Surname Barakat - Meaning and Origin

Barakat: What does the surname Barakat mean?

The last name Barakat is believed to be of Arabic origin, although its cultural roots are complex and disputed. In Arabic, the word “barakat” means “blessings”, suggesting that its original bearers were especially blessed with wealth, health, or other auspicious circumstances.

The term “Barakat” can also be read as “blessed” in in other Semitic languages such as Hebrew, Syriac, and Aramaic, which have all been historically spoken in the Middle East. As such, the name could be interpreted as representative of a wish for good fortune or protection.

Over time, the Barakat family has spread around the world with branches in the Levant, North Africa, East Africa, Yemen, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and more recently, North America. In each of its new residences, the family has left its mark on the community, ranging from commerce and education to philanthropy and religious ministries.

The Barakat name symbolizes the unifying, diversity-enriching power of family and culture. In each new land, the Barakat family has brought with them the blessings of their ancestors, and over generations, have grown and achieved success in the process. That is the power and legacy of the Barakat name.

Barakat: Where does the name Barakat come from?

The last name Barakat is a very common family name in the Arab world, spanning from the Middle East to North Africa. It is derived from the Arabic word ‘Baraka’, meaning ‘blessing’.

In the Middle East, many countries in the region have a high occurrence of the Barakat name, such as Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt. In Lebanon, around 2% of the population is named Barakat, while in Palestine the last name is found in around 8% of the population. In Syria, this last name is variously spelled ‘Barakat, Barakah, Barkat, and Baraka’, although the spelling itself does not necessarily make a difference to how it is pronounced.

The Barakat name is also common in North Africa, in countries such as Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. In Morocco, Barakat is the third most common family name after Bencherqi and Benmoussa.

The sad reality is that due to ongoing conflict, many people bearing the Barakat name have been forced to flee their homelands in the Middle East and North Africa, with many of them seeking refuge in Europe, Canada, and the United States. Despite the challenges that the Barakat community is going through, the common thread amongst them remains, and that is their shared history and heritage, connecting them to the same origins and culture.

Variations of the surname Barakat

The surname Barakat is one of the most widespread surnames among families of Arab descent. It is a name that is found in many cultures, languages, and countries; thus, its variants and spellings depend on the country and culture of origin.

In Arabic-speaking countries, the Barakat surname is either spelled as “بركات” or “البركات”, while in English-speaking countries, the spelling is most commonly transcribed as “Barakat”.

In addition to its original spelling, the surname Barakat also has a number of variants. These variants typically start with the base “Barakat” and feature a variety of ways to pronounce the second syllable of the surname. Commonly, these variants include “Barakaeth”, “Barakaat”, “Barakaith”, “Barakaah”, “Barakah”, and “Barakaih”.

The surname Barakat is also found under different surnames, depending on the country or culture of origin. In Lebanon, for instance, the surname is found under the surnames “Barakti” and “Baraket”. In Egypt, you may find Barakat under the surname “Berkoot”. In Turkey, the surname may be listed under “Berrakat” or “Berrakatt”. In Israel, it is commonly found under the surnames “Barak” and “Barakah”.

As a result of its prevalence and complexity, the surname Barakat is a unique and unmistakable name for those of Arab origin. Although the spelling may vary, the underlying origin of the name remains the same and serves as a reminder of shared ancestry, culture, and heritage.

Famous people with the name Barakat

• Mohanad Barakat: He is a Jordanian professional footballer who plays in the Saudi Professional League for Al-Hilal.
• Rafa Barakat: He is a Spanish singer with Syrian origins who released his first album in 2017, a self-titled work that has received acclaim from music critics.
• Ahmed Barakat: He is an Egyptian professional footballer who currently plays for Italian club Frosinone.
• Kamal Barakat: He is a Jordanian journalist and historian who has written several books about the Arab-Israeli conflict and the artists and writers of the Arab world.
• Sami Barakat: He is a Jordanian actor and director who has appeared in several films, TV series and theater plays, most notably the 2016 film “Jazeera”.
• Mahmoud Barakat: He is an Jordanian actor, musician and composer who starred in numerous Jordanian films, TV series and theater plays.
• Nizar Barakat: He is a Jordanian musician and poet who has composed songs for local and international artists.
• Pascale Barakat: She is a Lebanese-Canadian journalist, interviewer and television host, currently the host of the popular Imagine show on CBC Radio.
• Réda Barakat: He is a Lebanese professional footballer who currently plays in the German 3. Liga for Chemnitzer FC.
• Bahaa Hariri: He is a Lebanese businessman and politician, the son of assassinated former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.

Other surnames

BaraketBarakettBarakzai