Surname Ninn - Meaning and Origin

Ninn: What does the surname Ninn mean?

Ninn is a German surname that has been passed down through several generations. It is believed to originate from the Middle High German word "ninnen" which translates to "small or young person". It was used to distinguish small children or young people from older ones. This surname was widely used in Germany, though it is now more common in North America.

The surname likely has occupational origins, as many people with the surname come from areas in Germany that had strong blue-collar workforces and skilled craftsmen. It was not uncommon for German workers to add "ninn" to the end of their surnames to indicate their trade or specialisation.

Today, the surname is common in both Germany and North America, particularly in English-speaking countries. The meaning and origin of Ninn remains generally the same; a name that suggests youth, smallness or traditional German trades. The surname is typically pronounced with a short “i” as “nin” rather than “ninn”.

Ninn is an old and traditional German surname providing insight into the family’s origins and providing a sense of connection and belonging for those with the name. It has been passed down from generation to generation, spanning the decades and connecting those with the same last name.

Ninn: Where does the name Ninn come from?

The surname Ninn is of German origin and is most commonly found today in Germany, the United States, and Canada, as well as a few other countries including France, Austria, and Switzerland.

In Germany, it is most common in the north-west, near the border with Belgium. This area is known as Westphalia and even today many traditional German surnames can be found there. According to a 2020 report from the German Federal Office of Statistics, there were at least 500 people that shared the Ninn surname in Germany.

In the United States, Ninn is an uncommon surname. According to the 2020 U.S. Census data, there were only around 530 individuals in the United States that used the surname. There are many states with at least one instance of the name, but the states with the most include Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri.

In Canada, approximately 890 people shared the surname. The provinces of Ontario and British Columbia had the highest concentrations and represent around half of all Canadians with the surname Ninn.

Ninn is also present in other countries, like France and Austria, due to European migration that took place during the 20th century. The exact number of persons that carry the surname in these countries is difficult to ascertain, as French and Austrian privacy laws prohibit the sharing of census data.

Variations of the surname Ninn

The surname Ninn is of German origin and has multiple variants and spellings. Variants of the surname Ninn include Nin, Ninns, Ninnssen, Ninis, Ninni, and Ninnemann. Ninn is also known to appear in spelling variations such as Ninn, Nin, Neyn, Nein, Neyne, Neyen, Nayan, Nyen, Niene, and Niyn.

In England and Scotland, the variants Nyn and Ninne are quite common. This form of the surname is also found as Nanim in Croatia. In Italy, the surname Ninni is derived from the noun “nino” meaning boy; the surname is quite short and common in areas of the Apennines and Lombardy.

In addition, there are some other surnames that vary somewhat, but may have evolved from Ninn or have the same origin. These include Ninnie, Neyan, Niyla, and Ninya.

The many spelling variations for the surname Ninn indicate that it is an ancient surname dating from medieval times, when spelling and style was less standardized than today. Over time, the surname evolved from its Germanic roots to encompass a range of spellings. The surname is found in many countries, including Germany, England, Scotland, Croatia, Italy, and the United States.

Famous people with the name Ninn

• Romina Ninn, television presenter for Italian TV channel La7
• Camilla Ninn, Italian actress
• Lorena Ninn, Spanish actress
• Monica Ninn, Italian impersonator
• Franchina Ninn, Argentine actress
• Giulia Ninn, singer and Italian writer
• Anthony Ninn, American singer and songwriter
• Ventura Ninn, Brazilian singer and composer
• Bill Ninn, American professional football player
• Laurence Ninn, French photographer and movie director

Other surnames

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