Bahena
A Spanish surname likely tied to a place name, especially from southern Spain.
The #3,571 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 30,927 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Bahena is best understood as a Spanish locational surname, probably taken from a place name rather than from a common noun or personal characteristic. In many cases, Spanish surnames of this type point back to the bearer’s home village or estate, ultimately preserving an older toponym. The exact place behind Bahena is not fully settled from general evidence alone, so the surname is best treated as a toponymic name of Iberian origin.
History
The surname is found in Spanish-speaking regions and later in the Americas through migration from Spain and subsequent colonial-era and later movement. In the United States it is especially associated with Hispanic communities. Because the name is relatively uncommon, its history is usually traced through family lines and local records rather than through a single famous bearer.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Spanish surnames ending in -ena are often rooted in place names, which can make them especially valuable clues for genealogical research.