lange

Lange is a surname of Germanic origin. It derives from the word for long, reflecting a descriptive practice common in European surnames. The lowercase form lange appears in German and Dutch as an ordinary adjective and, in German, as an adverb meaning “for a long time.”

Origin and distribution: The surname Lange is widespread in German-speaking regions and the Netherlands, and it is also common among people of German or Dutch descent in North America and elsewhere. As a family name it has been adopted by many lines over the centuries and is now found in various cultures that have been influenced by Germanic languages.

Notable people: The surname Lange is borne by many individuals across fields such as art, science, and public life. The American documentary photographer Dorothea Lange (1895–1965) is one of the best-known bearers, celebrated for her influential images of the Great Depression. Other people with the surname have included academics, athletes, and artists, reflecting the name’s broad geographic and professional reach.

Usage in language: In German, lange functions as an adverb meaning “for a long time,” as in Ich war lange dort (I was there for a long time). It also inflects as an adjective before feminine or plural nouns, for example eine lange Reise (a long journey) or lange Strecken (long distances). In Dutch, lange is the inflected form of lang used before plural nouns or feminine singular nouns, as in lange dagen (long days).

See also: Lang is a related word in several Germanic languages and appears in many surnames and toponyms. The surname Lange is a distinct, widely used identifier with roots in Germanic linguistic history.