Explore the Family Name Dolphin
The meaning of Dolphin
English: from the Middle English personal name Dolfin, apparently from an Anglo-Scandinavian formation, Dólgfinnr (possibly from Old Norse dolgr, dólgr ‘mortal enemy’ + the ethnic name Finnr), but there is disagreement about whether or not this might be a Scandinavianized form of Old French Delfin (from Latin Delphinus, from the word meaning ‘dolphin’). The surname was taken to Ireland at the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12th century, and the original bearers of the name settled in County Galway. The family became bilingual and the name has sometimes been Gaelicized as Doilfin.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Dolphin in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Dolphin experienced a decrease in popularity between 2000 and 2010. Ranked at 14,932 in the year 2000, it fell to 16,125 by the year 2010, representing a decline of nearly 8%. In terms of actual count, there were 1,818 individuals bearing the last name Dolphin in 2000, which slightly dipped to 1,795 in 2010, marking a decrease of 1.27%. Similarly, the proportion per 100k people also decreased from 0.67 in 2000 to 0.61 in 2010, a drop of around 9%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #14,932 | #16,125 | -7.99% |
| Count | 1,818 | 1,795 | -1.27% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.67 | 0.61 | -8.96% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Dolphin
Turning to ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data indicates some variations among those with the surname Dolphin over the decade. The percentage of Asian/Pacific Islanders and Hispanics both saw a decrease, dropping by 29.09% and 8.73%, respectively. However, those identifying with two or more races experienced an increase from 1.82% in 2000 to 2.51% in 2010 — a rise of 37.91%. The white population remained relatively stable at about 72%, while the black population saw a slight uptick from 22.44% to 22.62%. Notably, the proportion of American Indian and Alaskan Natives was reduced to zero by 2010 from a previous 0.28%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 72.17% | 71.98% | -0.26% |
| Black | 22.44% | 22.62% | 0.8% |
| Two or More Races | 1.82% | 2.51% | 37.91% |
| Hispanic | 2.75% | 2.51% | -8.73% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.55% | 0.39% | -29.09% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.28% | 0% | -100% |