La — Last Name Origin & Meaning

French/Spanish origin Rank #5,242 in the US 6,655 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#5,242
▲ Up 1166 since 2000
People in the US
6,655
2.26 per 100K people
Origin
French/Spanish
French

Origin & Meaning of the La Surname

What does the last name La mean?

The surname La carries the meaning "The (feminine)." It is derived from the French language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 6,655 bearers in the 2010 US Census, La ranks as the #5,242 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname La come from?

The La surname has its roots in French/Spanish heritage. Names of French/Spanish 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 La name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

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

French/Spanish French

Quick Facts

Surname La
Meaning The (feminine)
Origin French/Spanish
Language French
US Rank (2010) #5,242
US Count (2010) 6,655
Per 100K People 2.26
First Letter L

Ethnic Distribution of La

According to the US Census, the La surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 6,655 Americans with the La last name.

White 6.0%
Black 0.99%
Hispanic 2.25%
Asian/PI 88.91%
Native American 0.09%
Two+ Races 1.76%
Ethnic distribution of the La surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White6.0%
Black0.99%
Hispanic2.25%
Asian/Pacific Islander88.91%
Native American0.09%
Two or More Races1.76%

Popularity of La Over Time

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

Census 2000
#6,408
4,892 people
Up 1166
Census 2010
#5,242
6,655 people

The number of Americans with the La surname increased by 1,763 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your La Ancestry

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

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Similar Surnames to La

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

Other French/Spanish Surnames

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

Frequently Asked Questions About La

The surname La is of French/Spanish origin. The (feminine)
The surname La is ranked #5,242 in the United States with approximately 6,655 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
The (feminine). The name has French/Spanish roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the La surname is distributed as: 6.0% White, 88.9% Asian/Pacific Islander. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your La 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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