Bova — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Russian/Bulgarian origin Rank #9,384 in the US 3,465 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#9,384
▼ Down 798 since 2000
People in the US
3,465
1.17 per 100K people
Origin
Russian/Bulgarian
Slavic

Origin & Meaning of the Bova Surname

What does the last name Bova mean?

The surname Bova carries the meaning "Feminine patronymic." It is derived from the Slavic language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 3,465 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Bova ranks as the #9,384 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Bova come from?

The Bova surname has its roots in Russian/Bulgarian heritage. Names of Russian/Bulgarian origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Bova name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Bova trace back to Slavic. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Russian/Bulgarian Slavic

Quick Facts

Surname Bova
Meaning Feminine patronymic
Origin Russian/Bulgarian
Language Slavic
US Rank (2010) #9,384
US Count (2010) 3,465
Per 100K People 1.17
First Letter B

Ethnic Distribution of Bova

According to the US Census, the Bova surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 3,465 Americans with the Bova last name.

White 93.74%
Black 1.41%
Hispanic 2.28%
Asian/PI 0.4%
Native American 0.63%
Two+ Races 1.53%
Ethnic distribution of the Bova surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White93.74%
Black1.41%
Hispanic2.28%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.4%
Native American0.63%
Two or More Races1.53%

Popularity of Bova Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Bova surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#8,586
3,528 people
Down 798
Census 2010
#9,384
3,465 people

The number of Americans with the Bova surname decreased by 63 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Bova Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Bova ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Bova

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Bova.

Other Russian/Bulgarian Surnames

Explore more surnames with Russian/Bulgarian roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Russian/Bulgarian origin as Bova.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bova

The surname Bova is of Russian/Bulgarian origin. Feminine patronymic
The surname Bova is ranked #9,384 in the United States with approximately 3,465 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Feminine patronymic. The name has Russian/Bulgarian roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Bova surname is distributed as: 93.7% White. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Bova ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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