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Origin of the Surname Balkis
The surname Balkis presents a current geographical distribution that reveals interesting patterns and suggests possible roots in various cultures and regions. According to available data, the highest incidence of the surname is found in Indonesia (963 cases), followed by Saudi Arabia (716), United Arab Emirates (289), Malaysia (55), and the United States (52). In addition, a significant presence is observed in countries such as France, India, Qatar, Kuwait, Russia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Belgium, Greece, Australia, Germany, Singapore, Canada, Egypt, Latvia, Belarus, Denmark, Pakistan, United Kingdom, Mexico, Switzerland, Sweden, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Malaysia, Argentina, Austria, Netherlands, New Zealand, Brazil, Oman, Cameroon, Cyprus, Syria, Algeria, Thailand, Tanzania, Hong Kong, Israel, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan and Kenya.
The dispersion of Balkis in countries in the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia, together with its presence in the West, suggests that the surname could have roots in regions with Arab or Islamic influence, or in cultures that have had historical contact with these areas. The concentration in countries such as Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia, all with a strong Muslim presence, points to a possible origin in the Arab world or in Muslim communities in Asia.
Likewise, the presence in Western countries such as the United States, France, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom can be explained by migratory processes and diasporas, which have carried surnames of Arab origin or from regions close to these areas. The current distribution, therefore, suggests that Balkis could be a surname of Arabic origin, with possible expansion through migration and the Muslim diaspora on different continents.
Etymology and Meaning of Balkis
Linguistic analysis of the surname Balkis indicates that it probably has roots in Arabic, given its phonetic pattern and its presence in regions with strong Islamic influence. The structure of the surname, which begins with the consonant 'B' followed by a vowel 'a' and ends in 'kis', may be related to Arabic words or proper names. The form 'Balkis' in Arabic (بلقيس) corresponds to a feminine proper name, which in Islamic history and culture is associated with the queen of Sheba, known as Bilqis in Arabic tradition and in the Bible.
The name Bilqis (بلقيس) has a meaning that has been interpreted in various ways, but is generally associated with royalty, nobility, and authority. The etymological root of the name may be linked to terms that denote brilliance, splendor or purity, although its exact origin is the subject of debate among scholars. The presence of this name in Islamic tradition and historical texts suggests that Balkis, as a surname, could derive from a patronymic or a given name that, over time, became a family surname.
From a linguistic point of view, the surname Balkis can be classified as a patronymic, since it probably derives from the proper name Bilqis, which in ancient times was used to designate the Queen of Sheba. The transformation into a surname may have occurred in Arab or Muslim communities, where the names of historical or biblical figures were adopted as surnames or patronymics. The presence in countries with Islamic influence reinforces this hypothesis.
On the other hand, the phonetic structure and spelling of the surname also suggest that it could have been adapted or transliterated in different languages, which would explain variants in its writing and pronunciation in different regions. The influence of Arabic on the formation of the surname is, therefore, a solid hypothesis based on its form and geographical distribution.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The probable origin of the surname Balkis in the Arab and Muslim tradition places its appearance in the Arabian Peninsula or in nearby regions where Islamic culture had a significant presence. The figure of Bilqis, the queen of Sheba, is a legend that dates back to ancient texts and the Koran, where she is mentioned as a powerful and wise queen. The adoption of his name as a surname or patronymic in Arab and Muslim communities may have occurred since the Middle Ages, in a context of consolidation of cultural and religious identities.
The current distribution, with a high incidence in countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, can be explained by migratory movements and commercial and religious expansions that occurred over the centuries. The expansion of Islam from the Arabian Peninsula to Asia, Africa and Europe facilitated the spread ofnames and surnames related to historical and religious figures, including Bilqis.
In particular, in Indonesia and Malaysia, where the Muslim presence is significant, the adoption of Arabic names and their derivatives is common, and the presence of Balkis in these countries may reflect this cultural and religious influence. The migration of Muslim communities to the West, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, also explains the presence of the surname in countries such as the United States, France, Canada and Germany.
The pattern of dispersal suggests that Balkis may have been a surname of prestige or lineage in Arab or Muslim communities, which subsequently spread through the diaspora. The presence in Western countries may be due to migrations motivated by economic, political or religious reasons, which led families with this surname to settle in new regions.
Variants and Related Forms
Variant spellings of the surname Balkis may include forms such as Bilqis, Balquis, or even phonetic adaptations in different languages. In regions where the transliteration from Arabic to the Latin alphabet varies, it is possible to find different writings of the same surname, reflecting the phonetic and orthographic particularities of each language.
In Spanish-speaking countries, for example, it could be found as Balquis, while in Anglo-Saxon countries, the most common form would be Balkis or Bilqis. Furthermore, in contexts where the surname has been adapted to languages with different phonetics, variants such as Balkees or Balquis could exist.
Relationships with other surnames with a common root are also possible, especially those that derive from Arabic proper names or similar historical figures. The presence of related surnames in Muslim communities may reflect a tradition of patronymics or lineage names that share etymological roots with Balkis.
In conclusion, the surname Balkis probably has an origin in the Arab world, linked to the figure of the Queen of Sheba, and its current distribution reflects historical processes of cultural, religious and migratory expansion. The influence of Islam and the Arab tradition in the regions where it is most common supports this hypothesis, although its presence in the West also evidences modern migrations and the diaspora.
