Surname Dias - Meaning and Origin
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Dias: What does the surname Dias mean?
The last name Dias is of Portugal and Spanish origin meaning "days" and is often considered as a patronymic surname, i.e., derived from the names or nicknames of ancestors. It is found to be similar to the popular Jewish surname “Dias,” which denotes the Sephardi Jewish community. They adopted it after being expelled from Spain in the 15th century and referred to Aleda los Dias- a village in the province of Zamora, Spain. The surname is pervasive among Portuguese and Brazilian populations. Dias signifies the familial link to an ancestor who might have been born or baptized during some religious feast day or was known by a nickname associated with a particular day. The surname is prevalent all over Lusophone countries (Portuguese-speaking nations) and among people with Portuguese ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisDias: Where does the name Dias come from?
The last name Dias is of Portuguese origin and it translates to 'days' in English. The name is believed to be a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the name of a father or ancestor. During the Middle Ages, it was common in Portugal to name a child after a saint, holy day, or other religious festival. Therefore, some believe that the name Dias might have emerged from the tradition of naming a child born during the day or on a holy day.
Dias is widely spread among Portuguese-speaking countries and regions, making it a common last name in Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and other regions with significant Portuguese influence. Moreover, through historical explorations, migrations, and diasporas, it has reached many other parts of the world, including India (in former Portuguese colonies like Goa), and the United States. In all these geographies, the name is pronounced in a variety of ways as idiosyncratic to the local language or dialect.
Variations of the surname Dias
The surname Dias has roots in multiple cultures, including Portuguese, Spanish, and Jewish. It is derived from the personal name "Didacus", or from the word "dias", which means "days" in Portuguese and Spanish.
In Portugal and Brazil, the name is often spelled "Dias", while in Spain, it turns into "Díaz" or "Diez". In the Jewish Sephardic tradition, it could be spelled as "Diaz" or "Dias". Other variant spellings include "Dyes" and "Dyas".
This surname spread across the globe due to colonization and diasporic movements. Today, it can be found with slight spelling modifications in different parts of the world. For example, "Diáz" in Hungary, "Deas" in Scotland, "Dyas" in England, and "Dayas" in India.
There are also compound surnames including this origin, such as "Días de la Fuente", common in Spain, which includes a last name and the name of a location.
Despite these spelling variations, each of these surnames traces back to the same origin, connecting families across linguistic and geographic borders.
Famous people with the name Dias
- Bartolomeu Dias: A notable Portuguese explorer who was the first European to sail around the southernmost tip of Africa.
- Cameron Dias: An acclaimed Hollywood actress best known for her roles in films like "The Mask", "My Best Friend's Wedding", and "Charlie's Angels".
- Leila Dias: A famous Brazilian actress and TV presenter.
- Geraldo Dias: A world-renowned Brazilian painter.
- Anya Dias: A notable Jamaican actress recognized for her roles in various television series.
- Thiago Dias: A successful Brazilian footballer who has played for teams like Fluminense and América FC.
- André Dias: Another professional Brazilian footballer who has played as a center back for Lazio and São Paulo.
- Giles Dias: An accomplished Indian entrepreneur and the co-founder of Pinstorm.
- Inderbir S. Dias: A distinguished Indian film director and writer, known for his work in Bollywood.
- Natacha Dias: A recognized Portuguese author and public speaker.
- Margarida Dias: A well-known Portuguese actress.
- Marta Dias: A popular Portuguese singer.
- Manuel Dias Jr.: A renowned Mexican professional racer.
- Pedro Dias: A prominent Portuguese journalist and TV broadcaster.
- Sandra Dias: A highly respected Canadian judge.
- Paulo Henrique Dias: A prominent Brazilian politician.