Banu ( fa, بانو ''bânu''), also spelled Bano, is a

Persian Persian may refer to: * People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language ** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples ** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...

name for girls popular in

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...

and other Persian-speaking countries. It is also used in

Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...

Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mos ...

Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (, ; az, Azərbaycan ), officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, , also sometimes officially called the Azerbaijan Republic is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is a part of th ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

and

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...

. It means "grand lady" and "princess" in Persian. A very different word "Bhanu", meaning "Sun" in Sanskrit. The word is often simplified to "Banu" in certain pronunciations of the word in several Indian languages, notably in Tamil and Telugu. Notable people with the name Banu or Bano include the following:

Given name

Banu Alkan Banu Alkan (born Liz Remka Rebronja; 1 April 1958) is a Turkish-Croatian actress. She moved to Edremit, Balıkesir Edremit is a city and district of Balıkesir Province in the Aegean region of Turkey. It is situated at the tip of the gulf wi ...

(born 1958), Turkish-Croatian female actor * Banu Avar (born 1955), Turkish author, journalist, news anchor, and political commentator *

Banu Bargu Banu Bargu is a U.S.-based political theorist and professor of History of Consciousness and Politics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Career Bargu completed her B.A. at Boğaziçi University in 1997, where she also completed her M.A. ...

, professor of History of Consciousness and Political Theory at the University of California, Santa Cruz *

Aram Banu Begum Aram Banu Begum (22 December 1584 - 17 June 1624) was a Mughal Princess, the youngest daughter of the third Mughal Emperor Akbar. Life Born on 22 December 1584, Aram Banu Begum was the youngest daughter of Akbar and Bibi Daulat Shad. She als ...

(1584–1624), Mughal princess, the youngest daughter of Emperor Akbar from his wife Bibi Daulat Shad * Arjumand Banu Begum, Mughal Empress, the chief consort of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan * Bahar Banu Begum (8206–1653), (meaning "The Blooming Lady"), Mughal princess, the daughter of Mughal emperor Jahangir * Bakshi Banu Begum (born 1540), Mughal princess, the second daughter of Emperor Humayun from his wife Gunwar Bibi *

Dilras Banu Begum Dilras Banu Begum (; 1622 – 8 October 1657) was the first wife and chief consort of Emperor Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor. She is also known by her posthumous title, Rabia-ud-Daurani (" Rabia of the Age"). The Bibi Ka Maqbara in Auranga ...

(1622–1657), the first wife and chief consort of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb *

Hamida Banu Begum Hamida Banu Begum ( 1527 – 29 August 1604), was the queen consort of the second Mughal emperor Humayun and the mother of his successor, the third Mughal emperor Akbar.Hoshmand Banu Begum (born 1605), (meaning "The Prudent Lady"), Mughal princess, the daughter of Prince Khusrau Mirza * Jahanzeb Banu Begum (died 1705), Mughal princess and the chief consort of Muhammad Azam Shah *

Nadira Banu Begum Nadira Banu Begum (14 March 1618 – 6 June 1659) was a Mughal princess and the wife of the Crown prince, Dara Shikoh, the eldest son and heir-apparent of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. After Aurangzeb's rise to power, Dara Shikoh's immediate f ...

(1618–1659), Mughal princess and the wife of Crown prince Dara Shukoh *

Parhez Banu Begum Parhez Banu Begum (21 August 1611 – 1675) was a Mughal Empire, Mughal princess, the first child and eldest daughter of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan from his first wife, Qandahari Begum. She was also the older half-sister of her father's success ...

(1611–1675), Mughal princess, the first child and eldest daughter of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan from his first wife *

Rahmat Banu Begum Ramani Gabharu ( born 1656), was the princess of Kingdom of Assam and the first wife of titular Mughal emperor Muhammad Azam Shah. She was sent to the Mughal harem as part of the Treaty of Ghilajharighat and was renamed Rahmat Banu Begum . She ...

(born 1656), the first wife of titular Mughal Emperor Muhammad Azam Shah *

Sakina Banu Begum Sakina Banu Begum (died 25 August 1604) was a Mughal princess, the daughter of Mughal emperor Humayun. Life Sakina Banu Begum was the daughter of Emperor Humayun, and his wife Mah Chuchak Begum. Her siblings included, Mirza Muhammad Hakim, Farr ...

