Surname Boaz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Boaz: What does the surname Boaz mean?
The last name Boaz is of Hebrew origin and in its original language is written as בֹּעַז. It’s found in the Bible as the name of a wealthy, honorable, and kind-hearted landowner in Bethlehem, who falls in love with Ruth, his relative Naomi’s widowed daughter-in-law. Eventually, Boaz marries Ruth, preserving the name and lineage of Naomi’s family. The name Boaz generally means "swiftness" or "strength" and is often interpreted as "in him/it (is) the strength". Some also interpret it as a symbol of pillar or firmness, drawing from the pillars of Solomon’s temple named Boaz and Jachin, which stand for stability and establishment. Despite variations in meanings, they all reflect qualities of strength or integrity – characteristics often associated with the biblical figure, Boaz. As a surname, it could indicate Jewish ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisBoaz: Where does the name Boaz come from?
The surname Boaz appears to have multiple possible origins. One of them suggests its origins in the Hebrew Bible, where Boaz is a key character in the Book of Ruth. It's a common Jewish surname. Boaz is also the name of a city in Alabama in the United States, so it may have morphed into a surname for people from that area.
Boaz is also seen as a Dutch patronymic surname, meaning it's derived from the personal name of a male ancestor. In this case, Boaz could have been a given name that became a surname over generations.
Today, the surname Boaz is perhaps most commonly found in the United States, particularly within the Jewish community. It might also be present in the Netherlands, based on its patronymic origin. Furthermore, with the modern global movement of people, this surname could theoretically be found in any part of the world.
Variations of the surname Boaz
The surname Boaz predominantly originates from Jewish families, specifically of Ashkenazic descent. Variations and alternate spellings can include: Boas, Boase, Boes, Boese, Boaziz, Boazes, and possibly Bozzi, especially evident in Italy.
Boase and Boaze can often be seen amongst Anglo-Saxon families. The variations basically reflect the different pronunciations among regions, languages and over different eras.
In terms of surnames with the same origin or meaning, it could also be linked to "Boanerges," which in the Bible, Jesus gave to his apostles James and John, and translates to "sons of thunder" in Aramaic.
While we can list potential variants, it's always good to note that without extensive genealogical research, definitive conclusions can't be drawn, as surnames can change over time due to reasons such as immigration, localization, phonetics, and even clerical errors.
Famous people with the name Boaz
- Ruth Boaz: Fashion designer and owner of a plus-size fashion line "Ruth Boaz".
- William Boaz: Former mayor of Dallas, Texas.
- David Boaz: Executive vice president of the Cato Institute.
- Pamela Boaz: Colorado legislator.
- Jacob Uziel Boaz: Dutch Chief Rabbi.
- Frank Boaz: American agricultural scientist.
- Charles Boaz: A player for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League. Please note that some individuals on this list may not be well-known on an international level, but they have attained some degree of prominence in their respective fields or localities.