Surname Süleyman - Meaning and Origin
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Süleyman: What does the surname Süleyman mean?
The last name Süleyman is derived from the Arabic name, Sulayman, though it has come to be known by other variants as well, such as Solyman or Süleymanoglu. The name itself is derived from the Hebrew name שְׁלֹמֹה (Shelomoh) and is roughly translated to mean “peace” or “peaceable”. It is somewhat common in the Middle East and Central Asia, particularly in Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Interestingly, the meaning of the name is generally derived from the biblical figure of King Solomon, the son of King David and worshiped as a prophet in some faiths. It is also associated with the Quranic figure of Sulayman, who was described in the Quran to have been gifted with a “special knowledge.” Because of these associations and its wide spread popularity, it has grown to represent a highly respected figure in many cultures.
The surname Süleyman is shared by many prominent people such as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish poet Yaşar Kemal, and Soviet-Armenian actor Sos Süleyman. Often times, Süleyman has also been used as a first name among Turkish households, usually in order to carry on its symbol of honor, courage and piety.
In summary, the last name Süleyman is believed to have originated from the Hebrew name, Shelomoh; the Arabic variation Sulayman; and the Quranic figure of Sulayman. In many cultures, this name signifies honor, courage and piety and is often used as a first name by Turkish families. Significant people who have borne this name include Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish poet Yaşar Kemal, and Soviet-Armenian actor Sos Süleyman.
Order DNA origin analysisSüleyman: Where does the name Süleyman come from?
The last name Süleyman is most commonly found in countries with a predominantly Muslim population. Specifically, it is most popular in Turkey, where it was the 8th most common surname in 2015. In Turkey, its origin is linked to the Ottoman Empire, when Süleyman the Magnificent was the tenth Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
The name is also common in Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, Israel, and Jordan – all countries with sizable Muslim populations. In these countries, the surname is believed to have been passed from early Ottoman rulers to their governors in the provinces, and it eventually spread to the local inhabitants.
The name is also found in other countries outside the Middle East and North Africa, particularly the United States (where it was the 3,002nd most common surname in 2019), the United Kingdom, and Canada. Across all these countries, the surname was commonly adopted by immigrants from Muslim-majority countries.
In summary, the last name Süleyman is most common in Turkey, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, Israel, Jordan and other countries with significant Muslim populations. It is also increasingly being adopted by immigrants to the United States, the UK, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Süleyman
The surname Süleyman is derived from the Arab and Turkish nickname Sulayman, which is thought to mean peace, derived from the root Arabic word Salama. This surname is found in many cultures and countries, and can have many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
In Turkey (and other Muslim-majority nations), it is most commonly spelled Süleyman/Suleyman/Suleymann/Süleymann/Sulayman/Sulaymann.
In other parts of the world, including Europe, America, and Israel, alternate spellings and phonetic spellings are more common, such as Soliman/Soleman/Soleyman/Solemann/Solimann and Salamon/Selimah/Salimah/Seliman/Salmann.
In the United Kingdom, the name is typically spelled Salaman or Solomon/Solomons/Salomons.
The surname is also found as a patronymic throughout the world, with an “-oğlu” suffix attached in Turkey, and other variations in other countries, such as Solomonsson in Sweden and Solomonsen in Denmark, as well as names of similar origin, like Sulaimán/Solimán/Sulaymán in Spanish-speaking countries, and Solomo/Shelomo in Jewish societies.
Aside from variations of the name itself, Suleyman is also found as a patronymic throughout the world, with an “-oğlu” suffix attached in Turkey, and other variations in other countries, such as Solomonsson in Sweden and Solomonsen in Denmark, as well as names of similar origin, like Sulaimán/Solimán/Sulaymán in Spanish-speaking countries, and Solomo/Shelomo in Jewish societies.
Famous people with the name Süleyman
- Mehmed IV, sometimes known as Süleyman II, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1648 to 1687.
- Ahmet Süleyman, Turkish footballer who played striker for the Istanbul club Beşiktaş.
- Mustafa Süleyman, the Turkish-American tech entrepreneur and co-founder of DeepMind, an AI company.
- Şerafettin Süleyman, a former member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
- Hakkı Süleyman, former Turkish football goalkeeper who played for the Turkish A National Football Team.
- Ali Süleyman Keskin, Turkish chess grandmaster and FIDE International Master.
- Süleyman Şah, a prominent leader of the Oghuz Turks during the Seljuk Empire in the 13th century.
- Atılay Süleyman, Turkish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for the Turkish club Galatasaray.
- Süleyman Subaşı, Turkish politician and former minister in the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
- Süleyman Magnificul, a ruler of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566.