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

Vania, 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 Vania surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Vania in America

Vania is the 125639th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vania surname appeared 126 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Vania.

The history of the last name Vania

The surname Vania has intriguing origins that trace back to the regions of Southern Europe, particularly Italy. The name likely emerged during the medieval period, a time marked by the formation of surnames for purposes of identification and taxation. Historically, Vania is believed to have its roots in the Lombardy region, an area renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage.

Delving into the etymology, Vania may be derived from an old Italian dialect word “vani”, which means "vain" or "empty". This could imply that the name was originally a nickname for someone perceived to be conceited or perhaps superficially impressive. Alternatively, it could stem from the Latin “vannus", meaning "a winnowing fan", which was used to separate grain from chaff, signifying a connection to agricultural occupations.

Historical records reveal instances of the name Vania in medieval manuscripts and parish registers. One noteworthy reference is a 14th-century document from Lombardy, detailing the transactions of a landowner named Giovanni Vania. It's from such records that we gather insights into the early bearers of the surname, showing its prevalence among the local populace.

Notably, an early recorded example is Gabriele Vania, a Venetian merchant active in the early 1500s. Born around 1485 and passing in 1542, Gabriele Vania was involved in trade activities across the Adriatic Sea, illustrating the mercantile connections associated with the name.

Another significant historical figure is Caterina Vania, an artist from Milan born in 1640. Her contributions to the baroque art scene, through her paintings depicting religious themes, establish her as an influential bearer of the surname. Caterina's works were celebrated until her death in 1701.

The name also appears in the annals of academia. Pietro Vania, a 19th-century scholar born in Turin in 1815, made considerable advancements in the field of mathematics. His treatises on geometric theory were well-regarded during his lifetime, with his death occurring in 1889.

Further afield, Antonio Vania, born in 1760 in Naples, became a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time. His poems and sonnets focused on themes of nature and love, gaining him recognition until his death in 1824.

Finally, the surname traveled beyond Italian borders. Marcello Vania, born in 1892 in Sicily, immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century. He contributed significantly to the flourishing Italian-American communities, particularly in New York, before passing away in 1950.

Throughout history, the Vania surname has been borne by individuals who made notable contributions to various fields including trade, art, academia, literature, and community development. This collective legacy offers a rich tapestry of historical significance attached to the name Vania.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vania

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Vania 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.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!