Mandela
A surname of Xhosa origin meaning "the higher counsellor or advisor".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Mandela. That puts it at #119,508 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mandela 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
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#119,508
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
145
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 145 bearers of the surname Mandela in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 119508th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mandela, the largest self-reported group is White at 51.7%. The next largest groups are Black (31.7%) and Hispanic (7.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mandela
The surname MANDELA has its origins in South Africa and is derived from the Xhosa language, one of the official languages of the country. It is believed to have originated in the Eastern Cape region, where the Xhosa people have historically resided.
The name MANDELA is thought to be a combination of two Xhosa words, "manda" meaning "to be strong" or "to be powerful," and "ela," which refers to a specific clan or family group. This suggests that the surname may have been initially used to identify individuals from a powerful or influential clan or family within the Xhosa community.
Historical records and manuscripts from the 18th and 19th centuries in South Africa mention individuals bearing the surname MANDELA, indicating its long-standing presence among the Xhosa people. Some of the earliest recorded examples include Nkosi Mandela, a prominent Xhosa chief in the late 18th century, and Ngqika Mandela, a Xhosa leader who played a significant role in the Xhosa Wars against colonial forces in the early 19th century.
The name MANDELA gained global recognition in the 20th century with the life and legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918-2013), the former President of South Africa and a renowned anti-apartheid activist. His struggle against racial segregation and his efforts towards reconciliation and democracy in South Africa have made him one of the most influential and iconic figures in modern history.
Other notable individuals with the surname MANDELA include:
1. Zindziswa Mandela (1960-2003), the daughter of Nelson Mandela and a renowned activist in her own right, who fought for women's rights and HIV/AIDS awareness.
2. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (1936-2018), the former wife of Nelson Mandela and a prominent anti-apartheid activist who played a significant role in the struggle for freedom in South Africa.
3. Makgatho Mandela (1925-2005), the eldest son of Nelson Mandela and a traditional leader of the Thembu people in the Eastern Cape region.
4. Lili Mandela (1927-2001), Nelson Mandela's younger sister, who was also involved in the anti-apartheid movement and helped preserve the family's history and traditions.
5. Makaziwe Mandela (born 1954), the eldest daughter of Nelson Mandela and a prominent advocate for women's rights and social issues in South Africa.
While the surname MANDELA has gained global recognition through its association with Nelson Mandela and his family, it remains deeply rooted in the cultural and linguistic traditions of the Xhosa people in South Africa.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mandela
Among Census respondents with the surname Mandela, the largest self-reported group is White at 51.7%. The next largest groups are Black (31.7%) and Hispanic (7.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Mandela 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 Mandela surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White51.7%
- Black or African American31.7%
- Hispanic or Latino7.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander5.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mandela 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 | #119,508 | #119,508 | 0.0% |
| Count | 145 | 145 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Mandela bearers went from 145 to 145 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #119,508 to #119,508.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mandela
FAQ
Mandela surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mandela?
The surname Mandela holds position #119,508 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mandela surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mandela, the largest self-reported group is White at 51.7%. The next largest groups are Black (31.7%) and Hispanic (7.6%). 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.