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

Chica, 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 Chica surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chica in America

Chica is the 21736th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chica surname appeared 1,197 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 Chica.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chica 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 Chica

The surname "CHICA" has its origins in Spain, tracing back to the medieval period. It is thought to have derived from the Spanish word "chico," meaning small or little. This name may have been initially bestowed upon someone of diminutive stature or a younger person.

In the early 13th century, records show variations of the name, such as "Chico" and "Chica," appearing in various regions of Spain, particularly in Castile and Aragon. Some scholars suggest that the name may have roots in the Basque language, where "chika" means small or tiny.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name "CHICA" can be found in the chronicles of Alfonso X, the King of Castile and León, who ruled from 1252 to 1284. These chronicles mention a nobleman named Pedro Chica, who served as a trusted advisor to the king.

During the 14th century, the name appeared in several local records and documents from the city of Seville. One notable bearer of the name was Juan Chica, a merchant and landowner who lived in Seville during the late 1300s.

In the 15th century, the name "CHICA" gained prominence with the birth of Rodrigo Chica (1420-1492), a renowned Spanish architect and sculptor. He was responsible for designing and constructing several notable churches and cathedrals in Andalusia, including the Seville Cathedral.

As the Spanish Empire expanded during the 16th and 17th centuries, the name "CHICA" spread to the Americas and other Spanish territories. One notable figure was Diego Chica (1548-1622), a Spanish explorer and conquistador who participated in the conquest of Peru and later served as a governor in Colombia.

Another prominent bearer of the name was María Chica (1670-1745), a Spanish painter known for her religious works and portraits. She was one of the few female artists of her time to achieve recognition and success.

In the 18th century, the name "CHICA" appeared in various records related to the Spanish colonies in the Americas. One example is Juan Chica (1712-1786), a wealthy landowner and sugar plantation owner in Cuba.

Throughout history, the surname "CHICA" has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, explorers, merchants, and nobility. While its origins may have been humble, the name has left a lasting mark on Spanish history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chica

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

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

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

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