NomOrigine Background

Last Name Dawa

What is the origin of the last name Dawa?

The last name "Dawa" is of Tibetan origin. It is derived from the Tibetan word "dava," which means moon or month. In Tibetan culture, the moon holds significant symbolism and is often associated with clarity, purity, and enlightenment. Therefore, the last name "Dawa" can be seen as a name passed down to signify someone who embodies these qualities.

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Learn more about the origin of the last name Dawa

The meaning and origin of the last name Dawa

The surname Dawa is of Tibetan origin and is derived from the word "dge ba" which means moon in the Tibetan language. It is a common surname found among people of Tibetan descent, particularly in regions like Tibet, Bhutan, and parts of Nepal and India. The moon holds significant cultural and spiritual importance in Tibetan Buddhism, often symbolizing purity, clarity, and enlightenment. This surname may have been given to individuals who were born during a full moon or were believed to possess qualities associated with the moon. Today, individuals with the surname Dawa can be found all around the world due to the Tibetan diaspora, with many still maintaining their cultural ties and heritage.

Geographical distribution of the last name Dawa

The last name Dawa is most commonly found in the Philippines, particularly in the northern region of Luzon. It is believed to have originated from the Tagalog language, where "dawa" translates to "claim" or "supposedly." The surname is also present in other areas of Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, due to the historical connections between these countries. In recent years, there has been a growing diaspora of individuals with the last name Dawa to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Dawa is concentrated in Asia, with a notable presence in the Philippines and its neighboring countries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Dawa

The last name Dawa can be spelled and written in various ways, including Dava, Dawah, Dawaah, and Dawahs. Other variations of the surname may include Dawar, Dawas, Dawahar, and Davad. The spelling of this name may also vary depending on the individual's cultural background or country of origin. For example, in certain regions such as South Asia, the name might be spelled as Dawah or Dawat. Additionally, the surname may be pronounced differently based on regional dialects or accents. Despite these various spellings and pronunciations, the last name Dawa retains its unique identity and heritage, carrying with it the history and traditions of the family it represents.

Famous people with the last name Dawa

The most famous person with the last name Dawa is unquestionably the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. As the spiritual leader of Tibet, he has been a prominent figure in promoting peace, compassion, and human rights around the world. His teachings and writings have inspired millions and earned him numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Another well-known figure with the last name Dawa is Lhakpa Sherpa, a Nepalese mountaineer who holds the record for the most summits of Mount Everest by a woman. She has conquered the world's highest peak nine times and is a pioneer in the field of female mountaineering. Both the Dalai Lama and Lhakpa Sherpa have brought honor and recognition to the Dawa name through their remarkable accomplishments and contributions to society.

Genealogical research on the last name Dawa

The last name Dawa is of African origin, specifically from the Yoruba ethnic group in Nigeria. It is believed to be derived from the Yoruba word "dáwà," which means "companion" or "friend." The Dawa surname is commonly found among the Yoruba people, who have a rich history and culture dating back centuries. Many individuals bearing the last name Dawa can trace their ancestry to the Yoruba tribe, known for their traditional values, art, and religion. Genealogical research on the Dawa surname may lead to connections with prominent figures in Yoruba history and provide insights into the family lineage and heritage of those who bear this name. Overall, the Dawa surname serves as a link to the cultural heritage and traditions of the Yoruba people in Nigeria.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Dawadi (Last name)

surnames > dawadi

The last name Dawadi is of Nepali origin. It is believed to be of Brahmin caste origin in Nepal, and is common among the people of the Western region of the country. The Dawadi sur...

Dawahra (Last name)

surnames > dawahra

The origin of the last name "Dawahra" is not clear or widely known. It does not appear to have a specific geographical or cultural origin associated with it. It could potentially b...

Dawalibi (Last name)

surnames > dawalibi

The last name Dawalibi has Arabic origins. It is a common surname in Lebanon and Syria, and is derived from the Arabic word "al-Dawalib," which means "the one who produces dates." ...

Dawan mamun (Last name)

surnames > dawan-mamun

The last name "Dawan Mamun" appears to have origins in Bangladesh. "Dawan" is likely a Bengali surname, while "Mamun" is a common Muslim surname in Bangladesh.

Dawande (Last name)

surnames > dawande

The last name Dawande is of African origin. It is derived from a traditional African language and may have specific cultural or tribal significance.

Dawani (Last name)

surnames > dawani

The surname Dawani is of Persian origin. It is derived from the Persian word "dawani," meaning "keeper of accounts" or "accountant."

Dawano (Last name)

surnames > dawano

The last name Dawano is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the Visayan word "dawano," meaning "beach" or "shoreline."

Dawar mussaki (Last name)

surnames > dawar-mussaki

The last name "Dawar Mussaki" has origins in South Asia, particularly in countries such as India and Pakistan. This last name could be of Hindu or Muslim origin, with "Dawar" likel...

Dawar samar (Last name)

surnames > dawar-samar

The last name "Dawar" is of Indian origin and is commonly found among the Sikh and Hindu communities. It is derived from the Hindi word "dwar" meaning "gateway" or "door" and may h...

Dawarr (Last name)

surnames > dawarr

The last name Dawarr is of Indian origin, derived from the Hindi word "dware" which means "gateway" or "entrance".

Dawataan (Last name)

surnames > dawataan

The last name "Dawataan" is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the Tagalog word "dawat" meaning to receive or accept.

Dawayma (Last name)

surnames > dawayma

The last name Dawayma is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "dawai," which means medicine or healing.

Dawdiah (Last name)

surnames > dawdiah

The last name "Dawdiah" is of Arabic origin, specifically stemming from the Arabic word "Daudi," which means "belonging to David." This suggests a possible connection to the biblic...

Dawee (Last name)

surnames > dawee

The last name "Dawee" is of Thai origin. It is a variation of the Thai surname "Dawee" which means "star" in the Thai language. It is a common surname in Thailand.

Daweed (Last name)

surnames > daweed

The last name Daweed is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the personal name Da'ud, which is the Arabic form of the name David. David is a popular given name of Hebrew origin, me...