Explore the Family Name Charity
The meaning of Charity
1. English (of Norman origin): from Middle English c(h)arite, che(a)rite ‘charity’ (Old Norman French caritedh, caritet, later carité, Old French charitet, charité, Latin caritas), found in various senses, including ‘alms giving, hospitality, Christian love, man’s love for God’, and probably applied as a nickname for a benevolent, devout, or hospitable person. 2. English (of Norman origin): topographic name for someone who lived by or at a hospice, from Old Norman French carité, Old French charité ‘hospice, refuge’.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Charity in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname 'Charity' has seen a rise in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it ranked 17,895 in terms of common use and by 2010, it had climbed to position 17,428, marking an improvement of 2.61%. The count of people with this surname also increased during this period from 1,442 to 1,619, indicating a growth rate of 12.27%. Accordingly, the proportion of individuals named 'Charity' per 100k inhabitants rose by 3.77%, from 0.53 to 0.55.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #17,895 | #17,428 | 2.61% |
| Count | 1,442 | 1,619 | 12.27% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.53 | 0.55 | 3.77% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Charity
When it comes to the ethnic identity of individuals with the surname 'Charity', the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals some interesting patterns between 2000 and 2010. A majority identified as Black, though the percentage dropped slightly from 70.67% to 69.98%. The percentage identifying as White also decreased from 23.09% to 20.94%. However, there were increases among those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander (from 0.69% to 0.80%), Hispanic (from 1.46% to 1.61%), and particularly noteworthy was the group identifying with two or more races, which saw a significant jump from 3.54% to 5.68%. Furthermore, the American Indian and Alaskan Native category also saw a substantial increase, surging 80% from 0.55% to 0.99%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 70.67% | 69.98% | -0.98% |
| White | 23.09% | 20.94% | -9.31% |
| Two or More Races | 3.54% | 5.68% | 60.45% |
| Hispanic | 1.46% | 1.61% | 10.27% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.55% | 0.99% | 80% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.69% | 0.8% | 15.94% |