Shami

Shami is a term that can refer to several distinct concepts across regions and contexts. It is used as an ethnonym, a linguistic descriptor, a culinary name, and a personal surname or given name in various cultures.

In Levantine contexts, Shami denotes something related to Ash-Sham, the historic region commonly identified with the Levant, including parts of present-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. A Shami person or Shami identity refers to someone from that area or its diaspora. The term appears in historical, cultural, and everyday language to indicate Levantine origin.

Shami Arabic, also called Levantine Arabic, is the branch of the Arabic language spoken in the Levant. It encompasses several regional varieties with mutual intelligibility to speakers across the Arab world. Shami Arabic is widely used in conversation, media, and literature within the Levant and by Levantine communities abroad.

In cuisine, Shami kebab is a well-known dish in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan and northern India. It consists of finely ground meat mixed with a binder such as chickpea flour, along with onions, herbs, and spices, formed into patties or small kebabs and fried or grilled. The dish is associated with regional and cultural adaptations, and its name reflects its linkage to Shami or Levantine influences in some culinary traditions.

As a personal name, Shami appears as both a surname and a given name in various communities. It can also be encountered in literary and media contexts as a descriptor of origin or heritage.