Emir

From ArticleWorld

Emir has two other possible ways of spelling which are Amir and Ameer. Regardless of how it is spelled it means the same thing, it is Arabic for commander. It has been used as a title for those of nobility and those that hold some sort of high office or power or distinction. It has been historically used in Islamic nations, especially in the Middle East, northern Africa and the general Turkic world.

Military title and rank

From the beginning, Emir has been a military title that meant commander or possibly general. In Western culture the version Amir has been the foundation for the word Admiral which is used in the naval rank and also is the root word for General in the other branches in the military.

Title of nobility or for princedom

The main version of this word that is used in these titles is Amir, although Emir has been used loosely for less formal leaders. A good example is emir hadji, which is a leader of pilgrims bound for Mecca. Sometimes it was added to princes names as an award. It is also used as an adjective which is emiral. Through this means, it has become a regular and fairly common name of Muslim males in the Arab and now non-Arab worlds. It is used as a first name, much in the same fashion as the name Rex has been used in the Western World.

Difference between Amir and Emir

There is one defining difference between Amir and Emir that has been noticed by many. Amir is the more formal title and has an air of distinction. Emir is also a title of nobility, but seems one of less formal nature and is given in more loosely fit groups. Amir is more of a title that is in the beginning of a title and Emir is one that is either added to a name or is part of a title in general.