Perera
A common Sri Lankan surname, likely tied to the Portuguese colonial-era influence on local naming.
The #7,801 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 72,783 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Perera is a well-known Sri Lankan surname that is generally traced to Portuguese influence during the colonial period. It is often explained as a surname that was adopted or adapted within Sinhala-speaking communities under Portuguese rule. The exact pathway is not always certain, but the name is strongly associated with Sri Lankan use rather than a single straightforward Portuguese lexical meaning.
History
The surname became especially widespread in Sri Lanka after the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when many local families took on Portuguese-style surnames. It remains one of the most familiar Sri Lankan surnames today, found among both Sinhalese and Catholic communities. Outside Sri Lanka, it is also encountered in diaspora populations, including in the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Perera and Pereira are often linked in discussion, but in Sri Lankan usage Perera is now a distinct, very common surname in its own right.