Origin & Meaning of the Silva Surname
What does the last name Silva mean?
The surname Silva carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 161,633 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Silva ranks as the #163 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Silva come from?
The Silva surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown 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 Silva name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Silva trace back to Unknown. 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 | Silva |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #163 |
| US Count (2010) | 161,633 |
| Per 100K People | 54.79 |
| First Letter | S |
Ethnic Distribution of Silva
According to the US Census, the Silva surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 161,633 Americans with the Silva last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 32.61% |
| Black | 2.03% |
| Hispanic | 61.34% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 2.01% |
| Native American | 0.39% |
| Two or More Races | 1.62% |
Popularity of Silva Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Silva surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Silva surname increased by 35,469 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Silva
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Silva.
Other Unknown Surnames
Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Silva.
Frequently Asked Questions About Silva
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