Prefixes and Suffixes in Greek Surnames

[cristiancarranza]

Hello to all in this list!

I ask for help in order to clarify the meaning of prefixes and suffixes in Greek surnames, since I am ignorant in Greek.

I know that the prefix Haj/Hadji/Hatzi- is used when family visited Jerusalem, also that prefix Pappa- applies to descendants of a priest and the suffix -ides/idis indicates "son of (patronymic)".

But.. What means:
Yannis -> Barbayannis
Yannis -> Karayannis ->Karayanoglou
Yannis -> Deliyannis
Chrystos-> Chrystopoulos
Chrystos->Cyristodoulou
Diamandi -> Diamandoglou
Mihali -> Mihalakis
Spiridi -> Spiridou
Dimitri-> Dimitraki->Dimitrakopulos

Thanks in advance!!

Cristián Carranza

[Administrator]

Cristian,

Here are some answers to your queries:

Yannis -> Barbayannis 'Barba' is a common appellation for an uncle or a respected older person.
Yannis -> Karayannis ->Karayanoglou 'Kara' means black or dark in Turkish, hence 'black John'.
Yannis -> Deliyannis 'Deli' is Turkish for 'crazy' or 'mad', so 'crazy John'.
Chrystos-> Chrystopoulos 'The 'poulos' suffix originates in the Peloponnese and means 'son of'.
Chrystos->Cyristodoulou Christodoulos is a name in itself. 'Doulos' means 'servant', hence 'servant of Christ'.
Diamandi -> Diamandoglou 'Oglou' is a Turkish suffix meaning 'son of'.
Mihali -> Mihalakis The 'akis' suffix is the diminutive which is common in Crete.
Spiridi -> Spiridou This is merely the genitive version of the same name.
Dimitri-> Dimitraki->Dimitrakopulos See above.

[cristiancarranza]

Great Nick!

Thanks for your time!

Cristián