Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Lima

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Lima?

The surname Lima is of Portuguese origin. It derives from the Latin word "lima" which means "shore" or "coast". This surname was typically given to people who lived near the coast or sea, or to those who had some occupation related to it. In Portugal, this name is one of the most common and is also widespread in Brazil due to Portuguese colonization.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lima

The meaning and origin of the last name Lima

The surname Lima is of Portuguese and Spanish origin, derived from the word "lima" which means 'limestone' or 'quarry'. In the Middle Ages, it was common for occupations to serve as surnames, and those who worked in limestone quarries were known as Limones in Spain and Limeiros in Portugal. Over time, these names evolved into Lima as a hereditary surname. Notably, the name is particularly prevalent in Portugal, Brazil (where it became one of the most common surnames), and other regions that were once under Portuguese influence, such as Angola and Mozambique. The surname Lima may also have origins in Galicia, Spain, where "Lima" refers to a river. In both historical contexts, the name Lima represents a connection to the land or occupation of limestone work.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lima

The surname Lima is predominantly distributed across South America, particularly in Portugal's former territories such as Brazil, where it ranks among the top 20 most common surnames. In Brazil, the city of Lima Duarte, in the state of Paraíba, is named after a family with the last name Lima. The surname also appears frequently in Peru, which was initially colonized by the Spanish under the Viceroyalty of Peru, and where it is often spelled "Limay" or "Limao." Other countries with a significant number of individuals bearing the Lima surname include Argentina, Chile, and Colombia. In Portuguese-speaking nations outside South America, such as Angola and Mozambique, the name is also present due to historical connections with Portugal.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lima

The surname Lima is primarily of Portuguese origin, and it has several variations and spellings due to differences in regional pronunciation and transliteration. Some common variations include Limão (directly translates as "lemon" in Portuguese), Lemah or Lemaa (in some African countries with Portuguese influences), de Lima (meaning "of Lima"), Limas, Lyme, Limma, Limmah, Limon, Leyma, and Lemay. The name is often associated with regions such as Brazil, Portugal, and other countries with historical Portuguese influence. In some cases, it may also be a variant of the English surname Limb or Limbe.

Famous people with the last name Lima

Notable individuals with the surname Lima include:

1. Giancarlo Esposito, an American actor best known for his roles as Gustavo Fring on "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul."

2. Ana de Armas, a Cuban-Spanish actress who gained international recognition for her role in the James Bond film "No Time to Die."

3. Marco Aurelio Lima e Silva, a Brazilian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and the current Archbishop of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro.

4. Wilma Elizabeth Ulacia Lima, known as Willy Lima, a Peruvian artist who is one of the leading representatives of contemporary art in Peru.

5. Fernanda Lima, a Brazilian model and television presenter who has been the host of the reality TV show "Big Brother Brasil" since 2018.

6. Lima Barreto, a Brazilian novelist, playwright, journalist, and filmmaker whose works are considered key in the development of modern Brazilian literature.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields across entertainment, religion, art, and literature.

Genealogical research on the last name Lima

The surname Lima originates from Portugal, where it is derived from the Latin word "lima" meaning "shore," likely given to individuals who lived near the coast or ports. The first documented use of the name Lima can be traced back to the 9th century in Portugal. As Portuguese explorers and colonizers expanded their reach during the Age of Discoveries, the name Lima became increasingly common in the New World, particularly in Brazil, due to early Portuguese settlements there. Today, Lima is one of the most common surnames in Portugal and Brazil. Notable individuals with the surname Lima include Alejandro Lima, a prominent Mexican physicist, and José Eduardo dos Santos, former President of Angola. The name Lima is also associated with numerous historical figures, including Juan Pardo de Lima, a Portuguese-born conquistador who explored what is now the southeastern United States in the 16th century.

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

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Lim

Last name • surnames > lim

The surname "Lim" has origins in various cultures and countries, including China, Korea, and the Philippines. In Chinese culture, the surname "Lim" (林) originates from the Chine...

#2 Lim castillo

Last name • surnames > lim-castillo

The surname Lim Castillo is of Spanish origin. The surname Lim is derived from the Old English word "lamb" meaning "lamb" or "young sheep". The surname Castillo is a habitational n...

#3 Lim enrique

Last name • surnames > lim-enrique

The last name "Lim Enrique" is of Filipino origin. The surname "Lim" is of Chinese origin, while "Enrique" is a common Spanish given name. It is likely that this last name originat...

#4 Lim soriaso

Last name • surnames > lim-soriaso

The surname Lim Soria originated in the Philippines, likely as a combination of Chinese and Spanish influences. The Chinese surname "Lim" is a common surname among overseas Chinese...

#5 Lima akther

Last name • surnames > lima-akther

The last name Lima Akther likely originates from Bangladesh, where Akther is a common Muslim surname. Lima may be a given name or a marker of ancestry or lineage in this context.

#6 Lima-barbosa

Last name • surnames > lima-barbosa

The last name "Lima Barbosa" is of Portuguese origin. "Lima" is a common surname in Portugal, derived from the region of Lima in the north of the country. "Barbosa" is also a Portu...

#7 Lima-basto

Last name • surnames > lima-basto

The surname Lima-Basto does not have a direct single origins as it is composed of two distinct parts: Lima and Basto. The surname Lima originates from Portugal. It is one of the m...

#8 Lima-dos-santos

Last name • surnames > lima-dos-santos

The surname Lima dos Santos has Portuguese origins. The name Lima is a toponymic surname derived from various places named "Lima" in Portugal, such as the city of Lima or the dist...

#9 Lima-miranda

Last name • surnames > lima-miranda

The surname Lima-Miranda is a Portuguese composite surname, formed by combining two separate family names. The surname Lima originates from the region of Portugal around the city ...

#10 Lima-santos

Last name • surnames > lima-santos

The surname Lima-Santos is a Portuguese-Brazilian name, derived from two separate Portuguese surnames: "Lima" and "Santos." "Lima" is a topographic name for someone who lived near...

#11 Limana

Last name • surnames > limana

The family name Limana is of African origin, especially from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana or Cameroon. It is possible that this name has different meanings depending on the reg...

#12 Limancih

Last name • surnames > limancih

Limancih is a Turkish surname derived from the word "liman," which means "harbor" or "port" in Turkish. It is likely that the surname originally indicated someone who lived near or...

#13 Limane

Last name • surnames > limane

The surname Limane has roots in various countries due to historical migrations and cultural shifts. It is believed to have origins in France, where it may derive from the region of...

#14 Limansky

Last name • surnames > limansky

The last name "Limansky" is of Slavic origin, specifically from Russia. It is derived from the word "liman," which means "estuary" or "lagoon" in Russian. The surname likely origin...

#15 Limantour

Last name • surnames > limantour

The last name "Limantour" is of French origin. It is believed to be a surname that was brought to Mexico by French immigrants during the 19th century. The name may have been anglic...