Last Name Januario-da-silva

The surname "Januario-da-Silva" is of Portuguese origin. It consists of three parts: 1. Januario: This part is a given name that originates from the Portuguese word for January, "janeiro". In the past, it was common in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries to give children names based on the month they were born in. 2. da: This is a very common prefix in Portuguese and Spanish surnames, which translates to 'of' or 'from'. In this context, it usually indicates that the bearer comes from a specific place. 3. Silva: This is also a common Portuguese surname, derived from the Latin word silva (forest). It was often given to people who lived near forests or worked with wood. So, "Januario-da-Silva" originally refers to someone born in January and comes from the Silva family. However, it's important to note that surnames can be subject to various changes due to factors such as migrations, errors in records, and local customs.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Januario-da-silva

The meaning and origin of the last name Januario-da-silva

The surname Januário da Silva is composed of two distinct Portuguese elements: Januário and da Silva.

Januário is a given name derived from the Latin 'Ianuarius', which was named after the Roman god Janus, known for his two faces representing the beginning of a new year. The name was traditionally given to children born in January.

Da Silva, on the other hand, is a common Portuguese patronymic surname that translates to "son of Silva." Silva originated from a variety of sources such as geographical locations (places with abundant trees or foliage), occupations related to forestry work, or personal names.

Therefore, the name Januário da Silva can be understood as the surname of someone who was born in January and whose father had the family name Silva. This surname is commonly found among Portuguese speakers, reflecting its historical origins from Portugal.

Geographical distribution of the last name Januario-da-silva

The surname Januario-da-Silva is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, primarily Brazil and Portugal, due to its origins from these regions. In Brazil, it is most concentrated in the southeastern states such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo, reflecting a historical trend of migration from the northeast to the south during the 19th and 20th centuries. In Portugal, it can be found throughout the country, with higher concentrations in the northern regions like Minho and Douro, possibly indicating an original regional focus that has dispersed over time. Additionally, due to migration patterns and Portuguese colonialism, smaller populations of this surname can also be found in former Portuguese colonies such as Angola, Mozambique, and Goa (India).

Variants and spellings of the last name Januario-da-silva

The surname Januario-da-Silva has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, regional dialects, and personal preferences. Here are some common versions:

1. Januaryo-da-Silva: A slight variation of the original name with a different spelling for the given name.
2. Januário da Silva: This is the standard Portuguese version without the hyphen.
3. Juanario da Silva: A possible Spanish transliteration, though it's more common to find this name in Portuguese-speaking countries.
4. Januario DaSilva: An alternative spelling with capitalized initial letters and no hyphen.
5. JanuariodaSilva: Another variation that replaces the hyphen with a space.
6. Januaryo de Silva: A version where the middle name is written as de Silva, without the common Portuguese use of a hyphen.
7. JuanariodaSilva: A Spanish spelling alternative similar to the one mentioned earlier, replacing the 'J' with 'Juan'.

Famous people with the last name Januario-da-silva

Januaryo-Da-Silva is a surname that has produced several notable figures across various fields. One of the most renowned is Januario da Silva, a Brazilian economist and academic who served as President of the World Bank from 2004 to 2007. He was the first developing-country national to hold this position. Another prominent figure is João Januaryo de Souza Da-Silva, a Brazilian footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the 1960s and 1970s. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 1962 and played for clubs such as Santos FC and AC Milan. In the literary world, there is Linda Januaryo da Silva, a Brazilian author who has written several books, including "A Casa da Pôr-do-Sol" (The House of Sunset).

Genealogical research on the last name Januario-da-silva

The surname Januário-da-Silva originates from Portugal, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. The name is a composite of two distinct Portuguese surnames: "Januário," which is derived from the Latin name 'Januarius,' and 'da Silva,' meaning 'of the forest' or 'of the shrub.'

The name Januário is traditionally given in honor of St. John the Baptist, patron saint of Portugal, as January 24th, the feast day of St. John the Baptist, was a popular day for baptisms in medieval times. The surname Silva, on the other hand, was given to those who lived or worked in a forested area.

The combination of these two surnames, Januário-da-Silva, would have been adopted by individuals living or working near forests and honoring St. John the Baptist. The name has since spread across the Portuguese-speaking world, with significant numbers of bearers found in Brazil, Portugal, Mozambique, Angola, and other former Portuguese colonies.

In terms of genealogical research, records such as civil registers, church baptism, marriage, and death records, census data, immigration records, and historical texts may provide valuable insights into the family history and ancestry of individuals bearing the name Januário-da-Silva.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "januario-da-silva"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

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 : 31 July 2025

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