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

Bumba, 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 Bumba surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bumba in America

Bumba is the 125282nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bumba surname appeared 137 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 Bumba.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bumba 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 Bumba

The surname BUMBA originates from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire. It traces its roots back to the late 15th century and is derived from the Kikongo word "mbumba," which means "to create" or "to shape."

According to historical records, the name BUMBA first appeared in the central region of the Congo Basin, particularly among the Kongo people. It was often associated with skilled artisans, craftsmen, and potters who specialized in creating and shaping various objects from clay or other materials.

Early mentions of the name BUMBA can be found in local oral traditions and folklore. One notable reference is in the Kongo creation myth, where the supreme creator deity is known as Bumba or Mbumba, who is believed to have shaped the world and all living beings.

The earliest recorded individual with the surname BUMBA is Nzinga Mbumba, a prominent Kongo ruler who reigned in the late 15th century. He was known for his efforts to consolidate power and expand the Kongo Kingdom's influence in the region.

Another notable figure bearing the name BUMBA was Kimpa Vita (1684-1706), a Kongolese woman who founded a religious movement that blended traditional Kongo beliefs with Christianity. She claimed to have visions and proclaimed herself as a prophet, challenging the Portuguese colonial authorities and the Catholic Church.

In the 18th century, a Kongo artist named Nzimbu Bumba gained recognition for his intricate wood carvings and sculptures, which depicted various aspects of Kongo culture and traditions.

During the 19th century, a renowned Kongo writer and historian, Nsangu ya Bumba (1832-1899), documented the history and oral traditions of the Kongo people, preserving valuable cultural knowledge for future generations.

Another prominent figure was Kimbalu Bumba (1875-1944), a Kongo chief and leader who played a significant role in resisting the brutal exploitation and oppression imposed by the Belgian colonial authorities in the Congo Free State.

Over time, the surname BUMBA has spread beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as people migrated to other parts of Africa and the world. However, its roots remain firmly tied to the Kongo culture and the rich artistic and creative traditions associated with this historic name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bumba

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

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

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

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