'Isim': Arabic word for name has holy associations

The word exists as its own entity while also referring to something else

Isim is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem.

“What’s in a name?” Juliet asks Romeo in William Shakespeare’s play, adding: “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.”

It refers to the idea that names are invented conventions that don’t have any true meaning or worth, since the object, like a rose, would still be a rose even if it was never named.

So, what is in a name? In the Arab world, there's a lot.

This week’s Arabic Word of the Week is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem, creating the word "isim".

It translates to "name", what something or someone is known as, or referred to.

Isim is a self-referential word, its meaning is in and of itself. It’s also a word that is not associated with a time, it has no past, present or future tense, it simply exists.

Al isim, meaning the name, is a noun which can refer to a multitude of things. For example al isim al tigary, meaning the brand name, or al isim al qalami, which means pen name or pseudonym.

Al Isim Al Atheem, which literally translates to the greatest name or the name of the all-powerful, is both a noun and a name within itself. It refers in Islam to the greatest name of Allah, known only to the prophets.

In Islam, Allah also has 99 names that act as nouns or characteristics and attributes, and at times verbs, associated with him. For example, the Merciful, the Eternal Lord, the Most Sacred and the Embodiment of Peace.

One of the most common phrases in Islam, used at the start of a surah, a section in the Quran, or used when about to start a new or arduous task, is bismillah, which translates to in the name of Allah.

Isim also has several pronunciations when used in its plural form. These are: asmaa, asamee, asamin — each are used in accordance to their particular context in a sentence in classical Arabic.

The verb of isim is sama. It refers to the act of being proud of, recognising and verbally acknowledging in some form, the achievements, stature and successes of one’s family, friends or community.

There are other words that are derived from isim and the three letters that create it, - alif, seen and meem. One is the noun samaa, the word commonly used for sky. It can also mean anything higher than you and covers you, such as clouds, rain or space.

There is also soumuu, a noun meaning high, but when used as a title, refers to royalty, such as princes, queens or kings. When used in other contexts, for example, soumuu al mashaa'ir, which translates to the highness of feelings, it refers to the highest and purest form of positive feelings.

Another word is the verb tasaama. It means both to transcend and refusing to succumb or submit to an act that one perceives as below them. It’s maintaining a standard of behaviour worthy of one’s own self-worth.

It’s interesting to note that in all these cases, these words frame isim, or the idea of the name as something that is of high stature to live up to and connected to one’s self-worth and value.

Sami, is also a noun derived from the word isim.

It’s a name meaning elevated or sublime, its female version would by Samiya. It is the name of the prophet Noah’s son, in varying spellings and pronunciations. A pivotal figure in the Abrahamic faiths, the name and word Sami also became the word to describe the race and language of the Semitic people.

Tunisian singer Zekra's most popular single is titled El Asami. The song describes heartbreak and hearts changing through the passage of time, while names remain as they are.

Scroll through the gallery below to see The National's pick of Arabic words of the week

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  Hob is the Arabic word for love, but can be used in many contexts

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  The Arabic word helu translates, in English, to sweet

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  Nashef is the Arabic word for dry, but has many connotations, depending on the context in which you use it

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  The Arabic word hurriyeh translates to freedom in English

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  The Arabic word tayeb can mean delicious or good, depending on the context

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  The Arabic word mustaqbal is best expressed as future in English

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  Waqaa, the Arabic word for fall, can signify a loss of power, stature, health or grace

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  Hudood means borders in English

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  The Arabic word rooh translates to spirit or soul in English

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  The Arabic word ain means eye in English

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  Waraq, the Arabic word of the week means paper in English

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  Bahr, the Arabic for sea, has a poetic lilt

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  Kareem means generous in English

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  Bab means door in English

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  Eid means holiday or festival

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  Najm means star for the night sky and cosmos, but also has plenty of other meanings, including ambition or fame

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  Alwan, the Arabic word for colours, has many shades of meaning

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  Akel can refer to home-cooked meals, embezzlement, fire and rust

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  Jamal is the Arabic word for beauty, be it literal or figurative

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  Herfe translates to profession or craft

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  Tabiaa translates to nature and can frame landscapes and portraits

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  Sehha is the Arabic word for health

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  Ijaza is Arabic for holiday and shines in summer but is not stress-free

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  Aamal is the Arabic word for work

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  Al dahr translates to time

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  Qalb is a word for heart, with poetic roots

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  Lugha in Arabic translates to language in English

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  Insaan means human being

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  Na'eeman is an idiomatic expression used when someone has had a shower or bath, a haircut or had their beard trimmed

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  The Arabic word for life touches on eternity, death and accomplishment

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  Qamar is the Arabic for moon

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  The Arabic word for strength or power is quwwa

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  Burj is Arabic for tower

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  The Arabic word for sun is shams

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  Sabr in English can translate to patience

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  Hayba is the Arabic word for prestige

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  The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English

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  The Arabic word for road is tareeq

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  The Arabic word for read has mystical and scholarly connotations

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  Istikan is the Arabic word for a type of tea cup

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  The Arabic word hanan means affection in English

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  The Arabic word atlal means ruins in English

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  Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms

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  Janaah in Arabic means wing in English

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  The Arabic word sana translates to year in English

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  Qasida is the Arabic for poem, not poetry

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  Ameer, the Arabic word for prince, which influenced another English title

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  Nakhla translates to palm tree in English

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  Al samt is the Arabic for silence

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  Kalimaat translates to words in English

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  Markaz is Arabic for centre

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  Beshara is the Arabic word for good news

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  Bayt is the Arabic for house or home

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  Fann is the Arabic word for art, and can be either a verb or an adjective

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  Isim, which means name, is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem

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  Dunya is the Arabic word for world

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  Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English

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  Many traditions revolve around drinking coffee, including weddings, funerals and business meetings

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  Fajr is the Arabic word for dawn

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  Maghrib is the Arabic word for sunset

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  The Arabic language is filled with idioms, quotes and colloquial quips involving the mirror

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  Raei is the Arabic word for opinion

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  Wa'ed is a multifaceted word for 'promise', as well as a female name

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  Qussa is the Arabic word for story

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  Sadaaka is the Arabic word for friendship

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  Akhbaar is the Arabic word for news

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  Rasem is made up of the three Arabic letters Rah, Seen and Meem. While it can simply mean a drawing or a sketch it’s also a malleable word whose definition can change depending on context and dialect – particularly between colloquial and classical Arabic.

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  As well as finishing a task, khatem denotes a deeper sense of finality

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  Commonly translated to blessed, mubarak is used as a popular greeting on auspicious days

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  The Arabic word for lighthouse is also a term that has become closely associated with Islam

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  Siyaam, the Arabic word for fasting is also connected to silence

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  Tawbah, the Arabic word for repentance, is also connected to Ramadan

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  Safar, the Arabic Word for travel can also refer to sunny days, a brighter-blazing fire or exile. The National