Carrillo

Carrillo is a Spanish surname derived from the word carrillo, meaning "cheek" or "jaw." It originated as a descriptive nickname for a person with a prominent or distinctive cheek or jaw.

Etymology

The name comes from Latin carriculus (a diminutive of carra), which evolved into the Spanish carrillo for the cheek area. This onomastic tradition of using body-part terms as nicknames is common across many cultures.

Distribution and Demographics

Today, Carrillo is especially prevalent in Latin America and Spanish-speaking communities in the United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, it ranked as the 340th most common surname in the United States, with 91,129 individuals bearing the name. The overwhelming majority (over 93%) of American groups with this surname identify as Hispanic or Latino.

Notable Bearers

• Ana Carrillo Domínguez, journalist
• Carlos de Gante y Carrillo, noble
• Santiago Carrillo, Spanish politician

Cultural Significance

As a nickname-turned-surname, Carrillo falls into the broad category of Spanish surnames rooted in physical characteristics. Variants such as Carillo and pronunciation changes (like the soft 'll' becoming 'carrill-o') reflect regional influences across Latin America and the Caribbean.

• Meaning: Cheek, jaw
• Origin: Spanish
• Type: Descriptive nickname
• Regions: Spain, Latin America, United States