Explore the Family Name Datu
The meaning of Datu
Filipino: status name denoting nobility, from datu ‘chief, chieftain’, a word found in various languages of the Philippines.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Datu in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Datu witnessed a significant rise in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the surname ranked 61,376 in popularity but jumped to 47,791 by 2010, indicating a substantial increase of 22.13%. The count of individuals with this surname also spiked during this period, climbing from 306 people to 443, representing a percentage increase of 44.77%. The proportion of the Datu surname per 100,000 people also saw an upward trend, rising from 0.11 to 0.15, marking a growth of 36.36%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #61,376 | #47,791 | 22.13% |
| Count | 306 | 443 | 44.77% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.11 | 0.15 | 36.36% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Datu
In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census shows that the Datu surname is predominantly associated with the Asian/Pacific Islander ethnic identity. In 2000, 91.50% of those bearing the surname identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, and this figure rose slightly to 91.87% by 2010. Those identifying as 'Two or more races' decreased from 4.58% to 2.48%, while those identifying as White fell from 2.94% to 1.81%. Interestingly, there was no record of anyone with the Datu surname identifying as Hispanic or Black in 2000, but by 2010, these groups represented 2.26% and 1.58% respectively. There was no change reported for those identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 91.5% | 91.87% | 0.4% |
| Two or More Races | 4.58% | 2.48% | -45.85% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 2.26% | 0% |
| White | 2.94% | 1.81% | -38.44% |
| Black | 0% | 1.58% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |