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

Baca, 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 Baca surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Baca in America

Baca is the 1249th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Baca surname appeared 28,082 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 10 people would have the surname Baca.

We can also compare 2010 data for Baca 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 Baca

The surname Baca has its origins in Spain, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Spanish word "baca," which means "cow" or "heifer." This suggests that the name may have originally been an occupational name for someone who worked with cattle, such as a cowherd or dairy farmer.

The Baca name can be traced back to the 13th century, with records showing individuals bearing this surname in various regions of Spain, including Aragon and Catalonia. One of the earliest known references to the name is found in the "Libro de Repartimiento de Mallorca," a document from the 13th century that recorded the distribution of land and properties in the Balearic Islands after the Christian conquest.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Baca surname gained prominence in Andalusia, particularly in the city of Seville. In 1499, a certain Juan Baca was listed as a member of the Seville city council, indicating that the family had achieved a certain level of social standing and influence in the region.

The Baca name also has a historical connection to the exploration and conquest of the Americas. One notable figure was Alonso Baca, a Spanish conquistador who participated in the expedition of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado in the 16th century. Alonso Baca was born around 1492 and played a role in the exploration of what is now the southwestern United States.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Tomás Baca, a Spanish military officer and governor of New Mexico in the late 17th century. He was born in 1625 and served as the governor of the province from 1691 to 1695, during a period of conflict with indigenous tribes in the region.

In the realm of literature, one notable figure was Gonzalo Baca de Quiroga, a Spanish poet and playwright who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He is known for his works in the Spanish Golden Age, including plays and religious poetry.

As the Baca name spread throughout Spain and its colonies, it also underwent various linguistic variations and spellings, such as Baca, Vaca, and Baccà. Some of these variations were influenced by regional dialects or the adoption of the name in different cultural contexts.

Throughout history, the Baca surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, including artists, politicians, military leaders, and scholars. While its origins can be traced back to medieval Spain, the name has since become a part of the cultural tapestry of many countries and communities around the world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Baca

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

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 Baca 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 Baca 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 Baca was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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