Savas

Savas is a masculine given name and surname used in Greek- and Turkish-speaking communities, as well as in diaspora populations. In Greece and Cyprus, the form Savvas (often rendered without diacritics as Savas) is a common male given name. It derives from the early Christian name Sabbas, known in Greek as Savvas, and is associated with Saint Sabbas, a 5th‑century monk prominent in monastic tradition. The surname Savas is also found among Greek families and in communities of Greek descent.

In Turkish usage, the form Savaş, meaning "war," is a common masculine given name and surname. When Turkish names are transliterated into non-Turkish contexts, the diacritic may be dropped, producing Savas. Although related by transliteration, the Turkish and Greek forms have distinct etymologies and cultural associations.

The name Savas is encountered in modern contexts in literature, media, and public life, especially among individuals of Greek or Turkish heritage. It also appears in broader Balkan and diaspora settings where Greek or Turkish influence has existed.

See also Savvas, Sabbas, Savaş.