Leka (name)

Leka is an Albanian male given name, clan, surname. It is a traditional that hat been used historically in the Middle Ages and is becoming more popular in recent times. Historically, it is usually held by malësors during Ottoman occupation of Albania, as the rest of Albanian started using Turkish Muslim names in order to face less daily social and political obstacles. it was also held by clans, but this is no longer the main assosiation.

Origin

The name was written historically as Lech, Leccas or Lecca in Old Albanian. It was also written as Luca, as seen with Lekë Matrënga. The origin of the name "Leka" is not known for certain, as there are usages of the word "lekë". The main etymology of the name "Leka" is linked to the word "lekë". Lekë has two different meanings in Albanian. It is used, both historically and currently, as a denoter for the malësors of Mount Mbishkodra in Albania. This origin is also debated. It might be derived from an indo-European word for Bright or Light reconstructed as lewk-. This is supported by the fact that Malësors of Mbiskodra are located in the same area as the Albanoi, which is also an old Indo-European "albʰós" term for "white". This would suggest that "Leka" derived as "Leukā" as a calque of the Latin and Ancient Greek term for the original settlers.

Another definition used is the historical title Lekë. seen in Lekë Dukagjini. This title held the same meaning as English lord, Lordship, similar to the lordship of Berat. The title was a pre-ottoman title from Albanian Land owners. According to Baroness Marie Amalie von Godin, Lek, Lekë og Leka were originally the word for the Governing Doke, Latin lex. It only became a proper name after the influence of Lekë Dukagjini.[1] This etymology is also contested, as it might derive from the previous word for a Malësor.

Thirdly, it was historically mistaken for a derivation of the Greek name "Alexandros", as it was directly translated from Italian "Alessandro Magno" by Pjetri Bogdani's Cuneus Prophetarum. Similar to how Gjin was incorrectly translated as "John". This etymology is controversial because of the existence of "Lleshdër (definite Albanian form: Lleshdri)" and "Llesh", old and original derivations fro both "Alexandros" and "Alexio". furthermore, the problematic /k͡s/ sound does not progress into s in Albanian, especially older Albanian lemmas.

The last theory suggest the idea that it might derive from an Attested Illyrian name Licca, similar to the etymology of Gjin.[2]

As toponym

It features mainly in smaller villages, due to Ottoman influence.

  • Lekaj is a village and a former municipality situated in the central plains of Albania's Western Lowlands region. It is part of Tirana County.
  • Lekaj (Hysgjokaj) is a village in the commune of Hysgjokaj in the district of Lushnja in Albania .
  • Lekas is a village in Dardhas commune in Pogradec district in Albania .
  • Lekas another village in Lekas commune in Korça district in Albania
  • Λέκα Σάμου is a village of Samos, built at the northeastern foot of Mount Kerkis, near the town of Karlovasi, which might be derived from Albanian[3]
  • Lekël is a village in Gjirokastër County

Persons with the name Leka

Leka is typically held as a given name by Albanian., including these notable personalities:

See also

References
  1. Reinkowski, Maurus (2005), “Gewohnheitsrecht im multinationalen Staat: Die Osmanen und der albanische Kanun”, in Rechtspluralismus in der Islamischen Welt: Gewohnheitsrecht zwischen Staat und Gesellschaft.[1], volume 16, Walter de Gruyter, →ISBN, pages 121–142
  2. Wilkes, J. 1992. The Illyrians. p. 271
  3. Voiklis, George. Samos: History Pages . Samos. p. 47.
  4. McGeer, Eric; Nesbitt, John (2019). Byzantium in the Time of Troubles: The Continuation of the Chronicle of John Skylitzes (1057-1079)
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