(died 1604), Mughal princess, the daughter of Mughal emperor Humayun *

Saliha Banu Begum Saliha Banu Begum (died 10 June 1620) was Empress consort of the Mughal Empire as the wife of Emperor Jahangir. She was also known as the Padshah Banu Begum or the Padshah Mahal. Family Saliha Banu Begum was the daughter of Qaim Khan, and came ...

(died 1620), Empress consort of the Mughal Empire as the wife of Emperor Jahangir *

Shahar Banu Begum Shahar Banu Begum (1663 – ?) was Empress consort of the Mughal Empire from 14 March 1707 to 8 June 1707 as the third (and last) wife of Emperor Muhammad Azam Shah. She is popularly known by the titles Padishah Bibi and '' Padshah Begum''. By ...

(1663 – ?), Empress consort of the Mughal Empire as the third (and last) wife of Emperor Muhammad Azam Shah *

Banu Cennetoğlu Banu Cennetoğlu (b. Ankara, 1970) is a visual artist based in Istanbul. She uses photography, installation, and printed matter to explore the classification, appropriation and distribution of data and knowledge. Her work deals with listings, colle ...

, visual artist based in Istanbul *

Banu Güven Banu Güven (born 1969ceftus.org‘Government, Media, Conflict and Peace: Limits to Freedom of Expression in Turkey’/ref>) is a Turkish journalist. She worked at NTV for 14 years (1997–2011), presenting programmes such as ''Gecen Hafta – Bu H ...

(born 1969), Turkish journalist *

Husna Banu Khanam Husna Banu Khanam (18 February 1922 – 30 May 2006) was a Bangladeshi educationist, writer and Nazrul singer. She was a pioneer of Bengali Muslim women journalism. In 1999, she received the Ekushey Padak Award for her contribution in music, and ...

(1922–2006), Bangladeshi educationist, writer and Nazrul singer *

Banu Onaral Banu Onaral is H.H. Sun Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She holds a Ph.D. 1978 in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and BSEE 1973 and MSEE 9 ...

, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania *

Raihan Akhter Banu Roni Raihan Akhter Banu (Nickname: Roni; bn, রায়হান আখতার বানু, born 11 January 1952) is an ex Member of Parliament of Bangladesh and an active Political leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party(BNP). She started her ...

(born 1952), ex Member of Parliament of Bangladesh, leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party(BNP) * Hamida Banu Shova, the founder and chairperson of Queens University, Bangladesh * Banu Subramaniam (born 1966), professor of women, gender and sexuality studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst * Meriç Banu Yenal (born 1988), Turkish female basketball player * Banu Parlak, Turkish pop singer *

Banu Chichek Banu Chichek or Bağnu Chichek ( az, Banu Çiçək, azb, بانو چیچک, ota, بانو چیچک, tr, Banu Çiçek) is a character in the ''Book of Dede Korkut'' and other Turkic mythology. Just like Bamsi Beyrek, Chichek's character has al ...

, character in the '' Book of Dede Korkut'' * Bano Khalil Ahmed (born 1969), Pakistani politician * Bano Haralu, Indian journalist and a conservationist *

Bano Qudsia Bano Qudsia ( ur, ‎; 28 November 19284 February 2017), also known as Bano Aapa, was a Pakistani novelist, playwright and spiritualist. She wrote literature in Urdu, producing novels, dramas plays and short stories. Qudsia is best recognized ...

(1928–2017), also known as Bano Aapa, Pakistani novelist, playwright and spiritualist * Bano Traoré (born 1985), Malian athlete

Surname

Constantin Banu Constantin Gheorghe Banu (March 20, 1873 – September 8, 1940) was a Romanian writer, journalist and politician, who served as Arts and Religious Affairs Minister in 1922–1923. He is remembered in literary history as the founder of ''Flacăra'' ...

(1873–1940), Romanian writer, journalist, Arts and Religious Affairs Minister in 1922–1923 *

Farhat Banu Farhat Banu was a Member of the Dhaka Nawab family and member of the Bengal Legislative Assembly in British India. Her uncle was the Nawab of Dhaka, Sir Khwaja Salimullah. Career Farhat Banu was a Member of the Bengal Legislative Assembly, the lar ...

, member of the Dhaka Nawab family and member of the Bengal Legislative Assembly in British India *

Florentin Banu Florentin Banu is a business man from Timișoara. In 1994 he created the "Joe" waffles (his nickname from childhood) which he sold in 2000 to Nestlé.

, businessman from Timișoara *

Gheorghe Banu Gheorghe Banu (23 March 1889—15 August 1957) was a Romanian hygienist and politician who served as Health Minister in the Octavian Goga government from 12 December 1937 to 10 February 1938. He was a leading promoter of eugenics among academics ...

