Lopez

Lopez is a surname of Spanish origin, often encountered as an unaccented variant of López. The name is widely used across the Spanish-speaking world and ranks as the 5th most common Hispanic surname globally.

Etymology and Origins

Lopez is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Lope". The given name Lope derives from Latin Lupus, meaning "wolf". This root connects to Loup, the French form of Lupus, a name borne by several early Christian saints, including the 5th-century bishop of Troyes who is said to have persuaded Attila the Hun to spare the city.

Geographical Distribution

Lopez is overwhelmingly common in the Americas and Spain. As of 2014, Mexico alone accounted for nearly 35% of all bearers, followed by Spain (10%), Guatemala (8%), and the United States (7%). In Spain, it is the most frequent surname in the province of Lugo, and it holds the distinction of being the most common Spanish surname in the United Kingdom.

Variants and Related Forms

The surname Lopes is the Portuguese and Galician equivalent. Across the Romance languages, related surnames exist: Italian Lupo, French Loup (or Leu), Romanian Lupu/Lupescu, and Catalan Llopis. Basque has Otxo.

• Meaning: Son of Lope (wolf)
• Origin: Spanish
• Type: Patronymic surname
• Usage Regions: Spain, Latin America, United States