Balaban (surname)

Balaban (also Ballaban, Ballabon) is a surname, from a Turkic word meaning "robust", "burly", or a Ukrainian word meaning "hawk". Notable people with the surname include:


 * Alexandru Balaban (born 1931), Romanian chemist
 * Alper Balaban (1987–2010), Turkish footballer
 * A. J. Balaban (1889–1962), co-founder of Balaban and Katz
 * Barney Balaban (1887–1971), co-founder of Balaban and Katz
 * Bob Balaban (born 1945), American actor and director (related to the founders of Balaban and Katz)
 * Boško Balaban (born 1978), Croatian footballer
 * Elmer Balaban (1909–2001), American theater owner and early cable television executive
 * İbrahim Balaban (1921–2019), Turkish painter
 * Jan Balabán (1961–2010), Czech writer
 * John Balaban (poet) (born 1943), American poet and translator
 * Judy Balaban (1932–2023), American actress and author
 * Liane Balaban (born 1980), Canadian actress
 * Meir Balaban (1874–1941), Polish Jewish historian
 * Miriam Balaban, scientist
 * Nathalie Q. Balaban, Israeli biophysicist
 * Nina Balaban (born 1995), Macedonian sports shooter
 * Ștefan Balaban (1890–1962), Romanian brigadier generał

Fictional

 * Megadirettore Galattico (Galactic Megadirector) Duca Conte (Duke Count) Francesco Maria Balabam, one of the main characters in the novels and films about Ugo Fantozzi.