Basarab
/ba.saˈrab/noun
Basarab was the name of a medieval Wallachian ruling dynasty and, especially, of its founder Basarab I.
Did you know?Basarab I defeated the Hungarian king Charles I at the Battle of Posada in 1330, securing Wallachia’s independence.
Etymological Timeline
Before the 14th Century
Uncertain
Basarab
“The personal name’s earliest linguistic origin is disputed; scholars have proposed Cuman, Turkic, and other possibilities.”
Early 14th Century
Medieval Latin
Bazarab
“A Latin documentary form of the name appears in records concerning the Wallachian ruler.”
14th Century
Old Romanian
Basarab
“The name is associated with Basarab I, voivode of Wallachia and founder of the Basarab dynasty.”
14th Century
Hungarian Latin
Bazarab
“Hungarian royal documents record the ruler as Bazarab or related spellings.”
15th–17th Centuries
Romanian
Basarabi
“The plural or dynastic form refers to the ruling house descended from Basarab I.”
Modern English
English
Basarab
“A historical proper name referring to the dynasty, its rulers, or Basarab I himself.”