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

Asfaw, 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 Asfaw surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Asfaw in America

Asfaw is the 27354th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Asfaw surname appeared 883 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 Asfaw.

We can also compare 2010 data for Asfaw 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 Asfaw

The surname ASFAW is of Ethiopian origin, and its roots can be traced back to the ancient Ge'ez language, which was spoken in the region during the first millennium BC. The name is believed to have derived from the Ge'ez word "asfaw," meaning "flower" or "blossom."

In early Ethiopian texts and manuscripts, variations of the name can be found, such as "Asfawi" or "Asfawu," reflecting the linguistic evolution of the name over time. These ancient records provide valuable insights into the historical significance of the name and its prevalence within various Ethiopian communities.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the surname ASFAW was Asfaw Wossen (1892-1936), a prominent Ethiopian prince and military leader during the reign of Emperor Menelik II. He played a crucial role in the Battle of Adwa in 1896, where Ethiopian forces defeated the invading Italian army, cementing Ethiopia's independence.

Another notable figure was Asfaw Yemiru (1922-1997), an acclaimed Ethiopian novelist and playwright. His works, including the novel "Fiqir Iske Mekabir" (The Conscript), explored themes of social injustice and the struggles faced by the Ethiopian people during the 20th century.

In the realm of sports, Asfaw Shire (born 1971) stands out as an accomplished long-distance runner from Ethiopia. He won numerous international marathons and held the world record for the fastest marathon time for several years in the late 1990s.

The surname ASFAW has also been associated with various places and landmarks throughout Ethiopia. For instance, the town of Asfaw in the Oromia Region bears a similar name, suggesting a possible connection to the surname's origins or the presence of individuals with this name in the area.

Another individual of note is Asfaw Damte (1935-2005), an influential Ethiopian artist and sculptor. His works, which often depicted scenes from Ethiopian history and culture, are celebrated for their intricate details and artistic mastery.

While the surname ASFAW has its roots in ancient Ethiopia, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical and cultural significance of this name remains deeply intertwined with the rich heritage of the Ethiopian people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Asfaw

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

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

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

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