CANAAN

The recognition that the initial Ha- or A- in numerous global toponyms—such as Assyria, Aswan, Anatolia, Aleppo (Halibon), and Alupka—functions as a Phoenician definite article, which itself has Kartvelian roots, provides a fresh perspective on the name Canaan. This reanalysis not only clarifies the etymology of the term but also situates it within a broader Kartvelian linguistic framework.

An alternative historical spelling of the region, Kanana, is attested in sources from the Egyptian New Kingdom. According to historian Donald Redford, "...other sources of the Egyptian New Kingdom mention numerous military campaigns conducted in Ka-na-na..." This variant allows us to propose the following equivalency:
Canaan = Ha Naan (Phoenician) = The Naan (English) = Al Naan (Arabic) = Ha Nana (Ancient Egyptian).

In the Megrelian language, a member of the Kartvelian family, the term nana means "mother." Thus, Canaan, or Ha Nana, can be interpreted as "The Mother(land)"—a fitting designation for the Phoenicians, who are believed to have originated in this region before dispersing across the ancient world. The appropriateness of this Megrelian (Zan) interpretation is reinforced by the abundance of other Kartvelian toponyms in the area, including Nazareth, Israeli, Jews, Eber-Nar, Aleppo, Acra, Kinneret, and Lebanon (Lubnan), the latter of which contains the Kartvelian root lub, a recurring element in regional nomenclature.

Further evidence supporting the presence of a definite article in Canaan comes from the Israeli kibbutz Na’an, located near Rehovot within the historical boundaries of Canaan. This kibbutz was previously known as Al Naani, directly mirroring the proposed structure Al Naan ("The Naan"). This historical renaming alone strongly suggests that Canaan begins with a definite article, aligning with the Phoenician linguistic pattern.

An update to this analysis deepens the interpretation: in the Megrelian dictionary, the term Nanaia is defined as Dedasamshoblo, which precisely means "Motherland." This finding solidifies the interpretation of Canaan as "The Motherland," reflecting both its linguistic roots and its cultural significance to the Phoenicians.

The Kartvelian etymology of Canaan not only resolves a long-standing question about its origins but also highlights the profound influence of Kartvelian languages on the toponymy of the ancient Near East, offering a new lens through which to understand the region’s historical and cultural identity.