Surname Bruna - Meaning and Origin
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Bruna: What does the surname Bruna mean?
The last name Bruna is a common Italian name that is derived from the Latin word brunus, meaning “brown” or “shaded”. In Italian, the name often refers to someone who is identified as brunette, or having dark hair. It can also be a nickname for someone who has a swarthy complexion.
Historically, the name Bruna is associated with the Italian region of Calabria, where many people bearing the name have been documented since at least the 15th century. The name is also common in those areas of Italy annexed to it over time, such as the Marche and Veneto regions.
Bruna is thought to have first appeared as a given name in the 11th or 12th centuries, and then was adopted as a surname. It may have been derived from a nickname for someone who was particularly dark-haired.
Given its origins, the surname Bruna can also be considered a variation of the word brunetto, which was popularized by Dante Alighieri, the 14th-century Italian poet who used the term to describe characters in his Divine Comedy. In modern times, the name is becoming increasingly popular in the United States and Europe.
People with the last name Bruna usually have a strong connection to their Italian heritage and many have maintained the traditional Italian way of life. It often signifies loyalty, integrity and a strong sense of family values. It is often associated with a strong work ethic and passion for living life with enthusiasm, while remaining grounded in tradition and community.
Order DNA origin analysisBruna: Where does the name Bruna come from?
The last name Bruna is believed to have originated from Italy, where it remains common today. The name is derived from the Italian word "bruno," which means "dark" or "brown," and was probably applied to someone with darker physical features. It appears to have first been used in the early 1300s.
Over the centuries, the surname Bruna has spread beyond Italy's borders and is now commonly found in Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, and South America. It is particularly widespread in Brazil, where people of Italian heritage make up a substantial portion of the population. There, it is known as the Portuguese spelling of the name, "Bruna."
In the United States, the name Bruna is most commonly found among the states of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Florida, which have large populations of Italian-American descendants. The name comes in several spellings, including Brennan, Brunner, and Brünn.
In the United Kingdom, the name is quite rare, with most instances being of recent Italian migrants. It also appears with relative frequency in Australia, where it is likely the result of Italian immigration in the mid-1900s.
Overall, the last name Bruna is most commonly found throughout Italy, Brazil, and parts of the United States. It is also present in certain other countries around the world, although to a lesser extent.
Variations of the surname Bruna
The surname Bruna is thought to originate from both Spanish and Italian backgrounds, and many variants and spellings exist.
In the Spanish language, variants of the name likely include Bruna, Bruña, Bruñas, Bruñoz and La Brunas. In Italian, similar variants and spellings could be Bruna, Bruña, Bruni, Brunetti, Brunetto, Brunacci, Brunello and Brunone. Spellings in other languages might include Brünner (in German), Brunaam (in Dutch) and Bruner (in English).
Surnames of the same origin, including ancient ones, could include Brunhilda, Brunizio, Brunavel, Brunelli, Brunetta, Bruniños, Brunini, Brunnet, Brunere, Brunetto or Brunonem.
The surname could also take different regional forms, for instance: Brunetto, Brunuzzi, Brunozi, Brunzaghi, Brunati, or Bunozifamilies. Different dialectical variations of the name may also exist, for example, "Brunee" or "Brunette".
However, the root of the surname is believed to be the word "bruna" or "brown," which was likely adopted as a descriptor of someone's hair color or complexion. It is possible that these variants may also show up as surnames variantly spelled as 'Bruene, Bruener, Bruening, Bruennig, and Bruning' or 'Brunette, Brunete, Brunetto, Brunetti, and Brunatti.'
All in all, there are numerous spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Bruna.
Famous people with the name Bruna
- Alvaro Bruna: Musician, songwriter and producer from Spain.
- Mariana Bruna: Colombian actress, known for her roles in films such as 'Yo Soy la Fiesta'.
- Fabio Bruna: Brazilian actor, singer-songwriter, television presenter and entrepreneur.
- Henry Bruna: Colombian actor, best known for his leading role in 'La Diosa Coronada'.
- Carlos Bruna: Venezuelan entrepreneur and businessman.
- Anthony Bruna: American professional mixed martial artist.
- Giovanna Bruna: Brazilian journalist and television presenter.
- Oscar Bruna: Spanish football manager and former player.
- Mayara Bruna: Brazilian model and beauty pageant titleholder.
- Guilherme Bruna: Brazilian tennis player.
- Paulina Bruna: Uruguayan actress, singer and model.
- Joaquin Bruna: Argentine footballer.
- Marta Bruna: Spanish actress, best known for her roles in 'Luna' and 'Alofoke Music'.
- Michel Bruna: French biophysicist and the founder of Political Data Science.
- Gustavo Bruna: Argentine football referee.
- Carlos Bruna Ribas: Brazilian architect.
- Reinaldo Bruna: Cuban mathematician and professor of algebra.
- Isabella Bruna: Brazilian writer, best known for books such as 'Uma Janela para o Céu'.
- Jose Bruna: Spanish politician.
- Hector Bruna: Chilean artist, best known for his colorful abstract paintings.