Find out how popular the first name Lima has been for the last 15 years (from 2009 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lima by gender

Based on the last 15 years of data, Lima is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Lima.

The history of the first name Lima

The name Lima is thought to have originated from the Quechua language, which was spoken by the indigenous people of the Andes in South America, particularly in what is now Peru. The name is believed to derive from the Quechua word "rimaq," meaning "speaker" or "one who speaks."

During the Inca Empire, which flourished in the region from the 13th to the 16th century, the city of Lima was founded by the Spanish conquistadors in 1535. It was originally named Ciudad de los Reyes (City of the Kings), but it eventually became known as Lima, possibly inspired by the nearby Rimac River, whose name is derived from the Quechua word "rimaq."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lima can be found in the writings of the Spanish chronicler Pedro Cieza de León, who documented the exploration and conquest of Peru in the 16th century. He referred to the region and the river as "Rimac" in his works.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Lima. One of the earliest was Lima Batumenabit, a 16th-century Inca princess who played a significant role in the resistance against the Spanish conquest.

In the 19th century, Lima Barreto (1881-1922) was a renowned Brazilian writer and journalist known for his criticism of the social and racial inequalities in Brazilian society. His works, such as the novel "Recordações do Escrivão Isaías Caminha" (Memories of the Scribe Isaías Caminha), are considered classics of Brazilian literature.

Another notable figure was Lima de Freitas (1927-1998), a Portuguese writer and journalist who was a prominent figure in the anti-fascist resistance during the Estado Novo regime in Portugal. His works, including the novel "Os Capitães de Abril" (The Captains of April), chronicled the struggles against the authoritarian regime.

In the field of sports, Lima Sopoaga (born 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union player who has represented the All Blacks, the national team of New Zealand, and has played for various professional clubs.

Additionally, Lima Duarte (born 1939) is a Brazilian actor and director who has had a prolific career in television, theater, and film. He is best known for his roles in popular telenovelas (soap operas) and for his work in promoting environmental causes.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Lima was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lima, please contact us.

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