Meaning & History
Krikorian is an Armenian surname, a Western Armenian transcription of Grigoryan.
Etymology
The name is a patronymic, meaning "son of Krikor", the Armenian form of Gregory. The root Grigor is derived from Greek Gregorios, meaning "watchful, alert". Saint Gregory the Illuminator is the patron saint of Armenia. The surname is common among the Armenian diaspora, with variants such as Grigoryan and Grigorov in other Slavic languages.
Notable Bearers
Notable individuals with the surname include Adam Krikorian (born 1974), American water polo coach; Blake Krikorian (1967–2016), American entrepreneur; and David Krikorian (born 1968), Cincinnati politician. Other bearers include Garabed Krikorian (1847–1920), an Armenian photographer in Jerusalem, and Nerses Krikorian (1921–2018), an Armenian-American chemist and intelligence officer. The name also appears in entertainment and sports, with figures like John Krikorian, a basketball coach, and Raffi Krikorian, a technology executive.
Cultural Significance
As a patronymic, Krikorian reflects the strong historical and religious ties of Armenians to Saint Gregory the Illuminator. The spread of the surname across the globe, from the Middle East to the Americas, mirrors the Armenian diaspora's migration patterns over centuries.
- Meaning: Son of Krikor (Gregory)
- Origin: Armenian
- Type: Patronymic surname
- Usage regions: Armenia and Armenian diaspora
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Krikorian