Jebel

Jebel is an Arabic term meaning mountain or hill, commonly used in place names across the Arab world and surrounding regions. In English-language texts, it is often transliterated as Jebel or Jabal, with variations such as Djebel reflecting different colonial or linguistic influences. In Arabic, the word is الجبل (al-jabal), with the definite article commonly attached in toponyms.

As a toponymic element, Jebel serves as a descriptor rather than a standalone geographic unit. When combined with a specific name, it identifies a particular mountain or high terrain feature. The prefix appears in many prominent mountains and ranges in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of the Horn of Africa, where Arabic influence or language presence is strong. Examples include Jebel Musa (the southern Pillar of Hercules in the Strait of Gibraltar region), Jebel Toubkal (the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco), Jebel Shams and Jebel Akhdar in Oman, and Jebel Marra in Sudan. Other well-known uses include Jebel Nafusa (Libya), and various hill or mountain names across Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and neighboring areas.

Geographic and cultural significance varies by location. Mountains named with Jebel can be focal points for local climates, ecosystems, and historical routes, as well as for cultural or religious associations. The term’s continued use in modern toponymy reflects both linguistic heritage and the prominent role of mountains in many Arab-speaking regions.