Explore the Family Name Onion
The meaning of Onion
1. Welsh: from a variant of the personal name Hennion (see Eynon), through false association by folk etymology with the English vocabulary word onion. 2. English (Midlands): perhaps a metonymic occupational name from Middle English oinyon ‘onion’ (Old French oignon), perhaps given to a grower or seller of onions. 3. English: alternatively, possibly a variant of Unwin.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Onion in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Onion showed a slight decrease between 2000 and 2010. Ranked at 65,133 in 2000, it dropped to 68,770 by 2010, indicating a change of -5.58%. In terms of count, there was a marginal increase from 285 in 2000 to 286 in 2010, reflecting growth of 0.35%. However, when considering the proportion per 100,000 people, the frequency of the Onion surname decreased by 9.09%, going from 0.11 to 0.1.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #65,133 | #68,770 | -5.58% |
| Count | 285 | 286 | 0.35% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.11 | 0.1 | -9.09% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Onion
In terms of ethnicity, the data gleaned from the Decennial U.S. Census shows shifts in the ethnic identity associated with the surname Onion from 2000 to 2010. There was no recorded incidence of the name among individuals of Asian/Pacific Islander or those identifying with two or more races during both years. The percentage of Whites with this surname decreased by 8.02%, from 86.67% to 79.72%. Conversely, the surname saw increased representation among Hispanic and Black populations, rising by 84.96% and 126.05% respectively. There was, however, a significant decrease of 54.66% in its occurrence among the American Indian and Alaskan Native population.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 86.67% | 79.72% | -8.02% |
| Black | 5.26% | 11.89% | 126.05% |
| Hispanic | 2.46% | 4.55% | 84.96% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 3.86% | 1.75% | -54.66% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |