Surname Hanka - Meaning and Origin
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Hanka: What does the surname Hanka mean?
The last name Hanka is of Czech origin and is derived from a personal name which is a diminutive form of the name Hanuš, which is a Bohemian pet form of Johannes, or John. The name Hanka can also be derived from the old German names Gustaf, Gaut and Gud, which were all linked to Gaut, the name of an ancient Germanic tribe.
The meaning of the last name Hanka is 'God is gracious' and symbolizes being favored by God. It is also linked to the emotional expression of love and kindness that God has shown to humans. Furthermore, it has been associated with the idea of freedom, as it implies being accepted and taken care of by the superior power of God.
The last name Hanka is very common in the Czech Republic, where it is the fifth most common surname. It is also found among many Czech-American families, particularly those in the Midwest.
In summary, the last name Hanka has a strong religious foundation and signifies the grace of God, as well as the idea of freedom and love. It is very popular among Czech families and is found among many Czech-American families in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisHanka: Where does the name Hanka come from?
The last name Hanka is most commonly seen in Central and Eastern European countries today, particularly in Poland and the Czech Republic. It is found throughout the region but predominantly in the countries bordering the Baltic Sea, including those in the former Soviet Bloc such as Latvia and Lithuania.
In Poland, the Hanka name is derived from the given name Hanniek, which is derived from the Slavic word meaning “firm, strong”. This name gave rise to many different spelling variants such as Hancak, Hancok, Hannak, and Hanka.
The name Hanka can also be found in France, where it is an unrelated name associated with a small village in the northern region of the country. Additionally, in the United States, it can be found associated with the Yiddish spelling of Hankah and is most often found among families of Jewish descent.
Hanka has also spread to Australia, the United Kingdom, and other parts of the world due to large-scale immigration of people from Europe in the 20th century. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people worldwide carry the name Hanka today.
Variations of the surname Hanka
The surname Hanka is generally believed to be a variation of the original spelling Hanko, which is of Germanic origin and primarily found in Europe. It is an occupational surname that was likely derived from the Germanic work Hank, meaning "farmer".
There are several variant spellings that are commonly seen in various parts of Europe, such as Hank, Hanke, Hanks, Hancks, Hanck, Hanke, Hancka, Hankk, and Hancke. Some of these surnames are also commonly seen with a double "k", such as Hankk and Hanckk. Additionally, the name may be seen in various forms, such as Haniak, Hankać, Hancak, Hankach, Hancok and Hannka, which may be seen in both Poland and the Czech Republic.
The surname also has a few related surnames, including Hanko, Hankook and Hancković, which may be found primarily in Serbia and the surrounding areas. Furthermore, the surname may also appear in its Anglicized forms, such as Hancks, Hanckss, Hancos, Hancok, and Hancksson.
In conclusion, the surname Hanka is an occupational surname originating from the Germanic work Hank, and its variants and related surnames are seen throughout various parts of Europe and the Czech Republic, as well as in some of its AnglZeroized forms. It is most commonly found in England, Poland, the Czech Republic, Serbia, and Germany.
Famous people with the name Hanka
- Carsten Hanka, German ice hockey player
- Bob Hanka, American video game music composer
- Josef Hanka, Austrian industrialist and army officer
- Otto Hanka, German painter and draughtsman
- Frank Hanka, American sculptor
- Jaro Hanka, retired American ice hockey player
- Endy Hanka, Brazilian Muay Thai kickboxer
- Mirko Hanka, former Czech footballer
- Gord Hanka, retired Canadian ice hockey defender
- Cecília Hanka, Hungarian-born Brazilian rhythmic gymnast