Surname Shraga - Meaning and Origin

Shraga: What does the surname Shraga mean?

The last name Shraga is derived from the biblical Hebrew word “shraga” meaning “flame” or “light”. The surname was first adopted many years ago in Europe and the Middle East by members of the Jewish faith, and has since spread throughout the world.

The Hebrew word comes from the meaning of courage and bravery. This meaning is echoed in the surname, as people with the surname are often known for being courageous and brave. This courage can be seen in their willingness to not shy away from difficult conversations and stand up for what they believe in.

The surname Shraga has also been used to denote everything from political leaders to scientists. One of the more famous people to carry the last name is the renowned Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. Other prominent people that bear the surname include Swedish-American business mogul Gustaf Erickson and American entrepreneur and philanthropist Ben Shraga.

Those with the last name Shraga are proud of their heritage and often stick together in times of need. This tight-knit community of Shraga is united together by their shared histories, values, and beliefs. Whether it be through religious celebrations or impromptu get-togethers, the Shraga family often come together to create a strong bond between them.

At its core, the surname Shraga stands for courage and bravery, and is a reminder that no matter what life throws at them the Shraga family will stand firm in the face of adversity.

Shraga: Where does the name Shraga come from?

The last name Shraga is most likely to have originated with the Jewish people and can be found in regions with strong Jewish populations, such as Israel, Europe, and North America. It is especially common in Israel, where the name is sometimes accompanied by the honorific 'hakadosh' (the saint), and is also widely used among the Lubavitch Hasidic community. In Israel, Shraga is ranked as the 101st most common family name with over 8,500 people bearing the name. In the United States, Shraga can be found in both Ashkenazi and Sephardic families, primarily in New York and California. Forced migration throughout European history has spread the name to other areas such as Germany, France, and Poland.

In the past, the name's origin and meaning have been subject to much speculation, with some claiming it is a derivative of the Yiddish 'shragen' (stingy), while others posit that it is a Hebrew word for 'rainbow'. However, a more likely explanation is that Shraga is a modernized spelling of the ancient Hebrew name 'Shragah', which stems from the root verb שרגע (sharaGa'), meaning 'to rest' or 'to relax'. Whatever its origin, the name Shraga continues to be popular throughout the Jewish diaspora today.

Variations of the surname Shraga

Shraga is a Hebrew and Yiddish surname derived from the root word for "fire" or "flame". It is found in many countries, but primarily in Israel, the United States, and other countries with sizable Jewish populations. Variants of the name include Shrag, Shrago, and Shragos.

Other spellings and variants of the surname include Sharga, Sharge, Sharghi, Sharji, Sharqua, Shargaa, Sharghaa, Shorqah, Shorghi, Schragas, Schreger, Schroger, Shreiger, Schreger, Schorr, Schorrgy, and Terranova.

Many of these variants evoke a religious or Hebrew origin from the Torah. Some variants, such as Sharghi and Sharqua, are more commonly used as first names.

Surnames visible in some parts of the world may also share the same origin. This may include Schrag, Schraegel, Schragel, Sharga, and Shariger in Germany; Schragis in Latvia; Shragers in Hungary; and Shreger, Sharkevich, and Shreksay in Ukraine.

In other places, such as the United Kingdom, the surname has been Anglicized and is seen as Shragge, Shrigge, Shridge, and Shriggs. It may also be seen spelled as Shragg or Shrugged, or even Shrager or Shragley.

The Hebrew word shor creates other surnames such as Shur, Schur, Shure, and Sure. All of these can be seen as variants on the same origin as Shraga.

Famous people with the name Shraga

• Moshe Shragai: prominent Israeli civil servant and lawyer.
• Dov Shraga: the founder of an Israeli hi-tech company.
• Yosef Shraga: an Israeli rabbi and author.
• Shlomo Shraga: an Israeli musician and singer.
• Yigal Shraga: an Israeli businessman and politician.
• Lior Shraga: an Israeli artist and sculptor.
• Mille Edder-Shraga: an Israeli actress and film director.
• Oren Shraga: an Israeli film producer.
• Nehama Shragai: an Israeli journalist and editor.
• Rafael Shraga: an Israeli actor.

Other surnames

Shragan