What is the origin of the last name Joaquim?

The surname "Joaquim" is of Hebrew origin. It is a variation of the name "Jacob," which means "may God protect." This name has been adopted and popularized by various cultures throughout history, including Spanish, Portuguese, and Brazilian speakers. In these languages, it is often spelled as "Joaquim" or "Jácobe" (Portuguese) and "Joaquín" (Spanish). The name has a rich historical background and can be traced back to the Bible, where Jacob is one of the most important characters.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Joaquim

The meaning and origin of the last name Joaquim

The surname Joaquim is of Hebrew origin and is a variant of the name Joachim, which means "the Lord will raise up" or "established by the Lord." It is derived from the biblical figure Joachim (Yochanan in Hebrew), who was the father of the Virgin Mary. The name became popular in the Middle Ages due to its religious significance. Over time, it has been adopted as a surname in various regions, including Portugal, Spain, and Brazil, where it is commonly found among Portuguese-speaking populations. In Portugal, it is often spelled Joaquim or Joaquim de, while in Brazil, it is often written simply as Joaquim or Joaquim Silva, etc., depending on the region and family tradition. The name has also been adopted by various prominent individuals, such as the Spanish actor Joaquin Phoenix and the Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo's son, João Francisco Chávez dos Santos, known as Joaquim.

Geographical distribution of the last name Joaquim

The surname Joaquim exhibits significant prevalence in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Portugal and Brazil, due to its origin from the Hebrew name "Ya'acov," which translates to Jacob. In Portugal, it is most commonly found in regions such as Madeira, Azores, and Trás-os-Montes, where there has been historical Jewish settlement. In Brazil, Joaquim is one of the top 100 most frequent surnames, with a concentration in the Northeast region, particularly in states like Bahia and Ceará, which have significant African influence. Additionally, smaller pockets of Joaquims can be found in former Portuguese colonies such as Goa (India), Macau (China), and Mozambique, reflecting the diaspora of Portuguese-speaking individuals.

Variants and spellings of the last name Joaquim

The surname Joaquim has several variations and spellings in English and other languages. Some common variants include:

1. Joaquín (Spanish) – This is the Spanish variant of Joaquim, with an accent mark on the 'a' to indicate its pronunciation as a long vowel sound.
2. Joaquim (Portuguese) – The standard Portuguese spelling of this surname.
3. Ioachim, Ioakim, Yoachim (Greek) – These are Greek variations of the name, with different accents and spellings.
4. Jochaim (German) – A German variant of Joaquim.
5. Giacomo (Italian) – The Italian form of the name, derived from the Latin Jacobus.
6. Jakob (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish) – These Scandinavian variations share the same etymology as the Italian and Greek forms.
7. Jaime (French) – This French variant is similar to Joaquín but without an accent mark.
8. Hyacinth (English) – An English form that is less common but can be found in some records. It originates from the Greek name Hyakinthos, which shares the same root as Ioachim and Giacomo.

Famous people with the last name Joaquim

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

Genealogical research on the last name Joaquim

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

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
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 :

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