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

Costa, 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 Costa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Costa in America

Costa is the 904th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Costa surname appeared 38,265 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 13 people would have the surname Costa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Costa 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 Costa

The surname Costa is of Italian origin, deriving from the Latin word "costa" meaning "coast" or "side." It is believed to have originated as a toponymic surname, referring to individuals who lived near the coast or on the side of a hill or mountain.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Costa can be traced back to the 12th century in various regions of Italy, including Liguria, Tuscany, and Piedmont. It was particularly prevalent in coastal areas, as well as in towns and villages located along the slopes of mountains or hills.

In the 13th century, the name Costa appeared in the records of the Republic of Genoa, where several families bearing this surname held prominent positions in the city's government and maritime affairs. One notable figure from this period was Luca Costa, a Genoese navigator and explorer who participated in several voyages of discovery along the Mediterranean coasts.

The surname Costa also gained prominence in other parts of Italy during the Renaissance period. In the 15th century, Andrea Costa, a renowned sculptor and architect from Genoa, left a lasting legacy with his works adorning churches and palaces throughout Italy.

In the 16th century, the name Costa appeared in the historical records of the Duchy of Milan, where a branch of the family served as high-ranking officials and diplomats. One such individual was Giovanni Battista Costa, a statesman and diplomat who represented the Duchy in various diplomatic missions across Europe.

As the centuries passed, the surname Costa continued to spread across Italy and beyond. In the 18th century, Giuseppe Costa, a celebrated composer and violinist from Naples, gained recognition for his contributions to the development of the Neapolitan operatic tradition.

Another notable individual bearing the surname Costa was Giacomo Costa, an Italian revolutionary and politician who played a significant role in the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification in the 19th century.

Outside of Italy, the surname Costa can also be found in other countries, such as Spain and Portugal, where it likely originated from Italian immigrants or settlers during the Middle Ages and the Age of Exploration.

In summary, the surname Costa has a rich history rooted in the coastal regions and mountainous landscapes of Italy, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. Throughout the centuries, individuals with this surname have made their mark in various fields, from navigation and exploration to art, music, and politics.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Costa

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

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

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

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