Explore the Family Name De La Pena
The meaning of De La Pena
Spanish (De la Peña): variant, with the preposition de and definite article la ‘from the’, of Peña ‘rock, boulder’ (see Pena 1). Some characteristic forenames: Spanish Jose, Carlos, Francisco, Jesus, Mario, Alfredo, Enrique, Jorge, Luis, Manuel, Miguel, Rafael.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name De La Pena in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname De La Pena has grown in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked the 9641st most common surname in the United States, but by 2010, it had climbed to the 8189th spot, representing a notable increase of 15.06%. The count of individuals with this last name also saw a significant boost during this decade, jumping from 3094 to 4051, a rise of approximately 30.93%. This resulted in an increased proportion per 100,000 residents, which went up from 1.15 to 1.37.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #9,641 | #8,189 | 15.06% |
| Count | 3,094 | 4,051 | 30.93% |
| Proportion per 100k | 1.15 | 1.37 | 19.13% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name De La Pena
When it comes to ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows that the De La Pena surname carries a diverse range of ethnic identities. In 2010, the highest proportion of individuals with this surname identified as Hispanic (57.86%), although this figure slightly decreased from 59.57% in 2000. On the other hand, there was a considerable increase in those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander, rising from 26.28% in 2000 to 30.56% in 2010. The percentage of De La Pena individuals who reported being of two or more races saw a modest rise, from 2.65% to 2.94%. However, those identifying as White, Black, and American Indian and Alaskan Native experienced declines, with the most substantial drop seen in the American Indian and Alaskan Native category, going from 0.45% to 0.17%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | 59.57% | 57.86% | -2.87% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 26.28% | 30.56% | 16.29% |
| White | 10.5% | 8.02% | -23.62% |
| Two or More Races | 2.65% | 2.94% | 10.94% |
| Black | 0.55% | 0.44% | -20% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.45% | 0.17% | -62.22% |