Surname Esra - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Esra: What does the surname Esra mean?
Esra is a multicultural name with roots in Hebrew, Turkish, and Arabic languages. In Hebrew, Esra means "help" or "helper". It is related to the name Ezra, which is the name of a famous scribe and prophet in the Hebrew Bible. In Arabic, Esra means "night journey", and in a more symbolic sense, it can be related to spiritual journeys or enlightenment. In Turkish, Esra also broadly signifies "night journey". It's essentially a unisex name that is common in various cultures. As a surname, it carries these meanings but may also denote a family lineage or ancestral connection to these cultures or geographical regions. It's important to note that the exact interpretation and significance of the surname can depend on individual family traditions and histories.
Order DNA origin analysisEsra: Where does the name Esra come from?
The last name Esra is most commonly found today in the Middle East, specifically concentrated in various parts of Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
Esra is a popular Arabic name meaning “Protector” or “Commander” and is often given to the oldest son in a family in honor of its traditional roots. The surname is sometimes spelled as Isra or Ezrah and can also be found in varying forms such as Eslah, Esrawi, or Esrar.
In Iran, Esra is one of the most common family names that retains its use from the country’s past. The name is associated with the Shia Ismaili sects, a group of Muslims connected to the Ismaili branch of the Shia branch of Islam. Thus, the name is quite popular in this region of the Middle East.
Similarly, the surname Esra is also widespread in Iraq, mostly among the Sunni and Shiite Arab communities. Here, it is a patronymic name that goes back several generations. Interestingly, this name is also found in Ancient Assyrian records, suggesting a further connection and ancient origin for the name.
In Turkey and Saudi Arabia, Esra is also a popular Islamic name, given to the oldest sons of many families. Here, the name is often spelled as Isra and is associated with the Prophet Ishmael, son of Ibrahim.
Overall, the last name Esra is quite common in the Middle East today, with connections to many different cultural origins and religions of the region.
Variations of the surname Esra
Esra is a surname of multiple origins, and has many variants, spellings, and surnames derived from it. In Arabic, it is spelled “Esrā”, and can be a variant of Isaac meaning “one who laughs”. In Hebrew, it is also spelled Esrā and is a variant of Zerach meaning “shining”. Esrha is another variant of the Hebrew spelling, and is a variant of Zerah meaning “rising”.
Esra is also an Indian Hindu surname, believed to have originated from skip typing an ‘n’ in the popular name ‘Esan’. Esan is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Ishan’, meaning “ruler”. It is also seen in the name Ishanlal, which means ‘ruler of the world’.
Other surnames of similar origin as Esra include Izar, Esran, Isran, Esrom, Isrum, Isrom, and Istrum. It can also be spelt ‘Esro', and at times ‘Esrow’, for the same origin.
Moreover, Jewish variations of the Esra name include Essaye, Ezro, and Esray. Variations of the Esra spelling in other languages include Israh in Hindi, Aissa in Arabic, and Iserala in Tamil.
The surnames of Esra have survived many generations and languages, evolving and spreading in diverse cultures. While variations of the different spellings and pronunciations exist, the same meaning remains: “one who laughs”, “shining”, “rising”, and “ruler”.
Famous people with the name Esra
- Ece Esra Ege: Fashion designer from Turkey who is best know for her signature designs and colour combinations.
- Pınar Esra Yılmaz: Turkish pop singer and songwriter best known for her hits "Aşk Olsun" and "Bir Gün Çok Eski".
- Ahmet Esra Eryılmaz: Turkish football manager and current head coach of Konyaspor.
- Melek Esra Altan: Turkish actress known for her roles in films such as "The Sultan’s Harem" and "The Moon on the Mountain".
- Nuri Esra Güngör: Turkish international basketball player who represented Turkey in international competitions such as the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Esra Yildirim: Turkish pop singer who competed on the third season of the Turkish singing competition The Voice.
- Tolga Esra: Turkish contemporary artist working in the fields of illustration, graphic design, typography, mural painting, drawing and animation.
- Alara Esra Nihatşoh association member: Turkish television and radio actor known for her role in the hit television series "Cemre".
- Sümeyye Esra Eryiğit: Turkish actress and model best known for her work in the television series "Kırmızı Oda" and "Kaya çıkmazı".
- İhsan Esra Yavor: Turkish-Bulgarian poet, who in 2017 won the prestigious Koseviler Poetry Award for his collection of poetry "Her Takvim Yalan Söyler".