Ardian

Infobox Given Name Revised
name = Ardian


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*Ardian is a personal name used by modern Albanians. The name derives from the name of an ancient Illyrian tribe, the Ardiaei, one of the native ancient Illyrian communities of the Neretva river (ancient Narona/Narenta) valley, in present day Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ardian is one of many modern Albanian names using Illyrian elements, which have been popular in Albania to emphasize a supposed descent from ancient Illyrians, especially since the time of the communist regime. [Miranda Vickers, "The Albanians", p.196. (ISBN 960-210-279-9).] . However, these days the Albanian names using Illyrian elements, and the Illyrian names proper are seemingly the most popular names among the majority of Albanians in Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and in Albanian diaspora in general. [Hasani. H., "Emra Shqip", p.6. ] Other variants include: Ardi, Ardit, and Ardiana (given to females).

In terms of etymology of the name, there are several theories in place. One of the most popular among Albanians themselves is a theory according to which "Ardiaei" is connected to Albanian word "Ardhja", meaning "Arrival"/"Descent",practically making the "Ard(h)iei" the " "Descendants".

One other theory that emerged only recently is the one connecting the name of "Ardiaei" with Latin "Ardea", meaning "Heron". Stunningly enough, a small town located in the area adjacent to Neretva river (which was precisely the original homeland of ancient Illyrian tribe of Ardiaei) is called "Čapljina", deriving from "Čaplja", which in former Serbo-Croatian language (nowadays divided into Bosnian/Croatian/Montenegrin and Serbian) means "Heron". [A.Axhanela-Trajtat etnogjuhesore-Vendbanimet- Article, Center for Balkan Studies, Prishtine p.1] This theory opens up many possibilites of the interpretation of the origin of this name, such as the Heron being present in significant numbers in that area since prehistory, and thus influencing the etymology, for example.

*Ardian is also an Italian name derived from the river Arda, province of Piacenza, Northern Italy

*Another etymology derives Ardian not from Ardiaei but from the Roman name Adrian, which derives from the city of Adria (that gave Adriatic),which in itself is believed by some scholars to derive from the Illyrian word "adur", 'water', 'sea'. [Adrian Room, "Brewer's Dictionary of Names", p.7. (ISBN 1-85986-323-x)]

References

See also

*List of Illyrian tribes