The name Arrapkha is the ancient Assyrian name of Kirkuk, and Arrapkha was a very important city for Assyrians (one of five: Ashur, Nineveh, Arrapkha, Nimrod and Arbela). The Assyrian name that later evolved from Arrapkha to "Karkha d'Baith Slukh", which later became Kirkuk.

today the city is officially known and spelled "Kirkuk", although it's pronounced "Karkuk".