Surname Behra - Meaning and Origin
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Behra: What does the surname Behra mean?
The last name Behra is of Indian origin and is an alteration of the Hindu surname Bihari, which literally means “person from Bihar.” Bihar is an administrative state located in northern India, and those who bear this surname often trace their ancestors to that area. The surname Behra can also be found in other parts of India, including in the Punjab region, where it originated.
The surname Behra is associated with a religious sect known as the Bairagis or Behras. Members of this sect follow a very strict code of religious discipline based around yoga and meditation in order to achieve a higher level of spiritual consciousness. They are also known for their devotion to several Hindu gods, including Shiva and Vishnu.
Some variations of the surname include Behri and Behar. This name can also be found in other parts of the world, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and England, indicating that it has spread over time.
Behra is an interesting surname that points to a history of ancient Indian culture and the past of the Punjabi people. It is a surname that might bring to mind majestic mountains and lush valleys of northern India where members of the Bairagis and Behra sects lived for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisBehra: Where does the name Behra come from?
The last name Behra is most common today in the Indian subcontinent. Specifically, the majority of people bearing this name can be found in the states of Karnataka, Bihar, and Odisha in India.
The surname Behra is one of many common Indian names. It is also found in many other countries that were once part of the British Empire, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States.
The origin of the surname Behra is unclear, although some suggest it is derived from a village in Mysore. Other suggested origins are related to Hindu or Muslim names, from Sanskrit or Rajput clans respectively.
In India, the Behra surname is commonly found among the Panchal and Saini castes, as well as other groups such as Madhwas, Gowdas, and Iyengars.
The English spelling of the Behra name is typically Bahra or Behra. In Karnataka, the name is often spelled Bhera.
In its modern form, the Behra name is a reminder of the long and varied history of India. It is used by many to represent a proud heritage and a strong connection to ancient civilisations.
Variations of the surname Behra
The surname Behra is derived from the Old German personal name “Bero” and is most commonly found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The surname has a range of variants and spellings which are as follows:
Baar, Baer, Bahr, Bahre, Behar, Behra, Behar, Behre, Behrr, Ber, Bär, Bähr, Bähre, Behrah, Bühr, Buhr, Bührer and even Bür.
The variants of this surname can appear in different forms depending on the language and country, which includes: Bero (German), Behrens (Plattdeutsch), Behringer (Austrian), Bahringer and Bäringer (Swiss).
This surname is widespread throughout Europe as evidenced by its variants in many countries such as: Germany – Behar, Behrer, Behrr; Austria – Bair, Bahr, Bahre, Behr; Switzerland – Bahrer, Bauhr, Behar, Behr; France – Beron, Berot, Bero, Berot; Italy – Baro, Barre; Spain - Bero, Bere; Czech Republic – Bera; Hungary – Bero; and Slovakia – Bero.
The variants of this surname form an extended family tree, which includes various clans and surnames of the same origin. These clans include: Behra, Böhr, Bähr, Bähring, Bering, Biering, Böhring, Birring and much more. Each of these clans and surnames are connected through their shared origin, and the spelling variations point to the family’s ancestral home.
The surname Behra is a testament to the complexities of the European surname system as it traversed region and language boundaries. The various spellings, variants, and surnames all connected to the same ancestral root, providing a fascinating insight into its kinship ties.
Famous people with the name Behra
- Jean Behra: 1950s sports car driver, known as the 'Race of Champions' winner.
- Alain Prost: Four-time Formula One world champion.
- Pierre Droz: Swiss professional footballer.
- Marcel Brossard: Swiss downhill skier and Olympic bronze medalist.
- Alexia Behra: French DJ and fashion designer.
- Matthieu Behra: French squash player and Olympian.
- Hamadouche Behra: Algerian Olympic volleyball player.
- Karim Behra: French racing cyclist and gold medal winner at the World Championships.
- Yannick Behra: French basketball player.
- Coralie Behra: French synchronized swimmer and Olympic gold medalist.