Explore the Family Name Prosper
The meaning of Prosper
French, West Indian (mainly Haiti), and African (mainly Tanzania); Catalan (Pròsper): from the personal name Prosper (Catalan Pròsper), Latin Prosper(us), an omen or well-wishing name meaning ‘prosperous, fortunate’. The name was borne by three 5th-century Christian saints. Some characteristic forenames: French Benoit, Dieudonne, Dominique, Marie-France, Yves.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Prosper in the United States?
The surname Prosper has seen a rise in popularity in the United States, according to data from the Decennial U.S. Census. In 2000, Prosper ranked 21,510 in terms of popularity, but by 2010 it had risen to 19,878, marking an increase of 7.59%. The number of individuals with this surname also saw a significant growth during this period, from 1,132 in 2000 to 1,352 in 2010, a leap of 19.43%. Proportionally, the presence of the surname per 100,000 people also rose from 0.42 to 0.46, indicating a 9.52% jump.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #21,510 | #19,878 | 7.59% |
| Count | 1,132 | 1,352 | 19.43% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.42 | 0.46 | 9.52% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Prosper
Regarding the ethnicity distribution of the Prosper surname based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the largest group identified as Black, with a noticeable increase from 55.57% in 2000 to 62.94% in 2010. The second major ethnic identity was White, although its representation decreased from 27.39% in 2000 to 22.04% in 2010. The Hispanic percentage slightly dipped from 11.84% to 11.46%, while those identifying with two or more races declined significantly from 4.51% to 2.96%. There were no recorded instances of the Prosper surname within the Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native communities.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 55.57% | 62.94% | 13.26% |
| White | 27.39% | 22.04% | -19.53% |
| Hispanic | 11.84% | 11.46% | -3.21% |
| Two or More Races | 4.51% | 2.96% | -34.37% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |