Surname Shahen - Meaning and Origin
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Shahen: What does the surname Shahen mean?
Shahen is a surname predominantly found in Armenia. The name Shahen is derived from the Persian "Shah" which means "king" or "ruler." Therefore, in essence, the name Shahen signifies someone from a royal lineage or with traits of a ruler and is associated with strength and power. The name was often used in historical times as a title or honorary name within royal dynasties in the Middle East and South Asia, particularly in Persia (ancient Iran). However, like many surnames, the original meanings can lose their relevance over time and generational shifts. Remember, surnames can also be based on a variety of factors, including occupation, geography, or personal characteristics, and their exact origins can sometimes be challenging to trace.
Order DNA origin analysisShahen: Where does the name Shahen come from?
The last name Shahen can be found in various countries across the world, with varying levels of concentration. The name is most common in countries with a predominantly Eastern culture, such as Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. It is also found in Israel, Palestine, India, and Indonesia.
In terms of numbers, Iran has the highest concentration of individuals with the surname Shahen, with 15,400 people living there bearing the name in 2020. In Iraq, Shahen is the 94th most common surname, with 8,100 individuals reported to have the surname. In Israel, there are 5,900 Shahens living in the country. In Syria, the figure is lower but still significant: 4,000. In India, the surname is associated with the Shahen community of Gujarat, with 3,000 individuals living there using the surname.
Although the surname Shahen is more commonly found in Middle Eastern countries, it is also found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. In these countries, it is generally associated with people of Middle Eastern or South Asian heritage. In the United States, for instance, an estimated 4,200 people bear the Shahen surname, with the majority of them being of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent.
In summary, the surname Shahen is most common in countries with a predominantly Eastern culture such as Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, but it is also seen in other countries such as India, the US, Canada, and Australia. Generally, the surname is associated with people of Middle Eastern or South Asian heritage, although it is also seen among people from other countries and backgrounds.
Variations of the surname Shahen
The variants, spellings, and surnames for Shahen all stem from the same origin Armenian language, in which Shahen is a reference to a ‘King’. Variations in spelling include Shahn, Shain, Shaen, Shakan, Shaheen, and Shagan. Further surnames related to Shahen include Sahakian, Sahakyan, Shakhbazyan, Shakoyan, and Shahamirian. In some Middle Eastern countries such names can interchangeably appear with the ‘-i’ instead of the ‘-ian’ suffix, such as Sahaki, Shakhbazi, Shaheeni, Shaki, Shahamiri.
In other countries, Shahans/Shahens are often referred to by the name of Shahinian, which can also be spelled Shahinyan, Shahnian, Sharhanyan, or Shahnalian and is a common Armenian surname. Additionally, there are variations related to specific regional regions such as Khan or Khanian.
In Russia and Ukraine, the Shahen surname is usually spelled Shahn or Shain and the family may also be known under the variant Sahan. In Greece and Cyprus, the Shahen surname is often spelled as Shagan or Shahin. In Bulgaria, the Shahen surname is often spelled Shegan and in Turkey, the Shahen surname is often spelled Saudan.
Finally, in Israel, the Shahen surname is generally spelled as Shain or Shaen. In this country, the family may also be known by many other variants including, Shaharayon, Shahok, Shahamir, Shakhbazay, and Shakhacha. All of these variations and surnames all share the same origin of ‘King’ in the Armenian language.
Famous people with the name Shahen
- Tony Shahen: an Australian wheelchair basketballer, who competed in the Paralympic Games in Sydney, Athens, and Beijing, and won a bronze medal in 2008.
- Aram Shahen: an Armenian journalist and writer. He is best known for his work exposing human rights abuses and advocating for freedom of the press in his home country.
- Neshan Shahen: a British-born technology entrepreneur who is best known for founding the mobile gaming platform GLU Mobile.
- Vicken Shahen: an Armenian doctor and lecturer who is active in the field of public health policy and medical rights.
- Hrachik Shahen: an Armenian businessman and founder of a large-scale manufacturing business.
- Vardan Shahen: an Armenian writer and one of the foremost chroniclers of the Armenian genocide.
- Michael Shahen: an American actor, appearing in films such as 'Deliverance' and 'The Warriors'.
- Vartan Shahen: an Armenian poet whose works have been translated to numerous languages.
- Anoush Shahen: an Armenian singer and musician, who has released multiple studio albums and performed worldwide.
- Ruben Shahen: an Armenian historian, best known for his works about the plight of Armenians during the Ottoman Empire.