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

Bova, 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 Bova surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bova in America

Bova is the 9384th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bova surname appeared 3,465 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Bova.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bova 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 Bova

The surname Bova has its origins in Italy, specifically in the regions of Calabria and Sicily. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "bova," which means "ox" or "cattle." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who worked with oxen or cattle, such as a farmer, rancher, or herdsman.

The earliest known records of the Bova surname can be traced back to the 12th century in the town of Bova, located in the province of Reggio Calabria, Calabria. Interestingly, the town's name is thought to have originated from the Greek word "bous," which also means "ox" or "cattle," further reinforcing the connection between the surname and its agricultural roots.

During the Middle Ages, the Bova family played a significant role in the history of Calabria. In the 14th century, Nicola Bova was a prominent nobleman and military leader who fought against the Angevin rule in the region. His efforts contributed to the resistance against foreign domination and the preservation of local autonomy.

In the 16th century, the Bova surname appeared in various historical documents, including records from the Spanish Inquisition. One notable figure was Giovanni Battista Bova, a philosopher and theologian who lived from 1524 to 1608. He was known for his writings on Christian doctrine and his contributions to the intellectual debates of the time.

Another prominent individual with the Bova surname was Giovanni Francesco Bova, a 17th-century painter from Reggio Calabria. He was renowned for his religious artworks, many of which can still be found in churches throughout southern Italy.

Moving forward to the 19th century, Giuseppe Bova (1823-1887) was a distinguished Italian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Italian Parliament. He was a vocal advocate for the unification of Italy and played a crucial role in the Risorgimento movement.

In more recent times, one of the most renowned individuals with the Bova surname was Eugenio Bova, an Italian-American science fiction author and astrophysicist. Born in 1942, he was known for his works that explored the intersection of science and speculative fiction, including his popular "Grand Tour" series of novels.

Throughout history, the Bova surname has maintained a strong connection to its Italian roots, particularly in the regions of Calabria and Sicily. While the name may have originated from humble agricultural beginnings, it has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions across various fields, including politics, art, literature, and academia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bova

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

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

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

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