(1889–1957), Romanian hygienist, Health Minister in the Octavian Goga government from December 1937 to March 1938 *

Grace Banu Grace Banu is an Indian software engineer who is a Dalit and transgender activist. She was the first transgender person to be admitted to an engineering college in the state of Tamil Nadu. She lives in the Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. Earl ...

, Dalit and transgender activist * Gulzar Banu (born 1963), Indian politician and former Mayor of the Mangalore City Corporation, India * Ibn Banu, nominal governor of al-Bahrain for the Abbasid dynasty, serving there in 903 * Iksaka Banu (born 1964), Indonesian writer of comics and prose *

Leila Arjumand Banu Leila Arjumand Banu ( bn, লায়লা আর্জুমান্দ বানু; 5 January 1929 – 10 February 1995) was a Bangladeshi singer and social activist. Early life and education Banu was born on 5 January 1929, to a Bengali Mu ...

(1929–1995), Bangladeshi singer and social activist *

Naseem Banu Naseem Banu (4 July 1916 – 18 June 2002) was an Indian actress. She was referred to as Naseem and known as "Beauty Queen" and the "first female superstar" of Indian Cinema. Starting her acting career in the mid-1930s she continued to act t ...

(1916–2002), Indian film actress *

Rahima Banu Rahima Banu Begum ( bn, রহিমা বানু বেগম; born 16 October 1972) is the last known person to have been infected with naturally occurring ''Variola major'' smallpox, the more deadly variety of the disease. Biography ...

(born 1972), the last known person to have been infected with naturally occurring Variola major smallpox *

Saira Banu Saira Banu (born 23 August 1944) is a former Indian actress who mainly worked in Hindi language films. She was one of the most popular actresses in her heyday in the Indian film industry in the 1960s and early 1970s. Career Saira Banu was the ...

(born 1943), Indian film actress and the wife of the film actor Dilip Kumar * Sayeda Motahera Banu, Bangladesh writer and winner of the Independence Day Award in 2001, the highest civilian award in Bangladesh * Selina Banu, Bangladeshi politician, social activist, and feminist * Tharika Banu, the first registered transgender person to complete her secondary education in Tamil Nadu *

Arsénio Bano Arsénio Paixão Bano (born 1974 in Oecussi-Ambeno) is an East Timorese politician and the Vice-President of Fretilin, a post to which he was elected by the party's Central Committee in July 2007. He served in the government as Minister of Labo ...

(born 1974), East Timorese politician * Fatima Bano, Indian wrestling coach * Franco Bano (born 1986), Argentinian footballer *

Ilir Bano Ilir Bano is a member of the Assembly of the Republic of Albania for the Democratic Party of Albania The Democratic Party of Albania ( sq, Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë, PD or PDSH) is a conservative political party in Albania. It has be ...

, Albanian politician *

Iqbal Bano Iqbal Bano ( ur, ; born 1928 in Delhi – died 21 April 2009 in Lahore) was a ghazal singer from Pakistan. She was known for her semi-classical Urdu ghazal songs and classical thumris, but also sang easy-listening numbers in the 1950s films. Iq ...

(1935–2009), Pakistani Ghazal singer * Jeelani Bano (born 1936), Indian Urdu writer *

Khursheed Bano :''This is about the Indian performer. For people so surnamed, see Khurshid.'' Khursheed Bano ( ur, ) (14 April 1914 – 18 April 2001), often credited as Khursheed or Khurshid, was a singer and actress, and a pioneer of the Indian cinema. Her ...

(1914–2001), Pakistani singer and actress *

Noor Bano (politician) Begum Noor Bano served as a Member of Parliament in the 11th Lok Sabha and 13th Lok Sabha, lower house of parliament of India. She was elected from Rampur on the ticket of Indian National Congress party. Early life and education Begum Noor B ...

, Indian politician * Saira Bano (born 1944), Indian actress * Shah Bano (born c. 1916), Indian feminist *

Shamim Bano Shamim Bano (also commonly termed 'Shamim' or 'Bano Begum') (29 July 1920 – 23 October 1984), was a film actress and singer in Indian and Pakistani Cinema. She starred alongside Dilip Kumar in his debut film '' Jwar Bhata''.Not to be con ...

(1941–1984), Indian Pashtun actress

Arts and entertainment

* ''Bano'' (novel), by Pakistani novelist Razia Butt

Given name

Surname

Arts and entertainment

See also