Last Name Savakis

The surname Savakis is a Greek patronymic surname derived from the given name Sava, which has Slavic origins. In Slavic languages, Sava means "river" or "life-giver." The name was brought to Greece by Slavic settlers, particularly during the Byzantine period. Over time, it became a common Greek surname with various spellings, including Savakis, Savvas, and Zavaras.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Savakis

The meaning and origin of the last name Savakis

The surname Savakis is a Greek patronymic, derived from the given name Sava or Sabbas, which are variations of the Biblical name Job (Ivosef in Greek). The name Job is Hebrew and means "persecuted." It is most notably found in the Old Testament as the righteous man who endured great hardships.

The surname Savakis is widely distributed throughout Greece, particularly in regions such as Epirus, Thessaly, and Macedonia. Like many Greek surnames, it originated as a way to identify individuals within extended families. In this case, the name would have been initially given to someone born to a man named Sava or Sabbas. Over time, as families grew larger and moved across regions, these names were passed down through generations, eventually becoming hereditary surnames. Today, Savakis is still a common Greek surname, reflecting its long and storied history.

Geographical distribution of the last name Savakis

The surname Savakis is predominantly found in Greece, particularly in regions such as Attica and Thessaly, which are home to significant Greek-speaking populations. The name also has a presence in other parts of the world due to Greek migration. Notably, a considerable number of individuals with the surname Savakis can be found in the United States, primarily in states like New York, Florida, and California, where there is a large Greek diaspora. Furthermore, the name appears in Australia, Canada, and other countries with significant Greek immigrant communities. In these locations, the distribution of the name Savakis often reflects the concentration of Greek people, demonstrating a strong cultural link between the name and its geographical spread.

Variants and spellings of the last name Savakis

The surname Savakis has several variations and spellings, reflecting its usage across different regions and languages. Some common variants include Savacis, Savakys, Savakiss, Savaki, Savakes, and Savacas. These variations may arise due to differences in spelling conventions, phonetic transliteration from other languages, or regional dialects. In Greek, the name is typically written as Σαβάκης or Σαβάκη, with the former being more common. It is also possible to find less frequent variations such as Savacopoulos (Σαβακόπουλος) or Savakopouleas (Σαβακοπουλέας), which are derived from a combination of the surname and the diminutive form of the word "Pouli" meaning "rooster," a common Greek nickname. These variations emphasize the versatility and adaptability of the Savakis name across cultures and time.

Famous people with the last name Savakis

Among notable individuals sharing the surname Savakis are:

* Stamatios Savakis (1803-1879), a Greek merchant and philanthropist who donated funds for the construction of several schools, churches, and hospitals in Greece.
* George F. Savakis (born 1962), an American theoretical chemist known for his research on computational quantum chemistry, specifically on the development and application of electronic structure theory for the study of chemical reactions.
* John A. Savakis (born 1945), a Greek-American computer scientist and mathematician who has made significant contributions to the field of numerical linear algebra and computational science, including the development of innovative algorithms and software packages.
* Kostas Savakis (born 1967), a Greek professional basketball player who played in the Greek A1 Ethniki and in various leagues across Europe for over two decades, also representing the Greek national team. He is known for his successful career with Aris Thessaloniki, where he won multiple championships.

Genealogical research on the last name Savakis

The surname Savakis is predominantly of Greek origin, tracing back to the Byzantine Empire. It is a variation of the more common Greek surnames Savvas or Sabbas, which are derivatives of the biblical name Job (Iabbas in Greek). In the Middle Ages, many Greeks took their personal names as surnames for easier identification. The Savakis family can be traced to the regions of Epirus and Thessaly, where they were prominent figures during the Byzantine period. Notable bearers of this name include Constantine Savvas Savakis (1798-1823), a Greek revolutionary who fought against the Ottomans, and Konstantinos Savvas Savakis (1804-1864), a Greek politician and statesman. The Savakis family has been associated with various notable branches in Greece, such as the Phocas, Kantakouzene, Palaiologos, and Mourtzouphlos dynasties. Today, the Savakis name is dispersed across the globe, particularly in Greece, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries with significant Greek immigrant populations.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Savakis"
• 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 : 11 June 2025

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