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

Popper, 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 Popper surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Popper in America

Popper is the 27411th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Popper surname appeared 880 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 Popper.

We can also compare 2010 data for Popper 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 Popper

The surname Popper has its origins in Germany and can be traced back to the early 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the German word "Pöpper," which referred to someone who dealt in the production or sale of poppies or poppy seeds. The name may also be related to the Middle High German word "poppen," meaning to stamp or beat, suggesting a possible connection to an occupation or trade.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Popper can be found in the Nuremberg Burgraviate Court Records of 1432, which mention a "Hans Popper" residing in the city. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the early 15th century.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various German-speaking areas, including the town of Waldshut in Baden-Württemberg, where a "Caspar Popper" is mentioned in the town's records from 1571. In the same century, a "Johann Popper" is recorded in the parish registers of the village of Pöggstall in Lower Austria, dating back to 1585.

The name Popper has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the most renowned figures was Sir Karl Popper (1902-1994), an influential Austrian-British philosopher known for his contributions to the philosophy of science and his influential work, "The Open Society and Its Enemies."

Another notable Popper was David Popper (1843-1913), a Bohemian cellist and composer who is considered one of the most important figures in the history of cello playing. His compositions, such as the "Hungarian Rhapsody," are still widely performed and studied.

In the realm of literature, the name Popper is associated with Reginald Popper (1910-1998), an English-born American journalist and author who wrote several novels, including "The Traveller" and "After the Glory."

The name Popper has also been linked to the world of science and medicine. One example is Arthur Popper (1900-1985), an American physician and researcher who made significant contributions to the understanding of cardiovascular diseases and the development of modern cardiac surgery techniques.

Additionally, Ingrid Popper (1925-2012), an Austrian-born American historian and author, is recognized for her work on the history of immigration and ethnic studies, particularly in the United States.

While these are just a few examples, the surname Popper has a rich history and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, contributing to various fields and leaving their mark on society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Popper

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

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

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

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