Ethiopia Last Names: A Comprehensive List of Common Ethiopian Surnames

Looking for a list of common Ethiopian last names? This comprehensive guide explores the rich diversity of surnames in Ethiopia, providing insights into their origins, meanings, and cultural significance. Whether you're researching your family history or simply interested in Ethiopian culture, this list will be a valuable resource.
1. Abebe: Derived from the Amharic word "abeba," meaning "flower." This surname is widely popular across Ethiopia, symbolizing beauty, freshness, and new beginnings.
2. Amare: Originating from the Amharic word "amare," meaning "strong" or "brave." This surname reflects a strong sense of resilience and determination, highlighting courage and strength.
3. Assefa: Meaning "God is good" in Amharic, Assefa signifies faith, blessings, and divine favor. It's a popular surname that reflects gratitude and hope.
4. Atnafu: Derived from the Amharic word "atnafu," meaning "successful" or "fortunate." This surname implies a strong belief in good fortune and success, signifying ambition and achievement.
5. Bekele: This surname is believed to have originated from the Amharic word "bekele," meaning "strong" or "powerful." It represents strength, authority, and resilience.
6. Berhanu: Originating from the Amharic word "berhan," meaning "light" or "illumination." This surname signifies enlightenment, wisdom, and guidance, reflecting a desire for knowledge and understanding.
7. Birhanu: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "birhan," meaning "light" or "illumination." It signifies enlightenment, wisdom, and guidance, reflecting a desire for knowledge and understanding.
8. Chala: Derived from the Amharic word "chala," meaning "happy" or "joyful." This surname expresses happiness, contentment, and a positive outlook on life.
9. Dawit: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "dawit," meaning "beloved" or "cherished." It signifies love, affection, and a strong sense of connection.
10. Dejene: Derived from the Amharic word "dejene," meaning "strong" or "powerful." It represents strength, authority, and resilience.
11. Demissie: Meaning "God is merciful" in Amharic, Demissie signifies compassion, forgiveness, and divine grace. It's a popular surname that reflects humility and faith.
12. Desta: Derived from the Amharic word "desta," meaning "joy" or "happiness." This surname expresses happiness, contentment, and a positive outlook on life.
13. Eyoel: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "eyoel," meaning "God is my strength." It signifies faith, reliance on divine power, and resilience.
14. Gebre: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "gebre," meaning "servant of God" or "devout." It signifies religious faith and a commitment to spiritual values.
15. Gebreselassie: Meaning "servant of the Trinity" in Amharic, Gebreselassie signifies deep faith and devotion to God. It's a popular surname that reflects a strong religious connection.
16. Habte: Derived from the Amharic word "habte," meaning "love" or "affection." This surname signifies love, care, and a strong sense of connection.
17. Hailu: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "hailu," meaning "strong" or "powerful." It represents strength, authority, and resilience.
18. Kebede: Meaning "the glory of God" in Amharic, Kebede signifies divine glory, majesty, and honor. It's a popular surname that reflects reverence and awe.
19. Kassa: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "kassa," meaning "treasure" or "wealth." It signifies prosperity, abundance, and valuable possessions.
20. Kefale: Derived from the Amharic word "kefale," meaning "guarantee" or "assurance." This surname implies reliability, trustworthiness, and a sense of security.
21. Legesse: Meaning "God is my shepherd" in Amharic, Legesse signifies faith, guidance, and protection. It's a popular surname that reflects reliance on divine care.
22. Lemma: Derived from the Amharic word "lemma," meaning "good" or "kind." This surname signifies kindness, generosity, and a good heart.
23. Mengistu: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "mengistu," meaning "victorious" or "triumphant." It signifies success, achievement, and a spirit of winning.
24. Mesfin: Meaning "God is merciful" in Amharic, Mesfin signifies compassion, forgiveness, and divine grace. It's a popular surname that reflects humility and faith.
25. Mulu: Derived from the Amharic word "mulu," meaning "full" or "complete." This surname signifies abundance, wholeness, and a sense of completion.
26. Negash: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "negash," meaning "king" or "ruler." It signifies power, authority, and leadership.
27. Negasi: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "negasi," meaning "king" or "ruler." It signifies power, authority, and leadership.
28. Nigatu: Derived from the Amharic word "nigatu," meaning "saved" or "rescued." This surname signifies protection, deliverance, and a sense of security.
29. Samson: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "Samson," meaning "sun" or "light." It signifies brightness, warmth, and a positive outlook on life.
30. Seifu: Meaning "the sword of God" in Amharic, Seifu signifies strength, power, and divine protection. It's a popular surname that reflects courage and resilience.
31. Solomon: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "Solomon," meaning "peace" or "harmony." It signifies peace, tranquility, and a desire for harmony.
32. Tassew: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "tassew," meaning "strong" or "powerful." It represents strength, authority, and resilience.
33. Tesfaye: Meaning "God's grace" in Amharic, Tesfaye signifies divine favor, blessings, and hope. It's a popular surname that reflects gratitude and faith.
34. Tessema: Derived from the Amharic word "tessema," meaning "honorable" or "respected." This surname signifies respect, dignity, and a strong sense of moral values.
35. Tewolde: Derived from the Amharic word "tewolde," meaning "God's servant" or "devout." It signifies religious faith and a commitment to spiritual values.
36. Tigabu: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "tigabu," meaning "strong" or "powerful." It represents strength, authority, and resilience.
37. Tilahun: Meaning "God is my mercy" in Amharic, Tilahun signifies compassion, forgiveness, and divine grace. It's a popular surname that reflects humility and faith.
38. Tola: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "tola," meaning "wealth" or "abundance." It signifies prosperity, abundance, and valuable possessions.
39. Wondwossen: Meaning "the light of the world" in Amharic, Wondwossen signifies enlightenment, hope, and guidance. It's a popular surname that reflects a desire for knowledge and understanding.
40. Yonas: This surname is derived from the Amharic word "Yonas," meaning "dove" or "peace." It signifies peace, tranquility, and a desire for harmony.