Salva
A Spanish surname derived from the Latin word "salvare," meaning to save or rescue.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,714 Americans carry the last name Salva. That puts it at #18,660 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.50 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 199,973 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Salva 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
1.7K
1 in 199,973
Census rank
#18,660
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.5K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,474 bearers of the surname Salva in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.50 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 18660th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Salva, the largest self-reported group is White at 50.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (27.9%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (17.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Salva
The surname Salva has its roots in Italy, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Italian word "salva," meaning "to save" or "to preserve." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who was a protector or a savior in some capacity.
One of the earliest known records of the surname Salva comes from the Codice Diplomatico Longobardo, a collection of documents dating back to the 12th century. In this collection, there is a reference to a certain "Petrus de Salva" from the town of Benevento in southern Italy.
The name Salva can also be traced back to various place names in Italy, such as the town of Salva in the province of Salerno. It's possible that the surname originated from individuals who hailed from this region or other similar locations.
Historically, the Salva name has been associated with several notable figures throughout the centuries. In the 14th century, there was a Dominican friar named Tommaso di Salva (1310-1380) who was known for his scholarly works on theology and philosophy.
Another prominent individual with the surname Salva was Giovanni Battista Salva (1628-1688), an Italian painter and architect who was active during the Baroque period. His works can be found in various churches and palaces throughout Italy.
In the 18th century, Niccolò Salva (1701-1765) was a renowned Italian composer and violinist. He served as the court composer for the Duke of Brunswick and produced numerous operas and instrumental works during his lifetime.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Salva name gained recognition through the efforts of Antonino Salva (1869-1944), an Italian lawyer and politician who served as the Mayor of Palermo from 1920 to 1924.
Another notable figure was Giovanni Salva (1872-1937), an Italian sculptor and ceramist who was known for his works in the Art Nouveau and Liberty styles. His sculptures and ceramic pieces can be found in various museums and collections worldwide.
While the Salva surname has its roots in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to emigration and diaspora. However, the historical records and notable individuals mentioned above provide a glimpse into the rich heritage and origins of this surname.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Salva
Among Census respondents with the surname Salva, the largest self-reported group is White at 50.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (27.9%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (17.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Salva 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 Salva surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White50.2%
- Hispanic or Latino27.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander17.0%
- Two or more races3.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Salva 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 | #18,660 | #18,660 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,474 | 1,474 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Salva bearers went from 1,474 to 1,474 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #18,660 to #18,660.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Salva
FAQ
Salva surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Salva?
The surname Salva holds position #18,660 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,714 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.50 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Salva surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Salva, the largest self-reported group is White at 50.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (27.9%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (17.0%). 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.