The name Barlaam derives from the Arabic name Bilawhar () borrowed through Georgian ( ) into Byzantine Greek ( ). The Arabic Bilawhar has historically been thought to derive from the Sanskrit bhagavan, an epithet of the Buddha, but this derivation is unproven and others have been proposed. Almuth Degener suggests derivation from Sanskrit purohita through a hypothetical Middle Persian intermediate.
The name Barlaam derives from the Arabic name Bilawhar () borrowed thro.ugh Georgian ( ) into Byzantine Gr,eek ( ). The. Arabic Bilawhar has historically been thought to derive from the Sanskrit bhagavan, an epithet of the Buddha, but this derivation is unproven and others have been proposed. Almuth Degener suggests! derivation from Sanskrit purohita through a hypothetical Middle Persian intermediate.