Surname Nix - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Intricacies of My Heritage: An iGENEA Look at the Nix Ancestry

From the depth and breadth of my surname Nix to the unchartered journey of my ancestors, my iGENEA DNA test has unlocked the mysteries of my past, presenting an intriguing narrative of a name that traces back to different European origins.

E. Nix

Nix: What does the surname Nix mean?

The surname Nix is of German origin and is derived from the personal name Nikolaus or Nicholas, which means 'victory of the people'. The name Nix may also have been given to someone who lived by a body of water such as a stream or a lake, as 'nix' signifies 'water sprite' or 'water nymph' in Germanic folklore. Additionally, Nix is found in British surnames and can be an occupational name for someone who looked after animals, derived from the Middle English term "nix", which means "an animal" or "a creature". It's also possible that the surname could have been a nickname for a person considered as mischievous or peculiar, relating to the use of 'nix' or 'nixie' in mythology to describe a mermaid or water spirit known for being elusive and playful. Like many surnames, its exact origin and meaning could vary based on geographic location and cultural context. As such, the last name Nix can have multiple potential meanings.

Nix: Where does the name Nix come from?

Today, the last name Nix is most common in the United States, particularly in southern and central states. In the most recent U.S. census, the most common states for the name included Arkansas (rank 15), Mississippi (rank 17), Tennessee (rank 25), and Alabama (rank 26). South Carolina, Louisiana, and Georgia also all have relatively high concentrations of Nix in their populations.

It is also the 27th most common surname in Germany. The vast majority of German Nix are clustered in the former East German states, particularly in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Nix also appears in other countries in Europe, particularly France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Outside of Europe, the name is much less common. It is most often found in Australia, where it is the 127th most common name, and the United States, where it is the 435th most common name. Other places where Nix is common include New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and parts of Asia.

While the origin of the name is uncertain, it is likely a variant of the Germanic name Nixdorf or Nixhof, which develops from nicknames formed from the given name Nicholas or Nikolaus.

Variations of the surname Nix

The surname Nix is of German origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

The surname Nix is found in several spelling variations, such as Nicks, Nixe, Niks, Nicks, Niex, Nikes, Nikse, and Niksen.

Variants of the surname Nix include Nik, Nikk, Nick, Nikkel, Nickel, Nickels, Kirschner, Kirschning, Nikkelson, and variations of the spelling of these. Additionally, some of the spelling variations may be derived from other German surnames, such as Niehoff, Niehaus, Niemeyer, Niendorf, Nimitz, and Nimsch.

In some cases, the surname Nix may have also been derived from the Dutch surname Nijs, or from the Old German personal name Nikolaus, which is a combination of two Greek words meaning “victory” and “people.”

In the United States, the surname Nix is found most often in the state of Pennsylvania and is a frequent surname among the numerous German immigrants who arrived in America during the 1700s.

The surname Nix is also found throughout Europe, with spelling variations being particularly common in countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Additionally, variations of the surname are also found in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Nix

• Jon Nix, Football Player
• Nick Nix, Musician
• Tim Nix, Actor and Voiceover Artist
• Kristy Nix, Singer/Songwriter
• J.J. Nix, Rapper
• Don Nix, Songwriter and Producer
• Phil Nix, Writer and Publisher
• Marny Nix, Actress and Voiceover Artist
• John Nix, Illustrator
• Vanessa Nix, Design Consultant
• Landon Nix, Professional Golfer
• Stephen Nix, Actor
• Lamar Nix, Football Player and Coach
• Ari Nix, Olympic Archer
• Mike Nix, PGA Golfer
• Shawn Nix, Football Player
• Joan Nix, Children’s Book Author
• Brad Nix, Television Producer
• Shawn Nix, Quarterback
• Robert Nix, Basketball Player

Other surnames

NixonNixson