Genao last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Genao

A Spanish surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Germanic personal name Winald or from a place name.

Genao, 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 Genao surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Genao in America

Genao is the 10103rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Genao surname appeared 3,188 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Genao.

We can also compare 2010 data for Genao 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 10103 13045 -25.42%
Count 3,188 2,154 38.71%
Proportion per 100k 1.08 0.80 29.79%

The history of the last name Genao

The surname GENAO is believed to have originated in the Dominican Republic, with its roots tracing back to the early 16th century. It is derived from the Spanish word "genaó," which translates to "genao" or "genao tree." This tree, scientifically known as Melicocca bijuga, is native to the Caribbean region and was an integral part of the indigenous cultures.

The GENAO surname first appeared in historical records during the Spanish colonization of the island of Hispaniola, which now comprises the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It is possible that the name was initially associated with individuals or families who lived near or had a connection with the genao tree, either through cultivation or utilization of its various products.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the GENAO surname can be found in the archives of the Spanish colonial administration in Santo Domingo, which was the first European settlement established in the Americas. Some documents from the late 16th century reference individuals with this surname in various capacities, such as landowners, artisans, or merchants.

Throughout the colonial period, the GENAO surname became more widespread across the Dominican Republic. It is believed that several prominent figures carried this name, including Juan GENAO, a respected landowner and community leader in the 17th century, and Francisca GENAO, a renowned herbalist and healer in the 18th century.

As the centuries passed, the GENAO surname continued to be prevalent in various regions of the Dominican Republic. Notable individuals bearing this name include:

  1. Pedro GENAO (1845-1920), a renowned Dominican poet and playwright known for his contributions to the country's literary and cultural heritage.

  2. María GENAO (1872-1945), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights, who established several schools in the Dominican Republic.

  3. Juan GENAO (1890-1965), a prominent Dominican politician and diplomat who served as the country's ambassador to several nations.

  4. Miguel GENAO (1921-2002), a celebrated Dominican artist renowned for his vibrant paintings depicting the country's landscapes and people.

  5. Cristina GENAO (born 1972), a contemporary Dominican-American actress and producer who has appeared in numerous television shows and films.

While the GENAO surname is most commonly associated with the Dominican Republic, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins can be traced back to the historical and cultural roots of the Dominican Republic, where it has been a part of the nation's fabric for centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Genao

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

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 Genao was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 11.10% 354
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.16% 5
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.69% 22
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 87.92% 2,803

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 Genao has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 11.10% 6.59% 50.99%
Black 0.16% (S)% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander 0.69% 0.70% -1.44%
American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)% (S)%
Two or More Races (S)% 0.65% (S)%
Hispanic 87.92% 91.46% -3.95%

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Genao last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 17, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/genao-surname-popularity/.

"Genao last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/genao-surname-popularity/. Accessed 17 November, 2024

Genao last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/genao-surname-popularity/.

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