Sawa
A surname of Japanese origin meaning "marsh" or "swamp".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 823 Americans carry the last name Sawa. That puts it at #32,079 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.24 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 416,469 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Sawa 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
823
1 in 416,469
Census rank
#32,079
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
719
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 719 bearers of the surname Sawa in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.24 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 32079th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Sawa, the largest self-reported group is White at 72.3%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (16.8%) and Two or More Races (5.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Sawa
The surname SAWA is believed to have originated in Poland, with roots tracing back to the 14th century. It is derived from the Polish word "sawa," which means "raven" or "dark-colored bird." The name likely referred to someone with dark hair or a swarthy complexion.
In medieval Poland, surnames were often derived from physical characteristics, occupations, or locations. The SAWA surname may have initially referred to a person's appearance or been associated with a particular trade or village.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the SAWA surname can be found in the Tarnów Land Records from the 15th century. These records document various legal transactions and property ownership in the region.
The SAWA name appeared in other historical documents as well, such as the Poznań Grodskie Records from the 16th century. These records were maintained by local courts and contained information about legal proceedings and administrative matters.
Interestingly, the SAWA surname also has connections to several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Jan Sawa (1500-1570), a Polish nobleman and military commander who served under King Sigismund I the Old.
Another prominent bearer of the SAWA name was Feliks Sawa (1876-1944), a Polish engineer and inventor who played a crucial role in developing early aviation technology. He is credited with designing and constructing one of the first successful aircraft in Poland.
In the realm of literature, Michał Sawa (1857-1920) was a renowned Polish poet and playwright who contributed significantly to the development of Polish romantic literature in the late 19th century.
The SAWA surname can also be found in historical records related to various locations in Poland. For instance, the village of Sawy in the Masovian Voivodeship may have derived its name from the surname, suggesting a connection between the name and a specific place.
Another notable individual bearing the SAWA surname was Stanisław Sawa (1904-1992), a Polish military officer and resistance fighter during World War II. He played a key role in the Polish Underground State and was awarded several honors for his bravery and service.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Sawa
Among Census respondents with the surname Sawa, the largest self-reported group is White at 72.3%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (16.8%) and Two or More Races (5.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Sawa 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 Sawa surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White72.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander16.8%
- Two or more races5.0%
- Hispanic or Latino4.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Sawa 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 | #32,079 | #32,079 | 0.0% |
| Count | 719 | 719 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Sawa bearers went from 719 to 719 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #32,079 to #32,079.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Sawa
FAQ
Sawa surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Sawa?
The surname Sawa holds position #32,079 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 823 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.24 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Sawa surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Sawa, the largest self-reported group is White at 72.3%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (16.8%) and Two or More Races (5.0%). 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.