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

Pica, 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 Pica surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pica in America

Pica is the 16502nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pica surname appeared 1,741 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Pica.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pica 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 Pica

The surname PICA is believed to have originated in Italy, with its earliest known use dating back to the late 13th century. It is thought to have derived from the Italian word "piccio" or "picchio," meaning "woodpecker." This suggests that the name may have been initially used as a nickname for someone with a distinctive trait or occupation related to woodpeckers or woodworking.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the PICA surname can be found in a Florentine tax record from 1298, where a certain "Iacopo di Pica" is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use in the region of Tuscany during that time period.

In the 14th century, records show a Venetian noble family called the Pica or Pichi, which may have been an alternative spelling of the same surname. This family was known for their involvement in the Republic of Venice's political and mercantile affairs.

During the Renaissance, the PICA name gained some prominence with the birth of Giovanni Battista Pica (1492-1572), an Italian scholar, and humanist from Mirandola. He was renowned for his works on philosophy and literature, including his commentary on Aristotle's Poetics.

Another notable figure was the Italian architect and sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680), whose mother's maiden name was Pica. Bernini is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the Baroque period, renowned for his works such as the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa and the Fountain of the Four Rivers in Rome.

In the 18th century, the PICA surname appeared in the life of Giuseppe Pica (1705-1783), an Italian painter and engraver from Naples. He was known for his religious works and portraits, and his art can be found in various churches and galleries throughout Italy.

Moving into the 19th century, the name was associated with the Italian writer and journalist Vittorio Pica (1862-1930), who was a prominent figure in the Italian art world and a champion of the Divisionist movement in painting.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who bore the PICA surname throughout history, showcasing its Italian origins and the diverse fields in which individuals with this name have made their mark.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pica

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

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

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

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