Explore the Family Name Formoso

The meaning of Formoso

Portuguese and Galician: 1. nickname for a handsome man, from formoso ‘handsome’ (Spanish hermoso, Latin formosus). 2. in some cases, possibly a habitational name from the placename Formoso, with the same etymology as in 1 above. Some characteristic forenames: Spanish Jose, Juan, Manuel, Eusebio, Carlos, Enrique, Leopoldo, Adela, Adelino, Alina, Anastacio, Artemio.

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

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

The surname Formoso has seen a rise in popularity according to the Decennial U.S. Census data. In 2000, it was ranked 35,757th and increased to 32,524th in 2010, representing an improvement of 9.04%. The number of people with the surname also grew from 594 in 2000 to 707 in 2010, marking a notable increase of 19.02%. The proportion of individuals per 100,000 with the surname Formoso also saw an increase from 0.22 to 0.24, registering a 9.09% change.

20002010Change
Rank#35,757#32,5249.04%
Count59470719.02%
Proportion per 100k0.220.249.09%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Formoso

From data gathered during the Decennial U.S. Census, we can deduce the diverse ethnic identity associated with the surname Formoso. In 2000, the highest percentage of individuals with this name identified as Hispanic at 43.77%, followed by White at 36.53%, and Asian/Pacific Islander at 17.68%. The least were those who identified with two or more races (1.85%) and Black (0%). By 2010, the percentage of individuals identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander had risen to 21.50%, an increase of 21.61%. However, there was a decline in other groups such as White (33.80%), Hispanic (42.43%), and those who identified with two or more races (0.99%). Those identifying as Black saw an increase, albeit from 0% to 1.27%. There was no change for American Indian and Alaskan Native, maintaining at 0%.

20002010Change
Hispanic43.77%42.43%-3.06%
White36.53%33.8%-7.47%
Asian/Pacific Islander17.68%21.5%21.61%
Black0%1.27%0%
Two or More Races1.85%0.99%-46.49%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%