NomOrigine Background

Last Name Mina

What is the origin of the last name Mina?

The surname "Mina" has multiple origins and can be found in various cultures. 1. Italian: In Italy, "Mina" is a surname derived from the given name "Guglielmina," which is the feminine form of "Guglielmo" (William). It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was used to identify someone as the son or daughter of an individual named Guglielmo. 2. Spanish: In Spanish, "Mina" is derived from the word "mina," meaning "mine" or "ore." This suggests that the surname could have originally referred to someone who worked in or owned a mine. 3. Basque: The surname "Mina" is also found among Basque people, mainly in the Basque region of Spain and parts of France. In this context, "Mina" is believed to have derived from either the Basque word for "mine" or the Basque name "Mendia," meaning "mountain." It is important to note that surnames can have different origins and meanings in various regions and languages, and multiple unrelated individuals or families may have the same surname. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct extensive genealogical research to trace the specific origin of the "Mina" surname for a given individual or family.

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

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mina

The meaning and origin of the last name Mina

The surname Mina has multiple origins and meanings, often varying across different cultures and languages. One possible origin can be traced back to Italy, where Mina may derive from the given name Domenico or Domenica. It could also be derived from the Latin name Dominicus, meaning "of the Lord" or "belonging to God." Another possible origin of the surname Mina is from the Arabic name Mina, meaning "port" or "harbor." This could be related to individuals living near or working in a harbor area during ancient times. Additionally, Mina can be a variant of the surname Minas, which has Armenian origins and refers to the word 'minas,' meaning "elder" or "leader." As surnames often evolve and change over time, it is important to consider various factors such as language, culture, and geography when deciphering the precise origin and meaning of the surname Mina.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mina

The last name Mina has a wide geographical distribution, with significant populations found in several countries around the world. In the Philippines, Mina is a popular surname and is commonly found among Filipino families. It is also prevalent in other parts of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and Malaysia, due to historical and cultural connections between these countries. The name can also be found in Spain, Portugal, and other Spanish-speaking regions, as Mina is a common Spanish surname. Additionally, there are individuals with the surname Mina in other parts of Europe, such as Italy, France, and Greece. The diaspora of Mina families has also resulted in populations with this last name in the United States, particularly in states like California, Texas, and New York, where large Filipino and Hispanic communities reside. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Mina reflects its presence in numerous countries worldwide, with each region having its own unique cultural context.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mina

The last name Mina has several variations and spellings across different cultures and regions. In Italy, it is commonly spelled as Mina, derived from the Latin word "minae" meaning "threats" or "danger." In Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil and Portugal, it can be spelled as Mina or Meena. In the Philippines, the surname may be spelled as Mina or Minao, which is of Spanish origin. In the Arab world, the name is frequently spelled as Meena or Mena, derived from the Arabic word "mīnah" meaning "harbor" or "port." Additionally, variations like Minea, Minna, Minaj, and Minasi have been observed in different parts of the world. These variations showcase the diverse origins and migrations of individuals carrying the surname Mina, reflecting the cultural and historical influences that have shaped the name's different spellings throughout centuries and across continents.

Famous people with the last name Mina

There have been several notable individuals with the last name Mina who have achieved fame in various fields. One such name is Víctor Mina, an Ecuadorian professional footballer known for his impressive skills as a forward. Another prominent figure is Raffy Mina, a Filipino artist and fashion designer. His intricate and innovative designs have earned him praise and recognition on the international stage. In the realm of music, Gianluca Mina, an Italian composer and pianist, has captivated audiences with his soul-stirring compositions. Meanwhile, in the world of literature, José Mina, a respected Colombian writer, has left a lasting impact with his thought-provoking novels and captivating storytelling. Lastly, there is also Iván Mina, a renowned Spanish actor known for his versatility and memorable performances on stage and screen. The surname Mina has thus become associated with talent and success across various disciplines.

Genealogical research on the last name Mina

The surname Mina is of Italian and Spanish origin. In Italian, Mina is derived from the given name "Guglielmina," a variant of William. This name was widespread throughout Italy in the Middle Ages and is likely the reason for the prevalence of the Mina surname. It originated as a patronymic, meaning it was derived from someone's father's name. For example, Giovanni Mina would mean "Giovanni, son of Mina." In Spanish, Mina can also be a habitational surname derived from various places called Mina in Spain. These locations typically had mining activities, and thus the name would be given to someone living or working in those areas. Over time, individuals with the surname Mina have emigrated to different parts of the world, spreading the name's presence beyond its European roots. Today, the Mina surname can be found globally and is often associated with proud Italian and Spanish heritage.

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 : 11 April 2025

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

Min (Last name)

surnames > min

The last name "Min" has its origins in East Asia, particularly in China and Korea. In Chinese, "Min" can be a transliteration of several different characters, each with its own mea...

Min ho (Last name)

surnames > min-ho

The last name "Min" is of Korean origin, meaning "quick, clever, sharp" and is commonly used in South Korea. The last name "Ho" is also of Korean origin, meaning "tall, high, grand...

Min new (Last name)

surnames > min-new

The surname Min New has origins in China.

Min tendai (Last name)

surnames > min-tendai

The last name "Min tendai" originates from China.

Mina-ee (Last name)

surnames > mina-ee

The last name "Mina" originates from various cultures around the world. In some cases, it is of Persian, Arabic, or Japanese origin, meaning different things such as "enamel" in Pe...

Minaar (Last name)

surnames > minaar

The last name "Minaar" is of Afrikaans origin and is derived from the Dutch word "mijnwerker," meaning "miner."

Minaawa (Last name)

surnames > minaawa

The surname "Minaawa" is of Native American origin, specifically Ojibwe. It is derived from the Ojibwe word "miinaawa" which means "blue."

Minabkhan (Last name)

surnames > minabkhan

The last name "Minabkhan" is of Persian origin. It is derived from the words "Minab," which refers to a city in Iran, and "Khan," which means "chief" or "noble" in Persian.

Minafafridi (Last name)

surnames > minafafridi

The last name "Minafafridi" is of Pashtun origin from the tribal group known as Afridi. The Afridi tribe is primarily located in the Khyber District of Pakistan and has a long hist...

Minagul (Last name)

surnames > minagul

The last name "Minagul" is of Kazakh origin. It is a combination of the elements "min" meaning "a thousand" and "agul" meaning "luck" or "blessing". This surname is believed to hav...

Minahas (Last name)

surnames > minahas

The surname Minahas is of Indonesian origin, specifically from the Minahasa people of North Sulawesi.

Minaj (Last name)

surnames > minaj

The last name "Minaj" is of Indo-Pakistani origin, specifically associated with people of either Indian or Pakistani descent. The name Minaj likely has variations in spelling and p...

Minak (Last name)

surnames > minak

The last name "Minak" is of Turkish origin. It is derived from the personal name "Minakshi," which means "fish eyed" in Sanskrit and is the name of a Hindu goddess.

Minallah (Last name)

surnames > minallah

The origin of the last name Minallah is from Pakistan.

Minang (Last name)

surnames > minang

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