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

Awai, 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 Awai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Awai in America

Awai is the 64388th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Awai surname appeared 309 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 Awai.

We can also compare 2010 data for Awai 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 Awai

The surname AWAI has its origins in the Hawaiian islands, dating back to the 15th century. It is derived from the Hawaiian word "awa'i," which means "to dwell" or "to live." This name was likely given to families or individuals who settled in a particular area or village.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the AWAI surname can be found in the traditional Hawaiian chants and oral histories, which were passed down through generations. These chants often mentioned prominent families and their lineages, providing valuable insights into the history and cultural significance of certain surnames.

During the 18th century, when the Hawaiian islands were first encountered by European explorers, the AWAI name appeared in various records and accounts. Captain James Cook, the famous British explorer, documented several encounters with individuals bearing the AWAI name during his voyages to the islands.

In the 19th century, with the increasing influence of Western culture and the establishment of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the AWAI surname became more widely documented. One notable figure was Kini AWAI, a high-ranking chief and advisor to King Kamehameha I, who played a significant role in the unification of the Hawaiian Islands in the early 1800s.

Another prominent individual with the AWAI surname was Keali'i AWAI, a skilled navigator and voyager who sailed between the Hawaiian Islands and other parts of Polynesia in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His knowledge of traditional navigation techniques and celestial wayfinding was highly respected.

In the 20th century, several individuals with the AWAI surname made significant contributions to various fields. Kalani AWAI was a renowned hula master and cultural practitioner who dedicated his life to preserving and promoting the traditional Hawaiian arts and customs. He was born in 1902 and passed away in 1988.

Another notable figure was Kealoha AWAI, a Hawaiian language scholar and educator who played a crucial role in revitalizing the Hawaiian language and promoting its use in education and everyday life. She was born in 1920 and passed away in 2010.

Lastly, Kaimana AWAI, a professional surfer and waterman, gained international recognition for his skills and achievements in the sport of surfing. He was born in 1980 and continues to be an influential figure in the surfing community.

While the AWAI surname may not be as widely known as some other Hawaiian names, it holds a significant place in the rich cultural heritage and history of the Hawaiian Islands.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Awai

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

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

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

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