Bono
An Italian surname derived from the word "bono," meaning "good" or "virtuous."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 6,135 Americans carry the last name Bono. That puts it at #6,441 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.79 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 55,869 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bono 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
6.1K
1 in 55,869
Census rank
#6,441
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
5.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 5,272 bearers of the surname Bono in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.79 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 6441st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bono, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.4%) and Black (3.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Bono
The surname Bono originated in Italy, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Latin word "bonus," meaning "good" or "virtuous." The name is believed to have originated as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who was considered to be of good character or moral standing.
In its earliest forms, the name was spelled variations such as Boni, Bono, Buono, and Buoni. These spellings were often used interchangeably, as consistent spelling standards were not yet established. The name was particularly prevalent in the regions of Tuscany, Lazio, and Campania.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Bono can be found in the historic city of Siena, where a wealthy merchant family bearing the name is mentioned in records from the 13th century. This family played a significant role in the city's economic and political affairs during the Medieval period.
Another notable early bearer of the name was Girolamo Bono, a renowned cartographer and map maker who lived in the late 16th century. Born in Venice in 1552, Bono produced detailed maps of the Mediterranean region, including the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, which were highly regarded for their accuracy and precision.
In the 17th century, a branch of the Bono family settled in the Kingdom of Naples, where they acquired lands and titles. One prominent member was Francesco Bono, who served as a magistrate and judge in the city of Naples during the reign of King Charles II of Spain.
During the Italian Renaissance, the Bono surname was associated with several artists and intellectuals. Bartolomeo Bono, born in Florence in 1495, was a celebrated painter and fresco artist whose works adorned churches and palaces throughout Tuscany.
In more recent history, the name Bono has gained global recognition due to Paul David Hewson, the lead singer of the Irish rock band U2, who is widely known by his stage name, Bono. While not his legal surname, the moniker Bono has become inextricably linked with his persona and advocacy efforts, particularly in the areas of human rights and global poverty.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bono
Among Census respondents with the surname Bono, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.4%) and Black (3.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Bono 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 Bono surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White87.9%
- Hispanic or Latino5.4%
- Black or African American3.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.4%
- Two or more races1.3%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bono 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 | #8,907 | #6,441 | 27.7% |
| Count | 3,379 | 5,272 | 56.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.25 | 1.79 | 43.2% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Bono bearers went from 3,379 to 5,272 (+56.0% change). The surname moved up 2,466 positions in the national ranking, going from #8,907 to #6,441.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bono
FAQ
Bono surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bono?
The surname Bono holds position #6,441 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 6,135 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.79 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bono surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bono, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.4%) and Black (3.7%). 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.