Barlaam

See also: Balaam

English

Etymology

Unknown. The immediate source is Medieval Latin Barlaam, borrowed from Byzantine Greek Βαρλαάμ (Barlaám) in the Byzantine Life of Barlaam and Josaphat (probably 11th c.), itself likely borrowed from Georgian ბალაჰვარ (balahvar). First attested c. 8th century as Arabic بِلَوْهَر (bilawhar), perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit भगवान् (bhagavān, “God”) or from Sanskrit पुरोहित (purohita, “priest”) via an unattested Middle Persian form.

Proper noun

Barlaam

1. (Christianity) A legendary saint in the tale of Barlaam and Josaphat.
2. (rare) A male given name.

Derived terms

• Barlaamite

References

• Almuth Degener (2014) “Barlaam the Priest”, in Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft, volume 164, number 2, pages 527–530

Anagrams

• Malabar

Latin

Etymology

Borrowed from Byzantine Greek Βαρλαάμ (Barlaám).

Proper noun

Barlaam m sg (indeclinable) (Medieval Latin, Ecclesiastical Latin)

1. Barlaam (legendary saint)
2. a male given name, equivalent to English Barlaam