Explore the Family Name Selvaggio
The meaning of Selvaggio
Italian: nickname for an unruly or uncouth person, from selvaggio, earlier salvaggio ‘wild, savage’, or an occupational or status name for someone who lived and worked in the woods, isolated from urban or village life, from Latin silvaticus (via Proveçal selvage, Old French sauvage) derivative of Latin silva ‘wood’, influenced by Latin salvus ‘whole’, i.e. ‘natural’. Some characteristic forenames: Italian Dino, Vito, Carlo, Domenico, Elio, Gaetano, Giuseppe, Ignazio, Marco, Nicola, Rocco, Sal.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Selvaggio in the United States?
The surname Selvaggio has shown a rise in popularity over the years, according to data derived from the Decennial U.S. Census. In 2000, it was ranked as the 38,587th most popular surname, but by 2010, it had climbed to the 33,731st position, marking an upswing of 12.58%. The count of individuals carrying this surname also grew from 539 in 2000 to 675 in 2010, demonstrating a growth rate of 25.23%. When looking at the proportion per 100,000 people, there was a slight increase from 0.2 in 2000 to 0.23 in 2010, reflecting a 15% change.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #38,587 | #33,731 | 12.58% |
| Count | 539 | 675 | 25.23% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.2 | 0.23 | 15% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Selvaggio
Regarding the ethnic identity connected to the surname Selvaggio, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows that the majority of individuals with this surname identified as White, accounting for 97.22% in 2000 and dropping slightly to 92% in 2010. There was also a noticeable increase in those identifying as Hispanic, rising from 2.23% in 2000 to 6.67% in 2010, a significant 199.10% change. In 2010, some individuals identified with two or more races, making up 0.74% of individuals with the Selvaggio surname. However, no individuals linked to this surname identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either 2000 or 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97.22% | 92% | -5.37% |
| Hispanic | 2.23% | 6.67% | 199.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0.74% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |