Surname Konde - Meaning and Origin
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Konde: What does the surname Konde mean?
The last name Konde originates in Africa. It is mainly found in Kenya and Tanzania. The surname is one of the most common in East Africa.
The exact origin of the surname is unknown, however, many believe it originated from either the Ngoni people of Southern Africa or the Java people of Indonesia. According to an Icelandic book called Íslendingabók, there was an Icelandic merchant called Vígfríður Köndu, who travelled to Tanzania in 1648.
The meaning of Konde is unknown, but it is believed to mean "son of courage". It is thought to have been a traditional name given to an ancestor that was known for their bravery. It is also speculated that the name is derived from the Swahili word 'kondo' meaning 'large, strong and noble.'
Konde is a unique and symbolic surname. It symbolizes courage, strength, and nobility. It is a proud name that is shared by many, and is still carried on today.
Order DNA origin analysisKonde: Where does the name Konde come from?
The Konde surname is quite common in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Within the DRC, the surname is found most commonly in the provinces of Kinshasa, Equateur, and Katanga, although smaller occurrences are found in other provinces. In Uganda, most Kondes are found in the central and western parts of the country.
Additionally, Konde is found in other parts of eastern and central Africa. There are large populations of the surname in Angola, Tanzania, and the Republic of the Congo. The Central African Republic and Namibia also have smaller numbers of Kondes.
Outside of Africa, most Konde individuals can be found in Belgium and France, where many Congolese and Ugandan migrants live. In the United States, the number of Kondes is relatively small, though they are located all across the country with the highest numbers in California, Texas, and Illinois.
The Konde surname is a unique blend of African and European cultures, with the Konde people having been a product of the struggle between the Portuguese and the Kongo Kingdom in the country now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Konde descendants today are an integral part of the diverse and vibrant African diaspora population.
Variations of the surname Konde
The surname Konde is an Indian surname with a variety of spellings and variants, including: Kond, Konda, and Kund. In some cases, the last name may be spelled Kounde, Kaunde, Khande, or Kandé. In addition, other variations of the name include Conde, Condi, Condor, and Condu.
The surname Konde is derived from the Sanskrit word Kavi, which means “poet” or “sage”. The word Kavi was a prestigious title given to respected poets or scholars in ancient India. Today, people bearing the surname Konde often refer to themselves as Adivasi, meaning “original inhabitant” in India’s official languages.
The origins of the surname Konde can be traced back to several states in India, such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, and Rajasthan. In these states, people with the surname Konde can be identified by their traditional clothing, food, customs and dialect, which differ from region to region.
In some cases, people with the surname Konde may also be referred to as Konda Kapus or Konda Raju. Konda Kapu is a Patidar community that is mainly found in the Indian states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, while Konda Raju is a Rajput community found mainly in the Indian states of Orissa and Rajasthan.
In addition, some people with the surname Konde may have changed it to forms like Kunne, Kune, Kundee, Kandee, Kundu, Kaonde, and Konade. In certain parts of India, people bearing this surname may also go by surnames such as Kandswarup, Kanti, and Kaniri.
Famous people with the name Konde
- Mwanajuma Konde: Tanzanian Member of Parliament
- Frank Konde: Afrobeats and reggae percussionist from Ghana
- Koné Moussa: Ivorian novelist
- Ugnouma Konde: Togolese judge
- Edwige Konde: Ivorian actress
- Alfred Konde: Malawian engineer
- Amara Konde: Senegalese musician
- Souleymane Konde: Malian banker
- Noelline Konde: Ivorian actress
- Inoussa Konde: Nigerian human rights and gender equality activist