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

Dobrev, 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 Dobrev surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dobrev in America

Dobrev is the 126765th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dobrev surname appeared 135 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 Dobrev.

The history of the last name Dobrev

The surname Dobrev originates from Bulgaria, with the earliest known records dating back to the 15th century. It is derived from the Slavic word "dobr," meaning "good" or "kind," suggesting that it may have been initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone of good character.

The name is believed to have first emerged in the regions around the cities of Sofia and Plovdiv, which were prominent cultural and trade centers during the Bulgarian Empire. Historical records show variations in spelling, including Dobrev, Dobrev, and Dobrev.

One of the earliest known mentions of the Dobrev name can be found in a church registry from the town of Koprivshtitsa, dated to 1487. This document lists a certain Petko Dobrev as a witness to a property transaction.

In the 18th century, a notable figure with the surname Dobrev was Stoyan Dobrev, a merchant and landowner from the town of Gabrovo. He was known for his philanthropic efforts, funding the construction of several schools and churches in the region.

Another prominent individual bearing the Dobrev name was Nikola Dobrev (1835-1916), a Bulgarian revolutionist and educator who played a key role in the struggle for national liberation from Ottoman rule. He established numerous schools and educational organizations throughout the country.

During the 19th century, the Dobrev surname also appeared in the records of the Bulgarian National Revival, a cultural and intellectual movement that paved the way for Bulgaria's independence. One such figure was Ivan Dobrev (1853-1927), a writer, journalist, and activist who contributed to the development of modern Bulgarian literature.

In more recent times, one of the most well-known individuals with the Dobrev surname is the actress Nina Dobrev, born in 1989 in Sofia, Bulgaria. She is best known for her roles in the television series "The Vampire Diaries" and "Degrassi: The Next Generation."

While the Dobrev name has its roots in Bulgaria, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, the earliest and most significant historical references to this surname can be traced back to its Slavic origins in the Balkan region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dobrev

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

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 Dobrev 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.

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

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

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