Surname Lieber - Meaning and Origin
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Lieber: What does the surname Lieber mean?
The last name Lieber is typically of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word lieber, meaning “dear”, “beloved”, or “friendly”. This surname was also used as a nickname, given to someone who was warm and friendly in nature and surrounded by people who deeply cared for them.
In modern times, Lieber is a moderately common surname in Germany, Austria, and the United States, where it is mainly regarded as a Jewish name. During the 1700s and 1800s, many Jews with the last name Lieber fled Germany due to religious persecution. These families settled mainly in North America, where the name Lieber in German-American communities has become a symbol of the ancestral journey of their immigrant ancestors.
In Germany, “lieber” often appears in compounds, such as “liebkind” (dear child), “liebenswert” (loveable, dear), “lieblich” (lovely), and “lieblichen” (sweetly, kindly). It is interesting to note that the surname Lieber has transcended the bounds of language and culture, and is a widely used surname in different parts of the world. The Lieber surname is associated with pleasantness and kindness and in this way keeps alive the memory of its origin.
Order DNA origin analysisLieber: Where does the name Lieber come from?
The last name Lieber is a Jewish Ashkenazic surname. It is a German surname that is still common in Germany today. It is also found in Austria, Poland, Hungary and elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe. It is most common in the United States, particularly cities with a large Jewish population such as New York City. Lieber is a fairly common surname in the U.S., with about 29,000 Americans listed in the 2010 census. Some members of the Lieber family immigrated to the U.S. from Germany in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and are now found throughout the country. The Lieber name is also found in Israel, where many Holocaust survivors emigrated after World War II.
The Lieber surname is not just found in Jewish communities, however. It is also found in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and elsewhere. In all, an estimated 100,000 people throughout the world claim the Lieber surname today.
Variations of the surname Lieber
Lieber is an occupational or patronymic surname of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin. Derived from the Middle High German word “lieb”, it was used to describe a person who had a pleasant nature or was beloved by others. Variations of the name include Lieb, Liebermann, Liebmann, Lieber, Liber, Libman, Liberman, Liebemann, and Liebknecht. The spelling Liebmann is also common among non-Jewish people, while Liebemann is typically more favorable among Jewish people.
One of the earliest known record of the Lieber surname dates back to the 15th century. During this time, a family of Lieber lived in Nordheim, Germany who were believed to be the origin of the surname. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the surname Lieber spread to many parts of Europe.
In the United States, Lieb(er)man and Lieb(er) are the most frequent variations of the Lieber surname. It can be found in all 50 states. Today, there are various spellings of the Lieber surname around the world: Liebmann, Leiber, Liber, Liba, Liberman, Libman, Libmann, Libmanov, Lybman, Lybmann, Lipman, Lippman, Lebman, and Lebmann.
The Lieber surname is not common among other cultures, but it can be found in countries such as Australia, South Africa, Canada, and England. In Australia, variations of the Lieber surname include Leib(er)man, Lieberman, and Lyberman. In South Africa, it is spelled Leibman. In Canada, some of the Lieber surname variations are Lieberman, Libberman, and Liberman. Lastly, in England, one can find the Lieber surname in the spelling form Liberman due to the influx of Jewish immigrants during the 20th century.
Famous people with the name Lieber
- Stan Lee: Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He was widely regarded as an influential figure in the comic book industry and is mostly known for co-creating Spider-Man, many Marvel superheroes, and for leading Marvel's expansion from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
- Al Lieberson: Al Lieberson was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. His career spanned almost six decades and he performed with many well-known jazz groups and ensembles.
- Harriet Lieber: Harriet Lieber was an American philanthropist, bon-vivant, and society maven. She was the mother of American writer and philosopher Alain Locke, who is best known as the founder of the Harlem Renaissance.
- Sam Lieber: Sam Lieber is an American investor and businessman. He founded the asset management firm Alpine Value Investors and has served on the board of Avista Corporation, a diversified energy company.
- Scott Lieber: Scott Lieber is an American screenwriter and film producer. He was nominated for an Emmy for his work on the HBO miniseries Angels in America, which also won him the Humanitas Prize.
- Ralph Lieber: Ralph Lieber was an American molecular biologist and geneticist. He is credited for naming the Transaldolase protein, a major enzyme in glycolysis. He also co-authored a textbook on the subject, which has a section devoted to this enzyme.
- Maria Lieber: Maria Lieber was an American cellist who was part of the Lieber Quartet, alongside her brothers David and Simon. The quartet's performances focused on works by Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Antonín Dvořák, Robert Schumann, and others.
- David Lieber: David Lieber was an American violinist who was part of the Lieber Quartet, alongside his brother Simon and sister Maria. He was the first violinist of the quartet, and his playing style was known for its clarity and intensity.
- Simon Lieber: Simon Lieber was an American violist who was part of the Lieber Quartet, alongside his brothers David and Maria. He was the violist of the quartet and was praised for his highly intricate and expressive playing.