Last Name Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimović is a surname of Arabic origin, derived from the Arabic name Ibrāhīm (إبراهيم), which means "Father of many" in English. It is a common name among people of Arab and Muslim backgrounds, particularly those of Turkish, Bosnian, and Middle Eastern descent. The name has also been adopted by individuals outside these communities due to various historical events and migrations. In the case of Zlatan Ibrahimović, a renowned Swedish footballer, his family originates from Bosnia but he was born and raised in Sweden. His last name reflects his familial heritage, even though he himself is not from an Arab country or region.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ibrahimovic

The meaning and origin of the last name Ibrahimovic

The surname Ibrahimović is of Arabic origin, stemming from the Middle Eastern region. It is a variant of the common Muslim name Ibrahim, which translates to Abraham in English. This name is derived from the Hebrew patriarch Abraham, who is considered a central figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The surname Ibrahimović typically refers to individuals who trace their roots back to the Arab world, particularly regions such as Bosnia, where it has been widely adopted due to historical Islamic influences. In Bosnia, the name often has a patronymic quality, meaning it signifies that the bearer is a son of someone named Ibrahim. The spelling variations of this surname, such as Ibrahimovic or Ibrahimovich, reflect the adaptation and regional differences in transcription over time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimović is primarily a surname of Arab and Turkish origin, most prevalent among populations from the Middle East, particularly Turkey and countries in North Africa such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt. It also has a presence in other parts of the world due to migration, with significant numbers in Europe, particularly Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the United States and other Western countries. Notable individuals with this surname include Zlatan Ibrahimović, a Swedish professional footballer, and Sead Ibrahimović, a politician from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The distribution of the name reflects historical migrations, cultural exchange, and contemporary global mobility patterns.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ibrahimovic

The last name Ibrahimović has several variations due to differences in transliteration and regional spelling conventions. Here are some common versions:

1. Ibrahimovic - This is the most commonly used version, with the 'c' representing the hard 'ch' sound as in the Scottish name Campbell.
2. Ibrahimowitsch - A Germanized form of the name, where 'owitsch' is a common Slavic patronymic suffix.
3. Ibrahimovič - The Slovene and Czech variant, which follows their respective spelling rules for foreign names.
4. Ibrahimovic'h - A phonetic version that attempts to represent the pronunciation more closely, with an apostrophe standing in for the hard 'ch' sound.
5. Ibrahimovich - Another variant without the final 'c', which is less common but still found in some records.
6. Ibrahimoff (or Ibrahimov) - These are alternative spellings that deviate from the original due to errors or misinterpretations during immigration processes or transcription over time.

Famous people with the last name Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimović and Ermin Ibrahimović are two renowned individuals sharing the surname Ibrahimović.

Zlatan Ibrahimović, born in 1981, is a Swedish professional footballer who has played for numerous high-profile clubs, including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and LA Galaxy. He is known for his exceptional goalscoring abilities and powerful physique.

Ermin Ibrahimović, born in 1964, is a Bosnian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2015 to 2016. Prior to his political career, he was a professional footballer who played as a defender for clubs such as Rot-Weiss Essen, VfL Bochum, and Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

Both Zlatan and Ermin have made significant contributions to their respective fields and are recognized globally.

Genealogical research on the last name Ibrahimovic

The Ibrahimović surname is of Arabic origin and is commonly found among individuals of Middle Eastern descent, particularly those with roots in the Muslim world. The name derives from the Arabic name 'Abd al-Ibrāhīm, meaning "servant of Abraham." Notable figures bearing this surname include Zlatan Ibrahimović, a Swedish professional footballer of Bosnian and Montenegrin descent, and Edin Džeko, a Bosnian professional footballer. In Sweden, the name was most likely adopted by immigrants from the Balkans during the 20th century. The surname can also be found in countries such as Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro, where it is spelled with slight variations due to differences in transliteration from Arabic. In these regions, it is common among Muslims, particularly those of Slavic descent who converted to Islam during the Ottoman Empire's rule.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "ibrahimovic"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

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 : 29 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends