Surname Alexandru - Meaning and Origin
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Alexandru: What does the surname Alexandru mean?
The origin of the last name Alexandru is found in Romanian and Slavic cultures. The name is derived from the personal name Alexandru, meaning 'Protector of Mankind'.
At its root, the meaning of the last name Alexandru is quite simple: it refers to any person whose ancestral name was taken from the personal name of Alexander. The family name Alexandru is thought to have originated during a time when a lot of people in Romania and Slavic territories were taking on One-Name patronymics.
Historically, it was a name often adopted by certain Christian families of noble origin. It was also used by families of royal status. This could be why it's still seen today as a prestigious and respected surname in Romania and other parts of Eastern Europe.
In Europe, Alexandru has roots in both Slavic and Latin languages. This gave the name a dual meaning, as it could refer simply to 'Alexander' in either language, or comprise an entire phrase in Latin such as 'protector of mankind'. In terms of its modern use, the name is still looked upon with respect and is attached to people of high social standing.
The name has also been immigrated to various parts of the world. An example of this is in the United States, where someone may assume the last name Alexandru to represent their heritage. This surname is closely associated with its origin and represents a strong cultural legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisAlexandru: Where does the name Alexandru come from?
The last name Alexandru is common throughout Eastern Europe and the Balkans. It is especially popular in Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. In Romania, it is the 15th-most-common surname. In Moldova, Alexandru is the third-most-common surname, and in Ukraine it is the 22nd-most-common.
The roots of this name may go back to the ancient Greek name Alexander, meaning “defender of man.” In the Middle Ages, it was adapted to languages including Latin, Old Church Slavonic, Old Norse, and Old Germanic languages. In various forms and spellings, the name survived, and even increased in frequency in parts of Europe.
The modern variants of Alexandru tend to be related to the Alexander root, but are variations on the pronunciation and spelling. Common examples include: Sander in Dutch, Alaxandyr in Belarussian, Aleksandre in Georgian, and Aleksanteri in Finland.
The name is also found in North America, especially among those who emigrated from Eastern Europe. In the United States it is the 5,368th-most-common surname, and in Canada Alexandru is the 2,978th-most-common.
Variations of the surname Alexandru
The surname Alexandru has many variants and surnames that derive from the same origin.
The most common of these variants includes: Sandru, Santer, Sangter, and Alexander.
Sandru is a Romanian variant of the surname Alexandru, derived from the Latin surname Alexandrus. The name originates from the Greek name Alexandros. The meaning of the name is "protector of mankind". This variant is commonly found in Romania, Moldova, and some parts of Hungary and Ukraine.
Santer is another variant of the surname Alexandru. This variant originated from the Greek name Alexander and is found in some parts of the European continent.
Sangter is yet another variant of the surname Alexandru. It is most commonly seen in the United Kingdom, with a few cases found in Austria and Norway.
Alexander is the English-language variant of the surname Alexandru. It derived from the Greek name Alexandros and its meaning is the same as the Greek origin.
There are some uncommon variants of the surname Alexandru that includes: Balan, Știulescu, Șapcă, and Komogorcea.
Balan is a variant of the surname Alexandru found in the southwestern part of Romania.
Știulescu is a very rare variant that is found mainly in the regions of Romania and Moldova. Its meaning is unknown.
Șapcă is another variant of the surname Alexandru, found mainly in Romania and Moldova. It is a Romanian word meaning "pool".
Komogorcea is an uncommon variant of the surname Alexandru found in Romania. It is a portmanteau of two Romanian words, komora and gorcea, meaning "master of the jewellery box".
Famous people with the name Alexandru
- Ruxandra Iuliana Alexe, Romanian model and beauty pageant titleholder
- Adriana Alexandru, Romanian actress and television presenter
- Alina (Puscau) Alexandru, Romanian actress and singer
- Eugen Alexe, Romanian football player
- Adam Alexandru, Romanian actor
- Ioan Alexandru, Romanian actor
- Mihai Alexandru, Romanian actor
- Alexandru Albu, Romanian politician and former Prime Minister of Romania
- Alexandru Beldiman, Romanian football player and coach
- Alexandru Arșinel, Romanian actor and comedian
- Szilágyi Alexandru, Romanian writer and theatre director
- Alexandru G. Bârlădeanu, Romanian medical scientist
- Dragos Alexandru, Romanian freestyle footballer and aerobatics performer
- Gheorghe Alexandru, Romanian volleyball player
- Nae Alexandru, Romanian singer