika tal-Indja)


Serbja

Balkan Peninsula
Balkan Peninsula#English

Serbia (a country on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe)


Slovenja

Slovenia (a country on the Balkan Peninsula in Central Europe)


Polonja

Repubblika tal-Polonja
Repubblika tal-Polonja#Maltese

Poland (a country in Central Europe; official name: Repubblika tal-Polonja)


Kroazja

Repubblika tal-Kroazja
Repubblika tal-Kroazja#Maltese

Croatia (a country on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe; official name: Repubblika tal-Kroazja)


Marsa

Literally, “the harbour”, from marsa (“harbour”).

Marsa (a town and local council of the Southern Region, Malta)


Belġju

Renju tal-Belġju
Renju tal-Belġju#Maltese

Belgium (a country in Western Europe that has borders with the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France; official name: Renju tal-Belġju)


Bożnja

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina#English

Bosnia (a geographic region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, consisting of the northern three fourths of the country)

Il-Bożnja u Ħerzegovina
Bożnja u Ħerzegovina#Maltese

Bosnia (a country in southeast Europe; in full, Il-Bożnja u Ħerzegovina)


Marokk

Borrowed from Italian Marocco, from Portuguese Marrocos and/or Spanish Marruecos, from Arabic مُرَّاكُش (murrākuš), probably from Berber; compare Moroccan Amazigh ⴰⵎⵓⵔ ⵏ ⴰⴽⵓⵛ (amur n akuc, literally “Land of God”).

cog

Renju tal-Marokk
Renju tal-Marokk#Maltese

Morocco (a country in North Africa; official name: Renju tal-Marokk)


Katalonja

autonomous community
autonomous community

Catalonia (an autonomous community in northeast Spain)


Vjetnam

Vietnam (a country in Southeast Asia; official name: Repubblika Soċjalista tal-Vjetnam)


Sqallija

From Arabic صِقِلِّيَّة (ṣiqilliyya). One of the very few geographical names from outside Malta that were inherited.

Sicily (the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, an autonomous region of Italy, close to Africa and separated from Tunisia and Libya by the Strait of Sicily)


xitan

ix-xitan (canonical masculine)
Xitan (alternative)

(religion) the Devil; Satan (lord of all demons and adversary of God)


Għawdex

From Arabic غَوْدَش (ḡawdaš), eventually probably from a Phoenician root 𐤂-𐤅-𐤋 (g-w-l), meaning something like “turn around”. If this derivation is correct, the Arabs must have got the name from Ancient Greek Γαύδος (Gaúdos), Γαύλος (Gaúlos), perhaps through Latin Gaudos, Gaulos. The specifics of the borrowing are related to the question of the pre-Arabic language of Malta and whether there was any population continuity after the conquest.

Gozo (the second-largest island of the Republic of Malta)


Ġwann

Borrowed from Sicilian Giuvanni (older probably also *Giuanni, compare Sardinian Giuanni), from Latin Iohannes, from Ancient Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), from Hebrew יוחנן (Yōḥānān).

Ġwanni (alternative)
Ġovanni (alternative)
Ġanni (alternative)
Ġann (alternative)
Ġan (alternative)

a male given name from Sicilian [in turn from Latin, in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English John


Ġgantija

From ġgantija, feminine singular of ġganti (“gigantic”).

Ġgantija (a megalithic temple in Xagħra, Gozo)


Natan

a male given name, equivalent to English Nathan


Latvja

Latvia (a country in northeastern Europe)


Ħaruf ta' Alla

Ħaruf ta’ Alla (canonical masculine)
Ħaruf t’Alla (alternative)

Calque of Latin Agnus Dei, itself from Ancient Greek Ἀμνὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ (Amnòs toû Theoû).

der

Ἀμνὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ


Fontana

Fontana (a village and local council of the Gozo Region, Malta)


Saliba

From saliba, feminine form of salib (“cross”).


Lhudi

From Arabic يَهُودِيّ (yahūdiyy, “Jew, Jewish”). The definite form اَلْيَهُودِيّ (al-yahūdiyy) underwent assimilation -ly- → -ll- (compare llum from il-jum), whence a new basic form *lahūdī, *lhūdī by backformation.


