Gabor
A Hungarian surname derived from a biblical name meaning "God is strong".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,194 Americans carry the last name Gabor. That puts it at #15,449 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.64 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 156,223 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gabor 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 156,223
Census rank
#15,449
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.9K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,896 bearers of the surname Gabor in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.64 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 15449th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gabor, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.1%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (4.3%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gabor
The surname Gabor originates from Hungary, where it first appeared in the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Hungarian word "gabor," which means "bountiful" or "abundant." The name was likely given to someone who owned a large amount of land or wealth.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname Gabor can be found in a Hungarian census from 1275, where it is spelled "Gabor." Over time, variations in spelling emerged, such as "Gabour" and "Gábor," but the original form eventually became the standard.
One of the earliest notable figures with the surname Gabor was Gábor Bethlen (1580-1629), a Prince of Transylvania who played a significant role in the Thirty Years' War. He was a skilled military leader and a patron of education and the arts.
Another important historical figure was Ágoston Gábor (1609-1678), a Hungarian Jesuit priest and astronomer. He is renowned for his contributions to the field of astronomy and for his work in calculating the dates of Easter.
In the 19th century, József Gábor (1800-1858) was a prominent Hungarian politician and writer who served as the Minister of Justice and Education. He was also a member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and played a role in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848.
The surname Gabor also has ties to the world of entertainment. Zsa Zsa Gabor (1917-2016) was a Hungarian-American actress and socialite known for her glamorous lifestyle and numerous marriages. She was one of the most famous celebrities of her time and appeared in numerous films and television shows.
Another notable figure was Dennis Gabor (1900-1979), a Hungarian-British physicist and inventor who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1971 for his work on holography. His pioneering research laid the foundation for the development of modern holography and had a significant impact on the field of optics.
Throughout history, the surname Gabor has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including royalty, clergy, politicians, scientists, and entertainers. While its origins can be traced back to medieval Hungary, the name has since spread across the globe, reflecting the diverse and rich cultural heritage of those who bear it.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gabor
Among Census respondents with the surname Gabor, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.1%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (4.3%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Gabor 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 Gabor surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander4.3%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races1.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gabor 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 | #15,449 | #15,449 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,896 | 1,896 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Gabor bearers went from 1,896 to 1,896 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #15,449 to #15,449.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gabor
FAQ
Gabor surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gabor?
The surname Gabor holds position #15,449 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,194 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.64 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gabor surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gabor, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.1%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (4.3%) and Hispanic (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.