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The name Omar in the Western Hemisphere

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By Khalid on 2005/09/18 - 14:23, last updated 2022/11/21 - 08:23

Every now and then, I come across someone named "Omar" in the Western hemisphere. Having a brother called Omar, as well as my family claiming descent from another famous Omar, I am intrigued.

The name Omar عمر is a pre-Islamic male proper name. Several of the Prophet's companions were called Omar, the most prominent of which is the second successor to him, Omar Ibn Al Khattab.

In Latin America, the name is popular in the 20th century. For example, we have Omar Sivori from Argentina, Arthur Omar from Brazil, Omar Jose Daal from Venezuela, Omar Cabezas from Nicaragua, Omar Rodriguez Lopez from Puerto Rico, and Omar Romano from Mexico.

Although Moorish influence through Spain is a possibility, it is hard for me to accept that this is the case. No 16th or 17th Spaniard Or Portuguese would like to be associated with a Muslim/Arab name, not to mention that the Inquisition would not approve of this, let alone social norms.

As we move north to the USA, we find that a few African Americans also use the name Omar, such as Omar Gooding, Cuba Gooding Jr. brother, as well as Omar Epps. This is not that surprising knowing that African Americans do use Muslim and Arab names, whether they themselves are Muslim or not.

However, that extends to even white Americans, such as Omar Knedlik, the Kansas City inventor of the ICEE, later to become the 7-Eleven Slurpee.

The most famous white American who went by the name of Omar, is Omar Nelson Bradley, General of the Army of the United States. The M2 and M3 vehicles are named Bradley after him.Now, how would a late 19th century Christian white American gotten the name Omar?

Puzzling, isn't it?

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Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

The Name Omar

Thu, 2006/09/07 - 09:52

Omar in the western culture tends to come from Hebrew and/or traditional biblical families.

Omar - a sheik of Edom and son of Esau.

  • reply

omar from dubli... (not verified)

Hi im omar from ireland

Wed, 2007/02/07 - 10:29

Hi im omar from ireland there does not seem to be something about this

  • reply

Omar M (not verified)

Pan-arabis migrations in the 1880s

Mon, 2007/07/02 - 21:49

Hello,

There was a large migration to latin american countries in the 1880s. Specially Lebanese. Many settles through out from Mexico to Brazil. ie. Hayek as a last name.

Hope this helps.

  • reply

omar (not verified)

is the best name ever,

Tue, 2007/07/17 - 07:15

throughout my life ...
i met tooo many Omar's.
and yet never found a bad persn named omar.
i think its a multinational and multicultural name.
that's likely to everyone.

if u were named OMAR. be sure ur a lucky person.

Regards.

Omar youssef - lebanon

  • reply

South London Omar (not verified)

The Greek connection

Fri, 2008/04/11 - 11:05

I lived in Turkey for a year and there Omar was pronounced 'Omer'. This made me wonder whether the name was related to the Greek 'Homer'; particularly as the historical Homer is believed to have come from present day Turkey.

  • reply

Khalid

Not likely

Fri, 2008/04/11 - 11:38

There is no record of Greeks being called "Omer", so it has to be a Turkish introduction, which is borrowed from Arabic and Islamic heritage.

So, your speculation is not likely at all.
--
Khalid Baheyeldin

  • reply

Anonymous (not verified)

Omar is a variant name of

Tue, 2010/02/09 - 18:37

Omar is a variant name of Homer. Also Omar is a biblical name, in Hebrew means eloquent speaker. As we know it became more popular in the Arab culture originally: Umar.

  • reply

Anonymous (not verified)

I believe that too. Islamic

Sun, 2010/04/11 - 12:43

I believe that too. Islamic Scholars were influenced alot by philosophy and astronomy in the Ancient Greek culture. The original name and spelling of Omar in Islam is Umar; and Omar is also known in hebrew meaning - eloquent speaker.

  • reply

Omar (not verified)

This is true. Umar us arabic.

Thu, 2020/12/24 - 13:58

This is true. Umar us arabic. Omar is spanish.

  • reply

Omar Rios Jr. (not verified)

Portuguese connection?

Mon, 2008/06/30 - 20:46

My background is Galician and most of my family members are from Mexico. My surname is Rios which is Spanish, and I have a great grandfather by the name of Herculano and a grandfather by the name of Maximino. Both names are used in Portugal, Brazil, and Galicia and then we go to my father's name and my name. We both have the name of Omar, which is Arabic, yet we have no Arabic or Jewish ancestry. I am guessing the Lebanese made the name famous in Mexico and that is why we have this name on this side of the world. Any suggestions?

  • reply

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