Surname Nicodemus - Meaning and Origin
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Nicodemus: What does the surname Nicodemus mean?
The last name Nicodemus is derived from the Greek language and is composed of two elements: ‘nico’ meaning ‘victory’ and ‘demos’ meaning ‘of the people’. The name is thought to have been inspired by the biblical account of the man named Nicodemus who played an important role in connecting the Jewish Sanhedrin to Jesus. It can also be related to the Greek goddess Nike who symbolizes victory.
This surname is believed to have been first used in the 15th century in England and has since spread to other parts of Europe and North America. It is also quite popular in some parts of Africa including Nigeria. Nicodemus is also a common given name in South Korea and a common family name in Lithuania and Estonia.
As a surname, the word Nicodemus has come to refer to people who are willing to stand up and fight for their convictions, even in the face of great odds. It has also come to represent people who are loyal, determined, and hardworking. Those with this surname can display a great deal of courage in even the most challenging of times, making them reliable companions.
Order DNA origin analysisNicodemus: Where does the name Nicodemus come from?
The surname Nicodemus is most common in the United States today. Its origins can be traced back to Germany and Switzerland, as it is believed to have potential Irish, German, and Swiss-German roots.
In the US, Nicodemus is most popular in the midwest, the south, and in pockets of the northeast region. It is amongst the 2000 most common surnames in the US.
More specifically, researches taking into account the 2000 US Census data have found the highest occurrence of the surname Nicodemus to be centered in the following states: Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Michigan. Nicodemus is also particularly popular in the Appalachian region, and several small towns in this region have been found to have the highest population of the surname.
Research has further revealed that the highest concentration of the Nicodemus surname is along Ohio’s border with West Virginia. The largest concentration of Nicodemus families is in the city of Bremen, Indiana as well as Belington and Philippi, West Virginia.
Today, people with this last name come from a mixed genetic pool, bearing a trace of both their German and American roots. Generally, they are associated with hard-working, honest, and down-to-earth personalities.
Variations of the surname Nicodemus
Nicodemus is a surname of Greek origin whose variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin come from the given name "Nicodemos" (Νικόδημος). This name is derived from the Greek verb νικάω (nikáo) meaning "to conquer" or "to prevail" combined with the common Greek personal name δῆμος (dēmos) meaning "peoples". The surname Nicodemus can appear or be spelled in a variety of ways, such as Nicodemos, Nicodemo, Nikodemos, Nikodemo, and Nikedemus. Other surnames of the same origin include Nicodemides, Nikodemidis, Nicodemos, Nikodemus, and Nacodemus.
The surname Nicodemus is typically seen in Orthodox Greek communities, as well as areas formerly part of the Ottoman Empire. It can be traced back to a group of ancient Greek mercenaries and colonists who settled in western Anatolia (modern Turkey) in the 4th century BC. The surname is believed to have descended from one of the most prominent members of the group, Nicodemus.
In the United States, the Nicodemus surname was widely used during the 1700s by people of British, German, and Dutch descent. It eventually spread across the East Coast and to parts of the Midwest. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Nicodemus surname was also adopted by some African-Americans who moved from the South to other regions of the country.
The Nicodemus surname is also found among African-American families with Native American ancestry, as well as some families of French Canadian and Spanish-American descent. This is due to mixed-race marriages, mostly in the South and Midwestern regions of the United States. In the Caribbean, the Nicodemus surname can be found among people of African, Spanish, and Portuguese descent.
Famous people with the name Nicodemus
- Sarah Nicodemus: Author, best known for her children's books on menagerie animals.
- Dave Nicodemus: American professional soccer player
- Henry Nicodemus: American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient
- Marisa Nicodemus: American singer, songwriter and musical artist
- Samuel Nicodemus: German-American Lutheran minister and hymn writer
- Johnathan Nicodemus: Former US Navy diver
- Barbara Nicodemus: Canadian artist, sculptor and jewelry designer
- Kae Nicodemus: American playwright and theater director
- William Nicodemus: American Civil War Union army soldier
- Solomon Nicodemus: British scientist and engineer.