Bolivar
A surname of Spanish origin referring to a person from Bolivia or a place in Spain.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 3,496 Americans carry the last name Bolivar. That puts it at #10,671 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.02 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 98,042 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bolivar 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
3.5K
1 in 98,042
Census rank
#10,671
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
3.0K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,997 bearers of the surname Bolivar in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.02 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 10671st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bolivar, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 74.9%. The next largest groups are White (12.9%) and Black (6.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bolivar
The surname Bolivar is of Spanish origin, with its roots tracing back to the 15th century. It is believed to have originated from the town of Bolívar, located in the Spanish province of Cádiz, Andalusia. The name itself is derived from the Arabic word "Banu-l-Bar," which translates to "the sons of the desert."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bolivar can be found in the "Libro de la Montería" (Book of the Hunt), a 14th-century manuscript detailing hunting practices in the region. This document mentions a certain "Juan Martínez de Bolívar" who was a prominent figure in the area.
During the 16th century, the Bolivar surname gained prominence as a result of the Spanish conquest of the Americas. One notable individual was Simón Bolívar (1783-1830), a Venezuelan military and political leader who played a pivotal role in the independence of several South American countries from Spanish rule. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of Latin America.
Another historical figure bearing the Bolivar name was Juan Vicénte Bolívar y Ponte (1677-1742), a Spanish painter and engraver known for his religious works and portraits. His contributions to the artistic landscape of Spain during the Baroque period were significant.
In the realm of literature, Andrés Bello (1781-1865), a Venezuelan poet, philosopher, and educator, carried the Bolivar surname. He is recognized as a prominent figure in the Spanish-American literary canon and played a crucial role in the development of education in several South American countries.
The name Bolivar has also been associated with various places, such as Bolívar, a city in Colombia, and the Bolivar Department, an administrative region in northern Colombia. Additionally, the Bolivar Peninsula, located in Texas, United States, bears this name in honor of Simón Bolívar.
Throughout history, the surname Bolivar has been carried by numerous individuals, including military leaders, artists, intellectuals, and political figures, reflecting its diverse and influential presence across various fields.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bolivar
Among Census respondents with the surname Bolivar, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 74.9%. The next largest groups are White (12.9%) and Black (6.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Bolivar 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 Bolivar surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Hispanic or Latino74.9%
- White12.9%
- Black or African American6.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander4.1%
- Unknown or suppressed1.1%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bolivar 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #12,377 | #10,671 | 13.8% |
| Count | 2,302 | 2,997 | 30.2% |
| Per 100K | 0.85 | 1.02 | 20.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Bolivar bearers went from 2,302 to 2,997 (+30.2% change). The surname moved up 1,706 positions in the national ranking, going from #12,377 to #10,671.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bolivar
FAQ
Bolivar surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bolivar?
The surname Bolivar holds position #10,671 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 3,496 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.02 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bolivar surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bolivar, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 74.9%. The next largest groups are White (12.9%) and Black (6.9%). 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.