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Last Name Khedira

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What is the origin of the last name Khedira?

The surname Khedira is of Arabic origin. It derives from the Arabic word "kheder," meaning "education" or "scholar." The name is commonly found among individuals of North African Arab descent, particularly those from Tunisia and Algeria. Notable persons with this last name include Sami Khedira, a German footballer who was born in Germany to parents of Tunisian descent.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Khedira

The meaning and origin of the last name Khedira

The surname Khedira is of Arabic origin, derived from the Arabic name "Khalid" which means eternal or everlasting. This name was commonly given to boys in the Middle East and North Africa due to its religious significance in Islam. Over time, as Arabic speakers migrated across the globe, the surname Khedira became adopted by families of Arab descent living in various countries. In many cases, the spelling and pronunciation of the name can vary based on regional dialects and transliteration methods from Arabic script to Latin. Today, the surname Khedira is present among communities of Arab origin in numerous countries worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name Khedira

The surname Khedira is predominantly associated with North Africa and the Middle East, particularly Tunisia, where it originates from the city of Kairouan. A significant number of individuals with this last name can be found residing primarily in Tunisia, with a substantial diaspora in Europe, particularly France, Italy, and Spain, due to migration over the past century. In Europe, Germany and Switzerland also have populations with the surname Khedira, possibly due to labor migrations or refugee flows from North Africa. There are also smaller communities of people with this last name in other parts of the world such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America, reflecting global migration patterns over recent decades.

Variants and spellings of the last name Khedira

The surname Khedira is variably spelled and pronounced across different regions. Some common variations include:

1. Khedira - This is the original spelling, most commonly used in Arabic-speaking countries. It originates from the Arabic word "Khadir," meaning green or verdant.
2. Khedhira - A less common variation of the name, also derived from the Arabic language.
3. Khedera - This spelling is less frequent and may be an alternative transcription of the original Arabic form.
4. Chedera - An alternate spelling found in some English-speaking countries, possibly influenced by phonetic transliteration from Arabic to English.
5. Xedira - A phonetic variation of the name, using the Romanization system commonly used for Arabic words.
6. Khadirah - This is a feminine variant of the surname, as Arabic does not typically have gender-specific surnames. However, it's important to note that in some contexts, the name Khedira can be used for both men and women.
7. al-Khadira - This is an Arabic prefix meaning "the" or "of the," sometimes added to personal names as a form of respect or honorification. Thus, someone named Khedira might also appear as al-Khedira in certain circumstances.

Famous people with the last name Khedira

Sami Khedira is a renowned German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Juventus and the Germany national team. Born in Tunisia, he moved to Germany at the age of two and started his youth career with Stuttgart before joining VfB Stuttgart's senior squad. Khedira gained international recognition after leading Germany to victory in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He also represented Germany in the UEFA Euro 2008, UEFA Euro 2012, and UEFA Euro 2016 tournaments. Another notable figure with the last name Khedira is Anis Khedira, a French-Tunisian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Olympique Marseille. He started his career at AJ Auxerre before moving to France's Ligue 1 side Montpellier HSC. Despite having the same last name, Sami and Anis Khedira are not related.

Genealogical research on the last name Khedira

The Khedira lineage originates from North Africa, specifically Tunisia, where the name is often spelled Al-Khadhra or Al-Khadhri. It is an Arabic surname derived from the word "khadhra," meaning green in Arabic, and was traditionally given to individuals associated with places or things of a green hue. The Khedira family migrated to Europe, notably France and Switzerland, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In France, they settled primarily in the Rhône-Alpes region, while in Switzerland, they were predominantly found in the canton of Geneva. Notable bearers of the Khedira name include Yann M'Vila (a French footballer) and Karim Khedira (a Swiss politician). The family is known for its strong ties to the Islamic faith and has contributed significantly to various communities, particularly in their adopted countries.

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NomOrigine Team
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.

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