Papanikolaous

Papanikolaous is a Greek-language surname that is a transliteration of Παπανικολάου. It is a patronymic surname formed from Nikolaos (Nicholas), with a prefix element often found in Greek family names. In Greek, the -ou ending is the genitive form used for family names, so Παπανικολάου can be understood as “of Nikolaos” or “descendant of Nikolaos.” The prefix Papa- is a common component in several Greek surnames and does not necessarily indicate priestly status in contemporary use.

The surname is most common in Greece and among Greek communities abroad, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and various parts of Europe. Variants and transliterations include Papanikolaou and Papanikolaous, reflecting differences in rendering Greek letters in Latin script.

Notable people: There are individuals bearing the surname Papanikolaous, though none with wide international recognition under this exact transliteration. A closely related surname, Papanikolaou, is associated with Georgios Papanikolaou (1883–1962), a Greek physician who co-developed the Pap smear and made significant contributions to cytology and cancer screening. This connection helps place the name within a broader context of Greek patronymic surnames linked to prominent scientific figures.

See also: Papanikolaou.