Ancient Mesopotamia, often called the cradle of civilization, encompassed the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, including modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, and parts of Turkey. While the concept of surnames as we know them today didn’t exist in ancient Mesopotamia, people did use various naming conventions to identify themselves.

Naming Conventions:

1. Patronymics: Many Mesopotamians used their father’s name as an identifier, similar to “son of” or “daughter of” constructions.
2. Occupational names: Some names reflected a person’s profession or social role.
3. Theophoric names: Names incorporating the name of a deity were common.
4. Place names: Some individuals were identified by their city or region of origin.

Examples of Ancient Mesopotamian Names:

1. Ur-Nammu: Meaning “man of Nammu” (a goddess), this was the name of a Sumerian king.
2. Hammurabi: Possibly meaning “the kinsman is a healer,” this famous Babylonian king’s name is theophoric.
3. Nebuchadnezzar: Meaning “Nabu protect the heir,” this name honors the god Nabu.
4. Sargon: Meaning “the king is legitimate,” this was the name of several Mesopotamian rulers.
5. Gilgamesh: A legendary Sumerian king, his name might mean “the old man is a young man.”

Understanding these naming conventions provides insight into the cultural, religious, and social structures of ancient Mesopotamian civilizations. While not directly comparable to modern surnames, these naming practices served similar functions in identifying and distinguishing individuals within their societies.