NomOrigine Background

Last Name Mekki-berrada

What is the origin of the last name Mekki-berrada?

Mekki-Berrada is a North African surname, specifically Tunisian, that likely originates from the regions around Béja and Sousse in modern-day Tunisia. The name may be derived from two separate Arabic roots: "Mekki" which means "fortunate" or "lucky," and "Berrada" which can mean either "high tower" or "castle on a hill." As with many surnames, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of Mekki-Berrada, but it is likely that the name evolved over time as families moved and settled in different regions.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mekki-berrada

The meaning and origin of the last name Mekki-berrada

The surname Mekki-Berrada is of Moroccan origin, specifically from the Rif region in the north of the country. It's composed of two distinct parts: "Mekki" and "Berrada."

The name Mekki is derived from the Arabic word "al-makki," meaning "the Meccan" or "from Mecca," as it was traditionally given to individuals who were believed to have ancestral ties to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, Berrada is an topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a fortified place or a tower. This element of the name is derived from the Arabic word "birad," meaning a cistern or a reservoir, which was often associated with the construction of towers in the arid regions of North Africa. Thus, Mekki-Berrada as a whole could have been given to someone who lived near a fortified tower and had ancestral ties to Mecca.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mekki-berrada

The surname Mekki-Berrada is predominantly found in Morocco, primarily within the regions of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima and Casablanca-Settat. This name is associated with the Berber ethnic group, which is indigenous to North Africa, particularly Morocco. A significant concentration of this surname can be found in the urban areas of Tangier, Tetouan, and Casablanca, suggesting a trend towards urbanization among individuals bearing this name. While the majority of Mekki-Berradas reside in Morocco, there is also a presence of the surname among the Moroccan diaspora in France, Belgium, Canada, and other countries with significant Moroccan immigrant populations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mekki-berrada

The last name Mekki-Berrada has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and translation. Here are some of them:

1. Mekki Berrada: This is one of the most common variations, with a hyphen removing the space between the two components of the surname.
2. Mekki Berrada: Another variation that omits the hyphen.
3. Mekiberrahdah: An alternative spelling found in some records, particularly when transcribed from Arabic.
4. Mecki Berada: A phonetic variation of the surname, although less common.
5. Makibirad: Another less frequent variation in English transcription.
6. Mekki Berhada: This variant is used by some individuals who prefer a more traditional Moroccan spelling.
7. Meqi-Berhadda: Another variation that employs diacritics to represent the Arabic pronunciation more accurately.
8. Mekibirada: A less common alternative spelling, with a different arrangement of letters.
9. Maki Berrahdah: A phonetic variant with slight changes in spelling and the addition of an extra 'k' at the beginning.

Famous people with the last name Mekki-berrada

Mekki-Berarda is a relatively uncommon surname, and as such, there are limited individuals of note bearing this name. One notable figure is Rachid Mekki-Berarda, a French professional footballer who played for clubs like Olympique de Marseille and Saint-Étienne in the early 2000s. Another individual is Hicham Mekki Berarda, a Moroccan actor who gained recognition for his role in the TV series "Beldadden" (2017). Additionally, there's Khaled Mekki-Berarda, a Swiss lawyer and politician of Moroccan origin. He served as a member of the Council of States, representing the canton of Geneva, from 2015 to 2019.

Genealogical research on the last name Mekki-berrada

The Mekki-Berrada lineage is predominantly traced to Morocco, specifically from the city of Fez and its surrounding regions. Historically, the surname Berrada is associated with the Berber Zayan tribe, while Mekki is a common Arabic name originating from the Middle East. The combination of these two names might suggest a blend of Berber and Arab origins for some members of this lineage. Over time, the Mekki-Berradas have migrated to various parts of Morocco and other countries such as France and Canada, reflecting a diaspora in the 20th century due to social, economic, and political reasons. The family's history includes notable figures in academia, politics, and arts within these communities, contributing to a rich cultural heritage and diverse genealogy.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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 : 29 July 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

Mekachera (Last name)

surnames > mekachera

The last name Mekachera is of North African origin, specifically from Algeria. It is a common surname among the Berber people in the region. The name likely has Berber or Arabic ro...

Mekads (Last name)

surnames > mekads

The last name "mekads" has an uncertain origin and meaning. It does not appear to have a specific known origin or cultural background.

Mekaeal (Last name)

surnames > mekaeal

The last name "Mekaeal" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic name "Mikha'il," which means "who is like God."

Mekahal (Last name)

surnames > mekahal

The last name "mekahal" is of Arabic origin, specifically from the Arabic word "makhal," which means "beautifying" or "decorating." It is a name that is commonly found in North Afr...

Mekala raju (Last name)

surnames > mekala-raju

The last name Mekala Raju originates from India. "Mekala" is a Telugu surname, meaning "saree" or "garland" in the Telugu language. "Raju" is a common Indian surname derived from t...

Mekalady (Last name)

surnames > mekalady

The last name "mekalady" is of Malayalam origin from the Indian state of Kerala. It is a combination of the words "meen" meaning fish and "kallu" meaning stone, possibly indicating...

Mekalai (Last name)

surnames > mekalai

The last name Mekalai is of Indian origin, specifically from the Tamil language. It is derived from the word "mekhalai," which means "belt" or "sash." This last name may have origi...

Mekalateja (Last name)

surnames > mekalateja

The last name "mekalateja" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the combination of the words "mecha" which means a fuse or wick, and "lateja" which means a tile. It is likely t...

Mekalathil (Last name)

surnames > mekalathil

The last name "mekalathil" is of Indian origin and is derived from the region of Kerala in South India.

Mekallech (Last name)

surnames > mekallech

The surname Mekallech is of African origin, specifically from East Africa. It is derived from a language spoken in that region.

Mekam nuradin (Last name)

surnames > mekam-nuradin

The last name "Mekam Nuradin" originates from East Africa, particularly from the region of Ethiopia. It is a common last name among the Oromo ethnic group.

Mekamallaya (Last name)

surnames > mekamallaya

The last name "Mekamallaya" originates from India. It is believed to be derived from the Telugu word "meka," which refers to a type of grass, and "mallaya," which may mean owner or...

Mekane selam (Last name)

surnames > mekane-selam

The last name "Mekane Selam" is of Ethiopian origin. It is likely derived from Amharic words meaning "house of peace" or "place of peace."

Mekanen (Last name)

surnames > mekanen

The last name Mekanen is of Finnish origin. It is derived from the given name Mikko, which is a Finnish form of the name Michael.

Mekaneselam (Last name)

surnames > mekaneselam

The surname "mekaneselam" is of Ethiopian origin. It is derived from the Amharic words "mekane" meaning place or home, and "selam" meaning peace. This surname likely originated as ...