Explore the Family Name Dim
The meaning of Dim
1. Burmese (Chin): from a part of a female compound personal name, from dim ‘abundant’ or from a homonym meaning ‘to be full’. — Note: Since Chins do not have hereditary surnames, this name element was registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US. 2. Cambodian: written ឌឹម, unexplained. 3. West African (Nigeria): Igbo name, from a title of respect traditionally used to address older men and also as a prefix before names of the members of a society of nobles. 4. Americanized or Germanized form of Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic) Dym ‘smoke’. 5. Slovenian: nickname from dim ‘smoke’.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Dim in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Dim has seen a surge in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the surname was ranked 98,770 but climbed to 58,876 by 2010 - a significant increase of 40.39%. The overall count of individuals with this surname more than doubled during this decade, rising from 170 in 2000 to 344 in 2010. This represents an impressive 102.35% increase. Furthermore, the proportion of people named Dim per 100,000 increased by 100%, from 0.06 in 2000 to 0.12 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #98,770 | #58,876 | 40.39% |
| Count | 170 | 344 | 102.35% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.06 | 0.12 | 100% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Dim
The ethnic identity associated with the Dim surname also experienced shifts during this time period, as indicated by the Decennial U.S. Census data. The most notable change occurred within the Asian/Pacific Islander group, which jumped from representing 47.06% of the Dims in 2000 to 69.48% in 2010, reflecting a 47.64% increase. However, representation of this surname among Whites declined by almost half, dropping from 32.94% to 16.57%. There was also a decline in the Black community, where the presence of Dim decreased by nearly a third, from 14.71% to 10.17%. Interestingly, the Hispanic community saw the addition of the Dim surname within their ranks, even if the percentage remained low at 2.33%. No Dims identified themselves as belonging to two or more races in 2010, a change from the 2.94% in 2000. Meanwhile, there were no reported changes among American Indian and Alaskan Natives.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 47.06% | 69.48% | 47.64% |
| White | 32.94% | 16.57% | -49.7% |
| Black | 14.71% | 10.17% | -30.86% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 2.33% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 2.94% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |