Benigni
An Italian surname meaning "kind" or "good-natured."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 411 Americans carry the last name Benigni. That puts it at #57,781 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 833,952 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Benigni 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
411
1 in 833,952
Census rank
#57,781
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
352
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 352 bearers of the surname Benigni in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 57781st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Benigni, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.3%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Benigni
The surname BENIGNI is of Italian origin, first appearing in the 14th century. It is derived from the Italian word "benigno," meaning "kind" or "benign." The name likely originated in the region of Tuscany, where it was initially used as a descriptive nickname for someone with a gentle or good-natured personality.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the BENIGNI surname can be found in historical records from Florence, Italy, dating back to the late 1300s. These records mention a family called Benigni residing in the city during that time period.
The BENIGNI name has also been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was Giovanni Benigni, a 16th-century Italian architect and sculptor who worked on various projects in Rome and other parts of Italy. His birth and death years are unknown, but he was active during the Renaissance era.
Another prominent bearer of the BENIGNI surname was Umberto Benigni (1862-1934), an Italian politician and journalist who served as a member of the Italian Parliament and was a vocal supporter of Italian nationalism and the Risorgimento movement.
In the field of literature, Gianfranco Benigni (1944-2019) was an Italian author and poet known for his works exploring themes of identity, memory, and the human condition. He published several collections of poetry and received numerous literary awards throughout his lifetime.
The BENIGNI surname has also been connected to religious figures, such as Umberto Benigni (1862-1934), an Italian Catholic priest and historian who wrote extensively on Church history and served as a consultor for the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
Lastly, Roberto Benigni (born 1952) is a renowned Italian actor, comedian, and filmmaker who gained international acclaim for his roles in films like "Life Is Beautiful" and "The Monster." He has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor.
While the BENIGNI surname has its roots in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world as a result of migration and various historical events. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period in Tuscany, where it was initially used as a descriptive name for individuals with a kind and benevolent nature.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Benigni
Among Census respondents with the surname Benigni, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.3%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Benigni 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 Benigni surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.3%
- Two or more races2.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.7%
- Hispanic or Latino1.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Benigni 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 | #57,781 | #57,781 | 0.0% |
| Count | 352 | 352 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Benigni bearers went from 352 to 352 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #57,781 to #57,781.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Benigni
FAQ
Benigni surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Benigni?
The surname Benigni holds position #57,781 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 411 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Benigni surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Benigni, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.3%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.7%). 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.