Nieves
| Language | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Language | Asturleonese |
| Derivation | Our Lady of the Snows |
| Meaning | snow |
| Region of origin | Spain |
| Other names | |
| Cognate | Neves (Portuguese) |
Nieves, the Spanish plural form of nieve (English: snow), is a matronymic surname and female given name derived from the title of the Virgin Mary Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows), a reference to the 4th-century Catholic miracle of a summertime snowfall on the Esquiline Hill in Rome, where the Basilica Sanctae Mariae ad Nives was built.[1] Descended from the Asturleonese language in northwestern Spain, the surname is most common in the Hispanosphere.[2] In Spain, it is most prevalent in Andalusia, Madrid, Canary Islands, and Galicia. In Hispanic America, it is most prevalent in Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, and particularly Puerto Rico, where it is most densely concentrated.[3] It has also been introduced into the United States.[4]
The Portuguese cognate of Nieves is Neves, and it is most common in Brazil.[5] A similar but unrelated toponymic surname can also be found in Scotland, originating from the historic parish of Nevay in Angus.[6]
Notable people with the given name Nieves
- Nieves Anula (born 1973), Spanish basketball player
- Nieves Confesor, Filipino politician
- Nieves Herrero (born 1957), Spanish journalist, presenter, and writer
- Nieves Hidalgo (born 1976), Spanish singer
- Nieves Mathews (1917–2003), author of Scottish and Spanish parentage
- Nieves Barragán Mohacho, Spanish chef
- Nieves Navarro (born 1938), Spanish-born Italian actress and fashion model
- Nieves Panadell (born 1956), Spanish swimmer
- Nieves Yankovic (1916–1985), Chilean actress and documentary maker
- Nieves Zuberbühler (born 1987), Argentine journalist
Notable people with the surname Nieves
- Antonio Nieves, American professional boxer
- Brian Nieves, American politician
- Christian Nieves, Puerto Rican cuatro player
- Christine Nieves, Puerto Rican climate activist
- Daniela Nieves Venezuelan-American actress
- Javi Nieves, Spanish radio host
- José Alvarado Nieves, Mexican wrestler
- José Antonio Nieves Conde, Spanish film director and screenplay writer
- José Miguel Nieves, retired Venezuelan baseball player
- Juan Nieves, retired Puerto Rican baseball player
- Lisette Nieves, Puerto Rican-American businesswoman
- Luis López Nieves, Puerto Rican author
- Maikel Nieves, Spanish footballer for Norwegian club Råde
- María Nieves, Argentine tango dancer and choreographer
- María Antonieta de las Nieves, Mexican actress
- Melvin Nieves, retired Puerto Rican baseball player
- Nelson Nieves, Venezuelan fencer
- Néstor Nieves, Venezuelan long-distance runner
- Osvaldo Nieves, Puerto Rican track and field athlete
- Roberto González Nieves, Puerto Rican church leader
- Tito Nieves, Puerto Rican singer
- Wil Nieves, Puerto Rican baseball player
See also
- As Neves (Spanish Nieves), a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra
- Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, a municipality in the Philippines
- Nieva (Spanish group), a rock/electronica band
- Nevis, a Caribbean island with the same etymology
- Blancanieves (Snow White)
- Nieves v. Bartlett a US Supreme Court case
References
- ↑ "Nieves Surname Meaning & Nieves Family History at Ancestry.com®". www.ancestry.com. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ Colomer, Roser Saurí; Hanks, Patrick. "Iberian Names in North America: the Case of Asturian" (PDF). Roser Saurí Colomer. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ↑ "Nieves Surname Origin, Meaning & Last Name History". forebears.io. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ "Nieves Surname/Last Name: Meaning, Origin & Family History". discover.23andme.com. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ "Neves". Forebears. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ↑ "Nieves History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms". houseofnames.com. Retrieved 22 September 2023.