Surname Frequency Checker
Data from US Census Bureau surname frequency files. To find how many Americans share your full name, visit HowManyOfMe for the combined count.
How Surname Frequency Is Measured in the US
The US Census Bureau publishes genealogy surname files after each Census. These files track every surname appearing at least 100 times in the US population, covering over 162,000 distinct last names. Each entry shows the estimated count of Americans carrying that surname and its national rank. Rank 1 is the most common. Rank 162,000 is the rarest still large enough to be counted. Surnames with fewer than 100 bearers are not published for privacy reasons. If your name does not appear, it likely sits below that threshold, which means fewer than 100 Americans carry it.
The 10 Most Common Last Names in America
| Rank | Surname | Estimated US Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smith | 2,442,977 |
| 2 | Johnson | 1,932,812 |
| 3 | Williams | 1,625,252 |
| 4 | Brown | 1,437,026 |
| 5 | Jones | 1,425,470 |
| 6 | Garcia | 1,166,120 |
| 7 | Miller | 1,161,437 |
| 8 | Davis | 1,116,357 |
| 9 | Rodriguez | 1,094,924 |
| 10 | Martinez | 1,060,159 |
Source: US Census Bureau surname frequency data.
Why Some Surnames Are More Common Than Others
Common surnames often trace back to occupations, physical descriptions, or a father's first name passed down through generations. Smith is the most common because blacksmiths existed in every village and town throughout history, and their trade name became hereditary. Miller shares the same logic: the miller was a central figure in every community, and the name stayed in the family long after milling stopped being the trade. Hispanic surnames like Garcia, Rodriguez, and Martinez entered the top 10 as immigration from Latin America grew through the 20th century. A name that feels rare in one city might be surprisingly common in another state. Regional clustering is a real pattern, as certain surnames concentrate in specific states based on where immigrant communities originally settled in America.
Surname Rarity Tiers
| Tier | Estimated US Count | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Very Common | 500,000 or more | One of the top surnames in America |
| Common | 100,000 to 499,999 | Recognized nationwide |
| Uncommon | 10,000 to 99,999 | Known regionally, less familiar nationally |
| Rare | 1,000 to 9,999 | Found in specific communities or regions |
| Very Rare | 100 to 999 | Barely above the Census publication threshold |
| Not Published | Fewer than 100 | Too rare to appear in Census data |
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Your surname carries the history of every family member who held it before you, and the Census Bureau data shows exactly how many Americans carry it today. Type your last name above to see where it ranks, then check your full name count at howmanyofmes.com.