Achab is the Latin form of Ahab used in some versions of the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible. The name derives from the Hebrew אַחְאָב (ʼAḥʼāḇ), which combines the elements ʾaḥ meaning "brother" and ʾav meaning "father", thus signifying "uncle" (literally "father's brother"). In the Old Testament, Ahab was a king of Israel, notorious for his marriage to Jezebel and his idolatry, which drew the condemnation of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 16–22). Etymology and Usage The Latin form Achab appears in the Vulgate and later Latin Bible editions, such as the Douay-Rheims version. While the spelling "Ahab" is more common in English, "Achab" was used historically in English translations derived from the Vulgate, as seen in Charles Thomson's 1808 translation of the Septuagint and in 19th-century Catholic Bibles. The name is now considered dated in English, but it remains the standard form in some Romance languages, such as French and Italian. Cultural Significance Beyond its biblical context, the name Ahab gained literary fame through Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick, where Captain Ahab is the obsessive whaler who pursues the white whale. This character has cemented the name's association with monomania and tragic hubris. The Latin form Achab is less common in this literary reference but appears in some translations and scholarly works. Related Forms The name has several cognates: Achaab in Biblical Greek, and the original Hebrew ʼAḥʼāv. The Greek form is used in the Septuagint, while the Hebrew is the source for all later versions. Meaning: "Uncle" (from Hebrew elements for "brother" and "father") Origin: Hebrew, via Latin Vulgate Type: Biblical name Usage Regions: Latin Bible tradition, historical English Catholic usage