Surname Eiger - Meaning and Origin
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Eiger: What does the surname Eiger mean?
The last name Eiger is of German origin and translates to the phrase "mountain of ice". This surname is derived from the German word "eis" meaning ice, and "gir" meaning mountain. This surname is likely referring to the famous mountain of the same name located on the border of Switzerland and Italy in the Bernese Alps. The mountain is renowned for its iconic appearance and steep northern face, the Eiger Nordwand.
The Eiger first appeared in records as early as 1237, when a land deed mentioned the mountain and an accompanying castle. In 1858, the Eiger was first climbed by the Swiss brothers Charles and Christian Almer and their two guides. This was the first successful ascent of the mountain, and they were credited with giving it its official name. Today the mountain is a symbol of human ambition and achievement, and a challenge for serious alpinists from around the world.
In terms of people, the Eiger surname is thought to refer to someone who either lived in the area and developed a connection with the mountain, or was connected to the first people to climb it. Another possibility is that those who carry the surname have an ancestor who worked in the area or lived in the shadow of the famous mountain. Regardless of the origin, the people with this surname have a unique connection to the iconic Eiger.
Order DNA origin analysisEiger: Where does the name Eiger come from?
The last name Eiger is most commonly found in countries that are part of the German-speaking world. The primary countries where the Eiger name is heavily represented are Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
In Switzerland, the Eiger name is associated with the mountain of the same name; the Eiger mountain is located in the Bernese Alps, near to the village of Lauterbrunnen. The mountain is one of the more well-known and iconic sights of Switzerland. The name "Eiger" is of Swiss-German origin and translates to "ogre" or "towering rock".
In Germany, Eiger is a very common name. It is estimated that over 79,000 people in Germany have Eiger as their last name. Additionally, the Eiger name is also found in parts of the United States where the last name is most likely of recent German-speaking ancestry.
The origin of the Eiger name dates back to the 1600s in the German-speaking countries. Today, the name is still fairly common in the areas where it has been present for centuries. Additionally, as the Eiger name is linked to the mountain, it can also be found in areas of Australia or North America where people have named places or other geographical features after it.
Variations of the surname Eiger
The surname Eiger is a German, Swiss, and Jewish Ashkenazic surname derived from Yiddish. It generally either has German or Yiddish variants, as well as different spellings.
The Yiddish variants of Eiger include Aiger, Aijger, Aigara, Ajger, Ajgara, Aijgara, Ayger, Eyger, and Oyger.
The German spelling and variants of Eiger are Egher, Eggere, Eger and Egger. Some variants of this surname include Eagraph, Aiger, Aoger, Aogar, Eeger, Agger, Eigr, Eigar, Eggar, Ogier, and Egger.
The surnames Eiger and Egger are found in Germany, while most variants can be found in western countries, including Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. The most popular spelling of Eiger outside of Germany is the German Egher, followed by the Yiddish Aiger.
At times, Eiger has also been used as a given name. In addition, Eiger can be found combined with other surnames, such as Jaffe-Eiger, which is usually seen in Central and Eastern Europe.
It is possible that the different spellings and variants of Eiger can be tracked back to different immigration points, including Germany and Eastern Europe. In terms of spelling and pronunciation though, the variants of Eiger are most commonly thought to be German and Ashkenazic in origin.
Famous people with the name Eiger
- Vince Eiger, American film and television editor.
- John Eiger, American lawyer and lobbyist.
- Ruth Eiger, Swiss author and historian.
- Joseph Eiger, German atheist philosopher.
- Dorothy Eiger, American sociologist and author.
- Archibald Eiger, British painter.
- Susan Eiger, American photographer.
- Ed Eiger, American television producer.
- Donald Eiger, American cardiologist and medical researcher.
- Marcus Eiger, British treasurer and business executive.
- Yvonne Eiger, German-born American film editor.
- Bernhard Eiger, Swiss professor of history.
- John Eiger, Jr., American jazz trombonist.
- Vijay Eiger, Indian architect.
- Catherine Eiger, American photographer and psychologist.
- David Eiger, American businessman and philanthropist.
- Steven Eiger, American jazz musician.
- Joseph Eiger, Jr., American sculptor.
- James Eiger, American author and journalist.
- ilan Eiger, Israeli writer and professor.