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Last Name Elhage

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What is the origin of the last name Elhage?

The surname Elhage is of Arabic origin, specifically Maghrebi (North African Arabic). It comes from the Arabic name "al-Ḥājj" which means "the pilgrim," referring to a Muslim who has completed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Over time, this name was sometimes abbreviated or altered during the process of Christianization in North Africa and Spain, resulting in variations such as Elhage, Alhage, and El-Hage.

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The meaning and origin of the last name Elhage

The surname Elhage originates from Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. It is derived from two elements: "Eilif" or "Elvif," an Old Norse personal name meaning "the descendant of Ōleifr" or "the descendant of wolves' kin," and "-son," a patronymic suffix indicating son of. Over time, due to various factors such as spelling variations, migration, and assimilation, the surname has evolved into different forms like Elhagen, Elhage, and Elhaug in Norway, Elhage in Sweden, and Elhoff or Elhauge in Denmark. The name is relatively uncommon outside of these regions but holds a significant historical presence among Scandinavian families.

Geographical distribution of the last name Elhage

The surname Elhage is predominantly of Arabic origin and is most prevalent among populations of Moroccan descent. It is commonly found in countries with significant Arab or Berber communities, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and France due to migration and diaspora. In Morocco, it is particularly common in the northern regions such as Tangier-Tetouan and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, reflecting its Berber roots. Outside of North Africa, Elhage can also be found among Moroccan communities in other parts of the world, notably in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Canada. The name is less common but still present in countries with Arab or Muslim populations like Turkey, Palestine, and Egypt.

Variants and spellings of the last name Elhage

The surname Elhage has several variations and spellings, originating from North African Arabic names. Some of these variations include Alhage, El Hage, El Hajj, and El-Hage. These differences can be attributed to the phonetic transliteration of Arabic names into various languages, as well as regional dialects and personal preference. In English, the most common spelling is Elhage, although other versions may be found in different cultural contexts or among families with diverse origins. It's important to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate a change in pronunciation or meaning but rather represent differences in orthography.

Famous people with the last name Elhage

Among the notable individuals with the surname Elhage are:

1. Ahmed Elhag Ali Elabbas Kamel (born 1974), also known as Ahmad al-Faqih, is a Sudanese politician and former member of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). He served as the Minister of Cabinet Affairs in the transitional government of Sudan from April 2019 to September 2020.

2. Karim Elhage (born 1973) is a French former footballer who played as a defender. He spent most of his professional career playing for Paris Saint-Germain, making over 250 appearances for the club between 1991 and 2004.

3. Rania El Hage (born 1987) is a Lebanese actress known for her roles in films such as "West Beirut" (1998), "Caramel" (2007), and "The Mountain Between Us" (2017).

4. Walid El Hage (born 1954) is a Lebanese-American attorney who was involved in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, for which he served over 20 years in prison before being released on parole in 2018.

Genealogical research on the last name Elhage

The surname Elhage is believed to originate from Scandinavia, specifically Norway and Sweden. It is a variant of the original Swedish name Alkväde, which derives from old Norse personal names such as Eilif, Helge, or Sigurd, with the suffix -kvad meaning "son of". The name Elhage was likely brought to other parts of Europe during the Viking Age, around the 9th and 10th centuries. Over time, variations in spelling such as Elkvist, Elkvåg, Alkvet, and Ellquist have emerged due to differences in translation, transcription errors, and regional dialects. Notable figures with this surname include Swedish footballer Mikael Elhage and Norwegian politician Odd Elhauge.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
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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.

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