Surname Araya - Meaning and Origin

Araya: What does the surname Araya mean?

Araya is a surname primarily used in the Spanish-speaking countries. It has Basque origins and it is derived from the word "araia" which means "valley" in the Basque language. It is believed to be a topographical surname given to the families residing in the valleys. There is also a small village named Araia in Basque Country, Spain, so the surname may also refer to families who originally came from this region. However, the use of Araya is not only limited to Spain. It is also found as a common surname in Costa Rica due to Spanish influences. There is even a town named Araya in Venezuela. Despite its various geographical references, the common underlying theme of the surname Araya associates it with a geographical feature, specifically a valley.

Araya: Where does the name Araya come from?

The last name Araya has multiple origins: Spanish, Eritrean, Japanese, and Arabian. In Spanish, it likely derives from the Basque region, from several places named Araya in Alava, Gipuzkoa, and Navarre. Individuals with this surname might be descendants of those who hailed from these localities. Araya could also trace its roots back to an Arabic word for ‘sandy ground’ or an Amharic word, common in Ethiopia and Eritrea, which implies ‘he came’ or ‘he arrived’.

Today, Araya is common in several countries worldwide, due to migration and diaspora communities. It is particularly prevalent in Central and South American countries like Costa Rica and Chile. There are also sizable numbers in Eritrea, Japan, and Spain. Its global distribution reflects the diverse origins of the name.

Variations of the surname Araya

The surname Araya is of Spanish origin and some of its variations and spellings include Arayas, Areya, Areyas, Aray, Arraya, Araiya, Airayas, Arayah and Arrayas. Some variants may also exist due to regional dialects and phonetic spellings. As is common with Hispanic surnames, "de Araya" or "del Araya" can also be used, indicating a geographical attachment to a specific place called Araya. Another variation is the use of maternal surnames, combining Araya with another surname, typically linked by "y", e.g. Araya y Lopez. Surnames similar in phonetic pronunciation or spelling may be Araia or Arroyo, but they might not have the same origin.

Araya is also a Japanese surname and due to its different origin, it may not share the same variations with the Spanish surname Araya. It's important to note that variations can occur due to immigration and translation between different languages and scripts.

Famous people with the name Araya

• Tom Araya: He is a famous Chilean-American musician best known as the bassist and lead vocalist of the American thrash metal band Slayer.
• Alejandra Araya: She is a distinguished Chilean actress who has worked in various TV series and movies.
• Fernando Araya Montoya: A well-known Costa Rican footballer who played as a midfielder.
• Manfred Araya: Another notable person from the sports world, he is a retired Costa Rican footballer.
• Dante Araya: A former Chilean footballer, known for his time with Club Deportivo Huachipato.
• Jorge Araya: A noted Chilean football referee, associated with the Asociacion Nacional de Futbol Profesional.
• Mirza Araya: Spanish-language author and member of the Costa Rican Academy of Language.
• Denisse Araya: Also known as De Araya, she is an actress renowned for her role in the Chilean TV series "Perdona nuestros pecados".
• Pamela Araya: Known for her participation in the Chilean reality show, "Mundos Opuestos 2".
• Johnny Araya: A Costa Rican politician who was the mayor of San José, the country's capital, for over two decades.

Other surnames

Arayici