Lakabs (Nicknames)

Lakabs/nicknames were a common feature of Cypriot life. Lurucina however seemed to be at the forefront of this tradition and between the period of the late 1700s to the 1970s, the population experienced a large growth of this culture. Some of the nicknames/lakabs were given as a result of peoples trade, habits, peculiarities or just inherited from their families. According to old timers some had meanings whilst others were just corrupt versions of their real names. For example if a name was Mehmet then the nickname of Bedi, Mehmetça or Mehemmeçça would evolve. Seyit-Ali would be called ‘Seido’. Some of the oldest lakabs of the village like Zabuni, Kavukko, Yeromero, Hrisafi, Kazmalevri, Treboyadi, Siliono and Tahura were either replaced by new lakabs or in the case of Kulaklı may have changed to a Greek version of Fgâga. Many old lakabs used Sari instead of Aspri to reflect a person’s fair complexion.

The story of how the lakab ‘Gatto’ (Cat) came about is one of interest – as the family were originally known as ‘Buttari’. According to old-timers Osman Yusuf was hiding in the bushes while the police were looking for him. It may have been at dusk, as there was still some light, but one of the police noticed something shining through the bushes, it turned out that Yusuf Osman ‘Buttari’s’ eyes were glittering in the dark. As a result, word spread of “Da ammagya du yallizzan sandon Gatto” (His eyes were shining like those of the cat) and the name stuck. Consequently, the whole family were known as Gatto’s. 

In all, there were over 400 lakabs during this period and it has left a legacy of a unique culture and shaped the character of the people of Lurucina like few villages in Cyprus. The multi-lingual nicknames ranging from Latin, Greek and Turkish have played an important part of Lurucina’s local way of life. One thing important to know is that some surnames today are modernised versions of these lakabs/Nicknames. v