Surname Medina - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling The Chronicles of My Surname 'Medina' Through iGENEA DNA Analysis
Embarking on a transformative journey, I explored the origin and history of my family name, Medina, through iGENEA DNA analysis. I was taken on a fascinating voyage from Spain's Middle Ages, through religion conversions, continental migration, and finally, our existence in Mexico. Moreover, my lineage was traced right back to the indigenous populations, an uplifting revelation and a testament to the rich mestizo culture.
L. Medina
read moreMedina: What does the surname Medina mean?
Medina is a surname of Spanish origin. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. Specifically, it refers to the city of Medina (or any of the several cities named Medina) in Saudi Arabia. The name itself translates to "city" or "town" in Arabic. During the Middle Ages, it was common for individuals to adopt the name of their town or village as their surname. Therefore, individuals with the Medina surname may have ancestors who hailed from a place called Medina. It can depict connection to Arabic or Hispanic heritage. This last name represents one of the most common surnames in the Spanish-speaking world.
Order DNA origin analysisMedina: Where does the name Medina come from?
The surname Medina is of Spanish origin, derived from a common place name. It most likely refers to any of the several towns named Medina in Spain, the most famous being Medina Sidonia in the province of Cádiz. The word "Medina" is an Arabic term meaning "city" or "civilized", reflecting the period of Moorish or Arab rule in Spain.
As of today, the surname Medina is common in many Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico, Spain, Colombia, and other Latin American nations, because of the influence of Spanish colonization. It has wider prevalence in regions with high Hispanic populations. Apart from this, due to migration and cross-cultural interactions, the surname has also spread in non-Spanish speaking countries, resulting in it being one of the most common surnames across the world. The United States, for example, has a large number of individuals with the Medina surname, particularly in states like California, Texas, and Florida, which have large Hispanic communities. In the Philippines, a former Spanish colony, Medina is also a common surname.
Variations of the surname Medina
The surname Medina is of Spanish origin, derived from the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia. It is commonly found in Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines, indicating Arab ancestry. Variations and alternate spellings include Medena, Medna, Medinna, Madyne, Madina, and Modina. The name can also be a locational surname; for example, Medina in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, as well as several places named Medina in the Americas, may serve as the origin for the surname. Variations may occur with changes in language or orthography across different regions or countries. Some surnames that are believed to be variants or related to Medina include Medinilla and Mediano, although these surnames pertain to small and medium-sized places respectively. Hyphenated or compounds surnames such as Medina-Sanchez or Medina-Castro may also be encountered.
Famous people with the name Medina
- Mario Medina: Mario Medina is a Mexican-American actor, director, and photographer who is best known for his role as Paco in the 2003 cult classic movie Nacho Libre.
- Gabriel Medina: Gabriel Medina is a Brazilian professional surfer renowned for his powerful, high-performance surfing technique. He is the youngest person to have been crowned the ASP world champion, and was the first Brazilian surfer to gain that title.
- Francisco Medina: Francisco Medina is a Spanish-American singer-songwriter known for his hit singles "Mi Libertad", "Todo Me Resbalo", and "Yo Me Morire".
- Cristian Medina: Cristian Medina is a Chilean professional footballer who currently plays for Club Deportivo Universidad Católica.
- Nely Medina: Nely Medina is an Argentine actress and soap opera star best known for her roles in the telenovela “Vuelveme a Querer”.
- Israel Medina: Israel Medina is an Ecuadorian entrepreneur and founder of the contemporary art gallery, Fundación Israel Medina.
- Alexandra Medina: Alexandra Medina is a Spanish-American actress and model renowned for playing various leading roles in Spanish-language productions.
- Arturo Medina: Arturo Medina is a Colombian endurance athlete known for completing intense physical challenges including a 210-mile walk across the Atacama desert.
- Alicia Medina: Alicia Medina is a Mexican actress and voice actor known for dubbing British and American films for the Latin American market.
- Guisella Medina: Guisella Medina is an Ecuadorian Paralympic sprinter who won a gold medal in the 4x100 metre relay at the 2008 Paralympic games in Beijing.