Lazare

Lazare is a given name and, less commonly, a surname used in French-speaking contexts. It is the French form of Lazarus, a name that ultimately derives from the Hebrew Eleazar, with Lazarus of Bethany as the biblical figure whom Jesus raised from the dead. In Christian and Jewish traditions, the name has historically carried associations with resurrection or deliverance, though modern usage is primarily as a personal identifier.

Notable figures with the given name include Lazare Carnot (1753–1823), a French mathematician and political leader during the French Revolution who played a crucial role in organizing the military efforts of the republic; and Lazare Ponticelli (1897–2008), an Italian-born French World War I veteran who lived to an advanced age and became a widely recognized figure associated with the war’s legacy. Beyond these individuals, the name has appeared in French literature and public life, reflecting its enduring presence in Francophone naming traditions.

As a surname, Lazare is less common but occurs in some families of French origin, and it can be encountered in historical records and genealogies. Related forms exist in other languages, including Lazarus in English, Lazar in various Slavic languages, and Lázár in Hungarian, illustrating the name’s broad geographic and linguistic reach. The usage and prominence of Lazare thus span religious, cultural, and historical contexts within the Francophone world and beyond.