Nieves
Nieves , the Spanish plural form of nieve (English: snow ), is a matronymic surname and female given name derived from the title of the Virgin Mary Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows ), a reference to the 4th-century Catholic miracle of a summertime snowfall on the Esquiline Hill in Rome , where the Basilica Sanctae Mariae ad Nives was built. Descended from the Asturleonese language in northwestern Spain , the surname is most common in the Hispanosphere . In Spain, it is most prevalent in Andalusia , Madrid , Canary Islands , and Galicia . In Hispanic America , it is most prevalent in Mexico , Venezuela , Colombia , and particularly Puerto Rico , where it is most densely concentrated. It has also been introduced into the United States .
The Portuguese cognate of Nieves is Neves , and it is most common in Brazil . A similar but unrelated toponymic surname can also be found in Scotland , originating from the historic parish of Nevay in Angus .
Notable people with the given name Nieves
Nieves Anula (born 1973), Spanish basketball player
Nieves Confesor , Filipino politician
Nieves Herrero (born 1957), Spanish journalist, presenter, and writer
Nieves Hidalgo (born 1976), Spanish singer
Nieves Mathews (1917–2003), author of Scottish and Spanish parentage
Nieves Barragán Mohacho , Spanish chef
Nieves Navarro (born 1938), Spanish-born Italian actress and fashion model
Nieves Panadell (born 1956), Spanish swimmer
Nieves Yankovic (1916–1985), Chilean actress and documentary maker
Nieves Zuberbühler (born 1987), Argentine journalist
Notable people with the surname Nieves
Antonio Nieves , American professional boxer
Brian Nieves , American politician
Christian Nieves , Puerto Rican cuatro player
Christine Nieves , Puerto Rican climate activist
Daniela Nieves Venezuelan-American actress
Javi Nieves , Spanish radio host
José Alvarado Nieves , Mexican wrestler
José Antonio Nieves Conde , Spanish film director and screenplay writer
José Miguel Nieves , retired Venezuelan baseball player
Juan Nieves , retired Puerto Rican baseball player
Lisette Nieves , Puerto Rican-American businesswoman
Luis López Nieves , Puerto Rican author
Maikel Nieves , Spanish footballer for Norwegian club Råde
María Nieves , Argentine tango dancer and choreographer
María Antonieta de las Nieves , Mexican actress
Melvin Nieves , retired Puerto Rican baseball player
Nelson Nieves , Venezuelan fencer
Néstor Nieves , Venezuelan long-distance runner
Osvaldo Nieves , Puerto Rican track and field athlete
Roberto González Nieves , Puerto Rican church leader
Tito Nieves , Puerto Rican singer
Wil Nieves , Puerto Rican baseball player