Explore the Family Name Benya
The meaning of Benya
1. Americanized form of Czech Béňa and Slovak and Rusyn (from Slovakia) Beňa (see Bena), cognates of 2 below. 2. Americanized form of Croatian Benja: from a pet form of the personal name Benedikt (see Benedict). 3. West African (Sierra Leone): name found among the Mende people, of unexplained etymology.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Benya in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname "Benya" has shown a slight shift in its popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 74,675th in popularity and ticked up slightly to 75,564th in 2010, representing a change of -1.19%. The count of individuals with this surname also increased from 241 in 2000 to 255 in 2010, an increase of 5.81%. This data suggests that while the surname may not be remarkably common, it is nonetheless maintaining a steady presence within the U.S.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #74,675 | #75,564 | -1.19% |
| Count | 241 | 255 | 5.81% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Benya
The Decennial U.S. Census data also provides insight into the ethnicity associated with the surname "Benya". As per the 2000 census, 91.70% of individuals identified as White, but this dropped to 84.31% by 2010, indicating a decrease of -8.06%. Furthermore, representation of two or more ethnic identities rose from 2.90% to 3.92%, showing a growth of 35.17%. The largest growth was seen among those identifying as Black, increasing from 2.49% to 6.27%, a dramatic increase of 151.81%. A new addition in 2010 was the Hispanic category, accounting for 3.14% of people with the Benya surname. No individuals identified as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 91.7% | 84.31% | -8.06% |
| Black | 2.49% | 6.27% | 151.81% |
| Two or More Races | 2.9% | 3.92% | 35.17% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 3.14% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |