Explore the Family Name Suniga
The meaning of Suniga
Hispanic (also Súñiga): altered form of Basque Zúñiga (see Zuniga). This surname is also found in the Philippines (compare Sunga). Some characteristic forenames: Spanish Juan, Jose, Raul, Ruben, Xavier, Abelardo, Agapito, Alberto, Ana, Anselma, Benito, Domingo.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Suniga in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Suniga has seen an increase in popularity over a decade. In 2000, Suniga ranked 14,395 in popularity with 1,906 individuals bearing the name. By 2010, it had risen to rank 13,790 with an increased count of 2,193 individuals. This represents a 15.06% increase in the number of people with this surname and a growth rate of 4.2% in its ranking. The proportion of people named Suniga per 100,000 also grew by 4.23%, from 0.71 in 2000 to 0.74 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #14,395 | #13,790 | 4.2% |
| Count | 1,906 | 2,193 | 15.06% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.71 | 0.74 | 4.23% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Suniga
The Decennial U.S. Census data also provides insights into the ethnic identity associated with the surname Suniga between 2000 and 2010. It indicates that the majority of individuals with this surname identify as Hispanic, although there was a slight decrease of 1.78% over the decade. Notably, the percentage of individuals who identify as Asian or Pacific Islander increased by 26.50%, making it the fastest-growing ethnic group within this surname. There was also a minor increase in those identifying as White, from 8.29% to 8.71%. On the other hand, the percentage of individuals identifying with two or more races decreased by 59%. Finally, the 2010 census introduced new categories of Black and American Indian and Alaskan Native, capturing 0.23% and 1.00% of individuals with the surname Suniga, respectively.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | 85.05% | 83.54% | -1.78% |
| White | 8.29% | 8.71% | 5.07% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 4.83% | 6.11% | 26.5% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 1% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 1% | 0.41% | -59% |
| Black | 0% | 0.23% | 0% |