Galea

Probably from Italian galea (“helmet”), which would relate to families with gladiator husbands/sons.


Micallef

Probably from Arabic مُكَلَّف (mukallaf, “entrusted with some task, obligated, responsible”), which may have been used in Malta for some sort of administrative function. Sometimes also related to mħallef (“judge”), from Arabic مُحَلَّف (muḥallaf, “juror”), in which case the /k/ would have to be due to spelling pronunciation.


Attard

From Arabic عَطَّار (ʕaṭṭār, “drugist”), through either Sicilian and/or Italian.


Tabone

From ta’ + buni. buni is probably from Sicilian boni, plural of bona. The family name may have been originally Ta’ Buni or Ta’ Bona.


Żagreb

Zagreb (the capital and largest city of Croatia)


Filippini

Repubblika tal-Filippini
Repubblika tal-Filippini#Maltese

Philippines (a country in Southeast Asia; official name: Repubblika tal-Filippini)


Masar

(obsolete) synonym of Eġittu: Egypt (a country in North Africa and Western Asia)


Grech

From Maltese Grieg, Sicilian grecu (“Greek”).


Iżlanda

North Atlantic Ocean
North Atlantic Ocean#English

Iceland (an island and country in the North Atlantic Ocean in Europe)


Oċeanja

L-Oċeanja (canonical feminine)
Oċjanja (alternative)


Asja

Asia (the largest continent, located between Europe and the Pacific Ocean)


BĊE

Bank Ċentrali Ewropew
w:mt:Bank Ċentrali Ewropew

initialism of Bank Ċentrali Ewropew (“European Central Bank”)


Svediż

(perhaps nonstandard) alternative spelling of Żvediż


Żvizzera

L-Iżvizzera (canonical feminine)
Svizzera (alternative)

Etymology tree
German Schwytzerbor.
Italian Svizzerabor.
Maltese Żvizzera
Borrowed from Italian Svizzera, borrowed from German Schwytzer.

etymon

Switzerland (a country in Western Europe and Central Europe)


Ġakbu

From Italian Giacobo or Sicilian *Giacubu (variants of Giacomo and Giacumu respectively), from Latin Iacobus, from Ancient Greek Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos), from Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (yaʿăqōḇ).

der

Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (yaʿăqōḇ)

(also biblical) a male given name from Sicilian [in turn from Latin, in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English James or Jacob


Xmun

From Sicilian Simuni, from Latin Simon, from Ancient Greek Σίμων (Símōn), from Hebrew שִׁמְעוֹן (šimʿōn).

Hebrew שִׁמְעוֹן (šimʿōn)

(also biblical) a male given name from Sicilian [in turn from Latin, in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Simon


Ġakobb

Borrowed from Italian Giacobbe, from Latin Iacob, from Ancient Greek Ἰακώβ (Iakṓb), from Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (yaʿăqōḇ).

Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (yaʿăqōḇ)

(also biblical) a male given name from Italian [in turn from Latin, in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Jacob


Għesaw

Borrowed from Italian Esaù, from Latin Esau, from Ancient Greek Ἡσαῦ (Hēsaû), from Hebrew עֵשָׂו (ʿēśāw). The għ was added to the spelling etymologically after the Hebrew form.

Hebrew עֵשָׂו (ʿēśāw)


Mulej

From Arabic مَوْلايَ (mawlāya, “my lord, master, sir”), first-person singular possessive form of مَوْلَى (mawlā, “master, he whom one owes loyalty”). By surface analysis, mula + -i.

inh

(in Christianity especially) Jesus Christ as God in the flesh.


Tlugħ il-Mulej fis-Sema

Literally: “the Lord’s ascension to heaven”.

(Christianity) Ascension (Christ’s rising to heaven after being resurrected; the ecclesiastic feast commemorating this)


Brażil

Brazil (a large Portuguese-speaking country in South America)


Buttiġieġ

desctree

→ English: Buttigieg
→ Russian: Бу́ттиджич (Búttidžič)

From bu t-tiġieġ (“the one with the chickens”, literally “chicken father”), equivalent to Arabic أَبُو ٱلدَجَاج (ʔabū d-dajāj). Presumably referring originally to a poultry farmer.

der

أَبُو ٱلدَجَاج

Arabic أَبُو ٱلدَجَاج (ʔabū d-dajāj)


għuda

Singulative of Arabic عُود (ʕūd). The basic word was displaced by Maltese injam and is now only reserved for specifically hardwoods, as used by the similie iebes għuda (as stiff/firm as hardwood).

(Christianity, also l-Għuda tas-Salib) the True Cross; the wooden cross of Christ


Luqa

Probably from Sicilian Luca, from Latin Lucas. The replacement of Romance [k] with Maltese [q] (later [ʔ]) is found in many words, especially in the vicinity of back vowels. The phonetic identity of the form with Arabic لُوقَا (lūqā), from Classical Syriac ܠܘܩܐ (lūqā), is probably coincidental, as there is otherwise not a single Christian proper name of Arabic origin in Maltese. Eventually from Ancient Greek Λουκᾶς (Loukâs).


Sidna

From Arabic سَيِّدُنَا (sayyidunā, literally “our master”), used among Arabic-speaking Muslims as a general title for prophets and saints. After rechristianization it was probably identified with Latin dominus (noster) and therefore restricted to Jesus. Analyzable as sid + -na.

inh

(Christianity) Our Lord (honorific title of Jesus Christ).


Oċean Paċifiku

oceans: oċean: l-Oċean Antartiku · l-Oċean Artiku · l-Oċean Atlantiku · l-Oċean Indjan · l-Oċean Paċifiku [edit]


Sliema

is-Sliema (canonical feminine)
Sliema u Qaddisa (alternative)

From sliema (“peace”), from the first word of the prayer.


Abela

Borrowed from Spanish Abella. Originally a Sephardic surname.


Iżvizzera

alternative form of Żvizzera, used after the definite article.


Magħreb

From Arabic الْمَغْرِب (al-maḡrib). The sense “North Africa” is likely not inherited, but a semantic loan from Italian Magreb, English Maghreb, themselves borrowed from the Arabic. Doublet of Magreb (Romance-based).

(purist) Morocco (a country in North Africa)


Għisa

From Arabic عِيسَى (ʕīsā, “Jesus”, among Muslims), of uncertain precise origins, but eventually from Hebrew יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (yəhōšuᵃʿ). Among the clergy and townsfolk it was probably replaced with Italo-Romance Ġesù fairly early on. In some areas, however, it appears to have survived for very long. Vassalli still gives Sidna Għisa for “Dominus noster Iesus”, although for him this use is chiefly that of the “Saracens”, whereas the name properly refers to Joshua (it and Jesus going back to the same Hebrew form). In line with the general absence of Christian Arabic names in Maltese, there seems to be no trace of the proper Christian form يَسُوع (yasūʕ), unless it were perhaps found in the expression jessu għalik.

der

Hebrew יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (yəhōšuᵃʿ)


Ġesù

Borrowed from Sicilian Gesù, from Latin Iesus, from Ancient Greek Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs), from Hebrew יֵשׁוּעַ (yēšuᵃʿ), contraction of יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (yəhōšuᵃʿ). Around 1800 the Muslim Arabic form Għisa was still attested, albeit marginally. The final stress in Maltese Ġesù also makes it seem likely that this Italo-Romance form did not immediately establish itself among the general populace, since it would then be expected to a stress shift of the first syllable.

Hebrew יֵשׁוּעַ (yēšuᵃʿ)


Għeden

Probably from Italian eden, from Latin Eden, with għ added after the original Hebrew עֵדֶן (ʿēḏen), as in Għesaw etc. Inheritance from Arabic عَدْن (ʕadn), itself from the Hebrew, cannot be ruled out offhand, though in this case we would expect Maltese *Għaden.


Nanna Għula

Literally: “Granny Ogress”. See nanna and għul.

(folklore) an evil, old witch, occurring in folktales


Stiefnu

Borrowed from Sicilian Stefanu, from Latin Stephanus, from Ancient Greek Στέφανος (Stéphanos). Being an early borrowing, the word shows the regular phonetic development, i.e. loss of internal unstressed vowels and raising of the imala vowel.

(biblical) Stephan (saint and first Christian martyr)

a male given name from Sicilian [in turn from Latin, in turn from Ancient Greek], equivalent to English Steven or Stephen


Abdilla

From għabdalla, ultimately from Arabic عَبْد اللّٰه (ʕabd allāh, “servant of God”).

inh

عَبْد اللّٰه


Bugeja

* From the city and port Bejaia in Algeria.
* Possibly also a Maltese form of Sicilian Bug(g)ea, from Ancient Greek βουκαῖος (boukaîos, “cowherd”) (see βουκόλος (boukólos)).
* Also from Italian (Sicilian and Salentine) bbuggia (“poacher's bag”).


Cutajar

Derived from Sicilian cutaia. Attested as Cutayar, Cutiar, and Cutaje. Variants with ⟨r⟩ have been recorded since the 17th century.


Musù

From musun /mosun, a variant of misun /misjun.


Scerri

Borrowed from Sicilian scerri, plural of scerra, variant of sciarra, from Arabic شِرَّة (širra).


Sciberras

Probably from ixheb ir-ras (“grey head”), referring to (old) people with white hair.


Zerafa

From żrafa, from Arabic زَرَافَة (zarāfa, “giraffe”).


Mintoff

From mintuf, participle of nitef (“to pluck”).


Teuma

From tewma (“garlic”) or else tewmi (“a twin”).


Agius

/aˤːˈd͡ʒuːs/


Busuttil

From bu + sittin, literally “leader of sixty men”.


Axiak

From obsolete għaxaq (“pleasing”), from Arabic عَاشِق (ʕāšiq).


Spiteri

Borrowed from Sicilian spitari, spitali.


Ħ'Attard

Attard (a town and local council of the Northern Region, Malta)


Ħal Balzan

Balzan (a village and local council of the Northern Region, Malta)


Birgu

Birgu (a city and local council of the Port Region, Malta)


Birkirkara

From bir + karkar “running water” referring to the valley in town (literally “dragging well).

Birkirkara (a city and local council of the Eastern Region, Malta)


Birżebbuġa

bir + żebbuġa, literally “well of olive”

Birżebbuġa (a town and local council of the Southern Region, Malta)


Bormla

From old Maltese Bir Mula (“well of the Lord”).

Cospicua (a city and local council of the Port Region, Malta)


Ħad-Dingli

Dingli (a village and local council of the Western Region, Malta)


Eġittu

Borrowed from Italian Egitto, from Latin Aegyptus, from Ancient Greek Αἴγυπτος (Aíguptos).

Repubblika Għarbija tal-Eġittu
Repubblika Għarbija tal-Eġittu#Maltese

Egypt (a country in North Africa and Western Asia; official name: Repubblika Għarbija tal-Eġittu)


Iżakk

Borrowed from Italian Isacco, from Latin Isaac, from Ancient Greek Ἰσαάκ (Isaák), from Hebrew יצחק (Yiṣḥāq, literally “he laughs”). Doublet of jidħak.


Missierna

From missierna (“our father”), from missier (“father”) + -na (first-person plural pronominal suffix).

(Christianity) Lord's Prayer, Our Father


Ave Marija

(Roman Catholicism) synonym of Sliema (“Hail Mary”)


Sliema u Qaddisa

From the first words of the prayer’s first and second portions. Compare the text at the main lemma.

alternative form of Sliema (“Hail Mary”)


Ġaħan

From Arabic جُحَا (juḥā). The final -n is probably paragogic. Cognate with Sicilian Giufà.

Hershel of Ostropol
w:Hershel of Ostropol

(folklore) A character in Maltese folktales, a “wise fool”, equivalent to the Arabic Joha, Ladino Djoha and Sicilian Giufà, similar also to the Turko-Persian Molla Nasreddin, the Jewish Hershel of Ostropol, the German Till Eulenspiegel, etc.


Mikiel

Borrowed from Sicilian Micheli, from Latin Michaēl, from Hebrew מִיכָאֵל (mīḵāʾēl).

Hebrew מִיכָאֵל (mīḵāʾēl)

a male given name from Sicilian [in turn from Latin, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Michael


Mejlaq

From mejlaq (“razor strop, oilstone”), from Arabic مَيْلَق (maylaq).


Kristu

Borrowed from Sicilian Cristu and/or Italian Cristo.


Bin il-Bniedem

(Christianity) Son of Man (title of Jesus Christ)


Nadur

From Arabic نَاظُور (nāẓūr, literally “lookout point”).

inh

Nadur (a city and local council of the Gozo Region, Malta)


Floriana

Floriana (a town and local council of the Port Region, Malta)


Baħrejn

Calque of Arabic الْبَحْرَيْن (al-baḥrayn). By surface analysis, baħar (“sea”) + -ejn (dual suffix), literally “two seas”.

calque

الْبَحْرَيْن

surf

Bahrain (an archipelago, island, and country in Western Asia, in the Persian Gulf)


Fiteni

Derived from Arabic فَتَّان (fattān, “tempter”).


Bugħażżu

From bu + għażż, literally “father of laziness”.


Afrika t'Isfel

Repubblika tal-Afrika t’Isfel
Repubblika tal-Afrika t'Isfel#Maltese

South Africa (a country in Southern Africa; official name: Repubblika tal-Afrika t’Isfel)


Alġerija

Repubblika Demokratika tal-Poplu tal-Alġerija#Maltese

Algeria (a country in North Africa; official name: Repubblika Demokratika tal-Poplu tal-Alġerija)


Żvezja

Renju tal-Iżvezja
Renju tal-Iżvezja#Maltese

Sweden (a country in Scandinavia in Northern Europe; official name: Renju tal-Iżvezja)


Żimbabwe

Repubblika taż-Żimbabwe
Repubblika taż-Żimbabwe#Maltese

Zimbabwe (a country in Southern Africa; official name: Repubblika taż-Żimbabwe)


Żambja

Repubblika taż-Żambja
Repubblika taż-Żambja#Maltese

Zambia (a country in Southern Africa; official name: Repubblika taż-Żambja)


Venezwela

Venezuela (a country in South America; official name: Repubblika Bolivarjana tal-Venezwela)


Sudan t'Isfel

Repubblika tas-Sudan t’Isfel
Repubblika tas-Sudan t'Isfel#Maltese

South Sudan (a country in East Africa, formerly the southern part of Sudan; official name: Repubblika tas-Sudan t’Isfel)


Maċedonja ta' Fuq

Il-Maċedonja ta’ Fuq (canonical feminine)

North Macedonia
North Macedonia#English:_Q221

Balkan Peninsula
Balkan Peninsula#English

Southeast Europe
Southeast Europe#English

Repubblika tal-Maċedonja ta' Fuq#Maltese

North Macedonia (a country on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe; official name: Repubblika tal-Maċedonja ta’ Fuq)


Tuneżija

Repubblika tat-Tuneżija
Repubblika tat-Tuneżija#Maltese

Tunisia (a country in North Africa; official name: Repubblika tat-Tuneżija)


Libja

Libya (a country in North Africa; official name: Stat tal-Libja)


Ġakmu

a male given name from Italian [in turn from Latin, in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English James


Kastellanija

Kastlanija (alternative)
Klistanija (alternative colloquial)
Kristanija (alternative colloquial)

Castellania (former residence of the head of justice during the Order of Saint John's rule)


Loqman

Loqman, malli wasal quddiem is-sultan, sellimlu. Is-sultan qegħdu bil-qegħda ħdejh u qallu: “Ara, jien smajt bik u bil-għerf u t-tieba tiegħek, għalhekk sa naħtarek, minn issa, bħala ważir tiegħi, u nagħtik is-setgħa fuq l-artijiet tiegħi kollha. […]

1961, Bonaventura, P., “Iż-Żarbun tal-Ważir”, in Leħen l-Art Imqaddsa, number 4, Valletta: Kummissarjat Tal-Qabar Ta’ Kristu F’Malta:

When Loqman arrived before the sultan, he greeted him. The sultan placed Loqman near him and told him: “Look, I have heard of you and of your knowledge and virtue, that's why I will choose you to be my minister from now on, and I will give you authority over all my lands. […]

Luqman (a wise man mentioned in the Qur'an)


Użbekistan

Repubblika tal-Użbekistan
Repubblika tal-Użbekistan#Maltese

Uzbekistan (a country in Central Asia; official name: Repubblika tal-Użbekistan)


Norveġja

Renju tan-Norveġja
Renju tan-Norveġja#Maltese

Norway (a country in Scandinavia in Northern Europe; official name: Renju tan-Norveġja)


Repubblika Ċentru-Afrikana

Ir-Repubblika Ċentru-Afrikana (canonical feminine)

Central African Republic
Central African Republic#English:_Q929

Central African Republic (a country in Central Africa)


Repubblika Demokratika tal-Kongo

Ir-Repubblika Demokratika tal-Kongo (canonical feminine)

Democratic Republic of the Congo#English:_Q974

Democratic Republic of the Congo (a country in Central Africa, the larger of the two countries named Congo)


Repubblika Dominicana

Ir-Repubblika Dominicana (canonical feminine)

Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic#English:_Q786

Dominican Republic (a country in the Caribbean)


Emirati Għarab Magħquda

L-Emirati Għarab Magħquda (canonical plural)

LL-Q9166 (mlt)-GħawdxiVeru-Emirati Għarab Magħquda.wav

United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates#English:_Q878

United Arab Emirates (a country in Western Asia, in the Middle East)


Kuwajt

Kuwait (a country in Western Asia, in the Middle East; official name: Stat tal-Kuwajt)


Ġordan

Renju Ħaxemita tal-Ġordan
Renju Ħaxemita tal-Ġordan#Maltese

Jordan (a country in Western Asia, in the Middle East; official name: Renju Ħaxemita tal-Ġordan)

Kif temm dan id-diskors, Ġesù telaq mill-Galilija u mar il-Lhudija, fl-inħawi ’l hemm mill-Ġordan

c. 2015, Il-Bibbja : il-Kotba Mqaddsa, 5th edition, Valletta: Ghaqda Biblika Maltija, →OCLC, San Mattew 19:1:

New International Version translation: When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan.

U Lot għażel l-inħawi kollha madwar il-Ġordan u telaq lejn il-Lvant; u hekk tbiegħdu minn xulxin.

c. 2015, Il-Bibbja : il-Kotba Mqaddsa, 5th edition, Valletta: Ghaqda Biblika Maltija, →OCLC, Il-Ktieb tal-Ġenesi 13:11:

New International Version translation: So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: […]

U Mosè u Elgħażar il-qassis kellmuhom fil-wita ta’ Mowab, ħdejn il-Ġordan, biswit Ġeriko, u qalulhom: […]

c. 2015, Il-Bibbja : il-Kotba Mqaddsa, 5th edition, Valletta: Ghaqda Biblika Maltija, →OCLC, Il-Ktieb tan-Numri 26:3:

New International Version translation: So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them and said, […]

Jordan (a river in Western Asia, in the Middle East, that empties into the Dead Sea, flowing through Israel, the Golan Heights, the West Bank and Jordan)


Arabja Sawdija

L-Arabja Sawdija (canonical feminine)
Għarbija Sawdija (alternative)
Arabja Sawdita (alternative)

Renju tal-Arabja Sawdija
Renju tal-Arabja Sawdija#Maltese

Saudi Arabia (a country in Western Asia, in the Middle East; official name: Renju tal-Arabja Sawdija)


Għakreb

L-Għakreb (canonical masculine)
Il-Għaqreb (alternative)


Għaqreb

alternative form of Il-Għakreb:
(astronomy) Scorpius (constellation)

alternative form of Il-Għakreb:
Scorpius (constellation)

alternative form of Il-Għakreb:
(astrology) Scorpio (zodiac sign)

alternative form of Il-Għakreb:
Scorpio (zodiac sign)


Xam

(obsolete) synonym of Damasku: Damascus (the capital city of Syria)


Liżbona

Iberian Peninsula
Iberian Peninsula#English

Lisbon (a port city on the Iberian Peninsula, at the mouth of the Tagus River on the Atlantic Ocean; the capital city of Portugal)


Namibja

Repubblika tan-Namibja
Repubblika tan-Namibja#Maltese

Namibia (a country in Southern Africa; official name: Repubblika tan-Namibja)


Ġeħova

(religion) Jehovah (name of God in the Hebrew scriptures)


Lejlet il-Milied

From Arabic لَيْلَة اَلْمِيلاد (laylat al-mīlād) or lejlet (construct state of lejla) + il- + Milied.

inh

لَيْلَة اَلْمِيلاد

Literally, “night of Christmas”.

Christmas Eve (final night before Christmas).


Mħammed

From Arabic مُحَمَّد (muḥammad). Attested as a surname up until the 15th century and survives in the placename Tal-Imħammed. Doublet of Muħammed.

(obsolete, in use up until the 15th century) a surname


Tal-Imħammed

ta’ + l- + Imħammed, literally “(of the) Muhammad”.

af

Tal-Imħammed (a locality in Marsaxlokk, Southern Region, Malta)


Siċilja

Sicily (the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, an autonomous region of Italy, close to Africa and separated from Tunisia and Libya by the Strait of Sicily)


Mġarr

Literally, “the wharf”, from mġarr (“the wharf, the landing place”), synonym of moll.

Mġarr (a village and local council of the Northern Region, Malta)

Mġarr (a town in the Gozo Region, Malta)


Mosta

From Arabic مَوْسِطَة (mawsiṭa, literally “middle”), مُوسِطَة (mūsiṭa).

inh

Mosta (a city and local council of the Northern Region, Malta)


Brażilja

Distrito Federal
Distrito Federal#English

Brasília (a municipality, the capital city of Brazil; the capital of Distrito Federal, Brazil)


Mellieħa

Mellieħa (a village and local council of the Northern Region, Malta)


Ħal Għargħur

From the name of the sandarac tree għargħar or else from għar (“cave”) + għul (“ogre”). Modern irregular pronunciation possibly due to other old name of Casal Gregorio, Girgor or in this case Gargur in Maltese. The generally-considered-folk etymology of ‘the English mixing up the pronunciation of the name’ might have also taken effect.

Għargħur (a village and local council of the Eastern Region, Malta)


Fgura

Fgura (a town and local council of the Port Region, Malta)


Għajnsielem

From għajn (“spring”) + sielem (a name), literally “spring of Sielem”.

af

Għajnsielem (a village and local council of the Gozo Region, Malta)


Għarb

Għarb (a village and local council of the Gozo Region, Malta)


San Pawl il-Baħar

St. Paul's Bay (a village and local council of the Northern Region, Malta)


Tas-Sliema

Sliema (a town and local council of the Eastern Region, Malta)


Ħal Qormi

Qormi (a city and local council of the Southern Region, Malta)


Ħaż-Żabbar

Żabbar (a city and local council of the Port Region, Malta)


Unjoni Sovjetika

Soviet Union
Soviet Union#English:_Q15180

(historical) Soviet Union (a former transcontinental country in Europe and Asia (1922–1991), now split into Russia and 14 other countries)


Parlament Ewropew

Il-Parlament Ewropew (canonical masculine)


Bożnija-Ħerzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina#English:_Q225

Balkan Peninsula
Balkan Peninsula#English

Southeast Europe
Southeast Europe#English

Bosnia and Herzegovina (a country on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe)


Ċekja

Czechia (a country in Central Europe; official name: Repubblika Ċeka)


Finlandja

Repubblika tal-Finlandja
Repubblika tal-Finlandja#Maltese

Finland (a country in Northern Europe; official name: Repubblika tal-Finlandja)


Każakistan

Repubblika tal-Każakistan
Repubblika tal-Każakistan#Maltese

Kazakhstan (a country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe; official name: Repubblika tal-Każakistan)


Slovakkja

Repubblika Slovakka
Repubblika Slovakka#Maltese

Slovakia (a country in Central Europe; official name: Repubblika Slovakka)