Find out how popular the last name Allegra is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Allegra.

Allegra, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Allegra surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Allegra in America

Allegra is the 39773rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Allegra surname appeared 552 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Allegra.

We can also compare 2010 data for Allegra to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Allegra

The surname Allegra originates from Italy, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Latin word "alacer," meaning lively or cheerful. It was initially used as a descriptive nickname, referring to a person with a vibrant and joyful demeanor.

In the early 13th century, the name Allegra appeared in several historical records from the northern regions of Italy, particularly in the cities of Milan and Genoa. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in municipal archives and ecclesiastical documents.

One notable historical reference is the mention of a wealthy merchant named Giacomo Allegra in a trade agreement between the Republic of Genoa and the Byzantine Empire, dated 1261. This document highlights the presence of the Allegra family in the influential maritime city-state.

During the Renaissance period, the name Allegra gained prominence among Italian nobility and aristocracy. For instance, Allegra Borromeo (1529-1591), a member of the influential Borromeo family of Milan, was known for her patronage of the arts and her dedication to charitable works.

In the 17th century, the name Allegra spread beyond Italy's borders, appearing in records from neighboring regions. One notable figure was Giovanni Battista Allegra (1604-1676), a Franciscan friar and scholar from Liguria, who authored several theological treatises.

As the centuries progressed, the name Allegra continued to be used across various parts of Italy, often associated with families of prominence and cultural significance. Among the notable bearers of this surname was the Italian sculptor and architect Giovanni Battista Allegra (1816-1892), whose works adorned numerous churches and public buildings in Rome.

Another remarkable figure was Allegra Gucci (1911-1995), the daughter of the renowned fashion designer Guccio Gucci. She played a crucial role in the early expansion of the Gucci brand, contributing to its international recognition.

In the 20th century, the surname Allegra gained wider recognition with the Italian philosopher and writer Claudio Allegra (1920-1990), whose works explored existentialism and the human condition.

While the origins of the name Allegra can be traced back to medieval Italy, its enduring presence throughout history reflects its cultural significance and the diverse individuals who have borne this surname across generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Allegra

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Allegra.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Allegra was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Allegra has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Allegra was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Allegra, please contact us.

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