Chiodo
A surname of Italian origin meaning "nail."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,159 Americans carry the last name Chiodo. That puts it at #15,727 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.63 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 158,756 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Chiodo 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
2.2K
1 in 158,756
Census rank
#15,727
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.9K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,854 bearers of the surname Chiodo in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.63 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 15727th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Chiodo, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Chiodo
The surname Chiodo has its origins in Italy, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "chiodo," which means "nail" or "spike." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with a metalworker or someone involved in the production or trade of nails.
The earliest known usage of the name Chiodo can be traced back to the city of Naples in the southern region of Campania. Records from the 1200s mention individuals with this surname residing in the area, indicating a strong presence in this part of Italy during the medieval period.
As the name spread across Italy, variations in spelling and pronunciation emerged. Some historical documents reference the name as "Chiodi" or "Chiodus," reflecting the influence of local dialects and scribal practices.
One notable early reference to the Chiodo name can be found in the "Codice Diplomatico Barese," a collection of medieval documents from the city of Bari in the Apulia region, dating back to the 11th century. This suggests that the name may have been present in southern Italy even before its documented appearance in Naples.
Throughout the centuries, several individuals with the Chiodo surname have left their mark in various fields. One such figure was Giovanni Battista Chiodo (1522-1590), a renowned Italian painter and architect from Naples who contributed to the design and renovation of several churches and palaces in the city.
Another notable bearer of the name was Niccolò Chiodo (1648-1719), a Venetian painter known for his religious works and portraits. His paintings can be found in various churches and galleries throughout Venice and the surrounding regions.
In the realm of literature, Antonio Chiodo (1770-1842) was an Italian poet and playwright from Naples. He wrote several comedies and tragedies that were performed in theaters across Italy during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Moving forward in time, Giuseppe Chiodo (1890-1964) was an Italian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, representing the region of Apulia in the early 20th century.
Finally, one cannot overlook the contributions of Domenico Chiodo (1908-1990), an Italian mathematician and professor who made significant advancements in the fields of functional analysis and partial differential equations.
While the Chiodo surname may have originated from humble beginnings, its bearers have left a lasting impact across various facets of Italian history and culture, spanning the arts, politics, academia, and beyond.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Chiodo
Among Census respondents with the surname Chiodo, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Chiodo 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 Chiodo surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.9%
- Two or more races0.9%
- Unknown or suppressed0.2%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Chiodo 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 | #14,599 | #15,727 | -7.7% |
| Count | 1,870 | 1,854 | -0.9% |
| Per 100K | 0.69 | 0.63 | -8.7% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Chiodo bearers went from 1,870 to 1,854 (-0.9% change). The surname moved down 1,128 positions in the national ranking, going from #14,599 to #15,727.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Chiodo
FAQ
Chiodo surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Chiodo?
The surname Chiodo holds position #15,727 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,159 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.63 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Chiodo surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Chiodo, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.9%). 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.