Surname Niman - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'N'
Niman: What does the surname Niman mean?
The last name Niman is Jewish in origin and it is often associated with the Ashkenazi Jewish community. The exact meaning of "Niman" isn't clear, but it's believed to have derived from personal names or nicknames based on the Hebrew word "naim", which means ‘pleasant’, ‘agreeable’. However, the interpretations may vary depending on the geographical location and cultural context where this last name is used. In some cases, it may have been an occupational or locational surname referring to a specific place or job. Surnames are often influenced by the history, occupation or location of a family, and could have evolved over time. Therefore, it's difficult to pinpoint a singular definitive meaning for the name. As with all surnames, its actual meaning might only be traced back accurately through personal family history.
Order DNA origin analysisNiman: Where does the name Niman come from?
The last name Niman is most commonly found within the United States, particularly in the Midwest and New England states. Specifically, states such as Arizona, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Michigan are found to have the highest concentration of people with the last name Gorman. These states are also home to sizable numbers of Niman families, which could be a result of migration or intra-state migration. For example, there is a sizable population of Niman families in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Boston, Massachusetts.
The origin of the Niman last name is unknown, but it is thought to either have German, Dutch, or Swiss origins. The surname Niman has been found in records as early as the nineteenth century when it was mostly found in the New England area. It is also thought that the surname could have origin in a localised area amongst families who lived in small villages in Europe.
This surname is not as common as it once was, but there are still significant numbers of individuals with the last name of Gorman throughout the United States. It is likely that if you travel through the more heavily populated states in the Midwest and New England, you will find yourself amongst the numerous Niman families that still call these areas home.
Variations of the surname Niman
The surname Niman is derived from the Hebrew name Nimahan, which translates as pleasant, cheerful, and delightful. There are a number of different variants of the surname Niman, each with its own unique spelling. Some of the most common variations of this surname are Nimahn, Naimen, Neimahn, Neiman, or Neimann.
In the United States, Neiman is the most common spelling of the surname, while Neimann is the more prevalent rendition in Germany. In countries such as Austria and Switzerland, the spelling of the surname is often pronounced exactly the same as Neiman. But the spelling can vary dramatically depending on the region.
Surnames associated with Niman that are of similar origin include Nimro, Nimmer, and Nimri. InArabic countries, the surname is often spelled Nimer or Nimur. Namur and Numer can also trace its roots back to the same origin of Niman.
In some countries where Jewish populations reside, such as Russia, the spelling of Niman is reflective of Yiddish and has been adapted to Nimoy and Nimansky. Similarly, in Poland there is a variant spelling of Nimecki or Nimetski.
Nimowitz, Nimco, and Limon are surnames that can also fall under the same origin of Niman, though they are less common and can sometimes be traced back to different origins.
Overall, the surname Niman is a manageable, diverse family name with various variations and spellings, allowing for a number of relatives to be able to identify with one another. Regardless of the various spellings of the surname, they all represent the same origin and are derived from the Hebrew term Nimahan.
Famous people with the name Niman
- Barry Niman: professional Slalom Skier
- Chase Niman: professional US Army Combat Veteran
- David Niman: actor and voice artist
- Drew Niman: original developer of the iPhone
- Ed Niman: American artist
- Harris Niman: American professional poker player
- Jack Niman: former British Senator
- Jeff Niman: entrepreneur and early investor in Snapchat
- Jill Niman: philanthropist and humanitarian
- Joel Niman: professional snowboarder
- Julia Niman: fashion designer
- Kira Niman: American professional snowboarder
- Larry Niman: American professional BMX racer
- Mark Niman: Hollywood stuntman
- Mary Niman: digital media expert and philanthropist
- Mike Niman: professional golfer
- Monica Niman: US Olympic swimmer
- Owen Niman: software engineer
- Robert Niman: American politician
- Ryan Niman: YouTube content creator