Surname Pera - Meaning and Origin
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Pera: What does the surname Pera mean?
The surname Pera is of Italian origin, derived from the Latin word "pirum," which means "pear." This name was likely used as a nickname for someone who lived near a pear tree or sold pears. Over time, the nickname would have evolved into a surname. There are also places named Pera in Portugal and Spain, and in some cases, the surname could denote someone who came from one of these places. Other possible origins of the Pera name come from Catalan-speaking regions, where "pera" means stone or rock, or from the Yiddish or Hebrew name "Peretz" meaning "to burst forth," often given to a first-born son. The meaning and origin may vary based on geographical locations and cultural influences. Always remember that surname meanings should be used as a fun conversation starter or a means of delving deeper into one's ancestral roots, rather than a serious historical document.
Order DNA origin analysisPera: Where does the name Pera come from?
The last name Pera is found in many parts of the world today, but it is particularly common in certain countries in the Mediterranean region. In Italy, the surname is found in Appennino mountains, the Marche region, and Calabria. In Greece, it's most frequent in Crete and some parts of the Peloponnese. It's also common across many parts of Spain, primarily concentrated in the northern regions of Navarra, Asturias, and Galicia.
Outside of the Mediterranean basin, the surname Pera has some presence in nations with sizable Italian, Spanish, and Greek communities, including Australia, Argentina, the United States, Brazil, Canada, and Germany.
The etymology of the name Pera is not completely clear, but it is thought to have derived from either the Italian word ‘pera’ meaning ‘pear’, the Latin word ‘pyrum’ which also means ‘pear’, or the old-Greek word ‘piro’ meaning ‘women’. Many believe that the surname was initially adopted by someone who either sold pears for a living, or was called ‘Pera’ because of their resemblance to pears.
Regardless of its origins, the last name Pera is still alive and well in many parts of the world today, and is likely to remain so for years to come.
Variations of the surname Pera
The origin of the surname Pera can be traced to many corners of the world, however it is mainly known in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese households. Depending on the language, the surname may vary in spelling or even take an entirely different form. The most common spellings of Pera are Pèra, Perea and Perra, all of which stem from the same Latin root ‘praedium’ which means “estate or estate of the head of family”.
In Spanish, the surname can also be seen written as Peira or Pirá, both of which are derived from ‘praedium’, however, in some cases, the name has been altered to assume a more Spanish pronunciation. In Italian, the surname is most prominently spelt as Pera, however some variations such as Pelar, and later, Perrero are also recognized. All of these surname derivations largely share the same meaning, “landowners”.
As for surnames of similar origins, surnames such as Pereira, Perez, and even Preta have all gained popularity throughout the ages when tracing the ancestry of many Spanish families. In some cases, even a mispronunciation of the surname Pera, such as Patara, has been known to occur.
Regardless of which spelling a person may bear, all of the surnames cited still share an important common origin, that of pastoral landowners and that of a long family history.
Famous people with the name Pera
- Eva Pera, Spanish actress
- Jackie Pera, retired American professional basketball player
- George Pera, former American baseball player
- Emanuele Pera, Italian racing cyclist
- Teresa Pera, Spanish Olympic swimmer
- Kelly Pera, French footballer
- Mark Pera, American television and stand-up comedian
- Mario Pera, Spanish chef and television presenter
- Joamir Pera, Brazilian professional footballer
- Andrea Pera, Italian entrepreneur and former CEO of Gruppo Coin