Balaban (surname)
Balaban is a surname, from a Turkic word meaning "robust", "burly", or a Ukrainian word meaning "hawk". Notable people with the surname include:
- Alexandru Balaban, Romanian chemist
- Alper Balaban, Turkish footballer
- A. J. Balaban, co-founder of Balaban and Katz
- Barney Balaban, co-founder of Balaban and Katz
- Bob Balaban, American actor and director
- Boško Balaban, Croatian footballer
- Burt Balaban, American film producer and director
- Elmer Balaban, American theater owner and early cable television executive
- İbrahim Balaban, Turkish painter
- Jan Balabán, Czech writer
- John Balaban (poet), American poet and translator
- Judy Balaban, American actress and author
- Liane Balaban, Canadian actress
- Meir Balaban, Polish Jewish historian
- Miriam Balaban, scientist
- Nathalie Q. Balaban, Israeli biophysicist
- Nina Balaban, Macedonian sports shooter
- Ștefan Balaban, Romanian brigadier generał
Fictional
- Megadirettore Galattico Duca Conte Francesco Maria Balabam, one of the main characters in the novels and films about Ugo Fantozzi.