(, ) is the triconsonantal Semitic root of many Arabic and some Hebrew words. Many of those words are used as names. The basic meaning expressed by the root is "to praise" in Arabic and "to desire" in Hebrew. Usage Concepts Arabic Hamd — "praise", a song or poem in praise of Allah. Mahmad — "desire, desirable thing, pleasant thing, beloved, goodly, lovely, pleasant, desirable, precious ones, precious things, precious treasures, treasures, valuable". Mahmud — "desirable, precious thing, pleasant thing". Hebrew Hemda חֶמְדָּה — "desire, delight, beauty". Nehmad נֶחְמָד — "nice, cute, pleasant, lovely". Hamud חָמוּד — "cute, lovely, sweet, pretty". Mahmad מַחְמָד — "something desirable", as in Hayat Mahmad חַיַּת מַחְמָד "pet" ("desirable animal"), Mahmad Eino מַחְמַד עֵינוֹ "someone's beloved" ("desire of his eyes"). Hemed חֶמֶד — "grace, charm". Hamad חָמַד — "desired, coveted", as in Lo Tahmod לֹא תַחְמֹד "Thou shalt not covet". Names Ahmed — highly praised, Hamid — [the one] given praise Muhammad/Mahmud — praiseworthy ‘Abd al-Hamid — servant of the Most Praised Hamoudi חֲמוּדִי — (Hebrew colloquial name, lit. 'cutie') Hemed חֶמֶד — a village in Gush Dan, Israel References Triconsonantal roots