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

Sava, 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 Sava surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sava in America

Sava is the 32123rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sava surname appeared 718 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 Sava.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sava 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 Sava

The surname SAVA originated in Croatia, a country located in Southeastern Europe along the Adriatic Sea. Its roots can be traced back to the medieval period, when the name was derived from the Old Croatian word "sava," which translates to "river" or "stream." This connection to waterways suggests that the earliest bearers of the name may have lived near or along rivers.

The oldest known records of the SAVA surname can be found in the 14th century, appearing in various Croatian historical documents and manuscripts. One notable mention is in the Dubrovnik Archives, where a certain Nikola Sava is recorded as a merchant in the city-state of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik) in the year 1376.

During the Renaissance period, the SAVA name gained prominence in the Croatian coastal regions, particularly in the cities of Zadar, Split, and Šibenik. A distinguished figure from this era was Pavao Sava (1460-1522), a renowned architect and sculptor who contributed to the construction of several iconic buildings, including the Cathedral of St. James in Šibenik.

As the SAVA family spread across Croatia and neighboring regions, variations in spelling emerged, such as Savić and Savić. These different spellings often reflected regional dialects or linguistic influences. For instance, the Savić spelling was more common in areas with a stronger Serbian influence.

In the 18th century, a notable bearer of the SAVA name was Matija Petar Sava (1720-1788), a Croatian writer and philosopher who authored several works on ethics and moral philosophy. His contributions to Croatian literature and intellectual discourse were significant during the Enlightenment era.

Another prominent figure was Josip Sava (1825-1908), a Croatian politician and diplomat who served as the Mayor of Dubrovnik and later as the Austrian-Hungarian Consul General in Thessaloniki, Greece. His political and diplomatic endeavors played a crucial role in shaping the relations between Croatia and neighboring regions.

As the SAVA surname spread beyond Croatia, it found its way into other Slavic countries, such as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. In these regions, the name often carried similar linguistic roots and meanings, further solidifying its connection to waterways and rivers.

Throughout history, the SAVA surname has maintained a strong presence in various fields, including architecture, literature, politics, and diplomacy. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval Croatia, its bearers have left an indelible mark across the Balkans and beyond, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and diversity of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sava

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

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

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

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