Surname Andra - Meaning and Origin
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Andra: What does the surname Andra mean?
The surname Andra is believed to have multiple origins. In Europe, particularly in Romania, Andra is derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning 'manly' or 'brave'. It is often used as a first name rather than a surname in this context.
In Germany, Andra is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Here it is thought to come from 'an der', meaning 'at the' in German.
In India, particularly in Telugu speaking states (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), Andra can be a surname representing the region from which a person hails, Andhra in this case.
It's important to note that meanings can vary based on cultural and regional contexts, and many surnames have evolved over centuries, changing in spelling and meaning. Hence, the exact meaning would depend on a person's familial and cultural background.
Order DNA origin analysisAndra: Where does the name Andra come from?
The last name Andra originates from several countries including Russia, Germany, Italy, and Sweden. It is derived from the Greek name "Andreas," which means manly or brave. In some instances, it can be traced back to the personal name "Andre" which was popular in Europe due to the fame of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland and Russia.
In Russia and Slavic nations, it is a patronymic surname, meaning it is often formed by the name of a person’s father or ancestor. In Italy and Germany, it probably evolved as a first name before being adopted as a surname.
As for its contemporary distribution, it is common in several countries but particularly frequent in Romania. According to Forebears.io data, this surname ranks as the 341st most common surname in Romania and it is also fairly widespread in the United States and India. The surname enjoys significant presence in the Telugu cinema industry of Southern India, where some bearers of this surname have gained national and international acclaim.
Variations of the surname Andra
The surname Andra has several variations, spellings and related surnames due to geographical dispersion and translation. Some of these variations include Andras, Andrus, Andre, Andres, Andrea, Andri, Andrus, Andrade, Andreyev, and Andreassen.
Some of these versions are a result of linguistic variations across different languages. For instance, "Andrea" is a version from Italy, while "Andrade" is common in Portugal and Spain. "Andreassen" originates from Norway, meaning "son of Andreas", while "Andreyev" is from Russia, meaning "son of Andrey."
The surname Andra may also be related to the first name Andrew. As a first name, Andrew has been widely transformed into culture-specific surnames. In Greek, it is often Androu or Andriou; in Scottish, it is Anderson, meaning "son of Andrew". The Polish version is Andrzejewski or Andrysiak, and in Hungary, the surname is often Andrassy.
Moreover, in some German-speaking areas, the suffix "-er" is added, resulting in the surname "Andrer". Also, some Jewish families use the surname "Anders".
It is important to note that some of these variations may also be related to different origins that are not interconnected. The surname's specific origin and meaning can be identified through genealogy research in the geographical location.
Famous people with the name Andra
- Andra Day: She is a famous American singer and songwriter best known for her R&B and soul music style. She gained prominence with her song "Rise Up," which earned her a Grammy nomination.
- Alex Andra: An Italian actor who has appeared in multiple films and television series.
- Andra Martin: An American actress, active during the 1950s and 1960s, noted for her roles in films such as "The Thing That Couldn't Die" and "Up Periscope."
- Chris Andra: A musician from the United States, principally recognized as the bassist of the band "The Atomic Bitchwax."
- Mihai Andra: A renowned Romanian television producer. He currently serves as the Operations Director of PRO TV. Note: The last name 'Andra' is relatively less common among celebrities, and those listed are some of the most recognizable individual associated with it. Remember that some might be using this as a stage name, not a birth name. For instance, in the case of Andra Day, 'Andra' is part of her stage name; her real name is Cassandra Monique Batie.