Surname Panara - Meaning and Origin

Panara: What does the surname Panara mean?

The last name Panara is an interesting and historically-rooted one. It is often considered to be of Italian origin, though there is debate as to whether or not its source is Greek, Spanish, or Slavic. Depending on the source, the name's meaning varies. It is believed that in Greece it could mean “to protect”, in Spain “to be born”, and in Slavic countries “my beautiful world”.

The surname first appeared in northern Italy during the 14th century, when surnames were more a matter of convenience than tied to a family line. At that time, the name was likely a reference to the temple of Pan where the devotees of the god of the countryside and rural life congregated.

The root of the name, “Pan”, itself has Greek origin. The god Pan was believed to be the god of the wild, of shepherds, of flocks, of shepherding, of music, of fertility, and of pastures. “Pan” is derived from the Greek word “pas”, which means “all”. This could be why the name Panara is connected to so many different places, as it once symbolized having encompassing protection and care.

Even centuries later, the surname is still commonplace in northern Italy, with its deep history still evident. The name Panara stands as a testament to the devotion and respect that was offered to the god of the wild many years ago.

Panara: Where does the name Panara come from?

The last name Panara is common today primarily in countries in or around the Mediterranean region. This includes Italy, Greece, Malta, Turkey, Croatia, Slovenia, and Cyprus.

Most Panaras likely have their roots in southern Italy, particularly in the region of Calabria. Records indicate that the first Panara family lived in the city of Reggio Calabria in the 19th century. The Panara name is quite common in the city to this day.

Migration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries likely led to the spread of the Panara name to other countries such as Greece and Turkey. In Greece, the surname first appeared in the census in the early 1900s, but it is uncertain how it made its way to the country. Turkey, on the other hand, likely saw a surge in the Panara name with the mass migration of Greeks during the 1920s.

It was more recently in the late 20th century that the Panara name spread further to other European countries such as Croatia, Slovenia, and Cyprus.

In these countries the surname is usually spelled with an “e” at the end, such as Panare or Panaree, instead of Panara.

Overall, the last name Panara is now quite common in many countries throughout the Mediterranean region, with notable concentrations in Italy, Greece, and Turkey.

Variations of the surname Panara

Panara is a surname of Italian origin. It is also spelled as Panaro, Panerai, Panerario and Penara, and may have derived from the first name "Panerio".

The Panara name is most common in Northern and Central Italy. It is likely derived from an ancient Italian word for a kind of boat or flat-bottomed fishing boat. This word could also be applied to other goods made of a protective material - thus giving rise to the use of the name as a surname for someone involved in that trade.

The Panara surname may be extended to include variants such as Panarini, Panarello, Panarini, Panarella, Panarese, Panarita, and even Penarrieta. These variations are likely derived from a combination of dialectic influences, contractions, translations, and misspellings of the original spelling.

The currency of this surname is not limited to Italy - variants of the Panara surname can also be found in other countries with significant Italian emigrant populations or in areas where Italian-speaking people have settled. For example, in Spain the Panara surname has been used to identify various lines of gentry of Italian origin, with Panaro being a common spelling of the name. The Panara variation has also been used in other countries, such as the UK, US, and Canada.

In summation, the Panara surname is a variant of the first name Panerio. It is found mostly in Italy but is known to have spread throughout the world due to migration, and is known by a range of variations including Panaro, Panerai, Penara, and more.

Famous people with the name Panara

• Frank Panara: was an Italian American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
• Adrián Panara: is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for NASL side Puerto Rico FC.
• Gesualdo Panara: was an Italian squash player who represented his country at two World Squash Teams Championships.
• Cam Panara: is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League (AHL).
• Antonio Panara: was an Italian physicist and engineer who is considered one of the pioneers of radioactivity.
• Franco Panara: was an Italian association football player who played as a goalkeeper, most notably for the Sampdoria and Juventus clubs.
• Vincenzo Panara: is an Italian chef and restaurateur who is the founder of the Ristorante Panara in Genoa, Italy.
• Paolo Emiliano Panara: was an Italian politician who served as the President of Emilia-Romagna from 1975 to 1981.
• Rocco Panara: is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie C club Piacenza.
• Sabrina Panara: is an Italian singer and songwriter who is known for her 2009 single “Come Fare Più”.

Other surnames

Panaro

Comments or additions to the name "Panara"

05.01.2024
Panara is also a surname that comes under patel community in India. The people with surname panara mostly lives in Gujarat, India.