Shawkat

Shawkat is a masculine given name of Arabic origin that is widely used in Arabic-speaking regions as well as in South Asia and the broader Muslim world. It is often transliterated as Shaukat, Shawkat, Shoakat, or Shauqet, reflecting variations in spelling from Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Turkish sources. The name derives from an Arabic root meaning majesty, power, or authority, and it conveys connotations of dignity and honor.

In practice, Shawkat is primarily a given name, though it may appear as a surname in some cases. It is particularly common in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and parts of the Middle East, and it features in diaspora communities around the world. The diverse spellings reflect regional language influences and historical transliteration norms.

Notable people with the name include Shaukat Aziz, a Pakistani banker and politician who served as prime minister from 2004 to 2007; Begum Shaukat Khanum, the mother of Imran Khan, after whom the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre in Lahore is named; and Shawkat Osman, a Bangladeshi writer known for his contributions to Bengali literature. The name also appears in various cultural and historical contexts across South Asia and the Middle East, illustrating its broad linguistic and regional reach.