Surname Lazarus - Meaning and Origin

Lazarus: What does the surname Lazarus mean?

The surname Lazarus is of Hebrew origin and is derived from the biblical name Eleazar meaning "God has helped". This was the name of two characters in the New Testament of the Bible: one was a brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany whom Jesus raised from the dead, and the other was a beggar. Over time, the name became popular among early Christians, who would often name their children after biblical figures. In English and other European languages, the name Lazarus has also been used as a term to describe someone who has been restored to life after a seemingly fatal setback, symbolizing rebirth or revival.

Lazarus: Where does the name Lazarus come from?

The surname Lazarus is derived from an ancient Greek personal name, Lazaros, which is a form of the Hebrew name Eleazar, meaning "God has helped." This name was popularized in Christian communities due to its biblical association, specifically the biblical character Lazarus, who was resurrected by Jesus in the New Testament.

Lazarus evolved as a surname during the Middle Ages, traditionally used by Jewish families. As Jewish people migrated across regions and continents over time, the surname has dispersed and can now be found globally. Today, it's prevalent in countries with substantial Jewish populations, including the United States, Israel, and many countries in Europe.

Notwithstanding, the surname is not exclusive to the Jewish community, it is also found among Christians, particularly those of Greek Orthodox and Catholic faith, mostly in countries like Greece and Cyprus where the biblical story of Lazarus holds significant religious importance.

In India, particularly in the region of Goa, the surname is also prevalent among those of Portuguese descent or Goan Catholics, due to Portuguese colonial influence.

Variations of the surname Lazarus

The surname Lazarus has various forms and spellings across different cultures and languages due to translation and pronunciation differences. Variants and spellings include Lazaro (Spanish, Italian), Lazar (Hungarian, Romanian, Russian), Lázár (Hungarian), Lazăr (Romanian), Lazarov (Bulgarian, Macedonian), Lazarova (Bulgarian), Lazarus (Latin, English), Lazarou (Greek), Lazarev (Russian), Lazarevich (Russian), Lazarovich (Serbian, Jewish), Lazaridis (Greek), Lazari (Albanian), Lazaruson and Lazarski (Polish).

The surname Lazarus and its variants are believed to have stemmed from the Hebrew name Eleazar, which means "God has helped," through its Hellenized form, "Lazarus." The popularity of the name can be attributed to the biblical character Lazarus, who was resurrected by Jesus, in the New Testament of the Bible.

In several cultures, including Russian and Greek, the surname is often patronymic, meaning it is derived from the father's first name. For instance, Lazarevich or Lazaridis means son of Lazar. This surname may also have been used as a nickname or byname for someone who had been restored to health, or a metaphorical or symbolic name for a person who had undergone a religious or spiritual rebirth.

Famous people with the name Lazarus

• Emma Lazarus: Emma Lazarus was a Jewish-American poet, born in 1849 in New York City, most known for her poem “The New Colossus”, which is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty in New York.
• Steven E. Lazarus: Steven E. Lazarus was born in 1947 and is an American climatologist and professor of physical oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. He is the son of Emma Lazarus and has done extensive research on the climate of California.
• Shawn Lazarus: Shawn Lazarus is an American songwriter, born in 1981 in Detroit, Michigan. He has co-written several songs for Mariah Carey, Pitbull and Ke$ha and was nominated for two Lincon Art Song Awards in 2011.
• Monty Lazarus: Monty Lazarus was an American actor and filmmaker born in 1964, best known for his role in the film “The Impostors” alongside Steve Martin. He also produced and directed the 1990 film “Killer Instinct”.
• Joe Lazarus: Joe Lazarus is an American singer-songwriter. He is the lead singer of the band Downright and has released several solo albums. He has won several awards for his songwriting and has been praised for his unique sound.
• David A. Lazarus: David A. Lazarus is an American journalist, born in 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio, best known for his work at the Los Angeles Times, where he is a business and economics columnist. He has also written for Yahoo! Finance and the San Francisco Chronicle.
• Ephraim Lazarus: Ephraim Lazarus was an American businessman and philanthropist, born in 1820 in Philadelphia. He co-founded the firm Boyd-Lazarus and Company and was one of the first American Jews to be a patron of the arts.
• Andrea Lazarus: Andrea Lazarus is an American actress, born in 1972 in Los Angeles, California. She is best known for her sketches on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and is an accomplished voice-over artist as well.

Other surnames

Lazar

Comments or additions to the name "Lazarus"

16.02.2024
Mendel Lazear Peterson.
Is Lazear another variation of Lazarus?