Finally! Passport Reveals True Spelling of Muammar ‘Gathafi’s’ Last Name

The spelling of Muammar Gaddafi’s last name has long been a mystery, with different news organizations employing different standards, such as Gaddafi, Kadafi, Qaddafi and Kaddafi. In fact, a 2009 ABC news story found a whopping 112 different ways one could spell the despot’s name.

We’ve finally reached some resolution on the matter, though, since rebel soldiers have found the passport of the embattled Libyan leader’s eldest son, which reveals the family name to be spelled “Gathafi.”

Ironically, this is one of the least common Latinized translations of the Arabic name. The find, however, doesn’t clear up how to spell Gathafi’s first name, which has also been subject to a wide range of interpretations.

[The Atlantic]