Explore the Family Name Thorndike
The meaning of Thorndike
English (Suffolk and Lincolnshire): habitational name from a lost placename composed of Middle English thorn ‘thorn’ + dike ‘ditch, dyke’ (Old English thorn + dīc), perhaps in Lincolnshire.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Thorndike in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Thorndike slightly decreased in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it ranked 37,728 in popularity, but by 2010, it had dropped to a rank of 39,555 — a change of -4.84%. However, the count of individuals with this surname remained relatively steady over the decade, with only a slight increase of 0.36% from 554 to 556. The proportion per 100,000 people also decreased by -9.52%, going from 0.21 to 0.19.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #37,728 | #39,555 | -4.84% |
| Count | 554 | 556 | 0.36% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.21 | 0.19 | -9.52% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Thorndike
The Decennial U.S. Census data also provides insight into the ethnic identity associated with the Thorndike surname. In both 2000 and 2010, there were no identified Asian/Pacific Islander, individuals of two or more races, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native holders of this surname. Over the ten-year span, the proportion of those identifying as White decreased slightly from 96.39% to 92.81%, seeing a change of -3.71%. Conversely, those identifying as Hispanic increased significantly from 2.71% to 6.83%, marking a substantial growth of 152.03%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.39% | 92.81% | -3.71% |
| Hispanic | 2.71% | 6.83% | 152.03% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |