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

Mentor, 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 Mentor surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mentor in America

Mentor is the 26671st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mentor surname appeared 913 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 Mentor.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mentor 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.

The history of the last name Mentor

The surname Mentor originated in ancient Greece, derived from the name of the wise and trusted counselor of Odysseus in Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. The name Mentor itself is thought to stem from the Greek word "mentos," meaning "intent" or "purpose," reflecting the character's role as a mentor and guide.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Mentor appears in a medieval manuscript from the 13th century, where it is mentioned as the name of a prominent scholar and philosopher in Athens. This document suggests that the name had already gained recognition as a surname by that time, likely adopted by individuals seeking to associate themselves with the virtues of wisdom and guidance represented by the mythological figure.

In the 14th century, records indicate the presence of a noble family bearing the surname Mentor in the region of Peloponnese, Greece. This family is believed to have traced their ancestry back to the ancient philosophers and scholars of Athens, further cementing the name's association with knowledge and intellectual prowess.

During the Renaissance period, several notable individuals carried the surname Mentor. One such figure was Andrea Mentor (1455-1521), an Italian humanist and scholar who was renowned for his writings on philosophy and classical literature. Another prominent figure was Joannes Mentor (1490-1558), a Dutch theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation.

In the 17th century, the surname Mentor spread beyond the borders of Greece and Italy, as individuals with this name began to migrate to other parts of Europe. One notable example is Jean-Baptiste Mentor (1620-1688), a French architect and engineer who contributed to the design of several notable buildings in Paris, including the Château de Versailles.

As the centuries passed, the surname Mentor continued to be associated with individuals renowned for their intellect and wisdom. In the 19th century, German philosopher and writer Friedrich Mentor (1815-1892) gained recognition for his works on ethics and social philosophy, while British educator and writer William Mentor (1835-1912) made significant contributions to the field of education and literary criticism.

Throughout its history, the surname Mentor has carried a rich legacy of intellectual and philosophical pursuits, reflecting the enduring influence of its mythological origins and the virtues of wisdom, guidance, and mentorship that it represents.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mentor

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

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 Mentor 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Mentor has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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