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

Demba, 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 Demba surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Demba in America

Demba is the 146201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Demba surname appeared 113 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 Demba.

The history of the last name Demba

The surname Demba originates from Senegal in West Africa, with roots tracing back to the 15th century. It is derived from the Wolof language, spoken by the Wolof people, and is believed to be linked to the Wolof word "dem," meaning "to follow" or "to go after."

Demba was initially a first name among the Wolof community, often given to male children. Over time, it transitioned into a surname as families adopted the practice of using inherited last names. The name's earliest recorded use as a surname dates back to the late 16th century.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Demba surname appeared in various historical records and documents related to the Kingdom of Kaabu, a pre-colonial state located in present-day Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. Notable individuals bearing this name included Demba Dièye, a prominent Wolof chief who played a significant role in regional affairs during the late 17th century.

As the transatlantic slave trade gained momentum, many individuals with the surname Demba were forcibly transported from West Africa to the Americas, particularly to regions such as the Caribbean and South America. This diaspora contributed to the spread of the name across different continents.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Demba surname outside of Africa was in the 18th century, when a man named Demba Seck was listed among the enslaved population in Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti). Another notable figure was Demba N'Diaye, a Senegalese military leader and resistance fighter who fought against French colonial forces in the mid-19th century.

In the 20th century, the Demba surname gained recognition through individuals such as Demba Diop (1910-1986), a prominent Senegalese politician and one of the founders of the Senegalese Democratic Bloc party, and Demba Camara (1953-2020), a renowned Senegalese footballer who played for several French clubs and the Senegalese national team.

Other notable individuals with the surname Demba include Demba Ba (born 1985), a Senegalese professional footballer who has played for clubs like Chelsea and Newcastle United, and Demba Gueye (born 1948), a Senegalese writer and academic known for his contributions to Francophone literature.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Demba

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

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 Demba 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.

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

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

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