Studying the history of the emergence of a generic name reveals amazing pages of culture, life and traditions of our ancestors. Each surname has its own unique version of origin, which reveals to us a lot of interesting things about the past of a particular family. The article will discuss the origin and versions of the origin of the name Akimov.
Church tradition of naming
Family naming Akimov came from a personal name. Akim in ancient times was called babies who were baptized, or who were born on the day of memory of St. Akim. Angel Day is celebrated on September 9, July 25, December 9.
Thus, the origin of the surname Akimov is associated with the church name Akim or Joachim, which is translated from Hebrew as “set by God.”
Over time, derivative generic names were also formed: Akimochkin, Akimchin, Yakimov, Akimakin, Akimushkin, Akimychev, Ekimov, Akimkin, Akishev, Akimikhin, Akimchev.
What does the name Akimov mean? In ancient times, Akim was considered the embodiment of simplicity, innocence. It is possible that such a nickname was given to people with a kind broad soul, who were considered a little rustic and stupid. For example, in "Dead Souls" the main character Chichikov, who came up with the idea of making money on the dead, says: "Oh, I, Akim-simplicity!".
Holy Great Martyr Joachim
The ancestor of the generic name, most likely, was named after St. Joachim. In the Orthodox and Catholic tradition, he was the husband of St. Anne, that is, the father of the Most Holy Theotokos. He is also called the Godfather in Orthodoxy.
According to biblical tradition, Anna and Joachim did not have children, they dreamed about them, so they fervently prayed to God. Once again, when they gathered to present gifts to the Almighty, Joachim was accused by the clergyman of the sin of childlessness. This greatly upset him, and he decided not to return home, but to settle in the desert. Anna began to fast and fervently pray to God to send her and her husband a child. The prayers of the spouses were heard, they, at the behest of an angel, met in Jerusalem, where they had a daughter, who was named Mary.
Old Russian version of the origin of the generic name
Many church names were borrowed from Latin, Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, they were difficult to pronounce and incomprehensible in meaning. Therefore, many of them have been converted. So, in the Old Russian language, the name Joachim turned into Akim, and depending on the dialects of “yak” or “yak” - into Ekim,Yakim.
It is possible that the origin of the name Akimov is directly related to the name Efim. In ancient times, the language of our ancestors did not have the sound “f”, and to convey foreign words it was replaced by the sounds “k” and “x”, that is, Akim could sound like Efim, Ehim, Ekim.
Derivatives of this naming gave a huge variety of other surnames, for example, Akimihin came from Akimikha, the widow or wife of Akim. The Ukrainian form Akimenko meant a descendant of Akim. Akimkin, Yakimkin originated from diminutives Yakimka and Akimka.
History of the name Akimov
According to the laws of the formation of Russian generic names, Akimov was not called the bearer of the name, but his children, grandchildren, relatives. That is, all those who had a direct relationship with the man Akim.
Family suffixes -ev, -ov, -in are patronymic particles that indicate the origin of patronymics and surnames on the territory of the Russian state no earlier than in the 16th century.
Topographic version of the origin of the generic name
It is possible that the origin of the surname Akimov is connected with geographical names. In the old days, among the Slavs, the nicknames of ancient families were directly connected with the names of tribal possessions. It was the aristocrats who had the need to inherit their status, title, inheritance and family name, which would indicate belonging to the family.
After several centuries, the surname could belong to representatives of different classes, it could indicate a native of places with the same name. Thus, the village of Akimovo in the Republic of Karelia could serve as the basis for the generic name Akimov.
Instead of a conclusion
The exact time and place of origin of the generic name Akimov is unknown, since the process of forming surnames was long. In any case, it is formed from the nickname, name or place of residence of a person. It is a wonderful monument of Slavic culture, traditions and writing. For example, in ancient historical records, the bearers of this family name were important persons of the Russian Pskov nobility at the turn of the 15th-16th centuries. In addition, the studied family name was included in the list of privileged names that Ivan the Terrible bestowed on his close associates for special merits, for this very reason it is rare and retained its original uniqueness.
