meaning of the name Chaldjian or Shaldjian.

[Moogey]

I'm sure someone in the forum knows the meaning of the name Shaldjian in Chaldjian. I was asked because Chaldjian was known as a special tailor in Cairo.

[Yedtarts]

Re: meaning of the name Chaldjian or Shaldjian.

I'm sure someone in the forum knows the meaning of the name Shaldjian in Chaldjian. I was asked because Chaldjian was known as a special tailor in Cairo.

I know the family name Chaledjian which is very close to what you're asking, I think it comes from "chale" means play music, so "chal@ji" some kind of musical instrument player or something?

[Federate]

Re: meaning of the name Chaldjian or Shaldjian.

Shaldji or in Turkish Şalcı means raftsman. So Shaldjian probably means "son of raftsman".

[Moogey]

Re: meaning of the name Chaldjian or Shaldjian.

Thank you, Yedtarts. Someone also told me about the Persian shal from which shawl is derived. It ties in with Shalak/g shoulder in Armenian. That seems to me a likely derivation.

[Moogey]

Re: meaning of the name Chaldjian or Shaldjian.

Thank you, Federate. See my reply above about the Persian Shal - also possibly connected to shalak/g. You live and learn.

[Federate]

Re: meaning of the name Chaldjian or Shaldjian.

The reason why I think the raftsman explanation is more likely is because of the "dji" ending. In Armenian last names of Turkish origin, whenever you find a "djian" ending, it usually means the person was in the line of work of the word that comes before the "djian". Examples such as Demirjian, Deukmekdjian, Tutundjian, Momdjian etc. These are all profession based last names.

Incidentally, "Shal" or Şal in Turkish also can mean scarf. So a possible explanation might be the person was in the scarf trade which turns the meaning of the last name "son of scarf trader".

[Davo88]

Re: meaning of the name Chaldjian or Shaldjian.

I think I'd go with the second option (son of scarf trader) because there doesn't seem to exist an Armenian word for scarf, "shal" is rather used or the French word "foulard"...

[Moogey]

Re: meaning of the name Chaldjian or Shaldjian.

Thank you both. I knew about dj names (Paboudjian) being of Turkish origin and related to an occupation. Why is it more likely to be son of scarf trader rather than maker?

[Federate]

Re: meaning of the name Chaldjian or Shaldjian.

Thank you both. I knew about dj names (Paboudjian) being of Turkish origin and related to an occupation. Why is it more likely to be son of scarf trader rather than maker?

Either can be the case actually, not what I meant.