NomOrigine Background

Last Name Popa

What is the origin of the last name Popa?

The last name "Popa" is of Romanian origin. It is a common surname in Romania and is derived from the Romanian word "popa," which means "priest" in English. The name likely originally indicated someone who was a priest or had a connection to the church.

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Learn more about the origin of the last name Popa

The meaning and origin of the last name Popa

Popa is a common surname of Romanian origin that derives from the Romanian word for "priest." The surname is typically borne by individuals of Romanian or Moldovan descent, indicating a familial connection to the clergy or a historical association with the Orthodox Church in Eastern Europe. In Romanian society, the position of the priest, or popa, has traditionally held a position of respect and influence within the community. The surname Popa may have originated as an occupational name for individuals who worked in the church or as a nickname for someone who exhibited qualities of piety or religious fervor. Overall, the surname Popa reflects a long-standing cultural and religious heritage within Romanian and Moldovan communities, representing a connection to the spiritual and social fabric of Eastern European society.

Geographical distribution of the last name Popa

The last name Popa is predominantly found in Romania, where it is one of the most common surnames. Popa originates from the Romanian word for "priest" or "clergyman," and historically, it was a surname that identified individuals of the clergy. Due to its religious connotations, the name has remained popular in Romania and among the Romanian diaspora. In addition to Romania, the surname Popa can also be found in neighboring countries such as Moldova and Bulgaria, where there are significant Romanian communities. Outside of Eastern Europe, the name may also be present in other countries with Romanian immigrants, such as Italy, Spain, and the United States. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Popa reflects the historical and cultural significance of the Romanian people and their traditions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Popa

The last name Popa may have several variations and spellings across different regions and languages. Some common variations include Popov, Popescu, Popovici, Popovic, and Popp. In Romania, the name is typically spelled as Popa, while in countries like Russia and Bulgaria, it may be written as Popov or Popova. The spelling Popescu is more commonly found in areas with a strong Romanian influence. In Serbia, the surname may be written as Popovic or Popovici, reflecting the different linguistic roots of the region. The surname Popp is a variation that is more common in countries with a Germanic influence, such as Germany and Austria. Despite these variations, all of these spellings ultimately stem from the same origin and share a common ancestry.

Famous people with the last name Popa

Avram Popa was a well-known Romanian poet and playwright, celebrated for his powerful and lyrical works which often reflected the tumultuous political and social climate of his country. Another famous figure with the last name Popa is Cristian Popa, a prominent Romanian economist and former Vice President of the European Investment Bank. He is widely respected for his expertise in financial matters and has made significant contributions to the field of international finance. Additionally, Constantin Popa was a talented Romanian painter known for his vibrant and expressive works that captured the essence of his country's cultural and natural beauty. Overall, the Popa surname has produced a diverse range of accomplished individuals in various artistic and intellectual fields, each leaving a lasting impact on their respective industries.

Genealogical research on the last name Popa

The last name Popa is of Romanian origin and is a common surname found primarily in Romania and Moldova. The name Popa is derived from the Romanian word for priest, "pop", and is often used as a surname for descendants of priests or individuals with connections to the church. Genealogical research on the last name Popa would involve tracing back the lineage of individuals with this surname, uncovering any connections to clergy members or church-related activities. The Popa family may have historical ties to religious institutions, and their family history may include records of baptisms, marriages, and burials within the church. Understanding the genealogy of the Popa surname can provide valuable insights into the cultural and religious background of individuals with this last name.

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 : 7 June 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

Pop (Last name)

surnames > pop

The origin of the last name Pop can be traced back to Hungary. It is a Hungarian surname derived from the Hungarian word "póp," which means "pope" or "priest." The surname may hav...

Popal (Last name)

surnames > popal

The last name "Popal" is of Afghan origin. It is a common surname in Afghanistan and is usually a Pashto or Dari language name. It may be derived from a geographic location or hold...

Popalghat (Last name)

surnames > popalghat

The last name "Popalghat" is of Indian origin. It is derived from the combination of the words "Popal" meaning a type of drum used in traditional Indian music, and "ghat" which ref...

Popalzai (Last name)

surnames > popalzai

The last name Popalzai is of Pashtun origin and is common among the Pashtun tribe in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is believed to be derived from the name of the Popalzai clan, one ...

Popan (Last name)

surnames > popan

The last name Popan is most likely of Romanian origin. It is a relatively uncommon surname and may be derived from a place name or a personal name. Unfortunately, there is limited ...

Popar (Last name)

surnames > popar

The last name "Popar" is of Romanian origin. It is derived from the word "popa" which means "priest" in Romanian and likely referred to a person who was either a priest or the desc...

Popaz (Last name)

surnames > popaz

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Popera (Last name)

surnames > popera

The last name "Popera" does not have a widely-known specific origin or meaning. It is possible that it could be a variant spelling of a different surname or a combination of two wo...

Popielarz (Last name)

surnames > popielarz

The surname Popielarz is of Polish origin. It is derived from the word "popiele" which means "ashes" in Polish. The name is likely to have originated as a nickname for someone whos...

Popinurrohmah (Last name)

surnames > popinurrohmah

The last name "Popinurrohmah" appears to have Indonesian origins. It is likely a combination of Indonesian words or a unique surname used in the Indonesian culture.

Popli (Last name)

surnames > popli

The surname "Popli" is of Indian origin, specifically from the Punjabi and Sindhi regions of India. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "papali," which means a smal...

Poplu (Last name)

surnames > poplu

The last name "Poplu" is of Indian origin. It is a surname commonly found in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in regions such as Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. The name likely has ...

Poply (Last name)

surnames > poply

The surname Poply is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Poppa," which was a byname meaning "doll" or "puppet."

Popoff (Last name)

surnames > popoff

The last name Popoff is of Russian origin. It is derived from the Russian word "поп" which means "priest" or "pope." Therefore, the name Popoff likely originally referred to som...

Popojh (Last name)

surnames > popojh

The last name "Popojh" does not have a clear origin or meaning in the English language. It may be a unique or rare surname with unknown origins.