Abu (Arabic, 'father') is prefixed to many Arabic proper names, as the equivalent syllable Ab is prefixed to Hebrew names—Abu-bekr, &c. But Abu, like Ab, often signifies merely 'possessor;' as in Abulfeda (possessor of fidelity), 'the Trusty.'
Abu
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 1: A to Beaufort, p. 21
Source scan(s): p. 0034