Explore the Family Name Bel
The meaning of Bel
1. French: nickname for a handsome man (perhaps also ironically for an ugly one), from Old French beu, bel ‘beautiful, handsome’ (from Late Latin bellus). Compare Lebel and Beau. 2. Hungarian (Bél): from the old personal name Bél, or perhaps from bél ‘inside, internal part’. The latter may have been an occupational name for an indoor servant, i.e. one who worked inside a great house. 3. Dutch: possibly an altered form of Scottish Bell. Some characteristic forenames: German Liselotte.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Bel in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census data on surname popularity, the surname "Bel" has seen an increase in prevalence between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the surname was ranked 52,714th in popularity, with a total of 369 recorded instances. By 2010, it had climbed to the 49,268th position, with a count of 427 instances. This represents a growth rate of 15.72%, although the proportional representation per 100,000 people remained stable at 0.14.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #52,714 | #49,268 | 6.54% |
| Count | 369 | 427 | 15.72% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Bel
The Decennial U.S. Census data also provides information on the ethnic identity associated with the surname "Bel". In 2000, the majority (73.98%) of individuals with this surname identified as White. However, by 2010, while this group still made up the majority, its proportion decreased slightly to 69.09%. Meanwhile, the proportion of those identifying as Hispanic increased from 7.05% in 2000 to 10.54% in 2010. The percentage of individuals identifying as Black saw a small increase, from 10.57% in 2000 to 10.77% in 2010. Those reporting two or more ethnicities declined from 6.78% to 4.68%. The Asian/Pacific Islander category saw a decrease, with no individuals identifying as such in 2010. No data was available for the American Indian and Alaskan Native category in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 73.98% | 69.09% | -6.61% |
| Black | 10.57% | 10.77% | 1.89% |
| Hispanic | 7.05% | 10.54% | 49.5% |
| Two or More Races | 6.78% | 4.68% | -30.97% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.63% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |