Danza
An Italian surname derived from the Italian word "danza" meaning "dance".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 446 Americans carry the last name Danza. That puts it at #52,267 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.13 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 768,507 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Danza 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
446
1 in 768,507
Census rank
#52,267
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
397
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 397 bearers of the surname Danza in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 52267th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Danza, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (8.1%) and Two or More Races (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Danza
The surname Danza is of Italian origin and dates back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Italian word "danza," which means "dance." The name likely originated in areas of Italy where dance and music were prevalent cultural traditions, such as regions like Tuscany, Lazio, or Campania.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Danza can be found in historical records from the 13th century in the city of Florence, where a family bearing this name was documented. The name may have initially been used as a descriptive surname, referring to someone who was a skilled dancer or had a connection to the art of dance.
During the Renaissance period, the Danza name appeared in various artistic and cultural contexts. For example, a renowned Italian painter named Giovanni Battista Danza, born in 1525 in Siena, was known for his religious works and frescoes adorning churches in his native city.
In the 17th century, a notable figure named Vincenzo Danza, born in 1592 in Naples, gained recognition as a composer and organist. His compositions for organ and sacred vocal works were widely performed and admired during his lifetime.
Another prominent individual with the surname Danza was Francesco Danza, born in 1834 in Palermo, Sicily. He was a celebrated Italian playwright and poet known for his comedic works that captured the vibrant spirit of Sicilian culture and dialect.
During the 19th century, the Danza name also made its way to the United States, as Italian immigrants settled in various parts of the country. One notable American with this surname was Tony Danza, an actor and former professional boxer born in 1951 in Brooklyn, New York, best known for his roles in television shows like "Taxi" and "Who's the Boss?"
Throughout history, the surname Danza has been associated with a rich cultural heritage, particularly in the realms of art, music, and literature. While the name may have originated as a descriptive term, it has evolved to represent a diverse array of individuals and their contributions across various fields.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Danza
Among Census respondents with the surname Danza, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (8.1%) and Two or More Races (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Danza 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 Danza surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White87.7%
- Hispanic or Latino8.1%
- Two or more races2.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Danza 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 | #52,267 | #52,267 | 0.0% |
| Count | 397 | 397 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Danza bearers went from 397 to 397 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #52,267 to #52,267.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Danza
FAQ
Danza surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Danza?
The surname Danza holds position #52,267 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 446 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Danza surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Danza, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (8.1%) and Two or More Races (2.5%). 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.