Find out how popular the first name Surafel has been for the last 19 years (from 2003 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Surafel by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Surafel is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Surafel.

The history of the first name Surafel

Surafel is a given name of Amharic origin, derived from the Semitic root words "sur" meaning "beginning" and "afel" meaning "light" or "brightness." It is believed to have originated in Ethiopia, where Amharic is one of the official languages, and has been in use for centuries.

The name Surafel can be traced back to the ancient Ge'ez language, which was the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and was spoken in parts of Eritrea and Ethiopia. In Ge'ez, the name is written as "ሰራፌል" (Särāfēl), which is a transliteration of the Hebrew name "Seraphiel" or "Seraphiel," meaning "the burning ones" or "the fiery ones."

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Surafel can be found in the Kebra Nagast, an influential 14th-century literary work that narrates the origins of the Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia. In this text, Surafel is mentioned as one of the angels who guarded the Ark of the Covenant.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Surafel. One of the earliest known bearers was Surafel Mikhail (1605-1667), an Ethiopian scholar and translator who is credited with translating the Bible into Amharic. Another prominent figure was Surafel Neway (1817-1878), an Ethiopian prince and military leader who played a significant role in the Zemene Mesafint, a period of decentralized rule in Ethiopia.

In the 20th century, Surafel Chebude (1921-1986) was an Ethiopian diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and played a crucial role in Ethiopia's foreign relations during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie. Surafel Kassaye (1928-2013) was an Ethiopian artist and sculptor known for his innovative works that blended traditional Ethiopian themes with modern styles.

More recently, Surafel Gebreslassie (born 1984) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner and Olympic medalist, known for his achievements in marathon and cross-country running events. He won a silver medal in the marathon at the 2016 Rio Olympics and has won numerous prestigious marathons around the world.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Surafel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Surafel, please contact us.

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