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

Girma, 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 Girma surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Girma in America

Girma is the 29661st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Girma surname appeared 794 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 Girma.

We can also compare 2010 data for Girma 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 Girma

The surname Girma has its origins in Ethiopia, dating back several centuries. It is believed to have derived from the Amharic word "ger," which means "house" or "home." The name may have initially referred to a person's place of residence or lineage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Girma can be found in the Kebra Nagast, a 14th-century Ethiopic text that chronicles the Queen of Sheba's journey to meet King Solomon. This ancient text mentions a character named Girma, suggesting the name's long-standing presence in Ethiopian culture.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Girma appeared in various historical documents and records from the Ethiopian Empire. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Girma Wolde-Giorgis, a prominent Ethiopian statesman and diplomat who served as the country's foreign minister in the 1940s.

Another notable figure was Girma Amare, an Ethiopian writer and educator who was born in 1919. His literary works contributed significantly to the development of modern Amharic literature. Girma Amare's works often explored themes of identity, culture, and social commentary.

In the realm of sports, Girma Wolde-Giorgis, born in 1924, was a renowned Ethiopian long-distance runner. He represented his country at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, and won numerous international competitions throughout his career.

The name Girma also has connections to various place names and locales within Ethiopia. For instance, Girma is a village located in the Amhara region, while Girma Woreda is an administrative district in the Oromia region. These place names may have contributed to the surname's evolution and spread across different regions of the country.

Another notable figure was Girma Kebede, an Ethiopian painter and artist who lived from 1925 to 2001. He is renowned for his vibrant and colorful depictions of Ethiopian life, culture, and landscapes. Girma Kebede's works have been exhibited in various galleries and museums around the world, showcasing the rich artistic heritage of Ethiopia.

Throughout its history, the surname Girma has been borne by influential individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including politics, literature, sports, and the arts. While its origins can be traced back to ancient Ethiopian roots, the name continues to hold cultural significance and pride for those who carry it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Girma

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

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

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

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