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

Fonoimoana, 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 Fonoimoana surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fonoimoana in America

Fonoimoana is the 103181st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fonoimoana surname appeared 174 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 Fonoimoana.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fonoimoana 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 Fonoimoana

The surname "FONOIMOANA" is of Samoan origin, originating from the Polynesian islands in the South Pacific Ocean. This name likely dates back to the ancient seafaring traditions of the Samoan people, with its roots tracing back to the early centuries of the Common Era.

The name "FONOIMOANA" is a compound word derived from the Samoan language, combining the words "fono," meaning "to gather" or "to assemble," and "imoana," which translates to "ocean" or "sea." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to gatherings or assemblies related to maritime activities or coastal communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "FONOIMOANA" can be found in the genealogical records of prominent Samoan families, dating back to the 16th century. These records often documented the lineages of influential chiefs and their extended families, indicating the historical significance of this surname within Samoan society.

In the 18th century, the name appears in various accounts and journals written by early European explorers and missionaries who visited the Samoan islands. One notable example is Captain James Cook, who documented his encounters with the Samoan people and their unique customs during his voyages in the South Pacific.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname "FONOIMOANA" is Tofilau Eti Alesana Fonoimoana, a prominent Samoan chief and political leader who played a crucial role in the negotiations with New Zealand during the early 20th century. He was born in 1865 and passed away in 1933.

Another noteworthy figure is Sione Fonoimoana, a Samoan artist and cultural ambassador who gained recognition for his intricate wood carvings and promotion of traditional Samoan art forms. He lived from 1920 to 2002 and was awarded the prestigious Royal Order of Vaisavalagi by the Samoan government.

In the field of literature, the name "FONOIMOANA" is also associated with Lauiselua Fonoimoana, a Samoan author and poet whose works explored themes of identity, tradition, and the intersection of Samoan and Western cultures. She was born in 1948 and her literary contributions have been widely celebrated within the Samoan diaspora.

Lastly, the name "FONOIMOANA" is linked to the Samoan sporting community, with Tauiliili Fonoimoana, a former professional rugby player who represented Samoa in international competitions during the late 20th century. His athletic achievements and dedication to the sport have made him a notable figure within Samoan athletic circles.

These examples illustrate the rich history and cultural significance of the surname "FONOIMOANA" within the Samoan community, reflecting its deep roots in the island's maritime heritage and its enduring presence across various spheres of Samoan society throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fonoimoana

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

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

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

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