Origin & Meaning of the Gooden Surname
What does the last name Gooden mean?
The surname Gooden carries the meaning "Surname with roots in African American heritage." It is derived from the English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 11,335 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Gooden ranks as the #3,190 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Gooden come from?
The Gooden surname has its roots in African American heritage. Names of African American 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 Gooden name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Gooden trace back to English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Gooden |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Surname with roots in African American heritage |
| Origin | African American |
| Language | English |
| US Rank (2010) | #3,190 |
| US Count (2010) | 11,335 |
| Per 100K People | 3.84 |
| First Letter | G |
Ethnic Distribution of Gooden
According to the US Census, the Gooden surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 11,335 Americans with the Gooden last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 31.87% |
| Black | 61.99% |
| Hispanic | 2.45% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.3% |
| Native American | 1.09% |
| Two or More Races | 2.3% |
Popularity of Gooden Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Gooden surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Gooden surname increased by 997 between 2000 and 2010.
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The Complete Story of the Gooden Family
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- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Gooden
- ✓ The Gooden coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Gooden families live today
- ✓ Notable Gooden bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
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Similar Surnames to Gooden
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Gooden.
Other African American Surnames
Explore more surnames with African American roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same African American origin as Gooden.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gooden
Top Surnames Starting with G
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter G, ranked by population.
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