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

Gabra, 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 Gabra surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gabra in America

Gabra is the 90495th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gabra surname appeared 204 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 Gabra.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gabra 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 Gabra

The surname "GABRA" is believed to have originated in Ethiopia, with its roots tracing back to the ancient Semitic languages spoken in the region. The name is likely derived from the Amharic word "gabra," which means "servant" or "slave." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who were servants or slaves in the early history of the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "GABRA" can be found in the chronicles of the medieval Ethiopian Empire, where it appears as a designation for individuals serving in various capacities within the royal court or the clergy. These records date back to the 13th and 14th centuries, providing a glimpse into the antiquity of the name's usage.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, several prominent individuals bearing the surname "GABRA" emerged in the annals of Ethiopian history. One notable figure was Gabra Masqal (c. 1475-1550), a renowned scholar and writer who authored several works on theology and philosophy. Another was Gabra Krestos (c. 1510-1585), a prominent military leader and strategist who played a significant role in the wars against the Adal Sultanate.

In the 17th century, the name "GABRA" appeared in the records of the Portuguese Jesuit missionaries who traveled to Ethiopia. One such mention was of Gabra Iyasus (c. 1620-1680), a local leader who facilitated the missionaries' work and helped establish Catholic communities in the region.

As the centuries progressed, the surname "GABRA" continued to be associated with influential figures in Ethiopia's history. In the 19th century, Gabra Amanuel (1797-1875) was a prominent noble and landowner who played a significant role in the political affairs of the Shewa region. Another notable figure was Gabra Heywat (1819-1892), a renowned scholar and translator who contributed to the preservation of Ethiopian literature and culture.

Throughout its long history, the surname "GABRA" has been used by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, warriors, nobles, and religious figures. While its origins may have been humble, the name has become a part of the rich tapestry of Ethiopian heritage, carrying with it the echoes of the country's ancient past.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gabra

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

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

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

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