NomOrigine Background

Last Name Aguilera

What is the origin of the last name Aguilera?

The last name "Aguilera" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "aguila," which means "eagle" in Spanish. Thus, "Aguilera" can be translated to mean "eagle keeper" or "one who hunts or captures eagles." This surname is fairly common in Spain and some other Spanish-speaking countries.

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Learn more about the origin of the last name Aguilera

The meaning and origin of the last name Aguilera

The surname Aguilera originated from Spain and is derived from the word "aguila," which means eagle in Spanish. As a toponymic surname, it typically denotes someone who either lived near a place with the name Aguilera or could have represented a geographical feature such as a hill or stone formation resembling an eagle. Alternatively, the name might have been bestowed upon an individual as a nickname due to their associations with eagles, symbolizing strength, courage, and nobility. Over time, individuals bearing the surname Aguilera migrated to different parts of the world, spreading the name beyond its Spanish origins. Today, it is a reasonably common Hispanic surname found worldwide, especially in Spanish-speaking countries and regions influenced by Spanish culture. Notable bearers of the surname Aguilera include renowned American singer Christina Aguilera, whose paternal ancestors came from Ecuador, and Spanish-Argentine footballer Maxi Aguilera. This surname exemplifies a rich cultural heritage tied to the natural world and demonstrates the influence of Spanish language and traditions on family names.

Geographical distribution of the last name Aguilera

The last name Aguilera is primarily distributed in Spanish-speaking countries, with the highest concentration found in Mexico. As a Spanish surname, it can also be found in other Latin American countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru. In Spain, it is more commonly found in the southern regions like Andalusia. Outside of the Spanish-speaking world, the surname Aguilera can also be found in the United States, particularly in states with large Hispanic populations like California, Texas, Florida, and New Mexico. Due to migration and globalization, Aguilera can also be found in smaller numbers in other parts of the world, including countries like Canada, Brazil, and Australia, where people of Hispanic origin have settled. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Aguilera reflects the historical and linguistic connections between Spanish-speaking countries and their respective diaspora communities around the world.

Variants and spellings of the last name Aguilera

The last name Aguilera, a common Spanish surname, can have several variations and spellings. Some of the common variations include Agüero, Aguilar, Aguilera, Aguillar, Aguillard, and Aguilear. These variations occur due to different regional accents and dialects within the Spanish-speaking world. In some cases, the letter "u" may be replaced with "ü" or omitted altogether. Additionally, depending on the individual's country of origin, the surname may undergo further variations. For instance, in Mexico, the last name may be spelled as Aguilera, while in Spain it could be spelled as Aguillar. It is important to note that these variations exist primarily for linguistic reasons and do not affect the overall meaning or origin of the name Aguilera. Ultimately, the diverse spellings and variations of the surname Aguilera reflect the dynamic nature of language and its evolution across different regions.

Famous people with the last name Aguilera

Christina Aguilera is a renowned American singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to fame in the late 1990s. With her powerful vocals and undeniable talent, Aguilera has sold over 75 million records worldwide and won numerous awards, including Grammy Awards, Latin Grammy Awards, and Billboard Music Awards. She has released several chart-topping albums, such as "Stripped" and "Back to Basics," and has achieved great success with hit singles like "Genie in a Bottle" and "Beautiful." In addition to her music career, Christina Aguilera has also ventured into acting, appearing in movies like "Burlesque" and serving as a coach on the reality TV show, "The Voice." Her incredible voice, striking stage presence, and ability to continuously reinvent herself have established her as one of the most influential and talented pop icons of our time.

Genealogical research on the last name Aguilera

The surname Aguilera is of Spanish origin, derived from the word "aguila," meaning eagle. It is a toponymic surname, indicating a person's association with a place named Aguilera. This place could refer to several locations in Spain, such as Aguilera in Burgos or Aguilera de Arcos in Ciudad Real. Genealogical research on the Aguilera surname reveals a wide distribution throughout different regions of Spain and Latin America. The earliest records of individuals with this surname date back to the medieval period in the Iberian Peninsula. Over centuries, branches of the Aguilera family expanded, migrated, and established themselves in various countries, contributing to the surname's presence globally. Notable individuals bearing the Aguilera surname include famous Spanish singer Christina Aguilera and Grammy-winning songwriter and record producer Linda Perry, who married into the Aguilera family. Today, the Aguilera surname showcases a rich history and diverse familial connections across multiple continents.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Aguada (Last name)

surnames > aguada

The last name "Aguada" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word "agua," meaning water, and typically used as a locational surname for someone who lived near a wate...

Aguado (Last name)

surnames > aguado

The surname Aguado is of Spanish origin and is derived from the Spanish word "aguado," which means "watery" or "muddy." It likely originated as a nickname for someone who lived nea...

Aguallo (Last name)

surnames > aguallo

The last name "Aguallo" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "agua," meaning water in English.

Aguas (Last name)

surnames > aguas

The last name "Aguas" is of Spanish origin and is derived from the Spanish word for "waters" or "streams." It is likely to have originated as a descriptive surname for someone who ...

Aguayo (Last name)

surnames > aguayo

The last name "Aguayo" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "agua," which means "water" in Spanish. The name likely originated as a surname for someone who lived near ...

Aguchew (Last name)

surnames > aguchew

The last name "Aguchew" does not appear to have a clear origin or meaning in English. It may be a rare or unique surname.

Agudayao (Last name)

surnames > agudayao

The surname Agudayao appears to have originated in the Philippines. It is a common Filipino surname with Spanish influence.

Agudelo (Last name)

surnames > agudelo

The last name Agudelo is of Spanish origin. It is believed to be a patronymic surname derived from the given name Agudo, which means "sharp" or "keen" in Spanish. This surname is m...

Agudera (Last name)

surnames > agudera

The surname Agudera is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word "agudo," meaning "sharp" or "acute." This surname may have originated as a nickname for someone who wa...

Agudo (Last name)

surnames > agudo

The surname "Agudo" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word "agudo" which means "sharp" or "acute". This surname may have originated as a nickname for someone wit...

Agudong (Last name)

surnames > agudong

The last name "Agudong" is of Filipino origin, commonly found in the Philippines. It is derived from the Visayan word "agud" which means "unite" or "combine", and "dong" which is a...

Agueda (Last name)

surnames > agueda

The surname Agueda is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the given name Agueda, which is the Spanish form of the Latin name Agatha. This name ultimately comes from the Greek wor...

Aguedan antonio (Last name)

surnames > aguedan-antonio

The surname Aguedan likely originates from Spain. It may be a variation of the name Agüeda, derived from the Spanish town of the same name. Antonio is a common given name in Spani...

Agueh (Last name)

surnames > agueh

The last name "Agueh" is of Yoruba origin, primarily found in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. The name is believed to be derived from the Yoruba word "Agwe" which means "mu...

Aguele (Last name)

surnames > aguele

The last name "Aguele" is of Nigerian origin, specifically from the Yoruba tribe. It is derived from the word "agbele" which means "good fortune" or "luck."