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

Maligaya, 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 Maligaya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Maligaya in America

Maligaya is the 120901st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Maligaya surname appeared 143 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 Maligaya.

The history of the last name Maligaya

The surname Maligaya originates from the Philippines, deriving from the Tagalog word "maligaya," which means "happy" or "joyful." This name likely emerged during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, which lasted from the 16th to the 19th century.

The name Maligaya is believed to have its roots in the Tagalog language, the predominant language spoken in the central and southern regions of the Philippine archipelago. It is possible that the name was initially used as a descriptive term or a nickname for individuals known for their cheerful and joyful demeanor.

While there are no known historical records or manuscripts specifically mentioning the surname Maligaya from ancient times, it is worth noting that many Filipino surnames have their origins in the Spanish practice of assigning surnames to the indigenous population during the colonial era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Maligaya can be traced back to the late 18th century, with the birth of Juan Maligaya in 1787 in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. Another notable individual was Maria Maligaya, a prominent figure in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule in the late 19th century.

Throughout history, several individuals with the surname Maligaya have made significant contributions in various fields. For example, Rodrigo Maligaya (1912-1998) was a respected Filipino painter and sculptor known for his works depicting rural life and Philippine culture. Lina Maligaya (1932-2011) was a renowned writer and poet who received numerous literary awards for her works exploring themes of love, nature, and social issues.

Another notable figure was Antonio Maligaya (1921-2003), a pioneer in Philippine agriculture who played a crucial role in the development of modern farming techniques and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices in the country.

Additionally, Jose Maligaya (1945-2018) was a renowned musician and composer who helped preserve and promote traditional Filipino music through his compositions and performances.

Finally, Margarita Maligaya (1968-present) is a contemporary artist and activist known for her works that address environmental issues and raise awareness about the impact of climate change on indigenous communities in the Philippines.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Maligaya

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

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

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

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