The surname Lua is of Portuguese origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically from the town of Lua located in the district of Viseu, Portugal. This surname was likely brought to other countries by Portuguese immigrants or descendants of those immigrants.
The surname Lua originates from Portuguese, Spanish, and Galician languages. It is a topographic name for someone who lived near a grove or an open space where luas (laurel trees) grew abundantly. In Portuguese and Spanish, 'lua' means 'moon', which could also be a reference to the shape of the clearing resembling the moon. The surname may have also originated as a nickname for someone with moon-like features or who was born under the sign of Cancer (the Crab), whose astrological symbol represents the crescent moon. The name can be found in various countries, particularly Portugal, Spain, and Brazil, and has been influenced by Latin and Celtic roots, contributing to its wide distribution and variations in spelling.
Geographical distribution of the last name Lua
The last name Lua is primarily concentrated in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Brazil and Portugal, due to its origin from these regions. In Brazil, it's one of the most common surnames, especially in the state of Piauí, although it can also be found in other parts of the country. The name also has a significant presence in Portugal, mainly in the northern regions such as Minho and Porto. Lua is also found among the Creole population in the French territories of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Réunion in the Caribbean, as well as in Macau, a Chinese territory with strong Portuguese influences. Additionally, some individuals with the surname Lua reside in other countries where Portuguese immigrants have settled, such as Angola, Mozambique, and the United States.
Variants and spellings of the last name Lua
The surname Lua can be spelled and pronounced in various ways due to linguistic differences across regions. Some common variants include:
1. Luá - This is the Portuguese version of the name, which maintains the original pronunciation.
2. Loua - This spelling might be found among English speakers or those influenced by English orthography.
3. Lwa - In Haitian Vodou culture, Lwa is a title given to spirits and Loa is another common variant for a practitioner of this faith who bears the name Lua.
4. Lvā - An alternate spelling in certain languages that use the Latin alphabet but have distinct letter shapes or diacritics, such as Latvian or Vietnamese.
5. Lewa - This may be found among speakers of Yoruba language, which has a similar sounding name for their goddess of creation, Olua.
6. Lwah - A variant that phonetically approximates the pronunciation in some languages or dialects where the "u" is pronounced differently, such as in Maltese.
7. Luwa - This spelling might be found among speakers of various indigenous languages where "ua" can represent a diphthong.
These variations reflect the global diversity and cultural exchange that has influenced the surname Lua over time.
Famous people with the last name Lua
Notable individuals bearing the surname Lua include:
1. Marcos Vinícius Castello Branco de Lima e Silva, also known as Marcelo Lua, a Brazilian footballer who played for clubs such as Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro.
2. Cláudio Lua Neto, a professional tennis player from Brazil. He reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 170 in 2013.
3. João Batista de Lima e Silva, better known as Zé Lua, a prominent Brazilian politician who served as the Governor of the state of Ceará from 2015 to 2018.
4. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, commonly referred to as Lula, is a Brazilian politician who was President of Brazil from 2003 to 2010. Although not his last name, he is often identified by this nickname rather than his given surname, Goulart.
5. Pedro Luís Lua da Silva, also known as Lula da Silva or simply Lula, a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for São Paulo FC and the Brazil national team as a central defender.
Genealogical research on the last name Lua
The surname Lua originates from Portugal, where it is believed to be a locative name derived from places named Lua, found mainly in the districts of Braga and Viseu. The name could also potentially have a topographical meaning, referring to someone who lived near a small stream or brook, as "lua" means "stream" in Old Portuguese.
The surname Lua first appeared in records during the Middle Ages in Portugal. Some early notable bearers of the name include Diogo Lobo da Lua, a 16th-century explorer who accompanied João de Barros on his mission to India. The Lua family also played significant roles in Portuguese colonialism, with members serving as governors and administrators in territories such as Angola and Brazil.
In Brazil, the surname Lua became widespread due to immigration during the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the majority of people with the last name Lua reside in Brazil, followed by Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique, all countries that share a historical connection to Portuguese colonialism.
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.
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