Names go Places

The UAE is not an exception to the rule. Each one of the seven emirates here has a distinguished name with Arabic roots, and hence a different story.

Belal Al Bedur, Executive Director of Culture and Arts Department in the UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, told Khaleej Times that there are no references to the meanings or reasons behind the names of areas in the country.

“Most of the explanations available are based on interviews with old people and stories quoted from them, guessing, analyses, verses in poetry and archives,” he said, adding that the meaning of some areas is clear, and needs no clarification.

“Mushairef, for example, is found in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and even Kuwait. It means a higher place that overlooks lower places. Al Qusais is another area which is found in several locations. It is derived from the word Qas which means a lower place,” he said.

Al Bedur said a special committee functions in every emirate to study the names of areas, regions and streets.

Daud Al Hajri, Director of Planning Department with the Dubai Municipality, said the Department recently referred a project on the meanings of the areas in Dubai to the higher authorities.

“The project is carried out by Hussain Al Badi, a researcher with Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage. The project 
needs green light to be published and is to be 
verified first in collaboration with the competent bodies.”

Al Badi said it took around 10 years to compile the ‘directory’ which contains around 13,000 names of areas in the whole country.

“Most of the explanations available are based on myth, old stories and personal understanding,” he said, adding that he basically depended on the Country Glossary while compiling his book.

“It is a big book with information on countries around the world, with histories, travel information and facts,” he explained.

“I also depend on other geographical sources, in addition to historic facts and conducting numerous interviews with old people,” 
he said.

Abu Dhabi, the capital, according to Al Badi, is said to have been driven from Dhibaa (antelopes) that used to live there in the past. It is said to be named after a man who used to chase antelopes there. It was also known as Umm Al Nar in the old times.

As for Dubai, the name comes from Diba (locust). The emirate was also identified as Al Wasl in the past. Being located in the far east of the UAE, Sharjah (the eastern) was given the name. Ajman was named after the dignified Ajman Arabian tribe.

Umm Al Quwain (mother of two powers) was an essential hub for all land and marine units at the time of the Portuguese war, and hence the name.

Ras Al Khaimah is said to be named after the Khaimah (tent) that Queen Zenobia used to put up atop a mountain there. Its old name was Jilfar.

Fujairah (springs) was driven from the springs flowing under the mountains there.

Ahmed Obeid, in his book ‘The origins of names of regions in the UAE’ says Al Baraha (the spacious), being extensive, got the name. Many other areas are named from the wells dug there, such as Al Khawaneej and Al Aweer.

While Al Rashidiya, previously known as Nad Rashid, was named after the late Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Beda Zayed was named after the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Many other areas have been named after the rulers of the UAE.

Jebel Ali was named after a pious man who used to heal people in a tent there by reciting some verses from the Holy Quran. Hatta got the name from a noble Arabian tribe and Naif (tall) was named after a tall man, who used to live there.

Some of these areas were named after trees and flowers.

Al Nakheel (palm trees), for instance, got the name from the many palm trees growing there while Al Mezher (the flowery) was named after the variety of flowers there.

Al Qusais was named after Al Ragrug, a long-life plant mostly growing there. Selaa, in Abu Dhabi, was named after a sour tree. Having only one palm tree planted at that time, Al Wahida (the lone) got the name.

Umm Suqeim, (mother of the sick) got the name from the diseases, mainly fever, that mostly affected people at that time. Al Mutina (muddy) used to be mud-covered, and hence the name.

Being situated between two mountains that look like jams (fakkan), Khor Fakkan got the name. Al Ain (the spring) in Abu Dhabi had several springs, and Suwaihan (plain land) got the name for its plain terrain.

Rifaa (peak), being located in a high area, was named the elevated. Muragabat (necks), was derived from the little gravels surrounding the top of a well there as it resembled 
the neck.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtims.com