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Last Name En-nouri

What is the origin of the last name En-nouri?

The surname En-Nouri is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic phrase "ibn al-nuri," which translates to "son of the lantern maker" in English. This surname is common among people with Arabic and Berber origins, particularly in North Africa. In some cases, it may also be spelled as Ben Nouri or Bin Nouri.

Learn more about the origin of the last name En-nouri

The meaning and origin of the last name En-nouri

The surname En-Nouri is of Arabic origin and derives from the phrase "ibn al-nur," which means "son of light" or "son of brilliance" in Arabic. This name is commonly found among families of North African Arab descent, particularly in Tunisia and Algeria. It is a patronymic surname, indicating that it was originally a personal name followed by the word "ibn," meaning "son." The use of patronymic surnames like En-Nouri has been common in many Middle Eastern cultures for centuries, serving as a way to identify family relationships and lineage. Over time, as families immigrated or assimilated into other cultures, these names have taken on various spellings and pronunciations. Today, the En-Nouri surname can be found among Arabic communities worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name En-nouri

The surname En-Nouri has its origins predominantly in North Africa, particularly in Morocco and Algeria, due to their Arabic etymology. The name is derived from "al-Anuri," meaning "the learned one" or "scholar." Historically, it was common among scholars and intellectuals in the Maghreb region. Over time, its distribution has expanded beyond North Africa, with significant populations of En-Nouri descendants residing in various parts of Europe, particularly France and Belgium, as a result of immigration from former French colonies. Additionally, there are smaller communities in Canada, the United States, and Australia, primarily due to migration for work or educational opportunities.

Variants and spellings of the last name En-nouri

The surname En-Nouri has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciations. Here are some common ones:

1. En Nouri - This is the most commonly used version, with a hyphen separating the first and last names.
2. Ennouri - This is another variation where the hyphen is omitted.
3. Ain-Nouri - An alternative spelling that includes an initial "A" instead of "En".
4. Annouri - This variant drops the initial "Ain" or "En" and replaces it with "Ann".
5. ENNORI - Some sources suggest this as a possible capitalization variation, although it is less common.
6. In-Nouri - Another alternative spelling that places the hyphen after the 'n'.
7. Ennoray - A phonetic spelling that attempts to represent the pronunciation of the name in English.
8. Annoray - Similar to "Ennoray", this variant replaces the initial "E" with "A".

Famous people with the last name En-nouri

Notable individuals with the surname Ennouri include:

1. Amelie Ennouri (born 1986), a French actress known for her role as Sarah Belkacem in the 2008 film "Tell No One."

2. Karim Ennouri (born 1992), a Moroccan footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for RS Berkane and the Morocco national team.

3. Mohamed Ennouri (born 1968), an Algerian weightlifter who competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He won the bronze medal in the men's lightweight category.

4. Yassine Ennouri (born 1985), a French-Algerian rapper, singer, and songwriter, known for his work in both French and Arabic. He released his debut album "Mon Pays C'est Là" in 2010.

Genealogical research on the last name En-nouri

The En-Nouri surname is of Arabic origin and is predominantly found among Berber communities in North Africa, particularly in Morocco and Algeria. The name is derived from the Arabic word "an-nuri," meaning "the enlightened one" or "the illuminated." It is often associated with the Zanati, or blacksmith, caste due to its early association with metalwork and craftsmanship. Notable figures with this surname include Alaaddin Ennouri, a Moroccan-born Canadian actor, and Omar Ennouri, a Tunisian footballer. The family's migration history includes the movement from rural areas to urban centers in North Africa during the 20th century, as well as emigration to Europe and the Americas. Genealogical research on the En-Nouri surname is ongoing and continues to shed light on the diverse experiences of families with this name across time and space.

Last name distribution maps

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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 : 30 July 2025

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