Surname Viliunas - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
Viliunas: What does the surname Viliunas mean?
The last name Viliunas is of Lithuanian origin and it means "son of Wilk, Wilek or Wilen." The root of this name is Wila or Wilen, which is derived from the Old Germanic elements wil, meaning "will" and heim, meaning "home, house or family." The name was found in various countries, including Lithuania and Poland, and is roughly translated as a "willful, strong-willed person."
This name is quite popular in the Lithuanian culture and people with this surname usually have a strong family bond. Many Viliunas families have strong ties to their native land and many second and third generations will still stay within the country or develop close connections with others that have the same name.
Additionally, Viliunas families have a traditional Slavic coat of arms and a motto which reinforces their family bonds, “Tiesa netiesa”. This translation means "truth untied," or "family member beyond all doubts." It is said that this name was adopted by a former mayor of Vilnius, who believed it to be representative of his strong family ties and loyalty to his homeland.
In modern times, the Viliunas family name is still carried on by many European descendants. In some cases, they have even changed the spelling of the name to “Villuñas” or “Wilkinas”. Being one of the oldest family names in Lithuania, this surname stands as a testament to loyalty and perseverance against the odds.
Order DNA origin analysisViliunas: Where does the name Viliunas come from?
The last name Viliunas is most commonly found in the United States and Lithuania today. In the United States the last name is mainly found in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, and California. Viliunas is also fairly common in Chicago, which has a large population of Lithuanian-American residents.
In Lithuania the last name Viliunas is found mainly in the larger cities such as Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga, and Siauliai. The last name is also popular among the smaller towns and villages that are located dotting the Lithuanian countryside.
Historically, Viliunas originated in Lithuania. During the mid-19th century some of the family members left Lithuania to pursue better opportunities in the United States. This is why there are now so many Viliunas families living in the United States.
Overall the last name Viliunas is fairly common in both Lithuania and the United States and is likely to remain so for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Viliunas
The surname Viliunas is of Lithuanian origin. The variant spellings and surnames include Vilana, Viliene, Vilione, Vilionis, Vilonis, Vilukas, Vilune, Wiliuna, Wilionas, and Vilunas.
Vilana, Viliene, and Vilione are most commonly used as female versions of the surname, and is often derived from “vilinė” which means “holly” in Lithuanian. Vilukas is a diminutive form of the original version Vilunas and is likely derived from the Lithuanian word “vilkas” which means wolf. Vilune is a popular spelling of Vilunas and likely comes from “vilnis” which is a Lithuanian word for curl, wave, or wrinkle. Wiliuna is a local form of Vilunas and is closely related to the Lithuanian word wilus which means bashful, shy, or timid.
Wilionas is a derivative form of Vilunas, which also derives from Lithuanian. It is often found as a patronymic variant from the famous Lithuanian personal name “Vilys” or the older Lithuanian Vytele. The older variant of Vilunas is known as Vilonis and is related to the Lithuanian word vilion, meaning fox or sly. The original spelling remains Vilunas and has been used by many Lithuanian families since the 16th century.
Altogether the surname Viliunas has around nine variants, spellings, and surnames that all have the same origin. Each holds a special meaning and cultural importance for Lithuanian families.
Famous people with the name Viliunas
- Nate Viliunas: an American YouTube technology influencer, who runs a channel by the same name and discusses topics such as software, hardware, cybersecurity, streaming, and web development.
- Darius Viliunas: a Lithuanian professional basketball player who has competed in multiple professional leagues, including the Lithuanian Basketball League and the EuroLeague.
- Gintaras Viliunas: a Lithuanian former basketball player who represented Lithuania in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
- Adomas Viliunas: a former dynamic Lithuanian sevenfold champion in sprint canoeing, who won two bronze medals at the 2000 European Championships in Bled, Slovenia.
- John Viliunas: an American film composer, known for his work on the directed by Martin Scorcese television movie "After Hours" and the independent feature films "Sidewalk Stories" and "I Shot Andy Warhol".
- William Viliunas: an American well-traveled standup comedian, writer, and actor, most countless TV appearances on shows such as "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", and "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher".
- Stasys Viliunas: a Lithuanian ham radio operator and winner of the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame Award in 2018.
- Leonidas Viliunas: a Greek composer of ballets, musicals, operettas, operas, and orchestral music.
- Ida Viliunas-Slusnys: an American-born Lithuanian painte, sculptor, and illustrator, known for her works exploring political struggles, such as her series “Victims of the Holocaust” and “Communism & Fascism.”
- Paulina Viliunas: a Lithuanian theater actress and singer, best known for playing in several stage productions of "Romeo and Juliet", and for her performances in various European music festivals and competitions.