Surname Karakas - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Karakas: What does the surname Karakas mean?
The last name Karakas is of Greek origin, and is often found in pockets of Greek descendent populations around the world. The literal translation of Karakas is ‘turtle’, however, it also serves as an identifier for someone with a strong and independent spirit.
The name Karakas is thought to come from Tsarouchi, an ethnic Greek group found in Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania. People of this ethnic origin were known to be strong and independent, and the turtle came to symbolize this strength and independence of spirit. Thus, the name Karakas developed as a way to identify people who were members of this ethnic group or those who shared their strong and independent spirit.
Through the centuries, the name Karakas has evolved to become a common last name among Greeks and those with Greek ancestry. It can also be seen in other parts of the world, including the United States, Mexico, Australia, and parts of Europe.
In addition to symbolizing strength and independence of spirit, the turtle also often represents longevity and a connection to the earth. Within many cultures, it serves as a reminder to all of us to take our time and stay connected to ourselves and the earth.
The legacy of the Karakas name is one of strength, independence, and longevity, and it serves as a reminder for all of us to stay strong and independent.
Order DNA origin analysisKarakas: Where does the name Karakas come from?
The last name Karakas is most commonly found today in countries with ethnic Greek populations, such as Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey. Additionally, due to historical migrations the name can also be found scattered in other parts of the world, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and throughout Europe.
Many Greek families claim the name to originate from the mountainous region of Thessaly in central Greece. It is believed to be derived from the word "Karakitsos" (black coat). Other theories include derivation from the Turkish "Kara Kaş", literally meaning "black-eyebrowed".
The last name is likely to have been brought to the United States by early immigrants at the beginning of the 1900s. At this time, many Greek individuals emigrated to the US and other countries, mostly to escape political and economic hardship in Greece. Areas with large concentrations of Karakas in the US include the East coast, Midwest, and parts of California.
Today, the Karakas surname is still proudly carried by individuals across the globe, each contributing to their adopted homeland in their own way.
Variations of the surname Karakas
The surname Karakas is an old Greek and Cypriot name which has several variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. The variations of this name also include Caracas, Carakas, Caracas, Charakas, Karakos, Karakos, Karos, and Karvakas.
The Greek spelling of Karakas is Καρακάς, and in English it is often spelled out as Karacas. This spelling is popular in the United States, particularly among Greek-Americans. The variations in the spelling of the name are due to the pronunciation of the letter "K" in Greek: Κ is pronounced like an English "K", and Γ is pronounced like a hard "G".
In Greece, Karakas is most commonly found in the Dodecanese Islands such as Rhodes and Symi, and in some rural areas of the Peloponnese. In Cyprus, it is found mainly in the regions of Limassol, Paphos and Nicosia. The name is also found in Armenia and Turkey, although the spelling and pronunciation can vary significantly.
The surname is also sometimes used as a given name or as a patronymic, such as Karakos or Karacas. In some cases, the name may have been adopted by people living in areas where it is not the traditional name. For example, some families in the United States with the surname Kaaracas may have originally been of Armenian or Turkish descent, but dropped the additional letters in order to simplify the spelling of their surname in English.
The surname Karakas is a powerful reminder of the heritage and identity of those who bear it. It is a symbol of strength and resilience, and a source of pride for those who can trace their ancestry back to this ancient Greek and Cypriot heritage.
Famous people with the name Karakas
- József Karakas-Hungarian professional footballer.
- Eva Karakaš-Slovenian actress and model
- Gábor Karakas-Hungarian sculptor
- Erzsébet Karakas-Hungarian painter
- Caludia Karakaš-Croatian singer
- Alexander Karakas-Croatian martial artist
- Romano Karakas-Serbian footballer
- Manolis Karakas-Greek tennis player
- László Karakas-Hungarian professional chess player
- Zoltan Karakas-West German politician