Surname Nin - Meaning and Origin

Nin: What does the surname Nin mean?

The surname Nin is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the medieval given name which was derived from the Latin name Ninnus and is a diminutive of the name Inigo.

Inigo is thought to have come from the Basque name Enneco, which possibly means ‘solitary one’. Nin was likely used as an alternative name for those wishing to distance themselves from nobility in some way, as the name was notably used in the medieval period by the nobles of Basque surnames.

The surname Nin is still commonly used in Spain and is shared by many notable figures, such as the Los Angeles-based artist Richard Nin and the Spanish politician José María Nin Génova.

Overall, Nin is a fascinating name with a rich history. The origin of this distinct name can be traced back centuries and its resonance has been strong throughout the years. Whether its holder is a Spanish politician or an artist from L.A., the legacy of the Nin surname remains the same—it suggests a resilient, unique and solitary individual.

Nin: Where does the name Nin come from?

The surname Nin is a Spanish-language surname found in many places across the Spanish-speaking world, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Colombia, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. In Mexico, it is the 26th most common surname and in Puerto Rico, it is the 19th most common.

In the United States, the surname Nin is most commonly found among Hispanics of Central American and Caribbean descent, especially those from Cuba and Puerto Rico, as well as among Americans of Filipino descent, since the Philippines was a Spanish colony until 1899. It is also occasionally found among African-Americans with Spanish surnames, such as descendants of escaped slaves who adopted Spanish surnames to avoid detection. It is also a common surname among people of Mexican and Palestinian descent in the United States.

In the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, the surname Nin is most commonly found among people of Spanish and Central American ancestry, as well as those of Latino and Hispanic heritage more generally. Additionally, it is also present in other places where many Spanish pre-fix surnames see heavy use, such as Sicily, Italy, as well as Malta in the Mediterranean, and Peru and Bolivia in South America.

In many of the countries where the surname Nin is most common, it may be derived from the Old Spanish personal name Nin, a variant of the Visigothic name Finno. In other cases, it may have referred to someone from the town of Nin in Croatia, or it may have referred to an monk or priest, since the Latinized version of Ginny is Nunnus. Additionally, the Irish name Ginneigh is related, as are the Catalan surnames Nin and Ninyol.

Variations of the surname Nin

The surname Nin is a patronymic name of Slavic origin, derived from the name of the father of the bearer. Nin can be spelled in two variants: Nin and Nyne. Other surnames sharing a similar origin with Nin are Fatin, Tyn, Tuyn, Twyn, Tyne, Tag, Tim, Yan, Yann, Yane, Dan, and Danil.

Nin is an occupational name for a blacksmith, coming from Slavic ‘nina’, which means ‘forge’. The surname was most likely given to a person who was engaged in metalworking.

In some families, Nin is a surname derived from Nino, an old Russian name usually given to the youngest daughter (or son). Other forms of this name are Nenya and Nastya.

The Nin surname can also be a diminutive of Ignat, which, in turn, is derived from the Latin name Ignatius, meaning ‘fiery’. This was a name given to people with a fiery and passionate spirit.

Variations of Nin can also be found in other languages, such as the Polish Ninowski, the Dutch Nien, and the German Nieden. In French, the corresponding surname is Ninot. The Nin surname is also common in the Spanish-speaking world, with variants like Nein and Neyen.

Overall, the surname Nin is shared by many different nationalities across the globe, owing to its varied origins and its multiple variations. It is also a very old surname, with records of it going back to the 13th century.

Famous people with the name Nin

• Pierre Nin, French American journalist.
• Ric Nin, Uruguayan singer-songwriter.
• Christian Nin, Spanish actor.
• Dominic Nin, British radio presenter.
• Alexander Nin, German singer.
• Mayuya Nin Goikoetxea, Spanish politician.
• Gabriel Nin, Argentine musician.
• Mariana Nin, Spanish diving champion.
• Mike Nin, American ice hockey player.
• Alexis Nin, French alpine skier.
• Tomás Nin, Chilean musician and songwriter.
• Manuel Nin, Cuban pianist and composer.
• José Luís Nin, Spanish high-voltage engineer.
• Agustí Nin, Catalan film director.
• Ignatius Nin, Archbishop of Sao Paulo.
• Mason Nin, American child actor.
• Inigo Nin, Argentine professional footballer.
• Trudy Nin, Dutch fashion designer.
• Branko Nin, Croatian film director.
• Joseba Nin, Spanish rugby player.

Other surnames

NinaberNinn