Explore the Family Name Bellas
The meaning of Bellas
1. English: topographic name for someone who lived by a belltower, from Middle English bel-hous ‘detached bell-house or belfry’ (Old English bell-hūs). The surname is now found chiefly in Yorkshire and Westmorland. 2. Greek: Hellenized form of the Italian surname Bella, or alternatively a nickname derived from South Slavic bel ‘white’. 3. Galician: probably from the adjective belo, bela ‘beautiful, lovely’, possibly with topographic reference.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Bellas in the United States?
According to data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Bellas ranked 25,825 in popularity in 2000 and slipped slightly to 27,185 in 2010, reflecting a decrease of 5.27%. The number of individuals with the Bellas surname also dropped slightly from 895 in 2000 to 890 in 2010, marking a modest decline of 0.56%. In terms of proportion per 100,000 people, it decreased by 9.09% over this ten-year period.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #25,825 | #27,185 | -5.27% |
| Count | 895 | 890 | -0.56% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.33 | 0.3 | -9.09% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Bellas
As for ethnic identity, data from the Decennial U.S. Census reveals a broad distribution amongst those with the Bellas surname. The majority identified as White, accounting for 88.72% in 2000 and dropping slightly to 86.07% in 2010. Those identifying as Hispanic saw a notable increase of 35.60%, growing from 5.14% in 2000 to 6.97% by 2010. Meanwhile, the proportion of individuals identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander or with two or more races increased marginally. There was a slight decrease in those identifying as Black, while the American Indian and Alaskan Native category witnessed the largest growth of 53.57% over the decade.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 88.72% | 86.07% | -2.99% |
| Hispanic | 5.14% | 6.97% | 35.6% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 1.68% | 2.58% | 53.57% |
| Black | 2.46% | 2.25% | -8.54% |
| Two or More Races | 1.23% | 1.24% | 0.81% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.78% | 0.9% | 15.38% |