Salinas is a Spanish surname that is derived from the plural form of “salina”, which means “salt pan”. The name is believed to have originated from the province of Burgos in northern Spain. Today, it is a common surname throughout the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in Mexico, where it is ranked among the top 20 surnames. Notable individuals with the surname Salinas include former Mexican president Carlos Salinas de Gortari and American author Ana Castillo.