Surname Naimann - Meaning and Origin

Naimann: What does the surname Naimann mean?

The last name Naimann is a patronymic name derived from the given name Naiman. Naiman is of Germanic origin and derived from the Old German name Naiman or Naimo. It could also have been derived from the Hebrew name Nehemiah.

The name Naimann would mean "son of Naiman." The suffix "-mann" is a typical Germanic patronymic name and the word "Nai" comes from the Old German words for "the desire of God" or "God has favored me." It is typically given to families who have blessed with the liking of God.

Throughout European history, the name Naimann has been used amongst nobility. It is found in various towns and regions throughout Europe, but the original family spelling of the name is commonly used in Germany today and is a relatively common surname there.

In the United States the name may have been Americanized as Neimann, Neimanns, Neimans, Neman, Neimand, and other spellings.

It is unknown how long the name has been in use, but research indicates it has been used since at least the early 17th century.

Naimann: Where does the name Naimann come from?

The last name Naimann is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is a relatively rare surname, with just over 1,800 individuals bearing the last name living within the three countries.

Most commonly found in the western part of Germany, the last name is believed to have originated as a patronymic name, derived from the personal name Naumann, which is a variation of the name Neumann. The original form of the surname is believed to be Naumann, which is most likely derived from the German words na (‘near’ or ‘by’) and mann (‘man’). Literary records suggest that the Naumann family can trace back their origins to the early 15th century in the region of Heilbronn, Germany.

In the United States, the frequency of the Naimann surname is much lower. Research suggests that the last name is found mainly in small pockets in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. It is believed that the 2,000-odd individuals living in the United States bearing the Naimann last name are mainly descendants of German immigrants who arrived during the 19th and early 20th century.

The Naimann surname is a reminder of the contribution of German immigrants to the United States. Today, though not common, the surname is an interesting symbol of the connection between the two countries.

Variations of the surname Naimann

The surname Naimann is derived from Middle High German roots, reflecting the personal name Naiman, which was introduced into the German-speaking world in the 12th century. It is an occupational name denoting one who works as a boatman, or one who hauls with a boat, usually a small vessel, such as a tugboat, raft, barge, or lighter. Over the centuries, variants and spellings of the Germanic surname have developed, ranging from Naiman and Neimann to Neumann and Neuman.

In some cases, customs of the host country have impacted the spelling. For example, German emigrants to the United States often Americanized the spelling of their surnames, thereby creating anew forms such as Neyman, Neimand, and Nauman, respectively.

In many cases, dialects, cultural influences, and regional idioms have affected the genealogy of the surname. This variation is clear in the various spellings in countries such as Austria (Neymann, Neyman, Naumann, Nauman, Newman); Germany (Neumann, Neimann, Niemann, Nieman, Neuman); and Switzerland (Neimann, Neymann, Neumann, Naumann, Neeman).

In some cases, Naimann is derived from variants of other personal names. For instance, Naimann may derive from Naumann or Neumann, which is derived from the Hebrew name of Nahum ben Nachman. In addition, the surname may be the evolution of two names, such as Naiman and Mann, respectively.

Finally, Matthew of Paris, a monk and historian of the 13th century, lists the surname Naman as being derived from a name that is related to the origin of Naimann. In truth, each variation--in spelling, pronunciation, and geographic location--is its own unique story, and reflects changing trends and customs in the history of the German people.

Famous people with the name Naimann

• Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks: Leader of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth (1991-2013)
• Dr. Jacob Naiman: President of the Union for Reform Judaism
• Rabbi Chaim Naimann: Rav of the Jewish Community of Prague in Czechoslovakia, member of the Agudath Israel Council of Europe
• Dr. Yehiel Naimann: Israeli diplomat and former ambassador to the United Nations
• Rabbi Mordechai Naimann: Chief Rabbi of the Breslov Hasidut
• Professor Uriel Naimann: A Hebrew University professor of Psychology
• Menachem Mendel Naimann: A leader in the Haredi community in the US
• Dr. Moshe Naimann: A rabbi, educator and talmudic lecturer
• Dr. Nathan Naimann: Israeli diplomat and former Ambassador to the Holy See
• Yedidia Naimann: Israeli poet, prose writer and Kabbalist

Other surnames

NaimaierNaiman