Peña

The name Peña originates from the Spanish word 'peña', which means 'rock', 'cliff', or 'crag'. This word itself derives from the Latin 'pinna', meaning 'feather', 'point', or 'pinnacle'. Over time, 'pinna' evolved in Vulgar Latin to refer to sharp, pointed rocks or cliffs.

As a surname, Peña is quite common in Spanish-speaking countries, often indicating that an ancestor lived near a prominent rock formation or a place named Peña. Its use as a given name, particularly for females, is less common but exists, often as a short form of names like Guadalupe (referring to the Virgin of Guadalupe, whose apparition was near a river and a 'peña' or rock).