RAJAPAKSE
Rajapakse
Rajapakse, also spelled as Rajapaksa or Rajapaksha, is a Sri Lankan aristocratic title and surname with historical roots. The title is derived from the Sinhalese words 'Raja' meaning king, and 'Paksha' meaning wing. It is predominantly found in Sri Lanka among the Sinhalese community, particularly within the Kandyan aristocracy.
History
The Rajapakse surname is believed to have originated during the medieval period in Sri Lanka when the island was divided into different kingdoms. Members of the Rajapakse family were known to have held influential positions in the courts of the Kandyan kings. The title was bestowed to honour those who served the kingdom with loyalty and distinction.
Notable Figures
1. Mahinda Rajapakse
- Born: November 18, 1945
- Role: Sri Lankan politician, President of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015.
2. Gotabaya Rajapaksa
- Born: June 20, 1949
- Role: Sri Lankan politician, former Secretary of Defence and Urban Development of Sri Lanka, and the current President of Sri Lanka.
Legacy
The Rajapakse family continues to be a prominent political dynasty in Sri Lanka, with its members holding influential positions in the government and playing significant roles in shaping the country's contemporary history. The surname Rajapakse signifies a lineage that has contributed to the socio-political landscape of Sri Lanka.
There are approximately 144 people named Rajapakse in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Rajapakse.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Ajith
- Donald
- Gihan
- Lalith
- Nihal
- Nissanka
- Piers
- Pradeep
- Ravindra
- Suresh
- Terence
Female
- Anisha
- Anushka
- Beulah
- Malini
- Manel
- Nayana
- Ramya
- Rasika
- Rohana
- Tina