Explore the Family Name Potenza
The meaning of Potenza
1. Italian (southern): habitational name predominantly from Potenza in Basilicata, or occasionally possibly from Potenza Picena in Macerata province. 2. Italian: in some instances from the vocabulary word potenza ‘power, force, vigor’, applied as a nickname and possibly also as personal name. Some characteristic forenames: Italian Carmine, Vito, Rocco, Angelo, Canio, Franco, Sal, Salvatore.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Potenza in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Potenza fluctuated slightly in the first decade of the 21st century. In 2000, it was ranked as the 26,520th most popular last name in the United States. This ranking decreased slightly by 1.89% to 27,021 in 2010. The number of individuals carrying the Potenza last name, however, increased from 865 in the year 2000 to 897 in 2010, representing a growth of 3.7%. Despite this increase, the proportion of individuals with the surname per 100,000 people decreased by 6.25%, from 0.32 in 2000 to 0.3 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #26,520 | #27,021 | -1.89% |
| Count | 865 | 897 | 3.7% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.32 | 0.3 | -6.25% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Potenza
In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals some changes for those bearing the Potenza surname. The percentage of Potenzas identifying as White slightly decreased from 96.42% in 2000 to 95.54% in 2010, while the Hispanic representation increased by 17.79% from 2.08% in 2000 to 2.45% in 2010. There was also a small decrease in those identifying as two or more races, falling from 1.16% in 2000 to 1% in 2010. Interestingly, there was no change in representation among Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, and American Indian and Alaskan Native ethnic groups within the Potenza surname holders between 2000 and 2010; they remained at 0.56%, 0%, and 0% respectively.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.42% | 95.54% | -0.91% |
| Hispanic | 2.08% | 2.45% | 17.79% |
| Two or More Races | 1.16% | 1% | -13.79% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.56% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |