Surname Nieves - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Past: How My iGENEA DNA Test Illuminated the History of My Nieves Ancestors

The intriguing journey of delving into my ancestral lineage, specifically the Nieves branch, through the iGENEA DNA test has expanded my understanding and appreciation for my family's rich historical and cultural tapestry.

I. Nieves

Nieves: What does the surname Nieves mean?

The surname Nieves is of Spanish origin and directly translates to "snows" in English. It is derived from the Spanish title of the Virgin Mary, "Nuestra Señora de las Nieves" meaning "Our Lady of the Snows". This refers to a miracle in the fourth century where snow fell in August on the Esquiline Hill in Rome, prompting a basilica to be built there, named Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. The surname Nieves typically geographically originates from areas in Spain with high snowfall, and was often given to people residing in or near such areas. It was also given to individuals who showed pure and pristine characteristics, metaphorically comparable to the purity of snow.

Nieves: Where does the name Nieves come from?

Nieves is a common Spanish surname. As of 2019, it was one of the 20 most common surnames in Spain. It is also common in the United States, particularly in the Southwest, due to its presence in Mexican and Hispanic culture. The most frequent location for Nieves as a surname in the United States is Texas, followed by California and New Mexico. It is also popular in many other countries in Latin America, including Mexico, Honduras, Chile, and Puerto Rico.

Nieves is derived from the masculine Spanish given name Nieves which itself is derived from the Latin word for "snow". It was likely a nickname given to people who were fair-haired or pale-skinned. It is sometimes rendered as Nievez or Nevezz.

Nieves families are often devoutly Catholic, as this was the primary religion of Spain for centuries. As with other Spanish surnames, many families in the United States have hyphenated the surname with their maiden name to maintain their connection to their Hispanic heritage.

Variations of the surname Nieves

Nieves is a Spanish, Portuguese and Galician surname that originated from the Latin word "nieve", which translates to "snow". It was originally a toponymic name for people who came from a place named with this word. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include:

1. Nieves (also spelled Niéves): This is the traditional spelling that originated in Spain and Portugal. It is also a common surname in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama, Peru and the Dominican Republic.

2. Nieves de la Vega: This hypercorrect spelling originated in Spain and is mostly used in Hispanic countries.

3. Nieves de la Torre: This spelling emerged from the lengthening of the name when it was adopted in Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula.

4. Nieva: This variant originated in Spain as an evolution of the original name, with the letter "V" replacing the letter "B".

5. Nevès: This variant spelling emerged from Romance languages, meaning "from the snow-covered mountain".

6. Neve: This variant originated in Italy as a shortening of the name.

7. Nevissi: This version emerged in an Italian dialect.

The surname is also occasionally spelled with the letter "Y", creating the variants Nieyes and Neiyes, as well as similar surnames such as Neuhaus and Neves. These names may refer to different people, but all trace back to the original Latin name.

Famous people with the name Nieves

• Ricky Nieves: Ricky Nieves is an American actor and comedian most famous for portraying Leonard “Lenny” Carver in the 2019 horror comedy movie, Satanic Panic.
• Juan Nieves: Juan Nieves is a former professional baseball pitcher who officially retired in 1996. He made his Major League Baseball debut in 1983 with the Milwaukee Brewers, and his last appearance was in 1990 with the Seattle Mariners.
• Syliva Nieves: Sylvia Nieves is a Mexican television, film and theater actress. Her most notable works include Una Familia de Diez, Una Maid en Manhattan, and Enamorándonos.
• Yesenia Nieves: Yesenia Nieves is a Mexican actress best known for her work in telenovelas including Tormenta en el Paraiso and Dos Mujeres Un Camino.
• Jorge Nieves: Jorge Nieves is a professional Muay Thai boxer from Mexico. He is a five-time Mexican Muay Thai champion and two-time world Muay Thai champion.
• Tatiana Nieves: Tatiana Nieves is a Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and piano player. She is best known for her 2016 debut album, Pasión, and her single “Yo Soy Tu Amor”.
• Pedro Nieves: Pedro Nieves is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Tenerife CD in the Spanish Liga Adelante.
• Daniel Nieves: Daniel Nieves is an American actor best known for his roles in the films Hack!, House of the Dead 2, and The Butterfly Effect 2.
• Mónica Nieves: Mónica Nieves is a Mexican actress and television host. She is well known for her roles in television series such as Enamorándonos, Las Estrellas and De Todo Un Poco.
• Luis Nieves: Luis Nieves is a Puerto Rican politician and businessman, who served as the mayor of Manatí from 2013 to 2021.

Other surnames

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