Alda
From the Old English given name Ealda, meaning "old" or "wise."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Alda. That puts it at #119,508 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Alda surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#119,508
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
145
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 145 bearers of the surname Alda in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 119508th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Alda, the largest self-reported group is White at 42.8%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (35.9%) and Hispanic (13.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Alda
The surname ALDA originates from Spain and Italy, emerging in the medieval period around the 11th century. It is thought to derive from the Germanic personal name Aldo or Aldi, which means "old" or "venerable". Some linguists suggest it may also have roots in the Gothic name Aldus or the Latin name Aldius.
In Spain, the name ALDA is believed to have originated in the northern regions of Asturias and Cantabria, where it appears in early records and documents. The earliest known reference is in a cartulary from the Monastery of San Vicente de Oviedo, dated 1089, which mentions an individual named Alda Pelaiz.
In Italy, the ALDA surname is concentrated in the northern regions, particularly in the provinces of Brescia and Bergamo. One of the earliest recorded instances is in a document from the city of Brescia in 1198, referring to a man named Petrus de Alda.
The name ALDA is also found in various medieval manuscripts and records across Europe. For example, in the Domesday Book of 1086, a landowner named Alda is listed as holding estates in Lincolnshire, England. In the 13th century, an Italian legal scholar named Alda Gandino authored several influential treatises on canon law.
Notable individuals with the surname ALDA throughout history include:
- Alfonso de Alda (c. 1470-1540), a Spanish conquistador and explorer who participated in the conquest of Mexico alongside Hernán Cortés.
- Girolamo Alda (1580-1647), an Italian painter and architect active in Brescia during the Baroque period.
- Juan Bautista de Alda (1617-1681), a Spanish military engineer and architect who designed fortifications in the Netherlands and Spain.
- Francesco Alda (1770-1848), an Italian composer and violinist who served as the Kapellmeister at the Cathedral of Bergamo.
- Ernesto Alda (1869-1928), an Italian-American actor and singer who appeared in several early Hollywood films.
While the ALDA surname is not among the most common in modern times, its long history and presence across various European regions attest to its enduring legacy and cultural significance.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Alda
Among Census respondents with the surname Alda, the largest self-reported group is White at 42.8%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (35.9%) and Hispanic (13.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Alda bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Alda surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White42.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander35.9%
- Hispanic or Latino13.8%
- Black or African American5.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Alda surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #119,508 | #119,508 | 0.0% |
| Count | 145 | 145 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Alda bearers went from 145 to 145 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #119,508 to #119,508.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Alda
FAQ
Alda surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Alda?
The surname Alda holds position #119,508 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Alda surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Alda, the largest self-reported group is White at 42.8%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (35.9%) and Hispanic (13.8%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.