Summary

The surname Begum is of Arabic origin and is commonly found in the countries of the Middle East and South Asia. It is often used as a title of respect for women and is associated with royalty and nobility.
There are
12255
Begums in the USA
Begum is the
2924th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Begum

Malika-e-TarannumNoor

Noor Jehan was a Pakistani playback singer and actress who is regarded as one of the greatest singers in South Asia and was often called Malika-e-Tarannum, meaning 'the queen of melody'. She recorded approximately 10,000 songs in various languages and acted in over 300 films.

BegumAkhtar

Begum Akhtar, the popular name of Akhtaribai Faizabadi, was an Indian classical singer of dadra, thumri and ghazals. She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for vocal music, and was awarded the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan posthumously by the Government of India.

BegumRokeya

Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was a Bengali writer, educationist, women's rights activist, advocate of women's suffrage and social reformer in British India. She is most famous for her efforts in advocating for gender equality and women's education.

BegumHazrat

Begum Hazrat Mahal was the first wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and a queen of Awadh in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. She played a vital role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, leading the Indian resistance against the British East India Company.

BegumParveen

Parveen Sultana is a Hindustani classical singer of the Patiala Gharana. She is known for her powerful and emotive voice and has received several awards and accolades, including the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India.

BegumKhaleda

Begum Khaleda Zia is a Bangladeshi politician who served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006. She is the chairperson and a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

BegumJaan

Begum Jaan, born as Fatima Begum, was an Indian actress, director, and producer. She was one of the early pioneers of Indian cinema and is known for her roles in films like 'Anarkali' and 'Mumtaz Mahal'.

BegumNusrat

Nusrat Bhutto was a Pakistani politician and the wife of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). She served as the First Lady of Pakistan when her husband held office as the president from 1971 to 1973.

BegumSamru

Begum Samru, also known as Joanna Nobilis Sombre, was a nautch dancer and courtesan who rose to become the ruler of Sardhana princely state in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. She was known for her astute political acumen and military skills.

BegumE

Begum E Jannat is the second wife of Sheikh Hasina, the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She is known for her work as a social worker and for being the mother of Sajeeb Wazed, a prominent political figure in Bangladesh.

Begum Genealogy

OriginsThe name 'Begum' is of Persian origin and is commonly used as a title for noblewomen or a form of address for women of high social standing in the Indian subcontinent.
Geographic DistributionThe name 'Begum' is predominantly found in countries with strong ties to the Indian subcontinent, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of the Middle East.
VariationsVariations of the name 'Begum' include 'Khatun', 'Khatoon', 'Khanum', 'Sultana', 'Khadijah', 'Zahida', 'Raeesa', 'Nishat', 'Rahima', and others.
Migration and ImmigrationThe name 'Begum' is primarily associated with the Indian subcontinent, and its migration and immigration are influenced by historical and cultural connections between countries in the region.