Surname Zekeriya - Meaning and Origin
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Zekeriya: What does the surname Zekeriya mean?
The last name Zekeriya is of Turkish origin. It is derived from the Turkish word “zekera” which means “power” or “power of faith” and can be further derived from the Arabic root word “zkr”.
In context of being a last name, Zekeriya denotes that its bearer comes from a powerful and faithful line of people. This is because “zekera” is both a spiritual and a physical strength and carries with it an element of courage and authority. The bearer of this last name may be a leader or a protector figure in the community, usually having impressive strength and influence.
This last name can be found in several languages and countries. It can be spelled “Zekeriya” in Turkish, or “Zikria” in Arabic, and is also found in India, Israel, and Pakistan.
In modern times, the Zekeriya family name still carries a weight of responsibility and leadership. Those who bear it may feel a sense of purpose to both serve and lead their community. As a last name, it is a sign of pride for its bearers and a reminder of the importance of faith and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisZekeriya: Where does the name Zekeriya come from?
Today, the surname Zekeriya is most commonly found in areas of Central Asia and the Middle East. It is a common surname within Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, and some parts Uzbekistan. Created as a patronymic, it primarily stems from the given name Zeker, an Arabic name meaning “one who remembers,” or “one who is mindful.”
The Zekeriya surname is also borne by ethnic Kurds, spread across Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Iran, due to their nomadic lifestyle that resulted in heightened ethnic and cultural intermingling, over hundreds of years. There, Zekeriya is frequently seen within the Kurdish surnames list, as a common family surname for the people of the region.
The surname is also found in other countries with large concentrations of the Middle Eastern-Central Asian diaspora, such as Germany, neighboring European countries, North and South America, and parts of Australia and New Zealand. Its Mongolian equivalent, Zokhair, is also quite common, found in countries of the former Mongol Empire, such as China, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia.
One of the more noteworthy bearers of the surname is Arif Zekeriya Ermacan, a Turkish composer, best known for writing the score for the award-winning film Uzak (Distant). In the United States, Zekeriya Oz, a Turkish-American lawyer and professor at the University of Chicago Law School, is also recognized for his various legal contributions, and has held several public positions, including serving as the Principal Deputy Attorney General of the United States.
Variations of the surname Zekeriya
The surname Zekeriya is a Turkish variant of the Arabic name “Zakariya”, which means ‘God remembers’. This surname is most commonly spelled as Zekeriya, but alternative variants exist, such as Zeyeriya, Zeeriya, Zekereya, Zekeria, Zekereya, Zekereya, Zekereah and Zekerayah.
This name is used in Turkey and inhabited areas of Northern Iraq. However, it is thought to be derived from the Hebrew language, suggesting that it also has roots in Jewish, Persian, and Greek culture. It is thought that the Americanised version of the name is 'Zekeriah'.
Due to its geographical spread, Zekeriya has produced a variety of surnames. The more common variants are Zekerijas, Zekeriys, Zekerievs, Zekerennyhs, Zekerejus and Zekeryaus. Less common derivatives are Zekerez, Zekereš, Zekerenys, Zekeryk, Zekeryns and Zekeryath.
Furthermore, due to its origin in the Arabic language, alternative spellings using the Latin alphabet are often used in place of the Turkish version. Examples of these spellings include Javokhir, Zakyariya, Zahkyeri, Zakharyah, and Zekhar.
Overall, regardless of whether it is written as Zekeriya, Zakariah, or Zekereya, this surname carries the same meaning and remains rooted in the same origin and culture.
Famous people with the name Zekeriya
- Zekeriya Antakyalıoğlu: Turkish professional footballer.
- Zekeriya Akgöz: Turkish poet and philosopher.
- Zekeriya Yavuzcan: Turkish politician.
- Zekeriya Temizel: Turkish film actor.
- Zekeriya Karakaya: Turkish long-distance runner.
- Zekeriya Köse: Turkish film director.
- Zekeriya Öztaş: Turkish politician.
- Zekeriya Beyazıt: Turkish footballer.
- Zekeriya Ömer: Turkish television series screenwriter.
- Zekeriya Alp: Turkish poet and novelist.
- Zekeriya Kaya: Turkish journalist and documentary filmmaker.
- Zekeriya Sertel: Turkish actor.
- Zekeriya Arık: Turkish volleyball player.
- Zekeriya Karaca: Turkish actor.
- Zekeriya Cem Ömeroğlu: Turkish physicist and academic.
- Zekeriya Çalışkaner: Turkish water polo player.
- Zekeriya Yahya Çiftçi: former Turkish football player.
- Zekeriya Erkin: former Turkish politician.
- Zekeriya Ekinci: Turkish taekwondo athlete.
- Zekeriya Kılıç: Turkish weightlifter.