Explore the Family Name Acquaviva

The meaning of Acquaviva

Italian: literally ‘living water’, i.e. ‘running water, spring’; a habitational name from any of various minor places in central and southern Italy so named on account of their springs of fresh water, as for example Acquaviva Platani in Sicily (until 1862, known simply as Acquaviva). Some characteristic forenames: Italian Mauro, Antonio, Carmine, Martino, Salvatore, Savino, Vito.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Acquaviva in the United States?

Based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Acquaviva has seen a slight decrease between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it ranked 28,283 in popularity in the United States, and by 2010, it had dropped slightly to 28,498, representing a change of -0.76%. Despite this decrease in rank, the actual count of individuals with this surname increased by 5.15%, from 796 in 2000 to 837 in 2010. However, when considering the proportion per 100,000 people, there was a decline of -6.67% over the decade.

20002010Change
Rank#28,283#28,498-0.76%
Count7968375.15%
Proportion per 100k0.30.28-6.67%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Acquaviva

Turning to ethnic identity connected to the Acquaviva surname, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals that it is predominantly associated with those identifying as White, with a slight decrease from 95.98% in 2000 to 95.10% in 2010. The data shows minimal representation among Asian/Pacific Islanders and those identifying with two or more races, though the latter group saw an increase of 37.17% over the decade. Meanwhile, Hispanic representation within the Acquaviva surname group also grew significantly by 74.17%, albeit from a small base. There were no individuals identifying as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native reported in either census year.

20002010Change
White95.98%95.1%-0.92%
Hispanic1.51%2.63%74.17%
Two or More Races1.13%1.55%37.17%
Asian/Pacific Islander1.13%0.72%-36.28%
Black0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%