Celi
An occupational Italian surname derived from the Latin word "caelum" meaning sky or heaven.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 823 Americans carry the last name Celi. That puts it at #32,562 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.24 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 416,469 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Celi 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
823
1 in 416,469
Census rank
#32,562
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
706
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 706 bearers of the surname Celi in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.24 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 32562nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Celi, the largest self-reported group is White at 45.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (41.1%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (11.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Celi
The surname CELI has its origins in Italy, dating back to the medieval period around the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "caelum," meaning "heaven" or "sky." The name may have initially been used as a descriptive surname for someone with a celestial or heavenly quality or appearance.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name CELI can be found in the Codice Diplomatico Padovano, a collection of medieval documents from the city of Padua, dating back to the 13th century. In this document, a person named Giacomo Celi is mentioned, suggesting the name's presence in the region during that time.
The CELI surname has also been linked to various place names in Italy, such as Celi, a small town located in the province of Cosenza, Calabria. It is possible that the surname originated from this location and was adopted by individuals who either lived or originated from this area.
During the Renaissance period, the CELI name gained prominence with notable individuals bearing this surname. One such figure was Bartolomeo Celi, a renowned Italian sculptor who lived from 1516 to 1575. His works can be found in various churches and museums throughout Italy, showcasing his mastery of the Renaissance art style.
Another notable bearer of the CELI surname was Gian Battista Celi, an Italian painter and architect who lived from 1510 to 1592. He was known for his contributions to the design and construction of several churches and palaces in Rome and other Italian cities.
In the 17th century, Francesco Celi, an Italian mathematician and astronomer, made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics. Born in 1634 and died in 1708, he published several works on astronomy and was influential in the development of early modern scientific thought.
Moving into the 18th century, Pietro Celi, an Italian painter and engraver, gained recognition for his intricate etchings and engravings depicting religious and historical scenes. He lived from 1707 to 1778 and his works can be found in various art collections and museums across Italy.
Finally, in the 19th century, Antonio Celi, an Italian politician and lawyer, played a crucial role in the unification of Italy. Born in 1810 and died in 1892, he served as a member of the Italian Parliament and actively supported the Risorgimento movement, which aimed to unite the various states of the Italian peninsula.
These examples illustrate the historical significance and widespread presence of the CELI surname throughout various regions of Italy and across different fields, including art, science, and politics.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Celi
Among Census respondents with the surname Celi, the largest self-reported group is White at 45.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (41.1%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (11.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Celi 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 Celi surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White45.9%
- Hispanic or Latino41.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander11.9%
- Two or more races0.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Celi 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 | #32,562 | #32,562 | 0.0% |
| Count | 706 | 706 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Celi bearers went from 706 to 706 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #32,562 to #32,562.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Celi
FAQ
Celi surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Celi?
The surname Celi holds position #32,562 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 823 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.24 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Celi surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Celi, the largest self-reported group is White at 45.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (41.1%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (11.9%). 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.