Aleph is the name given to the first letter of the alphabet of the Semitic languages (Hebrew, Phoenician, Aramaic, Syriac and Arabic), which corresponds to Alpha, in the Greek language.
In the Hebrew alphabet, the aleph is represented with the bull's head drawing. In this language, each of the 22 letters (all consonants) represent a mythical-religious symbol. In this case, the bull was the physical representation of the "strength", of "power" and of the "leadership", which is why it is considered the first letter of the alphabet.
According to linguistics scholars, the aleph of the Phoenician language would have given rise to the alpha greek which later originated the letter “a” in the Latin alphabet.
For adherents of kabbalistic doctrines, the aleph is interpreted as a mystical and spiritual symbol, responsible for representing God as “the beginning of everything”.
See also the meaning of Kabbalah.
“O aleph” is also the name of a book considered a masterpiece (magnum opus) by Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges (1899 – 1986), released in 1949, which contains short stories characterized in the style of the Latin American literary school of magical realism.
Currently, especially in some Western countries, Aleph can be considered a male first name.
In Brazil, this word is still known for being the name of a book publisher.
See also the meaning of Omega.
