2000
#13,045
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 2,154
First available Census row
Per 100,000 0.80
Rare Last name
Genao
A Spanish surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Germanic personal name Winald or from a place name.
According to the 2020 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 3,805 Americans carry the last name Genao. That puts it at #9,401 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.11 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 90,080 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Genao surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, a multi-census history view, 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
3.8K
1 in 90,080
Census rank
#9,401
2020 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
3.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 3,318 bearers of the surname Genao in its 2020 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.11 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 9401st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Genao, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 95.5%. The next largest groups are White (3.4%) and Black (0.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of 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.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Genao
Among Census respondents with the surname Genao, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 95.5%. The next largest groups are White (3.4%) and Black (0.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Genao bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2020 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.
Percentages are shown for every Census year so the breakdown stays comparable over time. When the source file also includes raw headcounts, Name Census shows those alongside the percentages in the legend.
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 Genao surname at the time of the 2020 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Hispanic or Latino95.5% · 3,169
- White3.4% · 112
- Black or African American0.5% · 17
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4% · 14
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.1% · 3
- Two or more races0.1% · 3
Timeline
Historical Census data for Genao
Genao appears in 3 published Census surname files: 2000, 2010, 2020. The cards below show how the name's rank and bearer count changed across each release.
2010
#10,103
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 3,188
+1,034 bearers (+48.0%)
Per 100,000 1.08
Rank movement Up 2,942 places
2020
#9,401
National surname rank
Recorded bearers 3,318
+130 bearers (+4.1%)
Per 100,000 1.11
Rank movement Up 702 places
| Year | Rank | Count | Per 100K | Count change | Rank change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | #13,045 | 2,154 | 0.80 | First available Census row | First available Census row |
| 2010 | #10,103 | 3,188 | 1.08 | +1,034 bearers (+48.0%) | Up 2,942 places |
| 2020 | #9,401 | 3,318 | 1.11 | +130 bearers (+4.1%) | Up 702 places |
For 2020, the Census Bureau published race and Hispanic-origin columns as counts rather than percentages. Name Census converts those counts back into shares so the ancestry section stays comparable with the older surname files.
Year on year
2010 vs 2020 Census
How has the Genao surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
20102020
| Metric | 2010 | 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #10,103 | #9,401 | 6.9% |
| Count | 3,188 | 3,318 | 4.1% |
| Per 100K | 1.08 | 1.11 | 2.8% |
Between the 2010 and 2020 Census, the number of Genao bearers went from 3,188 to 3,318 (+4.1% change). The surname moved up 702 positions in the national ranking, going from #10,103 to #9,401.
FAQ
Genao surname: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. have the surname Genao?
Name Census estimates that about 3,805 living Americans carry the surname Genao. Using the current population baseline, that works out to roughly 1 in 90,080 residents.
How common is Genao?
Genao ranks #9,401 in the 2020 Census surname tables and is classified on this site as "Rare." The Census recorded the name at a frequency of 1.11 per 100,000 residents, which is about 1 people out of every 100,000.
How many people with this surname were counted in the Census?
The raw 2020 Census file counted 3,318 people with the surname Genao. That is different from the site's living-bearer estimate (3,805), which projects the surname's present-day count by applying the Census frequency rate to the current U.S. population.
What does 1.11 per 100,000 actually mean?
It is the Census Bureau's normalized frequency measure. A rate of 1.11 per 100,000 means that if you picked a random group of 100,000 U.S. residents, you would expect about 1 of them to have the surname Genao.
Has Genao become more or less common over time?
Between 2010 and 2020, the surname Genao went from 3,188 recorded bearers to 3,318. That is an increase of 130 (+4.1%). In the national ranking it rose from #10,103 to #9,401.
What does the Census say about the background of Genao?
Among Census respondents with the surname Genao, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 95.5%. The next largest groups are White (3.4%) and Black (0.5%). These figures come from the 2020 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Which group reports this surname most often?
Hispanic is the largest self-reported group for the surname Genao in the 2020 Census, accounting for 95.5% (3,169 people in the source table).
What is the full ancestry breakdown?
Genao appears across multiple self-reported groups in the Census data. The largest shares in the 2020 file are Hispanic (95.5%), White (3.4%), Black (0.5%). For 2020, the source file also published raw headcounts for each group, which is why this page can show both percentages and counts in the ancestry section.
Is this page using the latest Census data?
Yes. This page is using the latest surname file currently loaded on Name Census, which is 2020. The historical section above also keeps any older Census surname entries we have for Genao (2000, 2010, 2020).
Does the Census include every surname?
No. The Census Bureau only publishes surnames that appeared at least 100 times in a given decennial Census. That means very rare surnames are excluded entirely, and a surname can appear in one Census release but disappear from a later one if it falls below the reporting threshold.
Why don't the ancestry percentages always add up to exactly 100%?
There are two main reasons: rounding and suppression. The Census Bureau rounds published values, and it may suppress very small cells to protect privacy. For 2020, the Bureau also published raw group counts rather than direct percentages, so Name Census converts those counts back into shares for comparability across census years.
What does Genao mean?
A Spanish surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Germanic personal name Winald or from a place name. The fuller origin note on this page goes into more detail.
Where does the surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These files list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2020 Census, along with a count, a per-100,000 rate, and a self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.
How does Name Census estimate living bearers?
For surnames, Name Census does not age cohorts the way it does for first names. Instead, it takes the Census Bureau's published frequency for Genao (1.11 per 100,000) and applies that rate to the current U.S. resident population to estimate how many living Americans have the surname today.
How many people share the surname Genao?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.