Hayk

Hayk (Armenian: Հայկ) also knows as Hayk Nahapet (Հայկ Նահապետ, 'Hayk the Patriarch') is the legendary patriarch and founder of the Armenian nation. The poetic names for the Armenians, Haykazun (հայկազուն) or Haykazn (հայկազն, consisting of Hayk and azn "generation, nation, tribe") which later became a masculine given name among Armenians, derives from his name.

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"Hayk was a handsome, friendly man, with curly hair, sparkling eyes, and strong arms. He was a man of giant stature, a mighty archer and fearless warrior. Hayk and his people, from the time of their forefathers Noah and Japheth, had migrated south toward the warmer lands near Babylon. In that land there ruled a wicked giant, Bel. Bel tried to impose his tyranny upon Hayk's people. But proud Hayk refused to submit to Bel. As soon as his son Aramaniak was born, Hayk rose up and led his people northward into the land of Ararad. At the foot of the mountain he built a village and gave it his name, calling Haykashen."