Explore the Family Name Palo
The meaning of Palo
1. Finnish: habitational name from farms so named, from palo ‘burnt land, field cleared by burning’, often as a shortening of a nearby placename such as Palomäki (with mäki ‘hill’) and Palojärvi (with järvi ‘lake’). Mainly found in western Finland, especially in southern Ostrobothnia, Tavastia and western Lapland. 2. Italian: habitational name from any of several places so named, for instance Palo del Colle in Bari province or Portopalo in Syracuse province, Sicily. 3. Italian: possibly a nickname from palo ‘pole’, used to denote a tall and thin person. 4. Slovak (Paľo): from a pet form of the personal name Pavol, an equivalent of Paul. Some characteristic forenames: Finnish Arvi, Arvo, Eero, Eino, Reijo, Tauno, Toini.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Palo in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Palo has increased in popularity over the decade from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 20,754th and by 2010, it climbed to the 19,774th position, marking an increase of 4.72%. The total count of individuals bearing the surname also rose from 1,184 to 1,361, a 14.95% growth. Moreover, the proportion per 100,000 people slightly grew from 0.44 to 0.46, showing a 4.55% rise.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #20,754 | #19,774 | 4.72% |
| Count | 1,184 | 1,361 | 14.95% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.44 | 0.46 | 4.55% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Palo
The Decennial U.S. Census data reveals shifts in the ethnic identity associated with the surname Palo between 2000 and 2010. While the largest portion identifies as White, decreasing 6.72% from 85.39% to 79.65%, the Hispanic segment saw the most significant growth of 86.76%, increasing from 2.87% to 5.36%. Additionally, the Asian/Pacific Islander group underwent a significant increase of 43.05%, growing from 8.78% to 12.56%. On the other hand, the percentage of those identifying as two or more races decreased by 35.63%, and American Indian and Alaskan Native decreased by 13.73%. The Black proportion experienced a minor increase of 14.29%, rising from 0.84% to 0.96%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 85.39% | 79.65% | -6.72% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 8.78% | 12.56% | 43.05% |
| Hispanic | 2.87% | 5.36% | 86.76% |
| Two or More Races | 1.6% | 1.03% | -35.63% |
| Black | 0.84% | 0.96% | 14.29% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.51% | 0.44% | -13.73% |