Explore the Family Name Barras

The meaning of Barras

1. English (Durham and Northumberland): variant of Barrass, itself a variant of Barrows. 2. French: from an augmentative of Barre 1. It may also be a habitational name from (Le/Les) Barras, the name of several places in various parts of France. 3. Spanish: plural form of Barra, a topographic name meaning ‘barrier, sandbank’. History: In North America, the surname of French origin (see 2 above) was originally also a secondary surname or dit (‘also called’) name. Some characteristic forenames: French Antoine, Emile, Alberie, Alcee, Alexandre, Angelle, Aurelien, Cyprien, Julien, Maudry, Remy.

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

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

According to data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Barras has seen an increase in popularity over time. In 2000, Barras was ranked as the 13,187th most popular surname, but by 2010, it had moved up to the 12,384th position, marking a 6.09% increase in rank. This rise in popularity is also reflected in the number of people bearing this surname, which grew from 2,124 in 2000 to 2,512 in 2010, an increase of 18.27%. The proportion of individuals with this surname per 100,000 also rose by 7.59%.

20002010Change
Rank#13,187#12,3846.09%
Count2,1242,51218.27%
Proportion per 100k0.790.857.59%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Barras

The Decennial U.S. Census data also reveals shifts in the ethnic identity associated with the surname Barras. For instance, between 2000 and 2010, there was a significant increase of 99.80% in the Hispanic population carrying this surname, while the White population decreased by 6.57%. The Asian/Pacific Islander group with this surname experienced a 52.13% increase, while those identifying with two or more races saw a decrease of 15.64%. The Black population increased slightly by 5.98%, and the American Indian and Alaskan Native group noted a 23.81% increase in the number of people with the surname Barras.

20002010Change
White85.26%79.66%-6.57%
Hispanic4.9%9.79%99.8%
Black6.69%7.09%5.98%
Two or More Races1.79%1.51%-15.64%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.94%1.43%52.13%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0.42%0.52%23.81%