Explore the Family Name Figaro

The meaning of Figaro

1. Italian: from dialect figaro ‘fig-tree’ (see also 3 below), used as a topographic name or an occupational name for a fig seller. 2. Americanized form of Italian Ficara and Ficarra, changed under influence of a well-known personal name Figaro from the Beaumarchais plays (see 4 below). 3. French: perhaps a variant of Figarol, a southern French diminutive derivative of Latin ficarius ‘fig-tree’ (compare 1 above). Alternatively, from the personal name Figaro (see 4 below), probably applied as a nickname. 4. West Indian (mainly Haiti) and Mauritian: from the personal name Figaro, borne by a hero of the famous plays (most notably The Marriage of Figaro, 1778) of the French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais. Some characteristic forenames: French Rodolphe, Ghislaine, Jacques, Jean Claude, Nadege, Nicolle, Patrice, Pierre, Yves. Italian Luigi, Sando.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Figaro in the United States?

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Figaro has seen a notable increase between 2000 and 2010. The ranking of the name ascended from 23191 in 2000 to 19628 in 2010, marking an upwards shift by 15.36%. In terms of counts, the number of people bearing the surname Figaro grew from 1027 in 2000 to 1374 in 2010, indicating a surge of 33.79%. Consequently, the proportion per 100,000 people also experienced a rise from 0.38 to 0.47, a growth rate of 23.68%.

20002010Change
Rank#23,191#19,62815.36%
Count1,0271,37433.79%
Proportion per 100k0.380.4723.68%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Figaro

The ethnicity distribution associated with the surname Figaro, as derived from the Decennial U.S. Census data, underwent some shifts from 2000 to 2010. Those identifying as Black with the surname Figaro increased by 9.26%, making up the majority at 47.45% in 2010. Individuals owning this surname and identifying as White made up 33.41%, decreasing by 6.26% over the decade. Hispanic Figaros constituted 16.16% in 2010, a slight drop of 2.36%. The group declaring two or more ethnic identities saw the most significant decrease by 51.83%, representing only 1.97% of Figaros in 2010. There were no individuals identified as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either census years.

20002010Change
Black43.43%47.45%9.26%
White35.64%33.41%-6.26%
Hispanic16.55%16.16%-2.36%
Two or More Races4.09%1.97%-51.83%
Asian/Pacific Islander0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%