Minoan Names

Minoan names are very difficult to find because the Minoan script, called Linear A, has not yet been deciphered. Several references mention lists of personal names so scholars do know some Minoan names. However, I am not a linguist and I may be misinterpreting some of the information. Since the script is undeciphered, some of these names below may be words or place names instead of personal names. Some of these names may turn out to not be Minoan.

Female Names

Ariadnh - An "ancient type" name. Could be Mycenaean or later. (2)
Kitane (1)

Male Names

Aranare - This name was written in Linear B but it is thought to be Minoan. (4)
Arudara - (6)
Asijaka - (6)
Bansabira - A Minoan name written on an Egyptian tablet in the British Museum. (4)
Didikase - This could be a Hurrian name ending in -se, which is similar to the Hurrian ending -senne, which means "brother". Or it could be a place name. (5)
Duripi - This name was written in Linear B but it is thought to be Minoan. (4)
Itaja - (6)
Jadikira - From the inscription “A-TA-I-*301-WA-JA • JA-DI-KI-RA • JA-SA-SA-RA[-ME • U-NA-KA-NA-]SI [•] I-PI-NA-MA” which is thought to follow the pattern “T/A-TA-I-301-etc toponymn (place name) person's name? J/A-SA-SA-RA U-NA-KA-NA-SI I-PI-NA-MA SI-RU-TE I-NA-JA-PA-QA” (6)
Kikeru - This name was written in Linear B but it is thought be to be Minoan. (4)
Kitanetos (3)
Kubaba (or Ku-pa-pa) - A Hurrian name in a Linear A tablet. (5)
Mijararos (3)
Nashuja - A Minoan name written on an Egyptian tablet in the British Museum. (4)
Pamesijos (3)
Pijaseme (3)
Pijasiros (3)
Pinaruti - A Minoan name written on an Egyptian tablet in the British Museum. (4)
Pitaja - A Hurrian name in a Linear A tablet. When written in cuneiform this becomes Bi-ta-ia.(5)
Pura - (6)
Rusa - A Minoan name written on an Egyptian tablet in the British Museum. (4)
Sama (or Sima) - A Hurrian name in a Linear A tablet. (5)
Sijapuros (3)
Tarina - A Hurrian name in a Linear A tablet. (5)
Titiku - A Hurrian name in a Linear A tablet. (5)
Widina -(6)
Yidini - A Minoan name written on an Egyptian tablet in the British Museum. (4)
Yikashata - A Minoan name written on an Egyptian tablet in the British Museum. (4)
Yishharu - A Minoan name written on an Egyptian tablet in the British Museum. (4)

Sources:

(1) Unknown. I am unable to verify this name.

(2) Classics Log 9803c, (omega.cohums.ohio-state.edu/mailing_lists/CLA-L/Older/log98/9803c/ 9803c.207.html), by Antreas P. Hatzipolakis, March 18, 1998.

(3) Minoan Crete, by H.E.L. Mellersh, New York: G.P. Putnam and Sons, 1967, p. 86.

(4) Minoan Society: Archaeological and written evidence, (http://hsc.csu.edu.au/ancient_history/societies/greece/2497/ minoan_evidence.html), Dr V G Callender, Assoc. Lecturer, Macquarie University.

(5) Hurrians on Crete or Minoans at Alalah? (http://www.anistor.co.hol.gr/english/enback/m992.htm) by Bjarte Kaldhol, November 19, 1998.

(6) Linear A Texts in Phonetic Transciption, John Younger, 2004.

For a good overview of the Minoans, see The History of the Minoans, (http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MINOA/HISTORY.HTM), by Richard Hooker.

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Last Updated July 2004