Explore the Family Name Zappa
The meaning of Zappa
Italian (mainly Lombardy): metonymic occupational name for an agricultural laborer or a nickname for a rough, uncultivated person, from zappa ‘mattock, hoe’. History: Frank Zappa (1940–93), an American rock musician, was the oldest son of Francesco (Francis) Zappa, who immigrated to the US from Partinico, Sicily. Some characteristic forenames: Italian Aldo, Onofrio, Carmine, Domenico, Gasper, Sal, Salvatore.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Zappa in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Zappa showed a slight decrease between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 21,004 in terms of popularity, but by 2010, it had dropped to 23,185, representing a change of -10.38%. Similarly, the count of individuals with the Zappa surname decreased from 1,166 in 2000 to 1,100 in 2010, a drop of -5.66%. The proportion of people with this surname per 100,000 also decreased, going from 0.43 in 2000 to 0.37 in 2010, a change of -13.95%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #21,004 | #23,185 | -10.38% |
| Count | 1,166 | 1,100 | -5.66% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.43 | 0.37 | -13.95% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Zappa
The ethnicity associated with the Zappa surname also varied over this decade, according to the Decennial U.S. Census data. The majority of individuals identified as White, although this percentage slightly fell from 97.86% in 2000 to 96.45% in 2010. There was a noticeable increase in the percentage identifying as Hispanic, jumping from 0.77% in 2000 to 1.91% in 2010, a significant change of 148.05%. There was a smaller increase in those reporting Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicity, rising from 0.60% to 0.91%, a change of 51.67%. However, the percentage of people with the Zappa surname identifying as two or more races dropped to zero in 2010 from 0.43% in 2000. No respondents identified as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97.86% | 96.45% | -1.44% |
| Hispanic | 0.77% | 1.91% | 148.05% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.6% | 0.91% | 51.67% |
| Two or More Races | 0.43% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |