Quintana

Quintana is a surname of Spanish and Portuguese origin. It is derived from the medieval term quintana, which referred to a fifth part or division and, in some contexts, to a rural estate or district. As a toponymic surname, it arose from places named Quintana and spread with Iberian colonization, becoming common in the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world.

Quintana Roo is a state in southeastern Mexico on the Caribbean coast. It is named in honor of Andrés Quintana Roo, a Mexican statesman and patriot who played a role in the country’s independence. The state’s capital is Chetumal, and its major tourist centers include Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

In contemporary usage, Quintana appears as a surname for individuals in politics, sports, the arts, and academia. The name also features in geographic names, businesses, and cultural works across the Americas and Iberia.

The term Quintana thus carries historical, geographical, and cultural resonance throughout the Spanish-speaking world.