Gjin

Albanian

Ghin
Ginius

Etymology

Krahe and Lambertz have theorized that Gjin is in fact a Christianization of a pre-Christian Albanian figure, arguing in particular that the original name of the figure in ancient times was Illyrian *Gentius before it was mutated over time.[1][2] If so, Gjin could be not the only Albanian Christian saint with a non-Christian origin, as another saint is also thought to be of pre-Christian origin: Shën Premti, which shares the origin of e premte, the Albanian word for Friday, and is thought to share the origin of the ancient goddess Prenda, the Albanian equivalent of Roman Venus, Norse Freyja and Greek Ἀφροδίτη (Aphrodítē, “Aphroditē”)[3][4] but was identified by the Catholic Church with the martyr Saint Anne.[4] Probably close to Latin gēns (“clan, tribe, family”). Along with Progon, the first attested Albanian Christian name.

Proper noun

Gjin m

a male given name

References

Lambertz, Maksimilian (1986). Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit dhe emri Lekë në gjuhën shqipe, Studime për nder të Aleksandër Xhuvanit, Tiranë, 429-431.
Çabej, Eqrem (1976). Studime etimologjike në fushë të shqipes II, ASHRPSH, Tiranë.
Elsie, Robert ((Can we date this quote?)) “The Christian Saints of Albania”, in Balkanistica‎, volume 13, American Association for South Slavic Studies, page 43:
The third saint to be mentioned in connection with the Albanians is rather special because, strictly speaking, she does not really exist. Saint Veneranda, Albanian Shënepremte or Prende, known in Geg dialect as Prenne or Petka -- Greek Paraskevi, Ag. Paraskeuhv, Romanian Sfânta Paraschiva, was originally a pre-Christian deity and came to be identified by the Catholic Church with Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary. In Albania, she is known at any rate as Saint Veneranda.

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[2] Lambertz, Maksimilian (1986). Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit dhe emri Lekë në gjuhën shqipe, Studime për nder të Aleksandër Xhuvanit, Tiranë, 429-431.

[3] Çabej, Eqrem (1976). Studime etimologjike në fushë të shqipes II, ASHRPSH, Tiranë.

[Elsie-4] Elsie, Robert ((Can we date this quote?)) “The Christian Saints of Albania”, in Balkanistica‎, volume 13, American Association for South Slavic Studies, page 43:
The third saint to be mentioned in connection with the Albanians is rather special because, strictly speaking, she does not really exist. Saint Veneranda, Albanian Shënepremte or Prende, known in Geg dialect as Prenne or Petka -- Greek Paraskevi, Ag. Paraskeuhv, Romanian Sfânta Paraschiva, was originally a pre-Christian deity and came to be identified by the Catholic Church with Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary. In Albania, she is known at any rate as Saint Veneranda.