Dante
A surname indicating Italian origin meaning "enduring" or "lasting" in Italian.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,028 Americans carry the last name Dante. That puts it at #27,002 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.30 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 333,419 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Dante 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
1.0K
1 in 333,419
Census rank
#27,002
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
898
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 898 bearers of the surname Dante in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.30 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 27002nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Dante, the largest self-reported group is White at 73.3%. The next largest groups are Black (8.5%) and Hispanic (8.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Dante
Dante is an Italian surname that traces its roots back to medieval times. It originated as a nickname derived from the Italian name Durante, which itself comes from the Latin word "durans" meaning "enduring" or "lasting." The name Dante gained popularity after the renowned Italian poet Dante Alighieri, who lived from 1265 to 1321.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Dante can be found in the "Codice Diplomatico Dantesco," a collection of documents related to Dante Alighieri and his family. This collection includes references to individuals with the surname Dante dating back to the 13th century in the city of Florence.
The surname Dante has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. Aside from Dante Alighieri, one of the most famous individuals with this surname was Dante Gabriel Rossetti, an English poet, illustrator, and translator who lived from 1828 to 1882. He was a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of artists and writers who sought to revive the artistic principles of the Italian Renaissance.
Another prominent individual with the surname Dante was Vincenzo Dante, an Italian composer and music theorist who lived from 1760 to 1828. He was known for his contributions to the development of the Neapolitan school of opera and his theoretical writings on music.
In the literary world, Dante Alighieri's masterpiece, the "Divine Comedy," is considered one of the greatest works of literature in the Italian language. This epic poem, completed in the early 14th century, has had a profound influence on literature, art, and culture throughout the centuries.
Other notable individuals with the surname Dante include Dante Michellangelo Benvenuti, an Italian mathematician and engineer who lived from 1357 to 1429, and Dante Guardini, a German Catholic priest, theologian, and philosopher who lived from 1885 to 1968 and wrote extensively on religious and philosophical themes.
While the surname Dante has its origins in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. The name continues to hold significance and recognition, particularly in literary and artistic circles, due to its association with the iconic figure of Dante Alighieri and his enduring literary legacy.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Dante
Among Census respondents with the surname Dante, the largest self-reported group is White at 73.3%. The next largest groups are Black (8.5%) and Hispanic (8.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Dante 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 Dante surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White73.3%
- Black or African American8.5%
- Hispanic or Latino8.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander7.2%
- Two or more races2.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Dante 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 | #27,002 | #27,002 | 0.0% |
| Count | 898 | 898 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Dante bearers went from 898 to 898 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #27,002 to #27,002.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Dante
FAQ
Dante surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Dante?
The surname Dante holds position #27,002 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,028 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.30 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Dante surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Dante, the largest self-reported group is White at 73.3%. The next largest groups are Black (8.5%) and Hispanic (8.1%). 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.