Explore the Family Name Challenger
The meaning of Challenger
English: from Middle English chalenger, chalangeour, an agent derivative of Middle English chalangen ‘to challenge’ (Old French chalonger), possibly anecdotal in origin or applied as a nickname for a quarrelsome or litigious person.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Challenger in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname "Challenger" increased between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the surname ranked 33,380 and increased in rank to 32,169 by 2010, which is a change of 3.63%. The number of occurrences of the name also rose from 645 in 2000 to 717 in 2010, marking an 11.16% increase. However, the proportion per 100,000 people remained unchanged at 0.24.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #33,380 | #32,169 | 3.63% |
| Count | 645 | 717 | 11.16% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Challenger
Regarding ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census provides interesting insights. In 2000, the majority of individuals with the Challenger surname identified as White (53.49%), followed by Black (36.74%) and Hispanic (6.98%). By 2010, there was a shift in the ethnic identities associated with the surname. There was a decrease in those identifying as White to 48.95%, whereas there was an increase in those identifying as Black (39.33%) and Hispanic (8.51%). The percentage of individuals identifying with two or more races grew slightly from 2.33% in 2000 to 2.51% in 2010. There were no individuals who identified as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 53.49% | 48.95% | -8.49% |
| Black | 36.74% | 39.33% | 7.05% |
| Hispanic | 6.98% | 8.51% | 21.92% |
| Two or More Races | 2.33% | 2.51% | 7.73% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |