Surname Gabor - Meaning and Origin

Gabor: What does the surname Gabor mean?

The last name Gabor is originates from Hungary, where Gabor is a personal name. According to Hungarian tradition, the name is derived from Gabriel, meaning “man of God” or “hero of God.” In English, the name Gabor is translated as “God’s strength.”

The family of the Gabors were from Southern Hungary, which was part of the Ottoman Empire at the time. The Gabors were originally Sephardic Jews from the Spanish area, but over time the family converted to Christianity.

The Gabors resettlement in Hungary in the 1700s, and by the following century the family had grown in stature amongst the smaller Jewish community that lived in the area. By the late 19th century, the Gabors had become merchants, traders and craftsmen.

Today, the Gabor surname is associated with a family of actors, actresses, and producers. The Gabor family are most well-known for their involvement in Hollywood movies throughout the later half of the 20th century.

In Hungarian culture, the name Gabor holds a sense of prestige. Its meaning infers a strength and honor from the name Gabriel, which has been passed down through the Gabor family for generations. In Hungary, Gabor is seen as a proud and strong name, with a long and rich history.

Gabor: Where does the name Gabor come from?

The last name Gabor is most commonly found today in countries that were formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Russian Empire, such as Hungary, Romania, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. This is due to the large-scale emigration of Gabor families from these countries to other parts of the world throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

In the United States, the Gabor surname is most prevalent in California, Texas, and New York. Other cities where the Gabor name can be found include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Toronto. Outside of the U.S., it is one of the most common surnames in Hungary, due to the fact that Hungary itself was the homeland of the Gabor family.

Beyond North America and Europe, Gabor families can also be found in Bolivia, Australia, and South Africa, mostly due to modern immigration patterns. That being said, though the surname can today be found in many different countries and locations, its origins and the region of the world where it is most especially common remain firmly rooted in the ancient Alpine nation of Hungary.

Variations of the surname Gabor

The surname Gabor (or its variants Gabors, Gabur, Gabore, Gavors, Gabbor, Gaborr, Gaboor, Gabhor, Gobor, Gavar, Gabar, Gaver, Gabir, Gaiber, Gaber and Gaborus) is a Hungarian patronymic surname meaning ‘God is my strength’. Traditionally, this surname was used to signify those of Hungarian origin, however, it has since spread across the globe to countries and regions including the United States of America, Canada, and parts of Europe.

Gabor is the Hungarian spelling of the surname and is used both as a given name and as a surname. The name has also been found in Hungarian immigration records with its spelling variants, which include the German spelling, Gäbauer. Gäbauer is particularly common in South Tyrol, an Austrian-Italian region that was formerly known as Austro-Hungary.

In countries like the United States, Canada and Scotland, surnames that have been derived from Gabor are also common. These variations include Gavornik, Gabrielyn, Gabrio, Gabert, Gabbay, Gaboury, Gabrielli, Gabry and Gabour.

Despite these variations, the overall origin of the Gabor surname is the same: it is of Hungarian origin and it means ‘God is my strength’.

Famous people with the name Gabor

• Zsa Zsa Gabor: Zsa Zsa Gabor was a Hungarian-American television personality, socialite, and actress. Her career spanned six decades during which she appeared in numerous films, television series, and theatrical productions.
• Magda Gabor: Magda Gabor was the elder sibling of Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor. Magda was also an early actress, appearing in several films, usually as "classy, sophisticated women with heavy Hungarian accents."
• Eva Gabor: Eva Gabor was the youngest sibling of the Gabor family. She is best known for her role as Lisa Douglas in the television comedy series Green Acres, and her work in films such as The Interns, The AristoCats, and Touch of Class.
• Joshua Gabor: Joshua Gabor is a Hungarian-American actor, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for his roles in the films July Baby and The Room Master. He has released several singles such as "Depression" and "Bring Out the Dark."
• Tamara Gabor: Tamara Gabor was an actress, best known for her roles in the television series Hogan's Heroes and Love, American Style. She also wrote and appeared in a number of plays, including "Missocrats", which was performed in Los Angeles and New York.
• Judi Gabor- Judi Gabor is a musician, record producer, and music engineer. She is the first Hungarian woman to work in the American music business. She founded and operates the record label InJero Records.

Other surnames

Gabold