Surname Nicolae - Meaning and Origin
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Nicolae: What does the surname Nicolae mean?
Nicolae is a Romanian surname derived from the given name Nicolaie. It is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, which means "victory of the people". The meaning of the name emphasizes the concept of overcoming difficulties and having the courage to pursue one's goals.
The Nicolae surname can be traced back to the 13th century and was likely first used in an area of today's Romania known as Wallachia. Historically, the Wallachians were a fierce warrior people who had to constantly battle the Ottoman Empire for independence. Thus, the origin of the name Nicolae can be seen as a symbol of strength and tenacity in the face of adversity.
Today, Nicolae is an especially common surname in Romania. This is likely due to the country's long history of migration, with many Nicolae family members having immigrated to European countries, North America, and Australia over the past several centuries. It is likely that the name Nicolae is also used in other countries, though perhaps with different spellings or alternate forms of the name.
Overall, the name Nicolaie is a strong, proud surname that reflects the challenges and struggles that the people of Romania have endured and overcome. It is not only a testament to the strength of the Wallachian people, but also a reminder of the resiliency of the human spirit.
Order DNA origin analysisNicolae: Where does the name Nicolae come from?
The last name Nicolae is most commonly found in Romania today. It is the 13th most common surname in the country, according to genealogists.
The origins of the surname likely stem from the given name Nicolae, which was derived from the Greek name Nikolaos. This name itself came from "Nicholas", which comes from the Greek words "nike" (victory) and "laos" (people). This suggests that the name may have originated as a tribute to a battle won.
The geographic distribution of the surname within Romania reveals that it is most common in the Northeastern region, particularly in Moldova and Bessarabia. These areas were part of the old Principality of Moldavia which became part of Romania in 1859. It is possible that the surname spread to this region via immigration around this time.
Outside of Romania, the surname Nicolae can be found in Italian, French, Croatian, Macedonian, and Serbian speaking countries. Specifically, it is common in Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro.
Overall, the surname Nicolae is most common in Romania, however, due to immigration, it can also be found throughout the Balkan Peninsula and parts of Western Europe.
Variations of the surname Nicolae
Nicolae is a Romanian surname which has been used by people for centuries. It is derived from the Greek word “Nikolas” which means “victor of the people”. It is also a masculine form of the word “Nicole”.
The variants and spellings of Nicolae can include Nicolau, Nicola, Nicolas, Nikolas, Niculae, and Nikolai. This surname can also be transliterated in other languages like French (Nicolas), German (Nikolai), and Bulgarian (Nikola).
Surnames of the same origin are also very common. These surnames include Nicolaescu, Nicolescu, Nicolai, Nicoli, Nikoli, Niculescu, Nicula, Nikula, and Nicolaev.
In some cases, people may have derived surnames from Nicolae. For example, surnames like Nicolaeff, Nicolaidis, and Nicolitsch could indicate that a member of their family was once called Nicolae.
Variants and surnames of the same origin show us how interconnected peoples have been for centuries. Though the form of a given name may have changed, the desire to have a connection to one’s roots and heritage remains the same.
Famous people with the name Nicolae
- Nicolae Ceaușescu: Nicolae Ceaușescu was the Communist leader of Romania from 1965 to 1989. He is known for his economic and political policies, which led to a period of economic decline, repression, and human rights violations.
- Nicolae Grigorescu: Nicolae Grigorescu was a Romanian painter who made an important contribution to modern Romanian painting. He is seen as a pioneer of modern Romanian painting, and his works are highly appreciated in art galleries all over the world.
- Nicolae Carpathia: Nicolae Carpathia is the primary antagonist in the Left Behind novel series. He is a Romanian politician and religious figure with ambitions to control the world through his One World Government.
- Nicolae Atodiresei: Nicolae Atodiresei is a Romanian professional footballer who currently plays as a Forward for FCSB in Liga I.
- Nicolae Iorga: Nicolae Iorga was a Romanian historian, politician, literary critic and active member of the Romanian Academy. He was also a cited member of the Romanian Royal Cabinet between 1910 and 1914.
- Nicolae Sulac: Nicolae Sulac was a Romanian folk music composer and performer most popular during the 1950s-1970s. He is a National Artist of the Romanian people and one of the most beloved Romanian musicians of all time.
- Nicolae Paulescu: Nicolae Paulescu was a Romanian physiologist, professor of medicine, diplomat and politician who is best known for his scientific discoveries relating to insulin.
- Nicolae Filimon: Nicolae Filimon was a prominent Romanian playwright, novelist, and short story writer. His works are seen as a cornerstone of Romanian literature, and he is seen as one of the most important Romanian writers of the nineteenth century.