Explore the Family Name Lighter
The meaning of Lighter
1. English: nickname for the smaller of two men with the same personal name, from the comparative of Light. 2. Americanized form of German or Jewish Lichter.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Lighter in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname "Lighter" saw a significant decline between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 61,376 in popularity; however, by 2010, it had dropped to rank 77,788. This represents a decrease of 26.74%. The count of individuals with this surname also declined over this period from 306 to 246, marking a reduction of 19.61%. The proportion per 100,000 people similarly saw a decrease of 27.27%, moving from 0.11 to 0.08.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #61,376 | #77,788 | -26.74% |
| Count | 306 | 246 | -19.61% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.11 | 0.08 | -27.27% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Lighter
The Decennial U.S. Census data also provides insight into the ethnic identity associated with the surname "Lighter". There were no recorded changes for Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native identities between 2000 and 2010. However, for those identifying as two or more races, there was an increase to 2.03% in 2010. Over 79% of individuals with the Lighter surname identified as White, with only a slight decrease of 0.18% during the decade. The Hispanic identity associated with this surname saw a decrease of 43.45%, while the Black identity experienced a decrease of 8.62%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 79.41% | 79.27% | -0.18% |
| Black | 16.01% | 14.63% | -8.62% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 2.03% | 0% |
| Hispanic | 3.59% | 2.03% | -43.45% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |