Surname Perera - Meaning and Origin
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Perera: What does the surname Perera mean?
The last name Perera is believed to have originated in Spain, and is a very common surname throughout Latin America, South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Southern Africa, and the Caribbean. It is most popular in Sri Lanka, where is it said to account for nearly 10% of the country's population.
The exact meaning of the surname is not known for certain, but some sources suggest it means “pear” or “pear tree” from the Latin pera, meaning “pear”. Alternatively, it may derive from the Latin peregrinus, meaning “traveler” or "foreigner."
In the Spanish language, the surname is often written as Pereira. In certain regions, such as Chile and parts of Latin America, the name is pronounced and spelled in local variations such as Préra or Préz.
Throughout history, the Perera surname has been adopted by a variety of people from different cultural and religious backgrounds, whether through marriage or immigration. It can be seen as a symbol of unity and diversity—of coming together to form one family regardless of geographic, cultural, and religious backgrounds.
Overall, the last name Perera can be rooted pluralistically across numerous regions and cultures, displaying the adaptability and flexibility of humanity. It tells the story of numerous generations, cultures, and beliefs coming together—forming one family.
Order DNA origin analysisPerera: Where does the name Perera come from?
The last name Perera is most common in Sri Lanka, where more than 35,000 people bear it. It is also fairly common in the Maldives, where it is the 5th most common last name, and in South India, where it is the 30th most common last name. It is also present in some other parts of South and Southeast Asia, as well as in some parts of Europe.
In countries with Sri Lankan diaspora communities, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, this last name is also fairly common. The spelling may vary slightly from country to country based on the local spelling conventions.
Outside of Asia, it can also be found in North and South America, Africa, and other parts of the world. Even in countries where the last name Perera is not particularly common, it is still recognizable.
For example, in the United States, though it is among the 100 most common Latino surnames, Perera is far from being the most common. However, it has still become well-known among Americans due to the thousands of Sri Lankans who have immigrated to the United States in recent decades. It is the 33rd most common last name among Latinos, and is ranked 880th overall.
Overall, the last name Perera is most commonly associated with South Asian countries, particularly Sri Lanka, but it can also be found in many parts of the world, from Europe to North and South America, from Africa to other parts of Southeast Asia. Its global reach is a reflection of Sri Lanka’s longstanding history of migration and its diverse and multicultural population.
Variations of the surname Perera
The surname Perera is highly prevalent among different nationalities and cultures from around the world. The origin is largely attributed to the Portuguese, Spanish and Italian languages. Common variants of the surnames, Perera include Perreira, Pilrera, Pirrera, Pradier, Pradeyro, Arcaren, Pereiro, Pereyro, and Pereo.
On the other hand, some alternate spellings of Perera include Pereiro, Pereyro, Pereyo, Peyreiro, Perraro, utility, Pirayo, and Pierra. They commonly bring along different pronunciations, in some cases, due to the addition or removal of a single letter.
Perera is also considered a variation of other surnames, such as Berrera, Pradera, Praderera, Perluissier, and Prereyre.
In the Philippines, the last name is usually spelled Pereira. Additionally, African-American descendants of African slaves from Latin American countries sometimes carry this surname. Ultimately, Perera is a way of showing links with an old culture and identity, making it a unique and identifying surname for those who bear it.
Famous people with the name Perera
- Evin Perera: Sri Lankan cricketer
- Amalia Perera: Venezuelan actress
- Kosala Perera: Sri Lankan former cricketer
- Petero Perera: American wrestler
- Jayantha Perera: Sri Lankan actor
- Danushka Perera: Sri Lankan cricketer
- Vijaya Kumaranatunga: Sri Lankan film actor and politician
- Donald Perera: Sri Lankan cricketer
- Karunarathne Perera: Sri Lankan lawyer and professor
- Don Perera: Canadian director and writer
- Rezene Mebrahtu: Eritrean footballer
- Attilio Perera: Italian musician
- Christine Perera: British politician
- Dhanushi Perera: Sri Lankan actress
- Karoliina Perera: Estonian easy listening music singer
- Genadi Zhidkov: Russian actress
- Erandika Perera: Sri Lankan singer
- Fernando Perera: Mexican actor.
- Wolfango Perera: Spanish Windows executive
- Nathali Perera: Paraguayan singer