Surname Ilyas - Meaning and Origin
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Ilyas: What does the surname Ilyas mean?
The origin of the last name Ilyas is uncertain; some sources suggest that it is derived from the Arabic first name "Ilyas," which means "Yahweh is the Lord" where Yahweh refers to the biblical God of the Old Testament, also known as Jehovah. The name likely has Arabic roots, and in some cases it may have become associated with the prophet of the same name who appears in both the Bible and Qur'an.
The surname ‘Ilyas’ is quite popular in countries like Sudan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Brunei. In India, for instance, this surname is found mainly amongst the Hindu Indian Muslim communities including those of Punjabi and Kashmiri descent. This surname is also found in other parts of the world, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Saudi Arabia.
Ilyas is most commonly derived from a first name, either used as a given name or family name. This surname is mostly used by Indian Muslim families and is often associated with the prophet Ilyas from the Qur'an and Bible. It is believed that the lord Ilyas appeared several times in the past to teach humans the true path to God. This mystical figure is also known in Turkic countries, where Ilyas is recognized as the patron saint of warriors.
Although the meaning of the name Ilyas is uncertain, it is believed to be related to the Islamic faith and its heritage. We can thus conclude that Ilyas has its origins in a combination of Arabic and Islamic traditions and reference to a revered figure in the Qur'an and Bible.
Order DNA origin analysisIlyas: Where does the name Ilyas come from?
The surname Ilyas is most commonly found in South Asia, particularly the Indian Subcontinent. It is a popular surname among Kammas, Telugus, and Somvanshi Kayasthas of South India, as well as Punjabis in Pakistan. In India, the surname Ilyas is distributed across the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
The Ilyas surname is also particularly common among the Bangalis of Bangladesh and West Bengal in India, as well as in Nepal and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh is home to the largest number of Ilyas families, but they are also found in other parts of the Indian Subcontinent such as Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives.
In the United States, the Ilyas surname is more rare but still present. It is primarily most common among the South Asian American population. Some American Ilyas families trace their roots to South Asia directly, while others may have family members who have immigrated more recently.
Regardless of geography, the Ilyas surname has remained meaningful to its bearers. It is a testament to their shared heritage, history and culture, and serves as a reminder of their strength and resilience.
Variations of the surname Ilyas
Ilyas is a popular surname in the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia. It is derived from the Muslim given name Ilyas or Elias which means "God is my Lord" or "God is my Savior".
Variants, spellings and surnames derived from Ilyas include Eliyas, Ilyaas, Ilyass, Ilyasz, Ilayas, Ilias, Iljas, Ilyasse, Ilyasu, Eliyasse, Elias and Eliyas. Variations in the spelling of these surnames occur in different regions.
In the Middle East, particularly the Gulf region, Ilyas is spelled as Alyas or Aliyas. The short form of Ilyas is Ily or Il which is commonly used in Azerbaijan and other regions in Central Asia. In Europe, specifically Bulgaria, variations of Ilyas include Ilyiev, Elmazov, Elmasov and Elmazov.
In South Asia, Ilyas is spelt as Ilias, Ilyas, or Eliyas and the surnames based on this spelling may appear in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other countries in this region. Similarly, in China and Japan, Ilyas is also spelt as Ilyas or Eliyas. As this surname is commonly used in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, variations of it may also be seen in English, French and Spanish speaking countries.
Overall, the most popular variants and spellings of Ilyas and its derivatives are Eliyas, Alyas, Aliyas, Ilyaas, Ilyass, Ilyasz, Ilayas, Ilias, Iljas, Ilyasse, Ilyasu, Ilyev, Elmazov, Elmasov and Elmazov.
Famous people with the name Ilyas
- Uzayr Ilyas: Professional comedian from the United Kingdom.
- Mohammed Ilyas: Pakistani politician and leader of the Awami National Party.
- Mustafa Ilyas: Kurdish politician and member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.
- Salmaan Taseer: Pakistani businessman and politician who was assassinated in 2011.
- Azeem Ilyas: Wicketkeeper-batsman of the Scotland cricket team.
- Humza Ilyas: British-Pakistani footballer who plays for Quetta Lahore.
- Sanam Ilyas: Pakistani actress who rose to fame after appearing in the television series “Aisi Hai Tanhai”.
- Rahat Ilyas: Turkish footballer who plays for Mersin İdman Yurdu as a center midfielder.
- Amir Ilyas: Malaysian photographer who won the 2020 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year award.
- Waris Ilyas: Pakistani actor and director, known for his roles in the dramas ‘Dil Ka Rishta’ and ‘Qaid-e-Tanhai’.