Surname Pena - Meaning and Origin
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O. Pena
read morePena: What does the surname Pena mean?
The last name Peña is of Spanish origin and it directly translates to "rock" or "cliff" in English. It is often used to denote a geographical location and is common among those living near a cliff or rocky land. This name originated as a way to distinguish those who lived in these particular areas. Variations of the surname include De la Peña or Dela Peña meaning "of the rock" or "from the cliff". Like many Spanish surnames, Peña can also be found across Portugal and Latin America, and it is also common among Sephardic Jewish families. It should be noted that in languages using the Latin alphabet, the surname is often written without the tilde, leading to the spelling "Pena". However, in Spanish, "pena" carries different meanings, including shame, sorrow, or pity, but it is not related to the surname's etymology.
Order DNA origin analysisPena: Where does the name Pena come from?
The last name Pena is most common within the Hispanic population. Today, the last name can be found throughout Latin America and in many Hispanic and Latin American countries. It is one of the most widespread Spanish surnames in the world.
In the United States, the most common cities where the last name Pena is found are currently Miami, New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, San Antonio, El Paso, Las Vegas, San Jose, and Phoenix. It is also more common in other large, metropolitan regions with large Hispanic populations, like California, Arizona, New Mexico, El Paso, and Florida.
The most popular countries in the world where the last name Pena is common are Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. It is also relatively common in some parts of the Caribbean, like Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Panama.
In Europe, the last name Pena can be found in Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany. Although it is much less common there than in Latin America or the United States, it is still a very recognizable surname among Spanish speakers in those countries.
Overall, the last name Pena is very widespread in the Spanish-speaking world, from the Americas to Europe, and from Mexico to Colombia.
Variations of the surname Pena
The surname Pena has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The alternate spellings can vary depending on the language or culture it is used in. The Spanish language variants are: Peña, La Peña, Penas, and La Pena. The Portuguese variants are: Peña, Peñas, Peñalosa, and Peñaloza. An Italian variant is Penzi.
In Spanish, the name Pena is derived from the Latin word "pinus” which has a variety of meanings such as a punishment, a penalty, or as a surname, it can mean “inhabitant of a pine grove." In Portuguese, the word peña also means "punishment" but derived from "pinnaculum" which can mean peak or point, and can also mean some type of defense formation.
In other languages, Peña is sometimes used as a surname, including Korean, where it is spelled Pina or Pinae and is derived from an ancient Korean name Pina. Another foreign spelling can be found in Hungarian, with the surname Penye. In Croatia, it is spelled Penavic.
The definition of the word pena has expanded over time and gained more general usage. It has come to mean sorrow, regret, and distress, and is now commonly used in Spanish and Portuguese to mean “a sorrow of the soul” or “a deep emotion.”
Overall, the surname Pena has many variants and spellings, which depend on the language or culture it is used in. The surname is derived from Latin, and can sometimes mean "inhabitant of a pine grove" or more generally, the emotion of sorrow, regret or distress.
Famous people with the name Pena
- Eva Longoria Pena: actress and activist
- Fernando Pena: film and stage actor
- Monique Peña: actor, model, and singer
- Danny Pena: internet celebrity, film producer, and entrepreneur
- Patricia Pena: actress, singer, and television presenter
- Juan Pena: singer-songwriter and entrepreneur
- Alejandro Pena: former Major League Baseball player
- Rafael Pena: artist and sculptor
- Jencarlos Canela Pena: singer, songwriter, and actor
- Melissa Pena: former Miss New York USA
- Rodrigo De La Pena: actor, director, and producer
- Oscar De La Pena: actor and producer
- Karla Monroig Pena: actress and television host
- Makinize Peña: actress and voice artist
- Brandon Pena: actor, director, producer, and writer
- Primo Pena: basketball player
- Zequina Pena: former professional footballer
- Ismael Felix Peña: professional boxer
- Perez Pena: professional boxer
- Yulimar Peña: track and field athlete