Nunes

Nunes is a surname of Portuguese origin. It is a patronymic derived from the given name Nuno, effectively meaning “son of Nuno.” The spelling is typical of Portuguese names, and variations appear in other Iberian languages. In Spanish, the cognate surname Núñez (from Nuño) serves as the closest equivalent, while Anglophone contexts may render the name as Nunez. The root name Nuno is of uncertain early origin but is widely used in Portugal and Brazil.

Nunes is most common in Portugal and Brazil and among people of Portuguese descent worldwide. In addition to Portugal and Brazil, communities in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe and Africa in former colonies carry the name.

Notable individuals with the surname include Devin Nunes (born 1973), an American politician from California who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and chaired the House Intelligence Committee. The surname appears across various fields, reflecting its broad Lusophone heritage.