Surname Capra - Meaning and Origin
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Capra: What does the surname Capra mean?
The last name Capra is an Italian name that is derived from the Latin word capra, which means “goat”. It is believed that the Capra name first occurred when someone from an agricultural family used a goat as a symbol of their occupation. Today, the surname Capra is found throughout Italy, as well as other countries whose populations have a notable Italian heritage, such as the United States and Argentina.
The many branches of the Capra family have spread throughout the world, and this surname is associated with a variety of occupations and lifestyles. For example, some of the Capra family are known for their contributions to the arts, such as the American film director and producer Frank Capra who won three Academy Awards. Other members of the Capra family have been scholars, politicians, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists.
No matter which path a Capra family member has chosen, they have been known to make an impact. Although the literal meaning of the Capra name is “goat”, the modern connotation is strength, elevation, and resilience. This is due to the enduring legacy of the Capra family’s many members.
Order DNA origin analysisCapra: Where does the name Capra come from?
The last name Capra is most commonly found in the region spanning from southern Italy down to Sicily. It can also be found in small numbers in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
The name Capra is derived from the Mediterranean island of Capreae, modern-day Capri. The Capri community traces their heritage back to the ancient Greeks, who named their new colonies “Capri” which translates to “goat” in Latin. The Latin translation is derived from “Capra” which was eventually adapted to the Capra family’s surname.
Living in the southern region, the Capra family is mainly comprised of farmers. This makes sense as the name translates to “goat” which is why it was originally used to describe the island of Capri. Imposing terraced vineyards, olive trees, and fig trees populate the town close to the Mediterranean Sea, where the Capras have been living and working for hundreds of years.
Today, the most common form of spelling in European countries is “Capra” while in the United States the spelling is typically “Caprio”. Although they may be found in scattered numbers throughout the world, the Capra family is primarily concentrated in the region ranging from southern Italy to Sicily.
Variations of the surname Capra
The surname Capra is derived from the Italian term ‘capro’ which translates to ‘goat’ in English. It originated as an occupational or nickname-derived surname, referrring to a goat herder. As such, variants of the surname Capra would include Capro, Caparra, Caprai, Capera, Kapera, and Kapra. It is also sometimes spelled Caprar, Capri, Capride, Caprioli, or Caprini.
In Spanish, the surname is spelled Caprino and can be found in countries like Cuba, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. In Germany, the spelling Capraw has been found in some historical records. In the United States, the surname is sometimes anglicized to either Caproti, Kupersmith, or Kipper. In Greece, the surname is sometimes mistaken for Kappa, which has a similar, but distinct, origin.
The same surname may also be spelled differently in different countries due to local dialects or an unsuitable translating of the original term. For instance, in Italy the Capra surname is often written as Capretti, Caprara, Cappelletti, Cappelli, or Catsimatidis. In French, the Capra surname is occasionally spelled as Capret, Capri, Caprin, Caprice, or Caprani.
In some cases, different spelling variations of the same surname can also refer to different family branches. For example, the Caprae or Caprin branches of Italy often refer to aristocratic or high-ranking families, while the Capretti variation may refer to artisan or worker-class families.
Famous people with the name Capra
- Frank Capra: Frank Capra was an Academy Award winning Italian-American film director, producer and writer of the early to mid-20th century. He is widely credited with bringing a personal, humanistic charm to his films. His most famous works includes It Happened One Night, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and It’s A Wonderful Life.
- Frank Capra Jr.: The son of Frank Capra, Frank Capra Jr. is an Emmy Award winning director, writer, producer and graphic designer who has worked on productions such as the movie Don’t Answer the Phone, as well as a number of television series.
- Nicholas Capra: Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nicholas Capra is an American professional skateboarder known for his technical abilities and progressive style and approach to the sport. He has competed in championships including X Games and Street League Skateboarding.
- Gaston Capra: Gaston Capra is a former professional French football player who competed in the 80's. He is best known for his time with the French club Monaco, where he won the Ligue 1 championship.
- Joe Capra: Joe Capra is an American director, photographer, and cinematographer known for his nature and underwater photography, video, and motion-picture work. He has been featured in publications around the world such as National Geographic and The New York Times.
- Sebastiano Capra: Sebastiano Capra is an Italian actor, director, and producer known for his roles in Italian cinema such as La Bambola di Satana and Troppo Napoletano.
- Laura Capra: Laura Capra is an Italian actress, producer and documentary-maker known for her lead role in the independent films Tutta colpa di Freud and Come Leopardi.
- Lisa Capra: Lisa Capra is an American lifestyle, beauty and travel blogger based in Los Angeles. She has been featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, ELLE, Vogue, and InStyle.