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

Chhim, 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 Chhim surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Chhim in America

Chhim is the 29138th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Chhim surname appeared 813 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 Chhim.

We can also compare 2010 data for Chhim 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 Chhim

The surname CHHIM is of Khmer origin, originating from the Khmer people of Cambodia. It is believed to have derived from the Khmer word "chhim," which means "to collect" or "to gather." This suggests that the name may have been associated with occupations or activities related to gathering or collecting resources, such as farming, fishing, or hunting.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname CHHIM can be found in historical records and manuscripts from the Khmer Empire, which ruled over parts of mainland Southeast Asia between the 9th and 15th centuries. During this period, the name appeared in various inscriptions and stone carvings, often associated with individuals of significant social status or occupation.

One notable historical figure with the surname CHHIM was Chhim Sivuth, a renowned Khmer architect and sculptor who lived during the 12th century. Sivuth is credited with designing and overseeing the construction of several iconic temples and monuments in Angkor, including the Bayon temple complex, which features intricate carvings of smiling faces.

Another prominent individual with the surname CHHIM was Chhim Samuth, a Khmer scholar and poet who lived in the 16th century. Samuth is known for his contributions to Khmer literature, particularly his epic poetry work, the "Chbap Phleng Khmer," which celebrated the cultural heritage and traditions of the Khmer people.

In the 19th century, Chhim Phansavan was a respected Khmer statesman and diplomat who played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and fostering diplomatic relations between Cambodia and neighboring countries. His efforts helped maintain Cambodia's sovereignty and independence during a period of increased foreign influence in the region.

During the 20th century, Chhim Samnonh was a prominent Khmer politician and activist who advocated for Cambodian independence from French colonial rule. Samnonh was a founding member of the Khmer Issarak movement, which fought for Cambodia's freedom and self-determination.

While the surname CHHIM has its roots in Cambodia, it has also been adopted and used by individuals of Khmer descent in other parts of Southeast Asia, such as Thailand and Vietnam, where Khmer communities have historically resided.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Chhim

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

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

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

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