Explore the Family Name Seneca
The meaning of Seneca
1. Italian (mainly Naples) and French: from the Latin personal name Seneca, borne by two famous Romans, Seneca the Elder, an orator and writer, and Seneca the Younger, a philosopher. In North America, this surname may also be an altered form of the more common French variant Sénèque. 2. Italian: nickname from the vocabulary word seneca denoting a pale, lean man, or in dialect an irrascible or miserly individual. Some characteristic forenames: Italian Carlo, Giocondo, Orazio, Rocco.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Seneca in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Seneca has decreased in popularity over a decade from 2000 to 2010. In the year 2000, the surname was ranked 27,744 and increased slightly to a rank of 28,131 in 2010, representing a 1.39% decrease in popularity. However, the count of individuals with the surname Seneca saw a slight increase by 4.29%, from 816 people in 2000 to 851 people in 2010. The proportion per 100,000 people also dropped by 3.33%, moving from 0.3 in 2000 to 0.29 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #27,744 | #28,131 | -1.39% |
| Count | 816 | 851 | 4.29% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.3 | 0.29 | -3.33% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Seneca
Discussing the ethnic identity associated with the surname Seneca using data from the Decennial U.S. Census, there were shifts among different groups between 2000 and 2010. The majority of individuals identified as White with a slight increase from 78.43% in 2000 to 78.5% in 2010. Those who identified as Asian/Pacific Islander decreased by 21.94%, while those identifying with two or more races decreased by 4.08%. A small percentage identified as Hispanic, with a slight increase from 1.96% to 2.00%. There was a notable increase in those identifying as Black, rising 50% from 0.86% to 1.29%. Lastly, those who identified as American Indian and Alaskan Native remained relatively stable, increasing slightly from 13.85% to 13.87%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 78.43% | 78.5% | 0.09% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 13.85% | 13.87% | 0.14% |
| Two or More Races | 2.94% | 2.82% | -4.08% |
| Hispanic | 1.96% | 2% | 2.04% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.96% | 1.53% | -21.94% |
| Black | 0.86% | 1.29% | 50% |