Tamar (name)
Encyclopedia
Tamar is a female
name of Hebrew
origin, meaning "date" (the edible kind), "date palm" or just "palm tree". There are two characters in the Bible
with this name, see Tamar (Bible)
. Variants include "Tamara
" and "Tamera
". The pronunciation of Tamar depends on each so-named person's language, culture, and idiolect
ic preference; typical pronunciations in English are ˈtɑːmər and /ˈteɪmər/.
The name was not often used in traditional Jewish societies, possibly because both Biblical characters bearing the name are depicted as involved in controversial sexual affairs. It was, however, among the Biblical names revived and actively promoted by the Zionist pioneers, and is a common female name in contemporary Israel
(often shortened, as in other languages, to "Tammy
" (תמי) - which is sometimes treated as name on its own).
It is also a popular name among Armenians
, sometimes nicknamed "Tamarig", meaning "Little Tamar". According to Armenian folklore, the name of Akhtamar Island in Lake Van
is attributed to a peasant boy's longing cries of "Akh (Oh), Tamar!" as he drowns trying to reach his beloved Princess Tamar imprisoned on the island.
It is also common among Georgian
s, where its origin can be traced either to the above-mentioned Biblical Hebrew characters, to the Sky Goddess Tamar who had an important role in the Georgians' mythology before their conversion to Christianity (see Tamar (goddess) or to a convergence of both.
In turn, the popularity of the name (especially in the version "Tamara") among Russians and other Slavic peoples can in part be traced to the centuries-long political and cultural contacts between Russians and Georgians. In particular, Russia was touched by the fame of the Medieval Queen Tamar of Georgia
, reckoned among the greatest of her country's monarchs and who had a Russian husband.
Female
Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
name of Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
origin, meaning "date" (the edible kind), "date palm" or just "palm tree". There are two characters in the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
with this name, see Tamar (Bible)
Tamar (Bible)
In the Book of Genesis, Tamar was twice the daughter-in-law of Judah, as well as the mother of two of his children: the twins Zerah and Pharez.-Genesis narrative:In , Tamar is first described as marrying Judah's eldest son, Er....
. Variants include "Tamara
Tamara
Tamara may refer to:People:* Tamara * Saint Tamar of Georgia, Queen of Georgia Films and stage plays:* Tamara , an American horror film* Tamara , a Hungarian film...
" and "Tamera
Tamera
Tamera is a peace research village with the goal of becoming “a self-sufficient, sustainable and duplicatable communitarian model for nonviolent cooperation and cohabitation between humans, animals, nature, and Creation for a future of peace for all." It is also often called a “healing biotope." ...
". The pronunciation of Tamar depends on each so-named person's language, culture, and idiolect
Idiolect
In linguistics, an idiolect is a variety of a language unique to an individual. It is manifested by patterns of vocabulary or idiom selection , grammar, or pronunciations that are unique to the individual. Every individual's language production is in some sense unique...
ic preference; typical pronunciations in English are ˈtɑːmər and /ˈteɪmər/.
The name was not often used in traditional Jewish societies, possibly because both Biblical characters bearing the name are depicted as involved in controversial sexual affairs. It was, however, among the Biblical names revived and actively promoted by the Zionist pioneers, and is a common female name in contemporary Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
(often shortened, as in other languages, to "Tammy
Tammy
Tammy may refer to:* Tam o'shanter, a Scottish hat*Tammy , a series of four films**Tammy and the Bachelor, the first film in the series**"Tammy" , a popular song from Tammy and the Bachelor**Tammy , a 1965 U.S...
" (תמי) - which is sometimes treated as name on its own).
It is also a popular name among Armenians
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
, sometimes nicknamed "Tamarig", meaning "Little Tamar". According to Armenian folklore, the name of Akhtamar Island in Lake Van
Lake Van
Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey, located in the far east of the country in Van district. It is a saline and soda lake, receiving water from numerous small streams that descend from the surrounding mountains. Lake Van is one of the world's largest endorheic lakes . The original outlet from...
is attributed to a peasant boy's longing cries of "Akh (Oh), Tamar!" as he drowns trying to reach his beloved Princess Tamar imprisoned on the island.
It is also common among Georgian
Georgian people
The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America....
s, where its origin can be traced either to the above-mentioned Biblical Hebrew characters, to the Sky Goddess Tamar who had an important role in the Georgians' mythology before their conversion to Christianity (see Tamar (goddess) or to a convergence of both.
In turn, the popularity of the name (especially in the version "Tamara") among Russians and other Slavic peoples can in part be traced to the centuries-long political and cultural contacts between Russians and Georgians. In particular, Russia was touched by the fame of the Medieval Queen Tamar of Georgia
Tamar of Georgia
Tamar , of the Bagrationi dynasty, was Queen Regnant of Georgia from 1184 to 1213. Tamar presided over the "Golden age" of the medieval Georgian monarchy...
, reckoned among the greatest of her country's monarchs and who had a Russian husband.
People with this name
- Tamar (Genesis), married first to Er and then, when widowed, to his younger brother Onan; had children by their father Judah
- Tamar (2 Samuel)Tamar (2 Samuel)Tamar is a character in 2 Samuel in the Hebrew Bible. She was the daughter of King David, and sister of Absalom. Her mother was Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. According to the narrative in , she was raped by her half-brother Amnon....
, daughter of Biblical King DavidDavidDavid was the second king of the united Kingdom of Israel according to the Hebrew Bible and, according to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, an ancestor of Jesus Christ through both Saint Joseph and Mary... - A daughter of AbsalomAbsalomAccording to the Bible, Absalom or Avshalom was the third son of David, King of Israel with Maachah, daughter of Talmai, King of Geshur. describes him as the most handsome man in the kingdom...
- Queen Tamar of GeorgiaTamar of GeorgiaTamar , of the Bagrationi dynasty, was Queen Regnant of Georgia from 1184 to 1213. Tamar presided over the "Golden age" of the medieval Georgian monarchy...
, ruled 1184-1213 - Tamar KatzTamar KatzTamar Katz is an Israeli figure skater. She is the 2005, 2007, and 2008 Israeli national champion.- Career :...
, American-born Israeli figure skater - Thamar Angelina Komnene
- Tamar, also known as Gürcü HatunGürcü HatunGürcü Hatun was a Georgian princess and favorite wife of Kaykhusraw II, Seljuk Sultan of Rum. After his death in 1246 she married the Anatolian strongman Pervane Mu‘in al-Din Suleyman. She was the mother of Kayqubad II and patron to Rumi...
, daughter of Queen Rusudan of Georgia and wife of Kaykhusraw of the Seljuq dynasty - TámarTámarTámar is an American R&B singer who came to prominence through the artist, Prince. She sang the co-lead vocals on his Grammy-nominated song "Beautiful, Loved and Blessed" from his 2006 album, 3121 and on backup vocals throughout the album...
, a female singer who came to fame through PrincePrince (musician)Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of... - Tamar BraxtonTamar BraxtonTamar Braxton-Herbert is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and reality television personality. She rose to fame in the 1990s as a founding member of the R&B group, The Braxtons. Braxton is the youngest sister of prominent R&B singer Toni Braxton.In 2011, Tamar Braxton reunited with her sisters,...
, youngest sister of Toni Braxton, R&B coloraturaColoraturaColoratura has several meanings. The word is originally from Italian, literally meaning "coloring", and derives from the Latin word colorare . When used in English, the term specifically refers to elaborate melody, particularly in vocal music and especially in operatic singing of the 18th and...
soprano - Tamar GozanskyTamar Gozansky-Background:Born in Petah Tikva during the Mandate era to a Russian family, Gozansky studied in Russia, gaining an MSc in Economics from Leningrad State University. She later worked as an economist.-Political career:...
, Israeli parliamentarian and left-wing political leader - Tamar KaprelianTamar KaprelianTamar Kaprelian is an Armenian American musician and singer. She is best known for her single "New Day" and for winning the OneRepublic "Apologize" Cover Contest in March 2008...
, an ArmenianArmeniansArmenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
musician and singer who won the OneRepublicOneRepublicOneRepublic is an American pop rock band from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Formed in 2002 by Ryan Tedder and Zach Filkins, the band achieved massive success on MySpace, becoming the most prominent unsigned act on the website then...
Apologize Cover Contest in March 2008
Fictional characters
- Hilary Tamar, a legal scholar whose gender is concealed from the reader in the novels of Sarah CaudwellSarah CaudwellSarah Caudwell was the pseudonym of Sarah Cockburn , a British barrister and writer of detective stories.She is best known for a series of four murder stories written between 1980 and 1999, centred around the lives of a group of young barristers practicing in Lincoln’s Inn and narrated by a Hilary...