Caruana: The Beloved Name Rooted in Trees and Ancient Roads!

Have you ever met someone with the surname Caruana and wondered what their name might mean? It’s a popular Maltese name with a few cool stories behind it!

One idea is that Caruana means “beloved” or “dear” from the Latin word carus, which shows that the name was once a sweet nickname for someone loved by many.Another fun explanation comes from a genealogy site that says the name might come from the old Sicilian or Maltese language and mean “castor oil plant” a pretty unusual connection to nature!

There is also a fascinating theory that the name comes from the Arabic-influenced Maltese word karwan, meaning “a caravan of camels or donkeys”, pointing to travellers or traders from ancient times.

Caruana is one of the most common surnames in Malta about one in every 66 people has this name!

Some famous Maltese people with that name include:

Gabriel Caruana, a celebrated Maltese artist renowned for his modern ceramics and sculptures worldwide.

Maurus Caruana, who served as Archbishop of Malta and helped guide the island through tough times long ago.

Francesco Saverio Caruana, a bishop and heroic leader during Malta’s uprising against the French in the early 1800s.

So, next time you hear Caruana, remember it might mean beloved, or hint at castor plants or caravan journeys and that it’s carried by inspiring artists, church leaders and heroes from Malta’s history!

#MaltaDaily