Explore the Family Name Pulu

The meaning of Pulu

Polynesian (mainly Tonga): unexplained.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Pulu in the United States?

According to the data collected by the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Pulu has seen a significant increase between 2000 and 2010. In the year 2000, Pulu ranked 78,035 in popularity among all surnames in the United States, but by 2010, it had climbed to 64,388 – a change of 17.49%. Furthermore, the census count for individuals with this surname rose from 228 in 2000 to 309 in 2010, marking an impressive growth of 35.53%. The proportion of individuals named Pulu per 100,000 also saw a substantial increase of 25% over the decade.

20002010Change
Rank#78,035#64,38817.49%
Count22830935.53%
Proportion per 100k0.080.125%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Pulu

With regards to ethnic identity, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals that individuals bearing the surname Pulu are predominantly of Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicity. In 2000, approximately 65.79% identified as such, with this figure rising to 73.14% by 2010. However, the percentage of those identifying as two or more races decreased from 12.28% to 9.39%, and the proportion of White individuals with the Pulu surname dropped from 16.67% to 8.74% over the same period. Interestingly, the Hispanic representation among those with the surname Pulu nearly doubled, increasing from 3.95% to 7.77%. The Black population, as well as American Indian and Alaskan Native populations, reported no change, remaining at 0%.

20002010Change
Asian/Pacific Islander65.79%73.14%11.17%
Two or More Races12.28%9.39%-23.53%
White16.67%8.74%-47.57%
Hispanic3.95%7.77%96.71%
Black0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%