Janusz
A Polish surname derived from the given name Janusz, meaning "gracious" or "favored by God".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,302 Americans carry the last name Janusz. That puts it at #22,906 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.38 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 263,252 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Janusz 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
1.3K
1 in 263,252
Census rank
#22,906
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.1K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,117 bearers of the surname Janusz in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.38 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 22906th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Janusz, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Janusz
The surname Janusz has its roots in Poland, with its origins dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Polish given name "Jan," which is a variant of the Hebrew name "Yohanan," meaning "Yahweh is gracious." The suffix "-usz" is a common Polish diminutive, indicating a familiar or affectionate form of the name.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Janusz can be found in the Liber Beneficiorum, a 15th-century document detailing land holdings and benefices in the Archdiocese of Gniezno, Poland. This record mentions a certain "Janusz de Kalisch," indicating the presence of the surname in the region of Kalisz at that time.
In the 16th century, the surname Janusz appeared in the records of the Polish nobility, particularly in the regions of Mazovia and Greater Poland. Prominent individuals bearing this name included Janusz Ostroróg (1554-1636), a Polish nobleman and military commander who fought in the Polish-Swedish wars.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the surname Janusz continued to be well-represented among the Polish gentry and bourgeoisie. Notable figures include Janusz Korwin Gosiewski (1660-1737), a Polish nobleman and military commander who served in the Great Northern War, and Janusz Korwin Brodowski (1722-1799), a Polish noble and military officer who fought in the Bar Confederation.
In the 19th century, the surname Janusz gained further prominence in various fields. Janusz Sewerin Jasiński (1806-1855) was a Polish poet and playwright, renowned for his contributions to the Polish Romantic literary movement. Janusz Zygmunt Żółkowski (1878-1956) was a Polish architect and urban planner, known for his work in Poznań and Warsaw.
Another notable figure was Janusz Kusocinski (1907-1940), a Polish track and field athlete who won gold medals in the 1932 and 1936 Olympic Games. He tragically lost his life during the Polish campaign of World War II.
Throughout its history, the surname Janusz has maintained its strong ties to Poland and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including nobility, military leaders, artists, and athletes. Its enduring presence in the Polish cultural landscape reflects the rich heritage and traditions of the country.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Janusz
Among Census respondents with the surname Janusz, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Janusz 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 Janusz surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- Two or more races0.6%
- Unknown or suppressed0.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Janusz 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #21,754 | #22,906 | -5.3% |
| Count | 1,115 | 1,117 | 0.2% |
| Per 100K | 0.41 | 0.38 | -7.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Janusz bearers went from 1,115 to 1,117 (+0.2% change). The surname moved down 1,152 positions in the national ranking, going from #21,754 to #22,906.
FAQ
Janusz surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Janusz?
The surname Janusz holds position #22,906 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,302 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.38 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Janusz surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Janusz, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.7%). 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.