Meaning & History
Tariel is a masculine name created by the Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli for his 12th-century epic The Knight in the Panther's Skin. The name has since become established in Georgian culture and literature. Rustaveli likely derived Tariel from Persian elements; the meaning is uncertain but may combine تاجور (tājvar) meaning "king" or تار (tār) meaning "dark, obscure" with یل (yal) meaning "hero," suggesting senses like "dark hero" or "royal hero."
Literary Origin
In Rustaveli's epic, Tariel is an Indian prince and the titular knight who wears a panther's skin. He becomes close friends with another hero, Avtandil, and together they embark on romantic and chivalric quests. The poem is a masterpiece of Georgian literature and a national epic, and Tariel has remained a popular given name in Georgia, symbolizing bravery, nobility, and romantic idealism.Notable Bearers
- Tariel Gugushvili (born 1966) – Georgian professional football forward who played for several Soviet and Georgian clubs.
- Tariel Dzheneze – Soviet mass murderer who committed the Kurama murders in Georgia in 1995; his case drew significant media attention.
- Tariel Mgoneladze – Birth name of Eldar Kholmogorov, a Russian poet and translator, born in Tbilisi in 1974.
- Meaning: "King" or "dark hero"
- Origin: Georgian, invented by Shota Rustaveli, possibly via Persian elements
- Usage: Georgia, Literature
- Related: Avtandil