- Origin: Albanian
- Meaning: “brightness, radiance, splendor.”
- Gender: Male
- Pronunciation: /ʃkəlˈcim/ — shkuhl-CHEEM
The name is derived from the Albanian verb shkëlqej, meaning “to shine, to sparkle, to gleam.”
In Albanian, the root shkël- conveys an image of radiance and excellence. Cognate words include shkëlqyer (“excellent”) and shkëlqyeshëm (“brilliant, outstanding”). This family of words is used metaphorically for moral or intellectual brilliance as much as literal light.
In modern Albanian, the phrase Ai është një njeri me shkëlqim means “He is a man of brilliance.”
Although challenging for non-Albanian speakers to pronounce, the name has a distinctly regal and poetic aura.
Notable bearers include: Shkëlqim Cani (b. 1956), Albanian economist and politician, former Minister of Finance and Governor of the Bank of Albania.; Shkëlqim Fusha (b. 1961), Albanian architect, businessman, and philanthropist; Shkëlqim Troplini (1966–2020), Albanian Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler; and Shkëlqim Doda, Kosovar poet and essayist.
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