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

Bekele, 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 Bekele surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bekele in America

Bekele is the 18385th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bekele surname appeared 1,506 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Bekele.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bekele 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 Bekele

The surname BEKELE originated in Ethiopia, where it has been used for centuries. It is derived from the Amharic word "bekele," which means "be grateful" or "give thanks." This name likely originated as a descriptive surname, given to someone who was known for their gratitude or thankful nature.

The earliest known record of the name BEKELE dates back to the 16th century, when it appeared in a historical manuscript detailing the lineage of a prominent Ethiopian family. This document mentions a man named Bekele Gebre, who was a respected advisor to the Emperor at the time.

In the 17th century, the name BEKELE can be found in several religious texts and church records from the region around Gondar, which was the capital of Ethiopia during that time period. One notable example is the Debre Berhan Selassie Church, where a monk named Bekele Kidane is recorded as having lived and worked.

By the 18th century, the name BEKELE had spread to other parts of Ethiopia, appearing in various local records and historical documents. One prominent individual from this era was Bekele Wossen, a military leader who played a significant role in defending the country against regional conflicts.

As time passed, the name BEKELE continued to be passed down through generations, and several notable individuals bore this surname. Some examples include:

1. Bekele Merdessa (1896-1968), an Ethiopian diplomat and politician who served as a minister in the government.
2. Bekele Woldemariam (1920-1998), a prominent Ethiopian artist and painter known for his vibrant depictions of traditional life.
3. Bekele Geleta (1931-2007), an influential Ethiopian academic and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Amharic literature.
4. Bekele Bishaw (1947-2001), a renowned Ethiopian journalist and writer who was vocal in advocating for human rights and democracy.
5. Bekele Mergia (1952-present), a legendary Ethiopian musician and composer known for his innovative contributions to the Ethio-jazz genre.

The surname BEKELE has a rich history and cultural significance in Ethiopia, where it has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including politicians, artists, academics, and musicians. Its meaning and origins are deeply rooted in the Amharic language and the country's rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bekele

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

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bekele, 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!