Surname Moreno - Meaning and Origin

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Moreno: What does the surname Moreno mean?

Moreno is a Spanish surname that is also widely used in Portuguese-speaking countries. It is derived from a word that means 'dark or brown hair or skin' in Spanish. Originally, it was likely used as a nickname to distinguish people who had darker hair or skin. Over time, this nickname evolved into a surname. It could reflect the Moorish (North African) influence in Spain during the medieval times, or merely describe physical characteristics within the local population. Today, it is one of the most common surnames in Spanish-speaking countries. Several public figures, such as renowned composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda and Grammy award-winning singer Rita Moreno, carry this surname. It's worth mentioning that the use, meaning, or association of surnames can vary significantly across different cultures, regions, and periods.

Moreno: Where does the name Moreno come from?

The last name Moreno is of Spanish origin and translates to "brown or dark-skinned" in English. It is believed to have originated as a nickname for people with dark hair or complexions. Over time, it evolved into a surname and was adopted by families to denote lineage.

Today, the surname Moreno is prevalent in many Spanish-speaking countries including Spain, Mexico, and Colombia. Moreover, due to historical migrations and the spread of Spanish influence, the Moreno surname can also be found in areas of the United States with a significant Hispanic population, as well as in some parts of the Philippines. It is also present in other Latin American countries like Argentina and Peru. Its wide distribution can be attributed to the Spanish tradition of using both paternal and maternal surnames, increasing the chances of the surname being passed down through generations. Furthermore, multiple distinct families may have independently adopted or been given the surname Moreno, further contributing to its wide distribution.

Variations of the surname Moreno

The surname Moreno is of Spanish origin and is derived from the term ‘moro’, which means 'Moor'. The term ‘Moor’ was used to refer to the Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily, and Malta during the Middle Ages. Other variations and spellings include Morena, Morenos, Morenito, Morenita, Morera, Moro, Moros, El-Moro and Morera. The plural form is Morenos.

In Italy, the surname is found as Morino. In Portugal and Brazil, it's found as Moreno or Morena. Other surnames that could be related, due to a shared meaning relating to 'dark' or 'black' colors, include the English name "Black," or the German name "Schwarz".

There are also a few places from which people draw the Moreno surname, so the Moreno surname can have several local variant spellings or entirely different surnames with the same meaning. For example, in Catalonia, Spain, the surname can be found as Morenou. As of 2021, the surname Moreno is most prevalent in Mexico and the United States.

Famous people with the name Moreno

• Rita Moreno: A famous Puerto-Rican actress, dancer and singer. She's best known for her role in "West Side Story" and is one of the few performers to win an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony, and a Grammy, making her one of the twelve artists to achieve the EGOT status.
• Bruno Mars (Peter Gene Hernandez): Born to a Puerto Rican father and Filipino mother, Bruno Mars adopted the name 'Bruno' from the wrestler Bruno Sammartino. Mars’ father’s surname is Hernandez and his mother’s maiden name is Bayot. However, Mars’ father nicknamed him “Bruno” because he believed his son bore a resemblance to Sammartino.
• Kenny Moreno: A retired professional baseball player who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Jake T. Moreno: An American politician who served as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives.
• Antonio Moreno: A Spanish-born American actor and film director who was active in Hollywood during the silent and early talking film era.
• Mariano Rajoy: A Spanish politician who served as Prime Minister of Spain.
• Juan Moreno: A renowned Spanish architect.
• Javier Moreno: A successful Spanish professional cyclist.
• Roberto Urbina: A Colombian actor in both film and television.
• Hector Moreno: A Mexican professional footballer who plays as a central defender.

Other surnames

Moren