You say ‘Osama,’ I say ‘Usama,’ but it could be ‘Usamah,’ too

By Todd C. Frankel

Herald Writer

The FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists List is topped by the name Usama bin Laden. But it’s mostly Osama bin Laden in the pages of newspapers and on television.

Which one is right?

"Both are correct," says Jere Bacharach, a University of Washington professor of Middle East history, "as long as you’re consistent."

If only we were consistent. Osama bin Laden may have emerged as public enemy No. 1, the suspected terrorist mastermind President Bush wants "dead or alive," but a consensus on how to spell his name has yet to be found.

There are variations on his last name, too: bin Laden, bin Ladin, bin Muhammad bin Laden.

Bin Laden is not the only one. The variety of spellings for Arabic-sounding names has turned into a major obstacle for investigators as they trace the steps of the alleged hijackers and track others wanted for questioning in connection with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Long lists of mostly Arabic names being forwarded to thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country feature equal part names and aliases. Following the terrorists’ money trail is more difficult because banks must check several spellings of the same name. One of the suspected hijackers, Wakeed M. Alshehri, is listed by the FBI with seven alternate spellings alone.

Why is this so hard?

"Great question," says Bacharach. "Most people are embarrassed to ask it."

There are vast differences between English and Arabic, a Semitic language (like Hebrew) with a 28-letter alphabet made up almost entirely of constants. Vowels are understood from context or use.

Because of that, Bacharach says, when Arabic is transliterated into English, "u" is often interchanged with "o," "i" with "e," and "q" with "k." "A" stays the same.

That’s why the Muslim holy book can be spelled Koran, Quran or Qur’an.

Most linguists agree the best transliterating approach is to rely on the phonetic spelling of names, says Bacharach, director of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies.

So, "u" is considered closer than "o" to the Arabic sound, as in the name "Usama," he says. And "e" is generally a better choice than "i."

Even spelling bin Laden’s first name as Usamah is permissible, although not agreed upon.

"The use of the ‘h’ is a transliteration issue," Bacharach says.

While Usama might be closer to the Arabic sound, it appears that Osama is the pronunciation of choice, with military and political leaders and reporters both foreign and domestic going with "Oh-sama." The spelling Usama is used almost exclusively in the halls of government.

Variations on names also have been a problem for other foreign leaders who have found themselves on the wrong side of American missiles and bombs. The name of Libya’s leader, Moammar Gadhafi, has been spelled Khadafy, Khadafi or Ghadafi. Saddam Hussein did not suffer misspellings, but he did hear a range of pronunciations, most famously from former President Bush, who took to calling him what sounded like "sa-Damn."

The name of bin Laden’s network causes problems, too. Al-Qaida is Arabic for "The Base." A strict transliteration would result in al-Qu’ida, Bacharach says, because the apostrophe is a letter in Arabic. Another way to spell it would be al-Qaeda.

The confusion even caused one newspaper, the Orlando Sentinel in Florida, to recently publish a notice announcing that a spelling standard had been adopted for the names of the suspected hijackers. The paper resolved to stop dropping the "al" on some of the last names. The prefix, meaning "the," is common in Arabic names.

Bacharach says the dispute over names is not a frivolous issue. The concept of last names being passed down through families is a Western one. The Arab world takes a medieval approach of naming people after their immediate family. Osama bin Laden means literally "Osama, son of Laden." But even that is shortened from his real name, Osama bin Muhammad bin Laden, because he is the son of his father, Muhammad.

In the Arab world, Western-style last names are new. And as the current conflict bears out, there is dramatic tension between the Western and Arab worlds.

"Naming is a powerful thing," Bacharach says. "It’s a culturally loaded thing."

You can call Herald Writer Todd C. Frankel at 425-339-3429

or send e-mail to frankel@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.