Find out how popular the last name Bonita is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bonita.
A surname of Spanish origin meaning "beautiful" or "pretty".
Bonita, 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 Bonita surname is from the 2010 census data.
Bonita is the 68949th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Bonita surname appeared 285 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 Bonita.
We can also compare 2010 data for Bonita 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.
| 2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | 68949 | 70906 | -2.80% |
| Count | 285 | 257 | 10.33% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.00% |
The surname "BONITA" is of Spanish origin, and its earliest recorded use can be traced back to the 15th century in the regions of Castile and Andalusia. The name is derived from the Spanish word "bonita," which means "beautiful" or "pretty," suggesting that it may have originated as a descriptive nickname for a woman of great beauty.
One of the earliest known bearers of the surname "BONITA" was Juana Bonita, a seamstress from Seville who lived in the latter half of the 15th century. Records from that time period show that she was commissioned to create ornate embroidery for the royal court of Ferdinand and Isabella.
In the 16th century, the name appears in several historical documents, including the records of the Spanish Inquisition. A prominent individual with this surname was Diego Bonita, a merchant from Cadiz who was accused of harboring Moorish sympathies and brought before the Inquisition in 1587. While the outcome of his trial is unknown, his case sheds light on the social and religious tensions of that era.
As Spanish explorers and settlers ventured to the Americas, the surname "BONITA" likely traveled with them. One notable figure was Juan Bonita, a conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expedition to conquer Mexico in the early 16th century. Juan Bonita is believed to have played a role in the subjugation of the Aztec Empire, though historical accounts of his specific contributions are scarce.
In the 17th century, the name appears in various municipal records and property deeds across Spain. One intriguing character was María Bonita, a landowner from Granada who was involved in a legal dispute over the ownership of an olive grove in 1642. Her battle with local authorities provides insight into the complexities of land tenure and inheritance laws of the time.
Another noteworthy individual was Rodrigo Bonita, a renowned artist from Seville who lived from 1620 to 1688. He was renowned for his religious paintings and frescoes adorning numerous churches and cathedrals throughout Andalusia. His works are celebrated for their vivid colors and intricate details, reflecting the baroque style of the period.
Over the centuries, the surname "BONITA" has continued to be found throughout Spain and Spanish-speaking regions, with various spellings and variations emerging. While not as prevalent as some other Spanish surnames, it remains a part of the rich tapestry of Hispanic heritage and culture.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bonita.
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:
For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bonita was:
| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic White Only | 54.74% | 156 |
| Non-Hispanic Black Only | (S)% | (S) |
| Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | 20.70% | 59 |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | (S)% | (S) |
| Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | 5.61% | 16 |
| Hispanic Origin | 15.79% | 45 |
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 Bonita has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.
| 2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 54.74% | 63.42% | -14.69% |
| Black | (S)% | 4.67% | (S)% |
| Asian and Pacific Islander | 20.70% | 12.45% | 49.77% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | (S)% | (S)% | (S)% |
| Two or More Races | 5.61% | (S)% | (S)% |
| Hispanic | 15.79% | 16.73% | -5.78% |
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 Bonita was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bonita, please contact us.
We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.
If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!
<a href="https://namecensus.com/last-names/bonita-surname-popularity/">Bonita last name popularity, history, and meaning</a>
Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.
Simple as that.