Aweys first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Aweys has been for the last 2 years (from 2009 to 2010) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Aweys

A Somali masculine name derived from the Arabic meaning "gift" or "blessing".

Popularity of Aweys by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Aweys is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2010, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Aweys.

Year Male Count Female Count
2010 5 0
2009 5 0

The history of the first name Aweys

The name Aweys is believed to have its origins in the Somali language, spoken primarily in the Horn of Africa region. It is a masculine name that has been in use for centuries among the Somali people, who have a rich cultural heritage deeply rooted in oral traditions and Islamic influences.

In the Somali language, the name Aweys is thought to be derived from the Arabic word "awais," which means "comforter" or "consoler." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to children with the hope that they would grow up to be a source of solace and comfort for those around them.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Aweys can be traced back to the 13th century, during the reign of the Ajuran Sultanate, a medieval Somali empire that dominated parts of the Horn of Africa. Historical records from this period mention notable figures bearing the name, though specific details about their lives and accomplishments are scarce.

One of the most renowned individuals with the name Aweys was Sheikh Aweys al-Barawi, a revered Somali scholar and religious leader who lived in the 16th century. He was widely respected for his profound knowledge of Islamic teachings and his contributions to the spread of Islam in the region.

In the 19th century, another prominent figure named Aweys emerged – Aweys Mohamoud Qalafo, a Somali nobleman and military leader who played a significant role in the resistance against European colonialism in the Horn of Africa. His bravery and leadership during this period earned him a place in Somali history.

Another notable bearer of the name was Aweys Mahmud Gedi, a Somali politician and diplomat who served as the President of the Somali Youth League (SYL), a prominent political organization that played a crucial role in Somalia's independence movement in the 1940s and 1950s.

In more recent times, the name Aweys has been carried by individuals like Aweys Osman Qadi, a Somali politician and former military leader who served as the President of the Somali regional state of Galmudug from 2001 to 2004.

While the name Aweys has its roots in the Somali culture and language, it has also gained popularity in neighboring countries and regions with significant Somali populations, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and parts of the Middle East.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Aweys was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Aweys, please contact us.

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"Aweys first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 9, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/aweys-meaning-and-history/.

"Aweys first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/aweys-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 9 July, 2025

Aweys first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/aweys-meaning-and-history/.

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