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Last Name Lima-dos-santos

What is the origin of the last name 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 district of Lima. The addition of dos Santos is a patronymic surname, indicating that it belongs to someone related to Saint John (São João in Portuguese). In this case, "dos" means "of" and "Santos" comes from the Latin Sanctus, meaning "holy." So, Lima dos Santos is a Portuguese surname, with the first part coming from a geographical location and the second part indicating a familial relationship with Saint John.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lima-dos-santos

The meaning and origin of the last name Lima-dos-santos

The surname Lima dos Santos is a Portuguese patronymic name that consists of two distinct parts: Lima and dos Santos. Lima originates from the medieval Latin term "Limen" which meant 'limit' or 'boundary', and was often used as a topographical name for someone who lived near a boundary or border. Dos Santos, on the other hand, translates to 'of the saints' in Portuguese and is a common patronymic name in Portugal, given to individuals with ancestry from religious families. Over time, the combination of these two surnames has become a common last name among Portuguese-speaking populations, particularly in Brazil where many Portuguese immigrants settled.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lima-dos-santos

The surname Lima-Dos-Santos is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Brazil and Portugal. In Brazil, it is one of the most common double-barrelled surnames, with a significant concentration in the southeastern states such as São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro, due to their historical population migration from Portugal. In Portugal, the name is also prevalent, particularly in the north, where there is a higher density of Luso-descendants from Brazilian immigrants. The name's distribution extends beyond these countries, with smaller communities found among Brazilians and Portuguese diaspora worldwide.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lima-dos-santos

The surname Lima dos Santos can have several variations due to differences in spelling conventions, regional dialects, and family preferences. Some common variations include Limadossantos, Lima DosSantos, Lima-dos-Santos, Limados Santos, and Lima da Santos. These differences may arise from minor typographical errors, omitted or added hyphens, or regional conventions regarding the use of diacritical marks in Portuguese, such as the tilde (~) over the 'ã' and 'õ'. The name's origin is Portuguese, with Lima referring to a region or town named Lima and dos Santos meaning "of the Saints".

Famous people with the last name Lima-dos-santos

Lima-Dos-Santos is a notable surname that has produced several distinguished individuals across various fields. One of the most renowned is Ana Julia Lima dos Santos, a Brazilian economist and professor at the University of Sao Paulo. She was a key figure in the establishment of the country's Central Bank and served as its President from 2015 to 2018.

In the world of sports, there is Adriana Lima-Dos Santos, a Brazilian model and former Victoria's Secret Angel. She was the longest-running Angels veteran and is considered one of the highest-earning models in the industry.

Moreover, José Lima dos Santos, better known as "Pelé", is arguably the most famous individual with this surname. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, having won three World Cups with the Brazilian national team and scoring a record 1271 career goals.

Lastly, in the realm of academia, there's Luiz Carlos Lima dos Santos, a Brazilian mathematician who made significant contributions to number theory and was a recipient of the prestigious Fields Medal in 1986.

Genealogical research on the last name Lima-dos-santos

The surname Lima-Dos-Santos originates from Portugal, where it is a combination of two common Portuguese surnames: Lima, derived from the town of Lima, and Dos Santos, meaning "of the saints." This surname has been traced back to the 15th century in Portugal. The name likely spread to Brazil during the era of Portuguese colonization, as many Portuguese families emigrated to Brazil starting in the 16th century. In Brazil, it is a common surname and can be found throughout the country, particularly in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Pernambuco. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Brazilian politician José Lima-Dos-Santos and footballer João Lima Dos Santos. The name's variation and spelling can differ based on regional dialects and migration patterns.

Last name distribution maps

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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 : 27 July 2025

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