Surname Shirah - Meaning and Origin

Shirah: What does the surname Shirah mean?

The surname Shirah is of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word 'shir' meaning 'song' or 'poem'. Therefore, the last name Shirah can be roughly interpreted to mean 'the one who sings' or 'the one who writes poems'. It's often associated with a fondness for music, poetry, or any form of artistic expression. Shirah may also denote a lineage of singers, musicians, or poets. This surname is primarily used among Jewish communities. Similar to many family names, Shirah might have indicated a family's professional or personal characteristic when surnames were first adopted. However, it could also possess different meanings or origins in other cultures or languages.

Shirah: Where does the name Shirah come from?

The last name ShiraH is most commonly found in modern day Japan. It is an uncommon surname; however, its roots can be traced to florid Japanese history. ShiraH is the ancient name for the dynasty of the Yamato kings, which ruled over Japan from the fifth to the sixth century and was thought to be descended from the gods.

In the 15th century, the name spread to various parts of the world. In America and Britain, it often used as a variant of the name “Shire”, which was taken from the old English name for a county-like region.

In modern Japan, families with the surname ShiraH can be found mainly in Northern Japan in the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. The name has gained national recognition, being among the Top 5 surnames of company CEOs and celebrities.

In addition, there are also ShiraHs in Korea. Due to cultural exchanges, some ShiraHs in Japan have also married Korean individuals, and as a result ShiraH can also be found in the Korean language and culture.

Overall, the name ShiraH is a relatively uncommon name, but one that carries a lot of cultural significance. It is the name of a great dynasty, as well as a family of powerful leaders. It symbolizes a strong bond between Japan and Korea, and is still found in both countries today.

Variations of the surname Shirah

Shirah is an English surname, derived from the Hebrew word “Shirah.” This surname has many variants, including Shier, Schier, Schirr, and Schirah, as well as variant spellings such as Sheer, Schire, Schyrr, Scheer, Scherr, Sher, Sherr, Sherah and Shere.

Shirah is also occasionally seen as a given name. While it is a feminine name, it is occasionally spelled in a masculine form, such as "Shirus" or "Shiryos."

As an English surname, Shirah originated in the Jewish communities of England in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when it was adopted from the Germanic and Yiddish version of the Hebrew name.

Shirah is also a Jewish surname in its own right, derived from the name of the biblical Matriarch Sarah, which has various English spellings such as “Sara” or “Sarah” – this surname is often encountered in the Sephardic communities from Turkey and the Balkans, among others.

The surname Shirah has also been adopted by other cultures, not always for religious reasons. Examples include the Cambodian and Vietnamese surnames “Sihor” and “Shiroh,” both derived from a transliteration of the Hebrew name.

In some families, the surname Shirah is combined with the family’s original surname, such as “de Shirah” or “von Shirah.”

The precise origin of the surname Shirah is unknown, but it is believed to have some connection to the Hebrew word "shir" meaning “song” or “poem,” suggesting that its first bearers might have had some reputation for writing ballads or other forms of poetry.

Famous people with the name Shirah

• Michael Shira: an American vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Nashville, Tennessee
• George Shira: a retired American basketball player
• Eric Shiraev: a Russian-American scholar and professor
• Andra Day: an American singer and songwriter who goes by the stage name Shira
• Chuck Shira: an American politician from Pensacola, Florida
• Or Shira: an Israeli singer and songwriter
• Mark Shira: a former American football coach
• Kelly Shira: an American television personality
• Richard Shira: an American poet and professor
• Lee Shira: a Canadian businessman
• David Shira: an American politician
• Sam Shira: an Australian screenwriter

Other surnames

ShiraShirar