What is the origin and/or meaning of the common Jewish surname Naiman (or Neiman, Najman, etc.)?
According to this site the common Jewish name is of Germanic origin, meaning "Newcomer".
However, I've also seen the name "Neeman", occasionally spelled, and almost always pronounced, "Ne'eman" (sounds like the Hebrew word for "Faithful"). We also now have a newcomer (no pun intended) with the name Neaman.
Is it possible that these names are related? Is Naiman perhaps a Germanification of Ne'eman? Or is Ne'eman perhaps an Hebraicization of Naiman?
