Albanian anthroponym GJIN
From: Abdullah Konushevci
Message: 41959
Date: 2005-11-09
Even I am aware that at most no one is interested in Albanian
onomastics, nevertheless I was for a long time preoccupied with
personal name, later as well patronymic, Gjin, which is seen by Edith
Durham as a variant of Alb. personal name Gjon, accepted also by
Çabej and Demiraj.
As a personal noun is attested very early in the ruler's Albanian
leader Gjin Bua Shpata (14th century), until as patronymic is well-
known by the founder of Albanian Common Law, Lekë Dukagjini. We
found it also in the place name Shën Gjini, harbor in the seashore of
Albania. It is also present in many compounds as first reduced
element Gji(n) + Deda/Koka/Pali/Nushi > Gjideda, Gjikoka, Gjipali,
Gjinushi, etc. It is attested in Latin form, Gjinali, also in
Ottoman form Gjinolli and in Slavic one, Gjiniq. Feminine form, to
my view is Gjika (cf. Gjoka from Gjon). It is also attested in city
name Gjinokastra/Gjirokastra, so it underwent the rhotacism of Tosk
dialect.
If we accept Jen's etymology of Alb. <gjegj> `to hear, to answer'
from PIE *sagi- `to seek out' as plausible, I found this name as
substantivised adjective in no, through rule VDV = V (D `voiced
stop'). So, perform should be *sagi-no and should be related to Greek
hegemon from Greek verb he:geisthai `to lead'. I believe that this
name proves again that ruler was equated in antiquity with saint, as
testifies the harbor's name Shën Gjini (Saint Gjin).
Any comment?
Konushevci