Last Name Zaidani

Learn more about the origin of the last name Zaidani

The meaning and origin of the last name Zaidani

The surname Zaidani is of Arabic origin and derives from the given name Zaid, which means "abundance" or "increase." The name Zaidani is typically found among communities with Arabic ancestry, particularly those from North Africa and the Middle East. The surname often indicates a familial connection to an individual named Zaid or reflects a lineage that traces its roots back to the Prophet Muhammad's companion, Abu Zaid al-Khifaji. Over time, variations in spelling and pronunciation have led to multiple spellings of the name, such as Zaydani, Zaidy, and Zaiedy, among others. The surname Zaidani is relatively uncommon outside of Arabic communities, but it remains a significant and traditional name within those communities.

Geographical distribution of the last name Zaidani

The Zaidani surname primarily originates from the Middle East, particularly Yemen, reflecting its Arabic roots. The highest concentration of individuals with this last name can be found within the Yemeni diaspora, particularly in countries such as Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states where many Yemenis have migrated due to economic or political reasons. Additionally, significant Zaidani communities can also be found in Europe, specifically in countries with large Middle Eastern immigrant populations like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Sweden. The dispersion of this surname is also evident in North America, particularly within the United States and Canada, due to immigration from the Middle East and Western Europe over the past century.

Variants and spellings of the last name Zaidani

The surname Zaidani exhibits various spellings and variations, primarily due to transliteration from Arabic to the Latin alphabet. Some common versions include Zaiedani, Zaydani, Zaidyani, and Zaidanee. These variations are a result of differences in pronunciation and spelling conventions among different regions and cultures. Additionally, it's important to note that Middle Eastern names can sometimes have multiple interpretations, making it difficult to determine an exact universal spelling. However, the root of the name is typically traced back to the Arabic given name Zaid, meaning "abundance" or "increase."

Famous people with the last name Zaidani

Notable individuals sharing the surname Zaidani include:

1. Khalid Zaidan (born 1973), a Syrian-American computer scientist known for his research on parallel and distributed computing, and high performance computing. He is currently a professor at Indiana University Bloomington.
2. Ahmed Zaidan (born 1964), a Syrian journalist and former head of the Arabic news agency Sana, which was the official media outlet of the Syrian government.
3. Yusuf Zaidan (1895-1951), a prominent Arab novelist from Syria, considered one of the pioneers of modern Arabic literature. His most famous work is "Al-Hariri al-Aswad" (The Black Hunter).
4. Rania Zaidani (born 1973), a Lebanese-American economist and professor at the University of Southern California, specializing in economic development and environmental economics.
5. Tariq Zaidani (born 1968), a British physician and professor of clinical neurophysiology at the University of Oxford, known for his research on movement disorders.

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as computer science, journalism, literature, and medicine.

Genealogical research on the last name Zaidani

The Zaidani surname is predominantly found among Arabic-speaking communities, particularly those from Yemen and Oman. The name can be traced back to the medieval period, with origins rooted in the tribal system of the Arabian Peninsula. The Zaidani clan is a sub-tribe of the powerful Hashid tribe, which played a significant role in the political and military history of Yemen. The Zaidani family name often denotes descent from the Imam Zayd bin Ali, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad and an important figure in Islamic history. Over time, members of the Zaidani clan migrated to various parts of the world, including the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, as well as Europe and the Americas, due to trade, war, and religious displacement. Today, the Zaidani surname can be found among diverse communities, reflecting its historic origins and subsequent dispersal.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "zaidani"
• 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 : 25 July 2025