Semen (antroponym)

Infobox Given Name Revised
name = Semen


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pronunciation =
gender = Male
meaning =
region = Vascon
origin = Basque
related names = Jiménez
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Semen /ʂemen/ or Xemen /ʃemen/ is a medieval given name of the Vascon area. It is based on the Basque root "seme < senbe" 'son' as found in the ancient Aquitanian name "Sembetten". The explanation by the Biblical name Šim’ōn (Simon) is less convincing.

It is widely known on both sides of the Pyrenees in the following forms:
*"Semen" or "Semeno" fem. "Semena"
*"Semero" fem. Semera
*"Scemeno" (in Villabáscones)
*"Xemen" or "Xemeno" fem. "Xemena"
*"Ximeno" fem. "Ximena" (French "Chimène")

By adjunction of the suffix -ez, it produces the Iberian patronyms:
*Portuguese: Ximenes /ʃimeneʃ/
*Spanish: Ximénez, Jiménez /ximeneθ/

Notes and references

* [http://www.larsdatter.com/basque/1sz.htm Medieval Vascon names]