Explore the Family Name Was
The meaning of Was
Polish (Wąs): descriptive nickname for a man with a particularly fine or noticeable mustache, from wąs ‘mustache’. Compare Fons. Some characteristic forenames: Polish Bogdan, Eugeniusz.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Was in the United States?
Based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname "Was" has seen a decline in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it ranked 47,308 in popularity with 422 individuals carrying the surname. However, by 2010, it fell to rank 57,639 with only 353 individuals. This represents a decrease of 21.84% in ranking and a drop of 16.35% in count over the decade.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #47,308 | #57,639 | -21.84% |
| Count | 422 | 353 | -16.35% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.16 | 0.12 | -25% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Was
The Census data also revealed changes in the ethnic identities associated with the surname "Was." Over the course of a decade, there was a marked increase in individuals identifying as White, from 86.49% in 2000 to 88.39% in 2010. There was also a slight uptick in those identifying as Hispanic, going from 1.66% to 2.27%. However, those identifying as Black decreased from 8.53% to 7.37%, and those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander or Two or more races dropped to zero. No one identified as American Indian and Alaskan Native in both years surveyed.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 86.49% | 88.39% | 2.2% |
| Black | 8.53% | 7.37% | -13.6% |
| Hispanic | 1.66% | 2.27% | 36.75% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.66% | 0% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 1.66% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |