Explore the Family Name Sunshine
The meaning of Sunshine
Americanized form (translation into English) of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) Sonnenschein. Some characteristic forenames: Jewish Ari, Chaim, Golde, Hyman, Meyer.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Sunshine in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Sunshine has seen a slight increase in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Sunshine was ranked as the 26,056th most popular surname, but by 2010 it had risen to the 25,659th spot - an increase of 1.52%. The number of people bearing the Sunshine surname also increased from 884 to 961 during this period, marking an 8.71% growth. The proportion per 100,000 people, however, remained stable at 0.33.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #26,056 | #25,659 | 1.52% |
| Count | 884 | 961 | 8.71% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Sunshine
Shifting focus to ethnicity, the Census data reveals that the majority of individuals with the Sunshine surname identify as White. In 2000, 93.10% identified as such, dropping slightly to 91.78% in 2010. There was a notable increase seen in those identifying as two or more races, rising from 1.02% in 2000 to 1.87% in 2010, a change of 83.33%. Hispanic representation also saw a rise from 3.28% to 3.95%, an increase of 20.43%. The percentage of people with the Sunshine surname identifying as Black saw a small increase from 1.36% to 1.46%. No individuals with the surname Sunshine identified as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either 2000 or 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 93.1% | 91.78% | -1.42% |
| Hispanic | 3.28% | 3.95% | 20.43% |
| Two or More Races | 1.02% | 1.87% | 83.33% |
| Black | 1.36% | 1.46% | 7.35% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |