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

Rava, 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 Rava surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rava in America

Rava is the 75564th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rava surname appeared 255 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 Rava.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rava 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 Rava

The surname RAVA has its origins in Italy, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "rava," which means "turnip." This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname, referring to someone who cultivated or sold turnips.

One of the earliest known references to the surname RAVA can be found in the records of the city of Mantua, located in the northern Italian region of Lombardy. In 1587, a document mentions a certain Bartolomeo RAVA, a merchant who traded in agricultural goods, including turnips.

As the name spread across Italy, it took on various spellings, such as RAVVA and RAVO. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of local scribes. In the 17th century, the surname RAVA appeared in several historical documents from the Veneto region, particularly in the city of Verona.

One notable bearer of the RAVA surname was Giovanni Battista RAVA, a renowned architect who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was responsible for designing several churches and palaces in and around the city of Verona, including the Chiesa di San Tommaso Cantuariense and the Palazzo Rava, which still bears his family's name.

Another prominent figure with the RAVA surname was Antonio RAVA, a scholar and professor of law who taught at the University of Padua in the late 17th century. His writings on legal philosophy and jurisprudence were widely acclaimed during his time.

In the 19th century, the RAVA surname gained prominence in the field of medicine with the birth of Giuseppe RAVA (1832-1911), a pioneering Italian physician and surgeon. He made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of various diseases, and his name is associated with several medical procedures and techniques.

The RAVA surname can also be traced to the small town of Rava, located in the province of Vercelli in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. It is possible that some individuals with this surname may have originated from this area or had ancestors who lived there.

Throughout history, the RAVA surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, including artists, writers, politicians, and professionals. While the name's origins may be rooted in an agricultural context, it has transcended its initial meaning and become a part of Italy's rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rava

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

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

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

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