Surname Vavra - Meaning and Origin
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Vavra: What does the surname Vavra mean?
The last name Vavra is a Czech and Slovak surname of Slavic origin. It is believed to derive from the name Vavřinec, and may be a variation of the name Vavřín, which means “laurel” in Czech.
The earliest recorded use of the name was in 1305, when a man named Vavře (Vavra) participated in a historical battle in Prague. From then on, the name has spread throughout the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Generally, the name Vavra is associated with traits such as resilience, diligence, and resourcefulness. Those bearing this surname may have come to be known for their strength and resilience during times of difficulty or adversity. Their willingness to do hard work and use whatever resources are available to them have helped them become successful.
Long associated with the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the name Vavra is a strong reminder of the resilience and determination of this region’s people. In a time of so much uncertainty, bearing such a name is a testament to one’s fortitude and commitment to achieving success despite challenging times.
Order DNA origin analysisVavra: Where does the name Vavra come from?
The last name Vavra is primarily found among people of Czech origin today. The spelling of the name varied slightly during various periods as it migrated from the Czech Republic and Slovakia with each wave of immigration. For instance it may appear as Vavra, Vrabec or Vrabec in some records.
Over 40,000 people bear the Vavra name in Slovakia while in the Czech Republic it is found among over 45,000 people with a large concentration of the name in the Hradec Kralove, Jihlava and Plzen regions. It is also common among people of Czech origin living in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In the United States, over 18,000 people bear the Vavra name making it the most populous country with the surname. It is broadly found in the Midwestern states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, states which have large Czech immigrant communities. The surname is also common in California and Pennsylvania.
In Canada, the surname is found among over 10 people, mostly in the province of Ontario. It is also common among Australians with over 800 people bearing the Vavra name.
Therefore, it's safe to say the last name Vavra is primarily found today among people of Czech origin living in the Czech Republic, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Vavra
The surname Vávra comes from the Czech given name Vavřinec. It is derived from the Czech words “váv” and “řiný”, which mean “janitor” or “warden”. The surname Vávra is most common in the Czech Republic, but can also be found in Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany.
Variant spellings of the surname Vávra include Vávrka, Vavra, Vavrak, Vavrič, Vávřich, Vávršek, and Vávršečka. Each of these variants is simply pronounced the same as the original surname, but with slightly different spelling conventions.
Vávra is also a common surname among Czech Jews, with the surname spelling Vevere being more commonly associated with Jewish families. Other variant spellings of this surname include Wever, Vaver, and Veuer.
Other surnames that have a similar origin to Vávra are Volfová and Vovk, both of which are derived from the Czech word “volf”, meaning “wolf”. Similarly, Jarosová and Jaros, which both come from the Czech word “jaroš”, meaning “root” or “stock”.
Ultimately, the surname Vávra is rooted in the Czech language and is most commonly found in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany. Despite slight spelling variations, it remains essentially the same and is easily recognized as the same root name.
Famous people with the name Vavra
- Adam Vavra: professional Wrestler and former mixed martial artist
- Jindřich Medge Vavra: Czech scientist and university professor
- Jan Vavra: Czech television host and musician
- Miroslav Vavra: Czech film director, scriptwriter and animator
- Pavel Vavra: Czech professional footballer
- Dan Vavra: Czech video game designer and scriptwriter
- Augustin Vavra: Czech actor and director
- Tom Vavra: American professional ice hockey player
- Charles Vavra: American stained glass artist
- Jiří Vavra: Czech former footballer
- Petr Vavra: Czech-American judoka
- Joanna Vavra: former American beauty queen